Renovation of a historic home is a challenging task. Not just does the building need exceptional attention, mainly when dealing with old home constructions & building materials, but historical properties are frequently full of surprises, and those surprises may rapidly add up. Whether you are a homebuyer who has fallen in love with a historic home or a real estate investor who wants to renovate one, historic home renovation is a tricky process. Historic home renovation needs special attention and the help of skilled professionals to make it according to the owner’s desires.

Cities and towns sometimes designate specific residences or even entire regions as historical districts to preserve local history. When a home is recognized as historical, the rules for renovation frequently alter, and reconstruction possibilities become more limited. The goal is to maintain any modifications looking as genuine as feasible to preserve its historical significance. Renovating historic homes can also complicate the project and need specific thought.

Living in a historic home has a certain allure to it. Whether it’s ornate trim work or built-in cabinets, older homes frequently contain beautiful elements that newer homes don’t have. The process of renovating a historic home is thrilling, but it can also be stressful if not well planned. We’ll guide you through the obstacles you may face during historic home renovation so you know what you’re getting yourself into.

Renovating a historic home can be complicated since there are typically restrictions on what you can and cannot do. What’s the reason? The goal of recognizing a home as a historic residence is to assure its preservation.  As a result, any initiative that deviates from that will almost certainly fail.

Here are a few difficulties you could run into when considering historic home renovation:

You are not allowed to add square footage while remodeling a historic home as a general rule, so if you’re expecting to build an extension to open up additional living space, that’s probably out of the question.

Replacing windows or shutters in the living room, family room, or dining room can be costly and complex. These characteristics are frequently what identify and distinguish old homes, so you’ll need to select replacements that maintain the original architectural style of those rooms.

You will encounter constraints if you need to replace the roof on your historic home. The materials you use must be the same as those used on your original roof, and if they’re old, they might be costly and difficult to locate.

You may face limitations if you want to paint particular areas of your home a different color. It might be a problem if you acquire a historic home to repair it and then sell it. If your property has distinctive hues that won’t appeal to a wide variety of purchasers, you may discover that changing it isn’t as easy as you’d want.

You can call your state’s historic preservation office to know the specific limitations of your historic home and collect all the information about your property. To avoid difficulties, make sure to do so before beginning a historic home remodel job.

At homednb, we specialize in historic home renovations and building processes. We understand what it takes to finish these projects on schedule and under budget. Let’s go through the most important renovation considerations for your historic home:

Before you acquire a new historic home, get it thoroughly inspected. If you already own the house, check with an expert home renovation contractor who is familiar with historic houses. Older homes may have hidden problems that newer ones do not, such as concerns with:

The foundation
Structural issues
Electrical and plumbing systems
Water damage
The presence of hazardous compounds such as asbestos

These concerns are nearly always controllable, but they might result in additional remodeling expenditures if they are not anticipated. Identifying difficulties at the beginning of a historic home renovation project allows you to deal with them quickly and efficiently while staying within budget.

Is your house entirely of one architectural style or a mix of several? There might be more than one style indicating that an extension was originally added onto the original home. Consider if you want an eclectic mix or a cohesive look consistent with the home’s original construction. If you don’t know anything about your home’s history, consult with a reputable contractor to determine its style. An expert contractor will know what to look for and may assist you in choosing the era in which your property was built.

What is the design of your ideal home? Consider the final result and the elements you require to be pleased in your historic house. Would you like to keep the fireplace? Why not consider bathroom remodeling? Should the original woodwork be restored? Before speaking with your contractor, make a list of the most crucial aspects and prioritize them to communicate your idea in depth. We at homednb take your priorities exceptionally seriously. We’ll do everything we can to make sure you get the house of your dreams.

Homeowners frequently place a high value on preserving a home’s original historic beauty. Ideally, you want to include all of the conveniences of contemporary life without sacrificing the true architectural design of your home’s age. When we meet for an initial consultation for your historic home renovation, we may talk about what to keep, what to get rid of & what to change:

Keep: Which historical aspects should be kept? What has to be refinished or restored?

Change: Do you wish to alter the layout of your ancient home? Are you putting in new doors, windows, or walls? Is it necessary to replace the wiring or the plumbing?

Remove: What can’t be saved? Plumbing, wiring, and broken components must frequently be permanently removed and replaced. Some homeowners choose to knock down walls to create a more open floor design.

Adding on is one way to maintain history without compromising modern conveniences. Many owners chose to build new expansions for most rooms requiring plumbing rather than disturbing the two 1/2-foot-thick stone walls. The main house has central heat and air conditioning, including attics that may cover the ducts, while the outbuildings have ductless mini-split systems. There is a fine line between repairing something so that you can see the past while also having decent living circumstances. The most significant work is done when the clients, architect, builder and home renovation consultants work together to get the outcomes that everyone desires.

The choice of paint is critical in the preservation process. A paint research can be performed to discover the particular hue that would have been used during the home’s original historical period if the homeowner is striving to be as authentic to every detail of renovation as feasible. Your home renovation professional may then take that information to a paint store and have the original hue replicated. However, because the paint is such a personal and subjective component of design and can make or break how one feels in space, choose a color that makes you happy if the historic color doesn’t work for you.

Numerous old homes have stunning antique woodwork that must be restored or replaced. Look for a professional who can work with your home’s original architecture to create niches and architectural details that flow effortlessly with basic functionality.

If you’re starting your historic home renovation, be aware that you may run into a few minor snags that you wouldn’t face in a newer property. Older homes, for example, may contain water damage, asbestos, or lead paint. This is just one of the many reasons why you should work with a professional, vetted and trusted home remodeling contractor that knows the value of meticulous design, planning, and budgeting.

When it comes to remodeling a historic home, you want to collaborate with someone who understands your vision and knows just how to carry it out. Working with a professional design and build company can help to simplify and de-stress your remodeling process.

Homednb is a collaborative, transparent, and trustworthy home renovation and design & build platform where you can acquire entire home renovation services without any hassle. We will put you in touch with vetted contractors to complete the work. That is, we will oversee the complete project from start to completion. There’s no need to engage separate designers, carpenters, and construction experts. As a consequence, your work will be more efficient and loyal to your vision.

Are you a resident of Washington, DC, Chicago, New York City, Ohio, or another neighboring city? We’d be delighted to speak with you about your historic home renovation project! If you’d like a free consultation or learn more about how homednb may help you, contact us at (866) 683-6271 or visit our website.