That “uh-oh” fund is a must—my last bathroom reno, I thought I’d just swap out the vanity and paint. Next thing I know, I’m knee-deep in 1960s linoleum and a mystery leak that’d been hiding for years. Ended up keeping the original medicine cabinet, though. It’s got that weird beveled mirror and a squeaky door, but there’s something charming about it. Sometimes those old quirks are worth the hassle, even if they don’t match the new tile.
Title: How Much Did Your Bathroom Remodel Run You (Roughly)?
That “uh-oh” fund is no joke. I went into my first bathroom reno thinking it’d be a quick weekend project—just new paint, swap out the faucet, maybe update the light fixture. Ended up turning into a three-week ordeal after I pulled up the old vinyl and found water damage under the subfloor. Turns out, the previous owners had just layered new flooring over the old stuff, and there was a slow leak from the toilet that had been soaking into the wood for who knows how long.
I tried to keep costs down by doing as much as I could myself, but between replacing the subfloor, patching drywall, and then realizing the shutoff valves were corroded (which meant calling in a plumber), it added up fast. All in, I spent about $4,200—way more than my original $1,500 estimate. The biggest surprise was how much little things add up: dump fees for the old materials, extra trips to the hardware store for random fittings, and then splurging on a slightly nicer tile because the cheap stuff looked awful next to the new paint.
I actually kept my old medicine cabinet too. It’s got this weird little latch and a mirror that’s just slightly warped at the edges, but I kind of like it. There’s something about those original details that makes the space feel less like a showroom and more like home. I know some folks want everything brand new, but I think a few quirks give it character.
If I had to do it again, I’d definitely budget at least 25% extra for surprises. And double-check what’s under the floor before making any plans... Learned that one the hard way.
That “uh-oh” fund has saved my skin more times than I care to admit. I once thought I could get a bathroom done for under $2k, but after demo I found cast iron pipes that were basically crumbling. Ended up at $6,800, mostly because of plumbing and having to reframe a wall. I totally get hanging onto the old medicine cabinet—sometimes those little quirks are what make the space feel lived-in. Honestly, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected, especially in older homes. Every time I think I’ve seen it all, something new pops up...
- That “uh-oh” fund is no joke. I budgeted $4k for my first bathroom reno, thinking I’d covered everything.
- Demo day revealed a weird patchwork of old wiring and some water damage behind the tub—ended up needing an electrician and a bunch of new drywall. Final cost: $7,200.
- I get wanting to keep the old medicine cabinet. I tried to replace mine, but the new one didn’t fit the opening (of course), so I just cleaned up the original and now it’s kind of charming in a retro way.
- One thing I learned: always assume plumbing will be worse than it looks. Those old pipes are sneaky.
- Not sure if it’s just me, but every time I open a wall in this house, it’s like a time capsule of questionable decisions from previous owners...
- If I ever do another bathroom, I’m doubling my contingency fund. No way around it with these older places.
Funny you mention the “time capsule” thing—my place is the same way. I swear every project uncovers some bizarre shortcut or mystery material. Did you end up hiring out most of the work, or did you try to DIY any of it? I’m always torn between saving money and not wanting to mess something up (especially with plumbing). For folks who ran into weird surprises, did insurance ever help with water damage, or was it all out of pocket?
