how much should I budget to renovate a beach house?

Can’t agree more about the marine grade stuff - learned that the hard way. First beach house I flipped, I thought I could get away with regular hardware inside, since it “wasn’t exposed.” Big mistake. Six months later, hinges and handles were already showing rust. Now, I always budget extra for stainless or powder-coated everything, even for things like cabinet pulls and light fixtures. It adds up, but replacing corroded hardware every year is way pricier in the long run. If you’re planning a reno, definitely factor that into your numbers.

Yeah, that salty air is sneaky - it gets everywhere, even inside. I used to think I could cheat a bit with the interior stuff too, until I had to replace a whole set of closet handles that basically turned orange overnight. The upfront cost of marine grade feels brutal, but honestly, it saves you a ton of headaches (and cash) down the line. Sometimes you just gotta pay the “beach tax,” right?

I get the temptation to go full marine grade on everything, but honestly, I’ve found you can pick your battles a bit. For stuff like closet handles, I’ve had decent luck with powder-coated hardware or even just stainless steel (not always “marine” rated) if you keep up with a quick wipe-down every now and then. It’s not zero maintenance, but it’s a lot less painful on the wallet upfront. Sometimes the “beach tax” is negotiable, at least for the little things...

I think you’re spot on about not needing to go “full marine grade” everywhere.

Sometimes the “beach tax” is negotiable, at least for the little things...

That’s been my experience too - especially with interior hardware. I’ve swapped out plenty of corroded handles and hinges, but honestly, a decent powder coat or stainless (even 304, not just 316) holds up if you’re willing to do a little maintenance. The key is knowing where to splurge - exterior doors and window hardware, for example, are worth the upgrade. Inside? Save your budget for bigger priorities.

Totally agree - no need to drop cash on fancy hardware where it doesn’t matter. I learned the hard way after my “marine grade” toilet paper holder rusted anyway. Spend on what gets salty air, not on every last hinge or drawer pull.