Yeah, I hear that. I tried to save by using old barn wood for my vanity and it ended up being a bigger project than I planned. Between pulling out nails, cleaning, and trying to get a decent finish, it took forever. Honestly, the cost savings kinda disappeared once I added up all the supplies... but it does have a vibe you just can’t fake with new stuff.
I get where you’re coming from—reclaimed wood definitely has a look you can’t replicate. That said, I’ve found that sometimes the labor and extra materials end up costing more than just picking out a solid pre-made vanity or even having something custom built from new stock. Old barn wood is tough to work with, especially if it’s warped or full of nails. I’ve had clients who started with the DIY route and then called me in halfway through when things got complicated. Sometimes, factoring in your time and hassle, new materials can actually be the more practical choice. But yeah, nothing beats that authentic character if you’re willing to put in the work.
Sometimes, factoring in your time and hassle, new materials can actually be the more practical choice.
- In my experience, the numbers usually back this up. Last year, I did a mid-range bathroom remodel in a rental and went with new materials—vanity, fixtures, tile, etc. All in, it ran about $12k. Labor was the biggest chunk, but using new stock definitely kept things predictable.
- I’ve tried the reclaimed wood route before (not in a bathroom, but for a kitchen island). Looked great, but between cleaning, de-nailing, and planing, I spent way more on labor than I’d budgeted for. If I’d been paying someone else for that time, it would’ve blown past the cost of just buying something new.
- If you’re thinking about resale value, buyers usually care more about quality and function than whether the wood is reclaimed. Unless you’re in a market where that “authentic character” really moves the needle, it’s rarely worth the extra hassle and cost.
- That said, if it’s your forever home and you love the look, go for it. Just be prepared for some surprises along the way.
For me, unless there’s a compelling design reason, I stick with new materials and focus on solid craftsmanship. Keeps projects on time and on budget.
New Materials Save Headaches
I hear you on the reclaimed wood. I tried to salvage an old door for a bathroom vanity once—thought it’d be a cool statement piece. Ended up spending two weekends sanding and patching, only to realize it still didn’t fit right. In the end, I caved and bought a prefab unit. Not glamorous, but it worked and saved me a ton of stress. Unless you’re really set on that unique look, new materials just make life easier (and usually cheaper). Sometimes “character” is just code for “extra work.”
Sometimes “character” is just code for “extra work.”
Couldn’t agree more with that. I did a mid-range bathroom remodel last year—kept it simple with new tile, prefab vanity, basic fixtures. All-in, it was around $7k. Every time I’ve tried to “add character” with reclaimed stuff, it’s ended up costing more in labor and headaches than it’s worth. If you’re looking at ROI, sticking to new materials is usually the smarter play.
