Where to get cheap counters / need bathroom ventilation help

Looking to do some minor fixes in our master bath until we get around to doing a full reno. A couple of questions:

1. Is there a place I can get a relatively cheap countertop and/or sink? The vanity is in okay shape (I might paint it and replace the pulls), but the formica counter is warped and cracking and we've cut ourselves on it a couple of times. We can do the install on a new counter, but we just need the actual stuff. Does the Habitat for Humanity Restore have countertops? We'd need about 4 feet, probably.....
2. The main issue in this bathroom, I think, is the ventilation. We've cleaned out the fan but it barely runs and I know that it's leading to major moisture issues. Is this a relatively easy thing to fix/replace (we'd call in a pro for this)? I'm worried it's something one would have to make holes in the ceiling for, and if that's the case I'd rather just wait for the big reno to do that. If it's an easy fix....... any recommendations for someone who could do this??

Thanks for any tips!

If the fan already has ductwork, it is relatively simple to replace. The main thing will be to find one that is approximately the same size footprint into the ceiling to avoid having to make the hole larger. A reputable electrician should be able to install. HD or Lowes sells them, go for a quiet one, amazing how much noise they can make. The box will list the decibels.

Have you looked at Ikea for sink tops? they have relatively inexpensive integrated sink and counter tops on display and in stock. Not sure if they come 4 ft long, but worth a shot. Lowes and HD have formica in stock in the back of the store if you are seeking direct replacement. Another great source is Amazon if you know what you are looking for.

Can you give a clue as to what you mean by "relatively cheap"? Home Depot and Lowe's also have very pretty granite counters with integrated sinks for what seem like reasonable prices to me. Usually they have six or so varieties that are pretty standard, and they come in a few different sizes.

That's where we will most likely go to replace the countertops on our bathroom vanities. We plan to do the same thing as you: Paint the existing wood vanity and replace the top with something that looks better than the existing Formica or Corian. I actually quite like Corian, but for some reason the previous homeowners chose a rather sickly pink/tan in the master bath. Ick.

Here is the fan/heater that we just had installed in our bathroom. It is SO quiet and does an excellent job at exhausting out the moist air (even after the marathon showers my daughter takes!)

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-FV-11VH2-WhisperWarm-Ceiling-Combination/dp/B001CJUKZS

Panasonic also has an option that is just a fan. It was an easy installation for our electrician since the duct work was already in place. Do be forewarned however that it is quite a bit larger than the ancient one it replaced.

Thanks, all! My husband wants to spend $0 on this since we will renovate it eventually but it's just so grungy and it's literally the only place I get to spend time by myself so I'd like it to not be all rust stained and water damaged. I'm wondering if it would be a terrible idea to just go whole-hog and get a new vanity and reuse it when we renovate. It's a small bathroom and I like the layout so we wouldn't change the footprint. Hm.

Good to know the fan isn't a huge project!

If you are not changing the footprint, you could re-use the vanity, as long as you don't use so much adhesive that you wreck it pulling it away from the wall!

How long are you going to wait for that reno? Are we talking months? Years? That would make a big difference for me in whether or not I wanted to keep using a counter that was cutting the people who use it.

Probably at least a year. Realistically 2-3.....

I think I would do it. Just make sure when you install the new vanity and counter that they are not SO firmly attached that you risk damaging them when you want to peel them away from the wall.

if you look at the fan, most times you can just unscrew the fan motor and replace it. it often just plugs in, so no need to replace the housing or ductwork, otherwise you would need to make a hole in the ceiling to connect the new fan to the existing ductwork.

I'm having trouble picturing - 4' of countertop, but a traditional vanity? I'm so used to our teeny bathroom I can't envision it

You might take a look at the Restore if you have time. Problem is it's always hit or miss, and kind of a hike out there. But they certainly could have something!

There are also perfectly serviceable and affordable vanities at places like Ikea and Home Depot. We did a facelift of our bathroom and replaced the bottom-of-the-line honey oak HD version with an almost-bottom-of-the-line dark wood one with a unique style and it made a world of difference.

Tarheels, it might be a 36" vanity, which is a standard size. AFA didn't sound like she had measured it, just eyeballed. But yes, 4' would be quite large for a normal-small bathroom.

And yeah, it's definitely worth checking Restore. A former MOL poster recently bought all new kitchen cabinets at her local Restore, for some ridiculously low price. And the cabinets were very pretty.

It's about 55", so bigger than any of the IKEA counters, sadly. We might try to take off the edging (which is where it's separated) and put on new edging if we can. The countertop itself is fine, just the edge is where there are problems. I Worry that 55" isn't a standard or easy to get size so I want to work with it if I can!

55 inch is one of the common sizes of large vanities and double sink vanities. They are not cheap so it may be best to get one that you know for sure you will reuse.

http://www.wayfair.com/55-inch-vanity-th.html

Wow! That's bigger than any bathroom vanity I've ever had. I am envious... we would love a double sink vanity.

If it's formica, it might be possible to take off the edging and put on a new laminated one. Worth looking into.

There is a lovely vanity in the SOMA group for sale for $150 but it is only 49". You should check it out though... it may fit the space.

Not sure if this would work:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153401707924378&set=pcb.888257837877304&type=1&theater

Oh that's nice, thank you for linking that. I really want to stick with the 55" size though. Hopefully this pic will attach. The vanity as it is is just the right length for me to sit on the (closed!) toilet while I do my hair and makeup which I really appreciate first thing in the morning.

And I assume the cabinets were white at some point so hopefully some paint and new pulls will help! It's rusty all around the sink so I'm hoping we can find a cheap one about the same size at Home Depot and replace that without too much trouble...

And this is an example of where the counter is coming apart at the edge. Hopefully we can take it off and replace the edge without too much trouble......?

afa said:
And this is an example of where the counter is coming apart at the edge. Hopefully we can take it off and replace the edge without too much trouble......?

You should be able to replace that edge. We did it several years ago on our master's vanity. The biggest challenge: getting a good color match. IRC, our contractor ( it may have been our plumber) brought over something like a color wheel.

At the same time we replaced a sink that looked like yours and updated the faucet.

Together, we have been so pleased with the result that we haven't been tempted to redo the whole room.

e

ETA, I just had to chuckle, your faucet set is the same style as our updated one!

You might even be able to achieve a temporary solution by removing that strip on the edge and reattaching it with some good adhesive. It looks to be in pretty good shape, just coming loose.

Similarly, you could clean as well as you can around that sink and apply a bead of white caulk around the edge. Yes, it would be simply covering up any rust you can't reach under the lip, but it would keep it from getting more rusty and be more aesthetically pleasing.

If that was enough to keep you going until the renovation, it's much cheaper and easier all the way around than buying a new one, installing it, then removing it and putting it back during the reno.

If you don't feel like taking it on, those are jobs any handyman could do, and probably not charge much.