How to do this renovation basic and frugally?

amother

OP ↓

Sun, Nov 10 2024, 1:05 pm

We had a sewer back up in our basement and now need to renovate the space.
We did not have plans to do this now but Hashem had other plans so we are trying to do it in the most cost effective way. We don't have a large budget at all.
We do not need new plans, we're just replacing the damaged rooms. A small storage area, one bedroom and a full bathroom.
I live in NY.
Any advice on how to do this decently but frugally. The bathroom is the biggest money eater I think.

amother

NeonPurple ↓

Sun, Nov 10 2024, 1:14 pm

For the bathroom, assuming you can still use the tub, you should be able to get someone to do it for 7-8K range. You’re not redoing plumbing or electric, so it’s basically an aesthetic - ie redo the tiling etc

For the bedroom and other room -
Do you need to redo the sheetrock or just flooring?

What’s your total budget?

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sun, Nov 10 2024, 1:50 pm

The entire space needed to be gutted due to mold. It happened over the summer while we were away. We got it gutted out but now need to rebuild it.

amother

↑ NeonPurple ↓

Sun, Nov 10 2024, 1:58 pm

Ouch yikes
What’s your budget?
I would guess it at 30K based on recent work I’ve done

amother

Diamond

Sun, Nov 10 2024, 1:59 pm

amother OP wrote:

The entire space needed to be gutted due to mold. It happened over the summer while we were away. We got it gutted out but now need to rebuild it.

Insurance?

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sun, Nov 10 2024, 2:29 pm

We couldn't claim because it was not reported right away (why it got full of mold).
We have some money put away and we can possibly borrow or use credit cards but this needs to be a basic job. The actual plumbing and electricity is all intact BH.

amother

↑ NeonPurple

Sun, Nov 10 2024, 2:54 pm

How much can you afford?
I would say go cheap on your materials. Which doesn’t mean poor quality. But get your tiles and flooring from Home Depot or Floor and Decor, etc. I would estimate the labor at 20ish. Have you gotten estimates yet?

amother

↑ OP

Sun, Nov 10 2024, 3:47 pm

The labor I know I can't go frugal on but what about materials, fixtures, bathroom stuff, tile, paint....I don't know.....how do I do this in a frugal way.
I also don't want to have to redo it in 2 years.
We are not fancy people at all.
I want to cut out any aesthetic expenses that I can.

amother

Puce ↓

Today at 1:19 pm

Ask the contractor for a list of materials and tell them you will do the procurement, and then shop around. Often you can find items for much cheaper then the contractor if you put in some effort.

You can use prefab tub/shower to cut down on tile and labor costs

You can also look at Craigslist and FB marketplace, sometimes people have left over tiles, flooring, drywall, paint, vanity, plumbing ect from a new build and you can usually negotiate with them to sell them for lower then advertised.

amother

NeonGreen

Today at 1:21 pm

We got someone word of mouth who was not so expensive.
He gave us a price for labor only.
He used our cc to buy all supplies so there was no markup.
You can try asking around if ppl have someone they trust.

amother

Cadetblue

Today at 1:42 pm

Full tub - not sure how to explain it, but one where you don't need tiles on wall.
Tiles only halfway up the wall.
Maybe home depot has vanities / bath fixtures for a decent price

ETA - regarding bedroom, if you do carpet you can look for remnants, or cheap vinal. Start with high riser in stead of beds, and you can find furniture in homesense/ homegoods

If you really want to go cheap you can do flat paint instead of regular.

amother

↑ Puce

Today at 2:23 pm

This is what I meant by a prefab tub, you save on labor and the tile cost, but mainly labor.

amother

Maple

Today at 2:27 pm

Hard finishes should be timeless, and they are usually cheaper than the latest trend. Go for white subway tile, white vanity. Toilet tub etc should be white. Polished nickel or chrome faucet.