Save time and money - know when to replace or restore the features of your historical property.
Restoring and remodeling, do you know when it's appropriate to do either? Unfortunately for old homes and historical preservation many people plunge into restoration projects with out the heart and soul it takes to complete them properly. They lack the understanding it takes to consider whether or not their choices really work and often what could have been an historical gem ends up being a hatchet job. Consider these tips on when to restore and when to replace if you want your remodeling efforts to shine.
4 TIPS TO MAKE THE DECISION - RESTORE OR REPLACE?
1. Do you know the historical value of the home? This is vitally important to understand not only for the many restoration projects within the home but for budgeting and planning as well as insurance. Begin a restoration project with a complete and overall picture of the property, the neighborhood, and the historical placement the area has within the boundaries of the city in which it sits and the country as a whole. If the home is situated within a county and not a city then the same holds. Knowing the overall picture will help in making the minutest of decisions.
2. Assess the home in a methodical manner. You need to know everything about this structure before you begin ripping and tearing. What did it look like originally? Can you locate photographs, former owners, neighbors or townspeople that recall its original state? What is the history of the property itself? Many of these questions can be answered through the city or town records. Research not only the actual home but also the time frame or era the home was built in and has survived through. Knowing this information can lead you to understand the needs of the home and the items that might have furnished it. It can also aid you in locating fixtures and fittings that may have become lost or damaged as well as understanding why certain choices were made to begin with.
In finishing your assessment create room-by-room documentation on what is in tact and what is missing. What damage has been done structurally and what is holding up well? Create a document about the outside of the house as well.
3. Consult the professionals. A structural engineer and architectural consultant as well as someone well versed in the delicate nature of HVAC and electrical contracting are always great people to ask advice of. Sometimes fixing structural problems or adding an air conditioner and new wiring to your renovation may cause problems with the authenticity of an historical property. Minimizing any damage or loss of home value is important and professionals will be able to help you with the possible agonizing choices you may need to make.
4. Can technology help you with your restoration? It's amazing what is available in the marketplace today when restoration projects are the topic. Moldings, baseboards, doors, hardware, even original carpet, wood, ceramic tiles, and linoleum patterns can be reproduced. If you cannot find it in an architectural salvage store then you might be able to have it reproduced just for you.
When tackling a project that requires stripping paint, refinishing floors or replacing glass look for the tools that will get the job done easily and quickly. Watching paint peel in the heat of summer in an un-air-conditioned and large Victorian is not fun, not even remotely, so look for tools that will help you accomplish the job quickly.
Once you know the value of your property and can assess its needs, making the decisions about replacement and restoration can be made according to what value the restoration really plays in the overall picture. If it is irreplaceable and is part of the historic significance of the building restore it.
