Did my first bathroom remodel last summer, and I agree—tiling wasn't as intimidating as I'd expected. However, costs added up quicker than anticipated. Even doing most of the labor myself, materials alone (tiles, grout, waterproofing membrane, fixtures, paint, etc.) ran me around $2,500. Definitely doable, but budgeting carefully and leaving room for unexpected expenses (like replacing damaged subflooring...) is key.
Yeah, $2,500 sounds about right, though I've had projects balloon to nearly double that (hello, surprise plumbing issues...). DIY saves a ton, but man, those "little" trips to the hardware store add up fast. Always budget extra—trust me on this one.
I hear ya on the hardware store runs—those sneaky trips are budget killers. Managed to keep mine around $3k by repurposing some vintage fixtures and going eco-friendly with reclaimed wood shelving. Plumbing definitely threw me a curveball too, though. Did you find any sustainable or recycled materials that helped offset costs? Curious if anyone else went the eco-conscious route and how it impacted their budget...
Managed to keep mine under $4k, but only because I got lucky scoring an old clawfoot tub off Craigslist. Thought I was being eco-friendly until plumbing hit—turns out vintage charm doesn't always play nice with modern pipes...lesson learned the soggy way.
Clawfoot tubs look awesome, but yeah, plumbing them can be a headache. Older fixtures usually have non-standard fittings or weird spacing that modern plumbing just isn't designed for. I've had clients who thought they'd save money going vintage, only to end up spending extra on adapters, custom fittings, or even having to redo sections of pipe entirely. Still, under $4k is pretty impressive—especially considering you included a clawfoot tub. Even with the plumbing hiccup, sounds like you managed a pretty solid remodel on a tight budget. And hey, next time you'll know exactly what you're getting into when you spot that vintage pedestal sink online...
