That demo surprise line item is a lifesaver—learned that the hard way after finding a squirrel nest inside a wall (don’t ask). I’ve definitely tried doing some demo myself, but sometimes I end up opening a can of worms I wish I hadn’t. Have you ever found anything really weird behind walls or under floors? Also, with the salt air, have you noticed any difference between using marine-grade hardware versus just regular stainless? I’m never sure if the extra cost is worth it long-term.
Demo always feels like a treasure hunt... or a horror show. I once pulled down some drywall and found a stash of 80s soda cans and a single bowling shoe. No idea.
On the hardware: I’ve tried both regular stainless and marine-grade on places near the coast. Regular stainless is fine for most interior stuff, but outside? Salt air chews it up faster than you’d think. I cheaped out on deck screws once and had to replace half of them after two years—major pain. Marine-grade isn’t cheap up front, but if you’re dealing with constant sea breeze, it’s worth it for anything exposed.
For budgeting, always add 10-20% for “surprises.” Squirrel nests, weird plumbing, random bowling shoes... they seem to find you whether you want them or not.
Totally get what you mean about demo—sometimes it feels like you’re opening a time capsule, other times it’s just... weird. I’ve seen some wild stuff behind walls too. And yes, marine-grade hardware is a lifesaver near the ocean, even if it stings the budget at first. That extra 10-20% for surprises is spot on. No matter how much you plan, there’s always something unexpected—just part of the adventure, right?
Demo is like a box of chocolates—except sometimes you get a rusty pipe instead of caramel. I swear, every time I think I’ve seen it all, there’s another “surprise” lurking behind drywall. That 10-20% buffer is non-negotiable, but I’d argue closer to 25% if your place is older or has had some “creative” previous owners. And yeah, marine-grade stuff hurts the wallet, but salt air eats regular hardware for breakfast. My tip: prioritize the stuff you can’t easily redo later (windows, siding), and save the fancy tile for when your bank account recovers.
That’s spot on about the surprises—last year I opened up a wall and found an old cast iron vent pipe that had basically disintegrated. Never would’ve guessed. I do wonder if 25% is enough for some of these older places, especially if you’re dealing with past “DIY specials.” Have you ever priced out hurricane-rated windows? I nearly fainted, but honestly, I’d rather splurge there than have to redo them later. Curious if anyone’s had luck with less expensive siding options that still hold up near the ocean...
