how much did your bathroom remodel run you (roughly)?

Kept the original hex tile in mine, even though it had a few cracks - figured it added character.

Honestly, I’m with you on that. Those old tiles have a vibe you just can’t fake. Lead pipes though... yeah, that’s a curveball. Happens more than folks think. At least you caught it before it caused bigger headaches down the line. Sometimes “rolling with it” is the only way these projects get done.

Keeping the old tile is such a cool move. I get wanting things to look “new,” but sometimes the quirks are what make it feel like home, you know? Lead pipes though... yikes. Glad you caught that before it turned into a disaster. Did you end up having to rip up more than you planned? Renovations always seem to have those surprise twists.

Keeping the old tile is such a cool move. I get wanting things to look “new,” but sometimes the quirks are what make it feel like home, you know?

Totally agree about the charm of old tile. There’s something about original details that gives a space character you just can’t fake. I always try to convince clients to keep at least one “imperfect” element if it fits the vibe.

But yeah, lead pipes... that’s a different story. I’ve seen so many projects where you start out thinking it’ll just be cosmetic, and then - boom - suddenly you’re tearing out half the floor because of ancient plumbing. It’s almost like there’s always some hidden surprise in these older homes. I had a job last year where we kept the retro pink tile, but ended up spending way more than planned on new copper lines. The tile was worth saving, though.

Honestly, if you can hang onto those quirks (and avoid the real hazards), you wind up with a space that feels way more personal, even if it’s not “magazine new.” Sometimes I think people go too far with gut renovations and lose all the soul in the process.

Keeping the old tile is usually a win in my book, unless it’s really trashed or there’s water damage underneath. I’ve found that patching up a few chips or regrouting can make a huge difference without losing that vintage vibe. But yeah, plumbing is where things get dicey fast. Last time I opened up a wall thinking I’d just swap out a faucet, I found galvanized pipes that were basically crumbling. Ended up spending more on new PEX lines than anything else in the whole project.

I get why people want everything to look fresh, but honestly, those little quirks - like weird tile patterns or original fixtures - are what make the space memorable. If you’re careful about what you keep and what you replace (especially anything safety-related), you can save money and still end up with something unique. Just gotta be ready for surprises... old houses never make it easy.

Totally get what you mean about the plumbing - every time I budget for a “simple” bathroom update, it’s the pipes that blow up the costs. Here’s how my last one broke down:

- Kept the old tile (just cleaned and regrouted): saved a ton.
- Swapped out all the galvanized for PEX: $2,200 right there.
- New vanity and toilet: $800.
- Miscellaneous surprises (because there’s always something): $500.

All in, just under $4k. Could’ve been less if those pipes weren’t basically fossils... but hey, at least now I sleep better knowing there’s no hidden leaks waiting to ruin my day.

- Swapped out all the galvanized for PEX: $2,200 right there.

Pipes are always the wildcard. I’ve lost count of how many “quick” flips turned into marathon jobs because of old plumbing. Swapping to PEX is smart, though - less hassle down the road. Personally, I’d rather spend a little more up front than deal with leaks later. Your breakdown looks about right for a midrange update, especially keeping the old tile. Too many people rip out good materials just because they look dated, when a deep clean and regrout can do wonders.

- Smart call on the PEX upgrade - it’s one of those things you only appreciate after a few years with zero leaks.
- Keeping old tile can be a gamble, but honestly, if it’s solid and you like the look, why not?
- I’ve seen folks spend thousands redoing perfectly good walls just for a trend... sometimes less really is more.
- Your numbers sound right for what you’re doing. Avoiding hidden plumbing surprises is half the battle in these remodels.

- PEX is a solid move, no argument there.
- Gotta push back a bit on keeping old tile though - seen too many “solid” tiles hiding water damage or mold behind them. Sometimes what looks fine on the surface is a headache waiting to happen.
- Trends come and go, but if you’re already opening up walls, it’s usually cheaper in the long run to just do it right the first time.
- Plumbing surprises... yeah, those are the budget killers. Always budget a little extra for the stuff you can’t see until demo day.

I get where you’re coming from about demoing all the old tile, but sometimes it’s not always necessary. If there’s no sign of movement, cracking, or musty smell, I’ve had good luck leaving original tile and just regrouting or sealing. I do check with a moisture meter first though - saves a ton if everything checks out. Just my two cents... sometimes “if it ain’t broke” really does apply.

sometimes “if it ain’t broke” really does apply.

