Restoring a historic home is a labor of love. It can also be daunting and a little scary. We want to make our home comfortable and liveable while preserving its integrity. If we’re being honest, we also want to avoid mistakes that will cause irreparable harm. Sometimes, it can feel a little overwhelming. If you’ve purchased or are considering purchasing a historic home, there are two essentials to remember. First, the fabric of old houses is what makes them unique. History lives in those fantastic (and sometimes just plain weird) details. Second, it’s okay to be a little clueless. That’s where hiring the right contractor comes in: we’re here to help you avoid costly and aesthetically devastating mistakes.
Historic Home Mistake #1: Tackling Things In The Wrong Order
Jumping the gun is the most common mistake we see when folks take on a historic restoration project. We might naturally focus on the most prominent and glaring issues and want to fix things like paint and plaster immediately, but it pays to take a step back. For example, if you have structural problems related to floor joists and leveling, it doesn’t make sense to start on paint or plaster until they’re fixed. As any good restoration specialist will tell you, getting the “box” of the structure straight and square is the first element to tackle. Start with the less sexy aspects like structure, windows and siding. Then, you can get to the more superficial and fun parts, like choosing paint colors. Your contractor should help guide you in both design and execution.
Historic Home Mistake #2: Choosing The Wrong Materials
The people who originally built your historic home didn’t have Home Depot. They worked with hyper-local materialism, creating organic and harmonious structures that genuinely mesh with their environments. When you restore a historic home, attention to materials is vital. You want to work with original materials as much as possible and replace “in kind.” This means getting as close as possible to the originals as you upgrade. For example, if you’re replacing siding, a goal should be to replicate the material, shape and thickness as closely as possible.
If your brickwork needs to be repaired or pointed up, you want to match the bricks and mortar as closely as possible. A good contractor will have a masonry specialist who can do the job right. Windows are another prime example where we want to get as close to the originals as possible. If your contractor gives you an estimate for replacing historic windows with generic vinyl windows, you’re probably not talking to the right person.
Historic Home Mistake #3: Not Embracing Your Historic Home’s Evolution
When you purchase a historic home, there’s a good chance you’re the latest in a series of owners, each of whom has had their own approach and needs. You might start with a tiny 1790s home that has had additions in 1840, 1910 and 1980. You may want to keep parts of your home consistent with each era while backdating other elements to the original vibe. A competent and experienced contractor can help you make the call and decide what to keep and replace.
Historic Home Mistake #4: Kitchens and Bathrooms
Fact: if you live in an 18th-century home, your house didn’t have a bathroom when it was built. It can be a blessing and a burden when restoring your historic home. You may find creatively placed powder rooms crammed into downstairs nooks and crannies–or no bathroom on the ground floor. If we add a bathroom to an existing room, we’ll have to lower the ceiling below to accommodate the plumbing. Making kitchens and bathrooms suit 21st-century needs is always a priority and requires lots of planning. One solution that often makes sense is adding a gorgeous full bath and primary bedroom to an addition if you decide to bump out the back of your home. When it comes to kitchens, the issues are similar. The ways we use kitchens are very different today from the 19th century. Kitchens and bathrooms are usually the places where we have the most flexibility to incorporate contemporary designs and appliances.
Historic Home Mistake #5: Lack Of Attention To Detail
Attention to detail is essential when restoring a historic home. Even if you’re not going for 100 percent period accuracy, you want the details to match the aesthetic. This can apply to cabinetry, trim and fixtures. Your contractor should have the experience and eye to help you make the right choices and find the right materials.
Historic Home Mistake #6: Failing To Take A Comprehensive and Holistic Approach
When it comes to restoring a historic home, planning is everything. You can certainly complete the work in phases as your budget allows. However, starting with a comprehensive plan is essential. Start by setting out the projects in a way that makes sense. Comprehensive planning also prevents cost overruns and unnecessary mistakes. Of course, every historic restoration project involves unexpected challenges. So make plot twists part of your plan–and plan to be flexible. The professional team at Carpenter Beach Construction has the expertise to design and execute your restoration project with confidence and joy. We can’t guarantee there won’t be surprises, but we will be there to advise and help you avoid the significant and costly mistakes that can derail your dream renovation.
