Totally agree with you on the oil method being easier to maintain. I've done a couple flips where we experimented with different finishes, and honestly, water-based poly always seemed a bit finicky to me—especially in bathrooms. It looks great initially, but those water spots can drive you nuts after a while.
We switched to using tung oil on cedar counters in our last project, and it was night-and-day easier. Sure, you might have to reapply every now and then, but it's quick and forgiving. Plus, the natural wood grain really pops with oil finishes...gives it that warm, inviting feel buyers seem to love.
Cost-wise, our bathroom remodels usually run between $5k-$8k depending on fixtures and tile choices. Cedar counters definitely helped keep costs down compared to stone or quartz. Curious how your numbers compare?
"Cost-wise, our bathroom remodels usually run between $5k-$8k depending on fixtures and tile choices."
Wish I could say the same! Ours started as a simple "let's just freshen things up" project and quickly spiraled into a $10k+ adventure. Pro tip: never underestimate the power of Pinterest to inflate your budget. 😂 But seriously, cedar counters sound awesome—might've saved us from the quartz-induced sticker shock. Next time, I'm definitely going simpler...and hiding my wife's phone when planning starts.
We're in the same boat—our "quick update" escalated pretty fast too. Thought we'd just swap out some old fixtures and repaint, but once we opened the walls... surprise, plumbing issues! Ended up around $12k after all was said and done. Learned my lesson about budgeting for hidden problems. Cedar counters do sound interesting though; might consider that next project to balance costs a bit.
Totally relate to your experience—it's funny how these "simple" projects have a sneaky way of ballooning once you peek behind the walls. We budgeted around $8k initially, thinking we'd just freshen things up with some new tiles and fixtures. But then, bam... mold and water damage lurking behind the shower wall. Ended up closer to $14k after remediation and plumbing fixes. Definitely learned the hard way to always factor in at least 20% extra for those hidden surprises.
About cedar counters—I haven't tried them myself, but I've heard they're pretty durable if sealed properly. Could be a smart way to balance out costs without sacrificing style. Just make sure you research sealing methods carefully; wood near water can be tricky if not done right. Good luck with your next project, sounds like you're on the right track!
Been there myself—it's wild how quickly things spiral once you start pulling stuff apart. We thought we'd just swap out the vanity and paint, but ended up needing new subflooring because of old leaks. Budget doubled overnight, pretty much. Cedar counters sound interesting...I've seen them hold up nicely when sealed right, but definitely second the caution about water exposure. Sounds like you're handling it well though, hang in there!
