Yeah, 20-30% extra sounds about right, but honestly, I'd even push that to 40% for anything vintage. Ran into a nightmare with old plumbing behind our reclaimed sink... lesson learned the hard way. Still worth it though, character beats cookie-cutter any day.
Totally feel your pain on the plumbing surprises—been there myself with an old clawfoot tub. Vintage charm definitely comes at a cost (and a few headaches), but you're right, it's worth every penny. One thing I've learned is to always budget extra time too, not just money. Those unexpected hiccups can slow things down, but stepping back and seeing something unique you've created yourself... that's priceless. Hang in there, sounds like you're doing great!
I tackled a vintage pedestal sink a couple years back—thought it'd be a quick weekend swap, but nope. Ended up discovering ancient pipes that crumbled at the slightest touch. Had to redo half the plumbing, and my "quick weekend" turned into two weeks of late-night YouTube tutorials and multiple trips to the hardware store. But honestly, every time I walk into that bathroom now, I smile a little. Those unexpected detours really do make the finished project feel like a personal victory.
Totally relate to that feeling of uncovering hidden plumbing nightmares. Reminds me of when I tried swapping out an old vanity in our guest bathroom. Thought it was straightforward, but nope...found mold behind the drywall and ended up gutting half the wall. Like you, my weekend project spiraled into multiple weeks of researching mold remediation, drywall patching, and even some basic electrical work since the wiring behind was sketchy at best.
Cost-wise, I'd initially budgeted around $400 for the vanity and fixtures, but once I factored in drywall, mold treatments, paint, electrical supplies, and all those unexpected trips to the hardware store, I ended up closer to $900. Still, considering quotes I got later from contractors, I probably saved myself at least a grand or two doing it solo.
And you're right—there's something uniquely satisfying about walking into a room you've personally rescued from disaster. Even if it drained your wallet (and patience) more than expected, that sense of accomplishment sticks around long after the dust settles.
Did you factor in your time when calculating those savings? I get the satisfaction angle, but sometimes DIY can end up costing more in lost weekends and stress than just hiring it out. Last flip I did, I outsourced the mold remediation and electrical—yeah, upfront cost was higher, but I moved on to other projects quicker. Guess it depends on how much you value your sanity and free time...
