Yeah, reclaimed stuff can be hit or miss, but when it works out, it's like finding treasure. I snagged an old clawfoot tub once—needed some elbow grease, but totally worth it in the end. Glad yours went smoothly!
"Yeah, reclaimed stuff can be hit or miss, but when it works out, it's like finding treasure."
True, reclaimed can be amazing, but honestly, sometimes the hidden costs and headaches outweigh the charm. I once sourced these gorgeous vintage tiles for a client's bathroom—looked perfect at first glance. But halfway through installation, we realized half were slightly warped. Ended up costing more in labor to fix the unevenness than buying new tiles would've. Lesson learned... reclaimed isn't always the budget-friendly route it seems.
Yeah, reclaimed can definitely throw curveballs. Had a similar issue with salvaged wood beams—looked amazing initially, but hidden rot meant extra reinforcement costs. Still love reclaimed materials, but now I factor in a buffer for surprises...just in case.
Totally feel you on that buffer thing. When we redid our guest bath, I fell in love with this vintage clawfoot tub—thought it was gonna be the centerpiece. Turns out, it needed way more TLC than expected (rust spots, hidden leaks...you name it). Ended up spending almost double the original estimate to restore it properly. But honestly, every time someone compliments that tub now, I can't help but smile. Those surprises can sting at first, but they're usually worth it in the end.
Yeah, vintage tubs can be tricky. I've seen clients underestimate restoration costs plenty of times. Usually recommend budgeting at least 20-30% extra for vintage or reclaimed fixtures—hidden issues almost always pop up. But you're right, once it's done properly, the payoff is huge. Glad yours turned out well despite the surprise expenses.
