We didn’t exactly buy a fixer-upper. But we also didn’t get a move-in-ready dream home. What we got was somewhere in between — decent layout, decent bones, but clearly neglected over the years. The bathroom needed work. The basement was completely unfinished. And neither of us had any real experience with home renovations.
But we figured: how hard could it be?
Spoiler: It Was Harder Than We Thought
At first, we told ourselves we’d live with things “for a bit” and then tackle the bathroom. That plan lasted about two weeks. The tub was shallow and slippery, the lighting was yellow and depressing, and the whole room felt like it belonged to another decade.
We live in Burlington. And while we love it here, we noticed that a lot of homes in our neighborhood had similar issues — older finishes, small bathrooms, bad lighting. When we started asking around for quotes, every contractor we met had a long list of stories from bathroom renovations in Burlington just like ours.
So we took the plunge.
Starting With the Bathroom
We didn’t go all out. But we wanted something simple, bright, and modern — no giant jacuzzi tub or anything flashy. Just something clean and comfortable.
What surprised us most wasn’t the cost. It was how many small decisions had to be made along the way.
The type of grout. The placement of the shower niche. The size of the vanity. The way the tiles met the ceiling. Things we never once thought about suddenly became arguments we were having over breakfast.
Looking back, though, I’m glad we did it early. That bathroom now feels like ours. It’s one of the few rooms in the house where we actually feel calm.
The Basement: That Was a Whole Different Story
After the bathroom project, we took a break. We needed it — both mentally and financially.
But we couldn’t ignore the basement forever.
We live close to friends in Mississauga, and many of them had already renovated their basements. A few even turned them into rental suites. That wasn’t our plan, but we did want more usable space. A cozy den. Maybe a guest room. Some storage.
The first contractor we spoke to for basement renovations in Mississauga told us what we expected to hear: “It depends on what you want.”
That phrase became the theme of the whole project.
What We Learned the Hard Way
You can’t finish a basement properly unless you deal with the moisture. Ours wasn’t flooding, but it had that smell — the faint, damp, concrete-in-winter smell that never really goes away.
We had to seal cracks in the foundation, install proper insulation, and run a dehumidifier before even thinking about paint or flooring.
It wasn’t fun. It definitely wasn’t glamorous. But it made everything else possible.
The finished basement now has a small lounge area, a fold-out couch, and space for both of us to work when we need a break from the upstairs living room. It feels like we gained another floor.
Budget vs. Reality
If you’re thinking about renovating, just know that budget is a fluid thing.
Our bathroom renovation in Burlington went over budget by about 20%. We thought we could save money by keeping the existing tub — until we realized it wasn’t level and had to be ripped out anyway.
The basement renovation cost more than expected because of the prep work. Moisture control. Electrical upgrades. Fixing uneven flooring. None of these things were in our original plan.
What helped was prioritizing. We didn’t install a wet bar. We skipped built-ins. We chose durable but affordable flooring. We focused on getting the space done well — not overdone.
Choosing the Right People
This matters more than anything.
The contractor who did our bathroom was fine. Not bad, but not great at communicating. We had to follow up often. There were delays. Little things kept getting forgotten.
We took a different approach for the basement. We interviewed more people. We asked to see previous work. We paid a little more — but we felt way more involved. That second experience was smoother from start to finish.
Whether you’re doing bathroom renovations in Oakville or basement renovations in Mississauga, the people you hire will shape your entire experience. Don’t just go with whoever is cheapest or available next week. Take your time.
What We’d Do Differently
If we could go back, here’s what we’d change:
- We’d spend more time planning the lighting layout in the bathroom. One light over the mirror isn’t enough.
- We’d ask more questions before work started. There were things we assumed would be included — like patching up the walls after drywall work — that weren’t.
- We’d set more realistic timelines. A two-week bathroom renovation turned into five.
- We’d budget 15–20% extra right from the start. Because there are always surprises.
Oakville Advice (From Friends Who’ve Been There)
We have close friends in Oakville who did both their bathroom and basement back-to-back. Their advice to us before we started? “Don’t rush.”
They said their bathroom renovation in Oakville looked great, but they later regretted the tile choice. Too slippery. And they wished they had added underfloor heating when they had the chance — not a huge extra cost, but definitely something that makes cold mornings more bearable.
Their basement project in Oakville was much more successful. They took their time. They got permits. They planned it like a second living room instead of just “extra space.”
That mindset shift made all the difference.
Our Honest Take on Renovations Now
We used to think renovations were mostly cosmetic. Paint, tile, a new sink. But it’s really about how a space works — and whether it feels good to be in.
The new bathroom doesn’t just look better. It makes mornings easier. It feels like we’re starting the day in a space we actually like.
The basement isn’t just “finished.” It’s become a part of our routine. A place to relax, work, and unwind. It’s warm in the winter, quiet at night, and doesn’t feel like we’re hiding underground.
If you’re thinking about bathroom renovations in Oakville or basement renovations in Mississauga, here’s what we’d say: don’t do it for the resale value. Do it because you want to enjoy your home more.
That’s the part no one talks about enough — how much more connected you feel to your home when you’ve put effort into making it better.
Final Thoughts
We’re not renovation pros. We’re just a couple trying to make a home feel like home.
Our advice?
- Start small, but start.
- Choose people who explain things clearly.
- Don’t rush into trendy finishes.
- Focus on comfort, light, and function.
- Be ready for delays — but don’t settle for sloppy work.
- And yes, always get everything in writing.
We still have things we want to change in the house. But we’re no longer afraid of the process. Because once you see a room transform — once you see it go from “that’ll do” to “we love this” — it’s hard not to want to do it again.