Yeah, older homes always seem to hide surprises...been there myself. Couple quick thoughts:
- Totally get the plumbing drama—had a similar issue with old copper pipes that were barely hanging on.
- Curious, did you end up having to redo any drywall because of the plumbing replacement? That's usually another hidden cost people don't expect.
- Agree about contingency funds, but honestly, even 20% feels tight sometimes...depending on what you uncover. Good luck, sounds like you're handling it well!
"Curious, did you end up having to redo any drywall because of the plumbing replacement? That's usually another hidden cost people don't expect."
Yep, drywall repairs almost always sneak into the budget. Had a client recently whose "simple" plumbing fix turned into patching half the bathroom walls...fun times. Also agree on contingency—20% can disappear fast, especially when you start uncovering layers of questionable DIY from past owners. Always feels like you're playing detective with older homes, doesn't it?
"Always feels like you're playing detective with older homes, doesn't it?"
Definitely. Older houses are full of surprises...and not always the good kind. Drywall repairs are just one piece of the puzzle. A few things I've seen clients overlook or underestimate in bathroom remodels:
- **Subfloor issues**: Especially if there's been any water leakage, you might pull up old tile or vinyl and find rot or mold underneath. That can mean replacing plywood subfloors or even structural repairs to joists—both expensive and time-consuming.
- **Electrical upgrades**: Older bathrooms often don't meet current electrical codes. GFCI outlets, dedicated circuits for hairdryers or heated floors, proper vent fans—these can add up quickly if your electrician needs to run new wiring.
- **Ventilation**: Speaking of fans, good ventilation isn't just code-required; it's critical for protecting your investment from moisture damage. Upgrading from a weak, noisy fan to something quiet and efficient is worth it in the long run but easily overlooked in initial budgets.
- **Tile prep & waterproofing**: Proper waterproofing behind shower tile is a step many DIY-ers skip or skimp on, but it's essential to avoid future mold problems and water damage. This means investing in quality materials like cement board or waterproof membranes (Kerdi, RedGard), which can bump up costs.
Also agree on that 20% contingency—it seems generous at first glance, but when you're knee-deep in unexpected plumbing reroutes or structural fixes, it disappears fast. Remodeling older bathrooms is definitely more detective work than straightforward renovation at times...
We bought our 1920s bungalow thinking we'd just do a quick cosmetic update on the bathroom—paint, new fixtures, maybe some tile. Ha! Once we started pulling things apart, it was like peeling an onion...layers and layers of surprises. The subfloor was basically mush under the tub (years of slow leaks), and we found knob-and-tube wiring hidden behind the walls. Ended up having to redo all the electrical and plumbing from scratch.
I totally underestimated ventilation too. The old fan sounded like a jet engine but barely moved any air. Upgrading to something quiet and powerful made a huge difference, but it wasn't cheap.
All told, our "quick refresh" ballooned into about $15k when we'd originally budgeted half that. But honestly, even with all the headaches and unexpected costs, there's something rewarding about breathing new life into an old space. It's like you're uncovering stories from past generations and adding your own chapter...
We started with a $7k budget and ended up around $12k after discovering mold behind the shower tiles. But you're right—there's something special about uncovering history and making it your own. Did you manage to salvage any original fixtures or details?
