An ordinary home renovation can be an overwhelming project. But what about restoring a historic house? When it comes to this type of project, special care is required, especially since you’ll be dealing with old building structures and materials. Otherwise, your costs can add up quickly and you may end up with irreparable damage.
To help you remodel a historic home, Owens Construction, one of the top local home improvement contractors, shares some dos and don’ts to remember.
- DO hire a professional team. Aside from hiring a home contractor to renovate a historic home, you may also need professionals with experience in historic preservation. A local historian or contractor who restores historic houses can assist you and tell you about the restoration process as well as the amount of work that needs to be done. You also need to make sure that your team understands your goal of restoring the property.
- DON’T focus on aesthetics only. Remember that the first stages of a historic home renovation should be practical rather than focusing on only the aesthetics. You might be tempted to start with kitchen cabinets or wall paints. However, you should begin with repairing the roof, windows, and masonry. That way, you stop any future severe damage from happening.
- DO keep an eye on water damage. Water can bring damage to your old home, including long-term effects such as dry rot. Take note that the sill plate, which is an important component of your home’s foundation, can be vulnerable to water. As such, you should keep an eye on it as well as your floors, windows, and ceilings, where mold and mildew can thrive.
- DON’T overlook the technology. These days, there are so many things we can benefit from technology. You may hesitate to perform technological updates to a historic home at first, but many home remodeling experts are happy to report that technology has been kind to preservation. Your contractor can break down a mechanical system into smaller units, which is a good way to avoid as much damage to the historical fabric of the house.
- DO consider the resale value. Although you may not be planning on selling your home, you should still consider the resale value in your budget. Like any other smart homeowner, you don’t want to over-invest in a home that may not offer an equal return. Thus, be sure to research the cost of fully renovated houses in your area and let that guide you when budgeting. If you find a place with multiple fireplaces, a general contractor may also suggest picking only one fireplace to restore to conserve the budget.
- DON’T be intimidated. It’s understandable to feel intimidated by some of the renovation processes such as leveling out uneven floors. Since repairing uneven floors can be an arduous project, you may want to accommodate them to fit into the new design of the house instead. It’s best to welcome non-threatening quirks to preserve the rest of your home.
As one of the top kitchen and bathroom remodeling contractors in the area, Owens Construction is committed to turning your vision for your living spaces into reality. Our team of talented professionals can help you maximize your current square footage and make your home live up to your expectations. Call us today at (614) 846-1149 or fill out our contact form to set an appointment.