Couldn't agree more—worked on a beach house last summer and thought I'd seen it all til we opened up a wall and found the wiring corroded from salt air. Always something lurking behind those walls...15-20% extra is honestly conservative.
Totally with you on that one. I remember a project a couple years back—beautiful little cottage right on the coast. We thought it was gonna be straightforward, but nope... termites had made themselves comfy behind the kitchen cabinets. Had to redo half the kitchen framing before we even got to the fun stuff like paint colors and tile choices. Beach houses always seem to have their own special surprises tucked away, so padding that budget is definitely smart.
Yikes, termites are the worst... I feel your pain. My old historic place had surprise plumbing issues hiding behind plaster walls—never fun. Beach houses probably have their own special quirks, huh? Good luck with the rest of your reno!
Termites are bad, sure, but I'd gladly take them over plumbing nightmares. At least with termites you mostly know what you're dealing with... pipes behind plaster walls? That's a whole different level of surprise and expense. Beach houses can be tricky, but historic homes—no thanks.
You're definitely right about plumbing surprises—historic homes can be a maze of hidden issues. But honestly, termites aren't exactly straightforward either... ever seen what they can do to original woodwork or structural beams? I've spent weekends trying to salvage century-old trim because those little guys decided it was snack time.
But yeah, plumbing behind plaster walls is another beast entirely. Ever had to chase down a leak without destroying half the wall? It's like surgery—slow, careful, and expensive. Still, once you get familiar with your home's quirks (and trust me, historic homes have plenty), you learn to anticipate certain problems. Beach houses might have their own set of headaches with salt corrosion and humidity, but at least you usually know moisture's your enemy from day one.
Have you considered budgeting extra for inspections upfront? Sometimes spending a bit more early on saves you from nasty surprises down the line.
