how much should I budget to renovate a beach house?

Those coastal storms really don’t play around, huh? I’ve seen so many beautiful interiors get wrecked because someone tried to save a few bucks on waterproofing outside. It’s wild how fast water can sneak in and mess up drywall, floors, you name it. Honestly, I’d rather spend a little more on the boring stuff (flashing, sealants) than have to pick out new flooring twice in one year. Learned that the hard way with a client - let’s just say “beachy” shouldn’t mean soggy...

Honestly, I’d rather spend a little more on the boring stuff (flashing, sealants) than have to pick out new flooring twice in one year.

Couldn’t agree more - cutting corners on waterproofing is just asking for trouble, especially near the ocean. Curious, have you found any specific brands or products that hold up better in salty, humid conditions? I’ve tried a few different sealants but some seem to break down faster than others. Always looking for something that'll actually last through a couple storm seasons.

Honestly, I’ve learned the hard way that “marine-grade” isn’t just a marketing gimmick - stuff like Sika or Tremco has held up better for me than the cheaper options. It’s not glamorous, but neither is replacing soggy drywall... Trust your gut and don’t skimp on the boring bits.

Yeah, I’m starting to realize the “boring bits” are where the money goes, but also where it saves you headaches later. I used some cheap caulk in my bathroom reno and it’s already peeling - definitely not making that mistake again, especially near the ocean. It’s wild how fast stuff breaks down with all that salt and humidity. Thanks for the heads up on Sika and Tremco... guess I’ll be adding those to my shopping list.

Yeah, the “boring bits” are always the ones that come back to haunt you if you cheap out. I learned that the hard way with some bargain paint on a flip a few years back - looked fine for about six months, then started bubbling and peeling. Ended up redoing the whole exterior, which was a nightmare near the coast. Salt air just eats through stuff so much faster than you’d think.

I’ve used Sika before and it held up way better than the generic stuff, especially around windows and doors. Haven’t tried Tremco yet, but I’ve heard good things. Honestly, I used to think all caulk was the same until I started working on places by the water. Now I just budget extra for the “boring” materials - caulk, flashing, stainless fasteners, all that stuff. It’s not glamorous, but it saves you a ton of hassle (and money) down the line. Funny how the little things end up being the most important, right?