If you’re considering buying a historic property in Fairfield County, one of the biggest things you need to think about is the process of renovation.
When it comes to restoring historic homes, planning ahead is very important, as what you do at the beginning will affect your project’s total cost, amount of time it will take, and your home’s overall finished character.
With that said, here are a few important things to keep in mind when restoring a historic home:
Do some research and identify factors that may impact the restoration
For your project to be successful, you need to take into consideration several factors such as the home’s architecture, history, and present state of its systems, materials, and finishes. You also need to read up on local building codes, historic district designations, property insurance, and more.
There’s a difference between restoration and rehabilitation
Restoring a house means making changes to its appearance (both interior and exterior) in order to return it to a particular time period. Rehabilitating a house means making it more functional for present-day living while taking steps to ensure significant architectural and historic features are still preserved. How you approach both restoration and rehabilitation will largely affect the outcome of your project.
Take caution when integrating modern features
When incorporating modern technology or features into a historic home, make sure changes are non-intrusive and compatible with the home’s architectural style. They shouldn’t alter or destroy any historically significant features.
Take a closer look at existing alterations
Take into account the quality of the original materials and craftsmanship of the house, as well as any changes from its original state. Restore any previous interior and exterior changes (even if they’re made with different materials or are designed differently), especially if they’re of the same or better quality found in the original structure. It’s up to you to decide whether or not to remove any substandard changes or previous updates.
