I Hate The Color Of My Tile!

mischka222

Scenario - pepto bismol pink ceramic tiles from floor to over 5 ft up the wall on all 4 walls of bathroom. HOW TO FIX without gutting bathroom? We do plan on selling house within the next year and I hear how much bathroom renovations bring up the value of a house - so.....after the last bathroom renovation disaster - I am not wanting to go into the expense of another. Old house, really old house - money pit - any more money sunk into this and I am not really sure if I can get it back out! I have heard about tub and tile refinishers - have even gotten a price from a guy $350 for tub and about $7.50 sq ft for wall (I think I can rip out floor and replace). Does any of this sound feasible or worth the $ ??????

slickshift

Don't do it "to sell" the house
The new owners will probably want there "own" color in there anyway
There's a good chance they won't want what you pick

Unless there is damage (possible deal breaker), the color doesn't matter
Trust me, the potential buyer is not going to say no to the house because of the color of the bathroom tiles if they love the rest

Bathroom renos/updates...that can help sell
That's major work
An old, outdated, crummy bath, that could be a deal breaker

Not a color change
Not worth it "to sell" a house

mischka222

Well - there is a repair - cracked tile - rather large crack - not really sure I know how to fix. I am hoping that when we get house leveled - will look better - slap some grout on it and then paint. I am afraid if we get into a total redo - as with everything else - we will uncover more problems than we already know about. I figured since I was scraping old wallpaper that was sealed directly to the sheetrock and gouging the heck out of the sheetrock - well - if I have to fix that - and the crack - then might as well do a paint job. HAHA - but - that is a project way down on the list and if we get to it before we put house up for sell then we will - if not then we won't. I just did not know if it would even be worth my time, but I see your point. I bought a house with a pink bathroom...am I the only yahoo out there?

redline

Use epoxy paint and paint the tiles.
inexpensive.....

mischka222

Inexpensive I can handle - but painting with epoxy - is this really easy to screw up? I am a very sloppy painter!

redline

Cover up the areas that you do not want paint on.

The pets, the neighbors kids, the car...

mischka222

LOL Redline - you made a funny. I guess what I am trying to ask is if there is a particular method other than "regular sloppy painting" - like does it go on in one coat coverage, special tools required, do I need a HAZMAT suit? And of course - what if the dog licks the walls? Heck - what if I lick the walls? I guess I would need to actually get the window unstuck after 100 years worth of paint has accumulated - yet another topic - how to unstick stuck windows.

joewho

I would suggest re-doing the bathroom. I was a realtor before becoming a painter.

Standard advice is to redo it in neutral colors. Buyers are much more willing to just change a paint color than to deal with the tiles. You already own the house and don't want to deal with it, imagine a prospective buyers viewpiont.

Kitchens and baths are the most profitable upgrades you can do when selling a house, and in this case, may help sell the home.

If you are going to use a realtor, ask about this issue. The realtor can quote numbers about your selling price with or without the bath upgrade, or even give a price with just paint on the tiles.

If he/she can't, get a different realtor.

mischka222

Good advice JOE! We have not gotten as far as a realtor since I know I have to finish some other projects before I want anyone to even take a look at the house! But I would like to find someone who can tell me where best to spend anymore money. We live in the "historical district" of our town and these old houses can vary drastically in price, depending on the upgrades. All I have to say to anyone who looks at buying is if you do not want to work on a house - do not buy an old one! I have learned my lesson!

joewho

You aren't helping to sell your house.....

Brik

Mishka - I would say to go the resurface guys. Its not too expensive. call around for a few quotes. Do a neutral color, white on tub, maybe white all over. You will never be able to match the quality of finish those guys give you using epoxy paint. It will likely pay for itself in resale.

Related - I'm amazed that when people look at homes they often see the decorations, furnishings and so forth. Its hard for many to look past them. Its stupid but we all sort of do it. Paint colors are often looked at too. Yes its any easy change. When people are looking at your house they are making a mental to do list of things they will want or need to change. If the hideous pink is high on their list then it could be a deal breaker. With a nice white fresh coat of finish it will likely push the bathroom re-do way down on their list.

mischka222

White would be my color choice - trying to stay neutral - for future sell and the fact that I like to change colors way too often for husbands liking!

Thanks for all the input - I will definitely look into getting a few more quotes on refinishing. I realize that bathrom and kitchen remodels are the most expensive undertaking, yet, it can also bring you the biggest bang for your buck. So maybe if someone else sees somehting that they "don't have to do right away", I can get the more money and sell faster!

joewho

I would still recommend talking to someone familiar with your market.

Even though the tiles are unacceptable, would it be more profitable to redo them in something else of the period? Or upgrade to modern materials? Are buyers looking for "original" or "natural" in this house?

This would be the best way to protect the pricing and get a quick sale.

It's too bad the tiles are on all 4 walls, meaning they are behind the lav, sink and in the tub area. Otherwise, it wouldn't be too hard to replace with new drywall up to the existing (plaster?). Stained and finished beadboard may be a good alternative that would cover all the bases.

shapeshifter

Have you considered replacing the ceramic tiles with 12" square granite or limestone tiles? Demo would still be rough but the 12" might be easier when installing them.

mischka222

The house was built in the early 1900's and I am going to assume that from the tile color it was upgraded last in possibly the 50's or 60's. I do not want to distract from the original "charm" of the house by going uber modern....beadboard is an idea but I do not know how to "stop" the beadboard when I get to the shower area - then - I would still have to deal with the tile in the shower. I am lucky that it is not plaster - 1/4" drywall that I will more than likely have to replace or either skim with a layer of mud since my gouging of the drywall when trying to remove many layers of old wallpaper. Ooops.

If I demo - I pay someone to come in and totally gut the bathroom. Trying to save that expense. The tiles are set into a chicken wire and cement like base - lots and lots of work. We have already redone one bath and I went back with sheetrock and just tile around the tub. That is what I am trying to avoid. So far the estimate I have is between $1000 and $1500 - refinish tub - tiles - new sink and new flooring. Looking about a 5 year life span on the refinish if what I have read is correct. $1000 vs $5000 for a total redo. I have many more projects that HAVE to be finished and I do not want to sink a lot more in the house - I am afraid I will not get my money back. House values in this area range drastically. So I am trying to keep cost down while still increasing the value.