That’s a lesson I learned the hard way, too. Cutting corners on waterproofing or skipping demo work to “save time” usually backfires—especially when you’re dealing with older homes where surprises lurk everywhere. I’ve found that investing in a thorough inspection and proper prep typically adds 10-20% to my upfront costs, but it’s worth it. Not just for peace of mind, but also for resale value down the line. Sometimes those extra days and dollars save you a world of headaches later.
- Couldn’t agree more about not skipping the prep work. I tried to “save” on demo and waterproofing in my first place—ended up with a leak that cost way more to fix than if I’d just done it right the first time.
- For my last bathroom reno (small, 1950s house), I budgeted around $8k but it crept up to almost $10k once we found some old plumbing issues behind the walls. That extra inspection up front would’ve flagged it, but hindsight’s 20/20.
- I get wanting to keep costs down, but cutting corners on waterproofing is just asking for trouble. I’d rather spend a bit more now than deal with mold or water damage later.
- One thing I do push back on: sometimes contractors want to replace *everything* “just in case.” I’ve found you can save a bit by reusing fixtures or keeping the layout if it’s functional. Not everything needs to be gutted.
- In my experience, plan for at least 15% over your initial budget, especially in older homes. Surprises are almost guaranteed.
- I get the logic behind budgeting extra, but honestly, I managed to keep my last bathroom reno under $6k by doing a lot of the demo and painting myself. Not saying it’s for everyone, but DIY can really help if you’re careful and willing to learn.
- Also, sometimes those “surprises” aren’t as bad as contractors make them sound. I had one try to upsell me on a full pipe replacement, but a second opinion said a simple patch would do. Saved me a chunk.
- Agree on not gutting everything—if it works and looks decent, why toss it? My old vanity just needed a new top and some paint.
I’m with you on not gutting everything just for the sake of it.
I kept my tub and just reglazed it, which saved a ton. But I’ll be honest, I tried to DIY the plumbing and that was a mistake—ended up paying a pro to fix my “fix.” Maybe some people have better luck, but I think there’s a line where DIY starts costing more in the long run.“Agree on not gutting everything—if it works and looks decent, why toss it?”
On the surprises front, I get skeptical when contractors push for major work without clear evidence. Had one tell me my subfloor was “rotting out,” but when I checked myself, it was just surface staining from an old leak. Moisture meter is your friend here—don’t just take their word for it.
My total ended up around $7k, mostly because I splurged on tile and decent fixtures. If you’re detail-oriented and willing to research, you can definitely keep costs down, but there’s a learning curve. Wouldn’t recommend skipping contingency in the budget, though… stuff always pops up.
- Totally agree about not demoing stuff just to “start fresh.” There’s a lot to be said for working with what’s already there, especially if it’s in good shape.
- Reglazing is such a smart move—way less waste, and honestly, most folks can’t even tell the difference unless you point it out.
- I hear you on the DIY plumbing. Some things are better left to pros (learned that the hard way with a leaky shutoff valve that turned into a mini flood).
- Contractors sometimes overstate issues, for sure. I always ask for photos or try to see for myself before greenlighting extra work. Moisture meter is clutch—wish more people knew about that trick.
- My remodel was about $6k, mostly because I went with recycled glass tile and low-flow fixtures. The up-front cost felt high but the water savings are real.
- Contingency is non-negotiable. I budgeted 15% extra, and still had to dip into it when we found old wiring behind the vanity... never fails.
