I've been researching on and off for the past few months, and the more I read, the more I realize how many decisions go into a project that seems simple on the surface. My house was built in the late 1960s, and while the bathroom still technically functions, the layout feels outdated, the tile has seen better days, and I have a nagging suspicion the plumbing behind the walls hasn't been touched since the house was built. What I'm struggling with most is figuring out what's genuinely necessary versus what's just tempting because the walls will already be open. Do most people replace old supply lines and drain pipes proactively during a remodel, even if nothing is currently leaking, or is it smarter to leave things alone unless there's an obvious problem? I've also seen a lot of debate about layout changes—shifting a toilet or moving a shower a few feet to improve flow sounds appealing. Still, I keep wondering if that kind of change causes more plumbing complications than it's worth, especially in an older home where pipe routing wasn't exactly planned with flexibility in mind. On top of that, I'm trying to understand how much of a role ventilation plays long-term, since I've heard stories of mold creeping back in months after a renovation simply because airflow wasn't addressed properly. For anyone in North Jersey who's gone through a similar remodel in an older home, I'd genuinely like to hear how you approached these decisions—what ended up being essential, what turned out to be unnecessary, and what you wish someone had told you before you started.