Renovations and remodeling projects are always complicated endeavors. When it comes to modernizing a historical property without taking , even greater care is required. Whether you’re looking to restore your historic home to its former glory or to bring an older house into the 21st century, historical home renovations necessitate a lot of questions, planning, and prepping beyond what renovating a modern home typically requires.
Does Your City Have Rules Around Historic Renovations?
First and foremost, you need to figure out if you can even start your renovations. Depending on where you live, there may be certain rules that must be followed when it comes to remodeling a historical home. If you live in a city with old homes, it’s likely that there are at least some rules in place to protect the historic integrity of the area. For example, San Francisco has strict regulations when it comes to altering the exterior of any buildings in designated historic districts. This means that if you want to make changes to the outside of your home, you’ll need to get approval from the city first. These rules could affect anything from building materials, permits, what you can add to your home. Learn about these restrictions before you begin your project since they may have a significant influence on the budget and schedule in certain circumstances.
Restoration May Be The Only Option For Some Historical Homes
Historical buildings are often in need of restoration in order to maintain their structural integrity and preserve their historical value. However, these restorations can be expensive, and sometimes the only option is to completely gut the interior of the building and start from scratch. This can be a daunting task, but with the help of a professional interior designer, it can be an exciting and rewarding process. The first step in any historic restoration is to assess the condition of the building and determine what work needs to be done. Once this has been established, the next step is to develop a plan for the renovation. Just note that historical homes sometimes cannot be altered on the exterior due to city or town bi-laws, so you may have to focus on the interior of the home. However, if you own a home that is of higher importance to the area, then you may only be able to keep or restore the home to its original state.
If You Are Allowed To Renovate Your Home, Start With The Basics And Add The “Flashy” Changes Later
It’s common for homeowners to want to begin their renovation by upgrading the “flashy” items such as entertainment areas, cabinets, or appliances. However, in most situations, especially with historical or old homes, it’s better to begin with more practical elements like roofing, masonry, or windows. These are all functional components of the home that can impact structural integrity and safety over time. Beautiful cabinets or a comfy living room entertainment center do you no good if the roof is leaking and ruining those same cabinets you just had installed.
Choose the Right Team
This is true for any renovation or restoration, but it’s especially important when working with older homes. When you’re dealing with old buildings, whether it’s renovating them or restoring them, you’ll want to work with experts that know how to work on historical structures. The appropriate team will have a portfolio of similar historical jobs and will share your desire to preserve the integrity of your property.
Restoring a Historic Home in WV, MD, VA, or PA? We’d Love to Help!
With over a decade of experience remodeling, renovating, and restoring historic homes, we’ve got what it takes to help you meet your goals for your historic home. Contact us today to learn more!
