A historic restoration pro can give your home the love and care it deserves
Owning and maintaining a historic home is a labor of love. The tradeoff for a whole lot of quality and charm is that you’ll have more complex home maintenance needs. That’s why it’s important to hire a historic restoration contractor to help out with repairs and renovations on historic homes. Learn more about contractors who specialize in old houses.
Historic restoration contractors offer a multitude of services for your vintage home, including:
Structural repairs and reinforcements
Repair or replacement of historical features, such as moldings, windows, and doors
Restoration of original flooring, woodwork, and plaster
Repointing masonry and brickwork
Historical painting techniques and finishes
Roofing and exterior restoration in line with historical guidelines
Upgrading systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) to modern codes without compromising historical aesthetics
Consultation on period-appropriate materials and design
Documentation and research to ensure historical accuracy in remodels and repairs
Many historic homeowners are passionate about design, and some may find themselves interested in tackling their historic restoration projects on their own. While DIY work can save a pretty penny, it can cost you a lot of time, money, and heartache if anything goes wrong.
DIY historic home renovations can be complex and risky due to the need for specialized knowledge of period-specific materials and techniques. A reliable restoration pro can ensure the work maintains the structure’s historical integrity, meets modern safety codes, and avoids costly mistakes.
Follow these steps before hiring a professional to help ensure your historic restoration project is as seamless and successful as possible.
Finding the right historic restoration contractor to make your historic home dreams come true is easier when you have a clear vision for your home. When planning your historic restoration project, consider key factors such as:
The specific areas of the home to be restored
Whether the work is interior or exterior
Any historical features you want to preserve or enhance
Materials or techniques that might be necessary to maintain historical accuracy
A clear budget
It’s never a good idea to hire a professional to work in your home without doing your research, but this is even more true when dealing with a delicate and sensitive historical home. Ensure your pro has the necessary contractor licensing, insurance, and bonding required for historic restoration.
Ask for references and speak to past clients about their experience. While it may not be possible, see if you can visit previous historic projects to assess the quality of the contractor’s work firsthand.
Even if you click with the first historic restoration contractor you meet with, try to slow down and interview a few more candidates. Ask for multiple quotes in writing to get a clear idea of what this project should cost and who can do the job for the best price.
Before kicking off any work, always formalize the project details with a written contract that includes the scope of work, timeline, payment schedule, and any materials being used. Clarify the down payment, payment structure, and when the final balance is due to avoid misunderstandings later.
If you haven’t interviewed a contractor before, the process can be a bit intimidating. Especially if this is your first major home remodel or renovation and you don’t know what questions you should be asking. To help you navigate the interview process, these are some helpful questions to start with:
What is your experience with historic restoration projects?
Are you licensed, insured, and bonded specifically for historic restoration work?
Can you provide examples or photos of past restoration projects?
Do you have references from clients with similar projects?
What specific methods or materials will you use to preserve the home’s historical integrity?
How do you handle unforeseen issues—such as structural damage or code compliance?
Will you assist with obtaining the necessary permits for restoration work?
How do you ensure your work meets both historical and modern safety standards?
What is the estimated timeline for completing the project?
Can you provide a detailed written estimate and contract?
Choosing the right historic restoration contractor is essential to preserving the character and integrity of your home while ensuring it meets modern safety standards. A home remodeling pro near you specializing in historic restoration will have the necessary expertise.
Once your historic restoration contractor completes the job, you can take the following steps to wrap up the project:
Inspect the work to ensure it meets your expectations and the agreed-upon scope
Make the final payment as outlined in your contract
Leave a review to help future clients and boost the contractor’s reputation and offer to serve as a reference for the contractor (if satisfied with the work)
Keep all documentation, including contracts, receipts, and warranties, for future reference or repairs
Enjoy your “new” historic home