I get that logic, and honestly, I’ve done the same thing in a couple of my own projects. If the tile’s solid and there’s no moisture hiding underneath, regrouting can make a world of difference for way less cash. Here’s how I usually approach it:

1. Check for loose tiles or hollow sounds by tapping around.
2. Run a moisture meter over suspect areas - especially near the tub or shower.
3. If everything checks out, I’ll scrape out the old grout (oscillating tool helps), clean up, and regrout.
4. Seal everything once it’s cured.

Last time I did this, my “remodel” was under $500 - mostly just materials and a weekend of elbow grease. Full gut jobs I’ve done have run $5k+ even DIY, so yeah, sometimes leaving good tile is the move.

That said, if you’re already seeing signs of water damage or moldy smells, demoing is probably safer in the long run. It’s always a bit of a gamble with old bathrooms... but sometimes you win big by not overdoing it.

Couldn’t agree more - sometimes you just don’t need to rip everything out. People get caught up thinking a remodel means gutting the whole space, but honestly, if the bones are good, why waste the money? I’ve done the same thing - regrout, seal, maybe swap out fixtures - and it’s wild how much fresher the place looks for a fraction of the cost. Not every project needs to be a full-blown demo. You’re making the smart call by checking for moisture first, though. That’s where folks get burned if they skip it.

if the bones are good, why waste the money?

Exactly this. I’ve seen people drop $25k+ on a bathroom when all they really needed was a facelift. My last one ran me about $3,500 - just new fixtures, paint, and some tile work. Didn’t touch the plumbing or layout. Honestly, unless you’re dealing with rot or ancient pipes, it’s wild how much you can save just working with what’s already there. Demo is overrated unless you’ve got real problems hiding behind the walls.

I get the logic behind just doing a facelift, but sometimes it’s worth digging a little deeper, especially if you’re thinking long-term. I did a “surface” reno once and ended up regretting not checking behind the walls - turns out there was some old insulation and minor mold I missed. If you’re already investing in new tile or fixtures, it can be smart to at least peek behind the drywall. Sometimes those hidden issues cost more down the line than just biting the bullet up front. Not saying demo everything, but a little extra investigation can save headaches later.

Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but sometimes “just a facelift” is all you need - especially if the budget’s tight. Not everyone has the time or cash to go full demo. You said,

“a little extra investigation can save headaches later.”

I get the appeal of a quick facelift, especially when you’re watching the budget. But I’ve seen a few “lipstick on a pig” jobs where folks ended up with leaks or mold behind the walls a year later - stuff that wasn’t obvious at first glance. Out of curiosity, did you check for any water damage or soft spots before you started? Sometimes those hidden issues are what really bite you down the road.

Sometimes those hidden issues are what really bite you down the road.

That’s the part that always makes me nervous about “surface” remodels. I once bought a place where the previous owner had just slapped new tile over old water damage - looked great for about six months, then the grout started cracking and the smell hit. Ended up costing way more than if they’d just fixed it right the first time. Did you end up opening up any walls, or just stick to cosmetic updates? Sometimes even a little exploratory demo can save a lot of headaches.

Did you end up opening up any walls, or just stick to cosmetic updates?

I always open up at least one wall, even if it’s just a “quick” flip. Too many times I’ve seen what you’re talking about - fresh tile hiding a mess underneath. Last place, found a half-rotted stud and some old plumbing that was barely holding together. Cost me an extra grand or so, but way better than dealing with leaks later. Surface-only is tempting, but man, it can bite you hard.

“Surface-only is tempting, but man, it can bite you hard.”

Totally agree. Every time I’ve tried to just do surface stuff, I regret it later. Last time I skipped opening a wall, the next owner found a slow leak and it turned into a whole mold situation. Not worth it. Spending a bit more upfront saves a ton of headaches down the road.

Spending a bit more upfront saves a ton of headaches down the road.

Couldn’t agree more. I’ve done enough flips to know that cutting corners, especially in bathrooms, almost always comes back to haunt you. It’s tempting to just slap on new tile and call it a day, but if there’s old plumbing or hidden water damage, you’re just setting up for bigger costs later. Sometimes it feels like overkill, but man, it pays off when you don’t get those “surprise” calls months after selling.

Totally feel you on this. I used to think, “Eh, just paint over that old grout, it’ll be fine.” Spoiler: it was not fine. Ended up with a leaky shower and a very grumpy buyer. Now I always check behind the walls and under the floors, even if it adds a few days (and gray hairs). It’s way less stressful than getting that dreaded call about mystery puddles months later. Sometimes spending more upfront is just buying yourself peace of mind... and fewer angry voicemails.