Your breakdown's pretty spot-on from what I've seen. Did a moderate remodel a couple years back, budgeted around $7k but ended up closer to $11k once the wall came down and we discovered moldy drywall behind the vanity—fun times. Learned my lesson though: always add at least 20% extra to whatever you think it'll cost. Mold and plumbing surprises are no joke...better to spend a little more upfront than deal with bigger headaches later.
Your experience sounds familiar—I had a similar situation when we redid our guest bathroom last year. Budgeted around $5k, but once we opened things up, found some questionable plumbing and water damage behind the shower tiles. Ended up closer to $8k, but honestly, it was worth it to know everything was properly fixed. Your advice about adding at least 20% extra is spot-on; I usually recommend the same to friends tackling their first remodel. It's easy to underestimate hidden issues, especially with bathrooms. Mold and plumbing can quickly escalate costs, so budgeting generously upfront definitely saves stress later. Glad you got yours sorted out properly—it's always better to catch these things early rather than deal with bigger problems down the road.
"Your advice about adding at least 20% extra is spot-on; I usually recommend the same to friends tackling their first remodel."
Totally get where you're coming from, but honestly, even 20% might be cutting it close sometimes. When we redid our master bath, we thought we were being smart by padding the budget an extra 25%, and guess what? Still blew past it. Turns out the wiring behind the vanity lights was a DIY nightmare from the previous owner—had to bring in an electrician, redo drywall, the works.
My point is, it's not just plumbing or mold that can surprise you. Electrical issues, structural quirks, or even outdated insulation can pop up and seriously derail your plans. I'd say if you're dealing with an older home or one with questionable past renovations, bumping that contingency closer to 30% isn't a bad idea. Might seem excessive upfront, but trust me... peace of mind is priceless when you're knee-deep in drywall dust and unexpected bills.
"Turns out the wiring behind the vanity lights was a DIY nightmare from the previous owner—had to bring in an electrician, redo drywall, the works."
Yeah, I feel your pain there. We thought our bathroom remodel was gonna be straightforward, but once the tiles came off, we found water damage behind the shower wall—total curveball. Ended up needing new studs and everything. Honestly, I'd second the 30% buffer, especially with older homes. Better safe than sorry when you're dealing with hidden surprises like these...
