Historic homes provide a unique aesthetic that can’t be found in modern houses; however, they do come with some drawbacks. Typically, they require extra work to reach the level of comfort and convenience most people expect, which is why hiring professionals, such as roofing contractors, to restore them is so crucial. Before diving into this type of home improvement project, it’s important to understand how to navigate the process most efficiently. Here’s what you should know. 

A Guide to Historic Home Restorations

1. Find Out What You’re Allowed to Do

Most of these homes are protected by a special status or conservation zone designed to preserve the historic nature of the property, so always check with the historic preservation office prior to starting. Many agreements allow you to do whatever you want inside while maintaining the exterior façade, but some prevent owners from adding any square footage or changing the roof, windows, and shutters.

2. Prioritize the Foundational Issues

Updating the kitchen or expanding a bathroom is exciting, but those types of renovations aren’t as important as roof and window repairs. Foundational issues, such as missing shingles or cracked windows, can lead to more costly damage if they aren’t addressed first. Bringing in a roofing contractor to repair any problems will prevent leaks and mold growth, and improve the energy-efficiency.

3. Find Qualified Contractors

Historic homes often have the original plumbing and electrical work, and these systems are different than modern installations. Before hiring contractors, make sure that they are well-trained in working on older homes. Not only does this ensure that they’ll be able to do the job correctly, but it also speeds up the process, as they won’t need to learn on the job.

4. Use What’s There

Whenever possible, restore the original components of the house rather than using replacements. Historic homes were often custom-built, and yours may have had years to shift. As a result, mass-produced items may not fit, and it will cost more to get a custom-built solution that does. Plus, restoring what’s already there helps to maintain the unique aesthetic that makes the home so special.

 

Before undertaking any historic home renovations, contact the experts at Bulldog Contractors in Dakota County, MN. For more than 100 years, their fully licensed, bonded, and insured contractors have worked on numerous historic homes. Whether you need a custom deck builder, roofing contractor, or even storm damage restoration, they understand how to safely and reliably restore homes without sacrificing the historic qualities. Schedule an appointment by calling (612) 799-8707 for their Lakeville, MN, location, (303) 481-42-91 for the Centennial, CO, location, or (469) 757-8571 for their Plano, TX, office. Learn more online.