Don't want to spend money but should we replace bathroom?

[Anonymous]

We have a terrible master bath in an older home in NWDC (we bought from an estate "as is"). The bath tile is cracked everywhere, there's a cut out in the bath so water leaks (extra long shower curtains help this problem), the bath fixtures are incredibly old, the paint is chipping everywhere from years of painting over wall paper, the light fixtures and medicine cabinet are terrible. There appears to be mold around a rust spot in the medicine cabinet.

The shower plumbing broke - or so says the first plumber that came in but said he couldn't fix. So I got an estimate of $1500 from a second plumber. A third plumber is coming in tomorrow. I haven't priced out the plaster/painters on fixing the chipping paint issue. And the window needs major rehab. I figure I could get away with fixing shower, paint and hopefully window for around $3000. But then we still have the ugly bath with cracking tiles and ugly medicine cabinet and light fixtures.

Should I sink more money to fix lighting and medicine cabinet? Or just face a gut renovation, which I suspect would be $20k. I figure re-sell will be better with a new bath, but I don't plan to sell anytime soon.

Thanks for any advice!

[Anonymous]

Gut renovation seems to be best. If it was a car, you wouldn't be throwing money at patching. That's way too expensive for a patch fix.

I actually think 20-30k might be a better estimate since yours seems so old with so many issues. Either way, it's a good investment in your house and I'm sure you'll get most of it out of resale.

[Anonymous]

Second on gut renovation. You'll benefit from enjoying a nice bathroom.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford it, gut it. You'll be happier!!

[Anonymous]

Another vote for gut, and I agree with a PP that it will likely be about $20-30k. Costs tend to be higher with older homes because they usually have to make significant upgrades on things you can't see, like pipes.

[Anonymous]

If it is leaking and that many problems, I'd do it all at once. Not worth half doing it and having to redo it later. You spend more in the long run and you still will have to do major repairs if you have to replace pipes.