How expensive would it be to replace all the major elements in my bathroom?

Question

My husband and I just bought an older home. However the entire house is filled with 1960's decor including a lime green tub, sink, and toilet. (I didn't even know they made those!) How expensive and how hard would it be to replace everything? Is there anyway to paint or stain these materials different colors maybe? They're all fiberglass materials.

Answer 1

Yeah, there is a way to change the color of fiberglass fixtures, but the results really depend on your skill level. However, there are companies that will refinish them for you and the ones I've used turned out really great jobs. I think I paid around $300 to do a tub/shower enclosure and had them do it in beige. The chemicals they use are quite toxic and they literally came in haz mat suits with respirators. Since it was in a vacant rental unit, I left it open for a few days to air out when the were finished to get the smell out. So, if you have your fixtures refinished, vacate the house for a few days and it is really worth having professionals do it. That being said, if you decide to simply replace them sell your old ones to the salvagers. Believe it or not there is a secondary market for those hard to find colors in the design business.

Answer 2

If the tub is porcelain you could have it re-glazed with whatever color you wanted. Since you say it is fiberglass the best and easiest is just to have a new fiberglass shell put over the old one. The sink is a fairly easy job to replace with something newer, simple turn off water at base of sink undo the connections and reattach the new one its possible you might have to buy a new joint but your local hardware store can help you out with the proper fittings. Toilet is also fairly easy turn off the water drain the tank undo connections and attach the new one.

Personally if they are in good condition I would keep them, play up the lime green and use some hot accents, in either orange, fuchsia or turquoise go really mod with it. It could turn out to be extremely cool and modern looking when finished with the right accessories.

Answer 3

You already have lots of advice but I would like to add that you get what you pay for. If you buy something cheap you will be replacing it in 5 years. It sounds like the bathroom needs a complete make over. A lot of what you need can be sold in complete units. i.e. sink, counter and cabinets. Tub surround can be 1 solid piece. And don't buy cheap faucets. Moen is the only name I remember and they have a lifetime guarantee.

Answer 4

I spent 5000. But that included tiling a shower stall from floor to ceiling and special ordering a trifold glass shower door. Corian countertop with sink, relocating electrical lights and new fixtures, and tiling the rest of the floor and new toilet, plus all new fixtures and towel racks and toilet paper holder, mirror. Everything except the base cabinet. Down to the studs.