It’s amazing how often “just new tile” turns into a full gut job once you see what’s lurking behind the walls. I’ve worked on projects where skipping the waterproof membrane led to leaks and mold—fixing that later is so much more expensive than doing it right upfront. Even if it feels like overkill, investing in quality waterproofing and checking for hidden issues saves money (and headaches) long-term. Skimping there is one shortcut people almost always regret.
“just new tile” turns into a full gut job once you see what’s lurking behind the walls.
- Started with “just tile” too… ended up at $13k for a small bathroom.
- Demo revealed ancient pipes and zero waterproofing (yikes).
- Spent extra on a solid membrane system and better ventilation—no regrets.
- If I’d ignored the hidden stuff, I’d probably be redoing it in five years.
- Honestly, the upfront pain in the wallet is better than living with mold or leaks. Worth it for peace of mind, even if it stings at first.
$13k for a “small” bathroom—yep, that sounds about right.
Every time I budget for “just a facelift,” I end up discovering 1950s plumbing that looks like it belongs in a museum. Ever had a reno where you *didn’t* find a surprise? Or is that just wishful thinking?“just new tile” turns into a full gut job once you see what’s lurking behind the walls.
Ever had a reno where you *didn’t* find a surprise? Or is that just wishful thinking?
Wishful thinking, for sure. I’ve done three bathrooms in two different houses and every single time, something unexpected popped up. Last one, I thought I was just swapping out the tub and tile—next thing I know, I’m staring at a squirrel’s nest in the wall (no joke). The plumbing was so old it crumbled if you looked at it sideways.
$13k for a small bathroom doesn’t even shock me anymore. Once you start opening things up, it’s like the house is playing “how much can I mess with your budget today?” Even when I try to plan for “just a facelift,” there’s always some ancient wiring or weird patch job from the 70s lurking behind the drywall.
I did have one half-bath where nothing major went wrong, but that was basically just paint and a new vanity—no demo. Anything involving tile or moving fixtures? All bets are off.
If you ever manage to get through a reno without a surprise, buy a lottery ticket. You’re on a hot streak.
I always joke that every bathroom reno comes with a “bonus round.” One time, I was just updating tile and found an entire *brick* behind the old tub—no idea why it was there. I’ve learned to budget for the unexpected, because something always pops up. If you get through demo without at least one “what the heck?” moment, you’re living in a unicorn house.
