Historic Home Renovation Rules and Guidelines for a Successful Project

Renovating a historic home can be a thrilling project, but it requires careful planning and adherence to specific rules and guidelines to ensure its preservation and integrity. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 is the foundation for federal historic preservation policy, and it's essential to understand its implications for your renovation project.

Before embarking on a historic home renovation, it's crucial to determine whether your property is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties provide a framework for evaluating a property's significance and potential for listing on the Register.

To ensure a successful project, it's essential to work with a team of experts, including architects, engineers, and preservation specialists. They can help you navigate the complexities of historic home renovation and ensure that your project meets the necessary standards and guidelines.

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Plan for extra time, because the cost of restoring an older home comes in the form of time as much as money. Unpredictability is a general expectation of renovation projects, and it's essential to allow additional time for the process.

You can expect to find surprises within the walls, basements, and attics of an older home, which might cause delays. This could be due to structural challenges or the need to weigh out options such as restoring old windows versus buying new ones.

It's crucial to remain mindful of the home's character and take time to preserve what's right to preserve. This will make for a more successful reveal in the end.

Living in the house for some time will help you better understand its quirks and features, making it easier to prioritize preserving the most important ones.

A historic home is typically at least 50 years old, although this can vary depending on local regulations.

To ensure that your renovation respects the home's character, research its architectural style and era. This will help you understand the materials and techniques originally used, guiding the renovation process. Understanding the home's history is crucial for making informed decisions.

Some historic homes gain their status due to an association with a significant event, person, or group, adding to their historical importance.

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Researching a home's history is crucial before starting any renovation work. This will provide valuable insights into the materials and techniques originally used, helping guide the renovation process.

Investing time in researching the home's original form and construction details can reveal missing pieces of how a home should look and feel. This is especially true for historic homes, which often showcase architectural styles that were prevalent during their time of construction.

Typically, for a home to be considered "historic", it needs to be at least 50 years old, though this can vary depending on local regulations. This age requirement is a good starting point for determining whether a home is historic.

Historic homes often have a unique character that is worth preserving. To maintain the period authenticity of the structure, it's essential to leave as much of the original exterior and interior detailing as possible and replicate what can't be salvaged.

To find valuable information about a home's history, try the following:

To truly understand the character of your historic home, you need to identify and evaluate its various elements. This involves a thorough assessment of the home's original features, non-historic elements, and any changes that have been made over time.

A good place to start is by researching the home's architectural style and era. This will provide valuable insights into the materials and techniques originally used, helping guide the renovation process. You can find this information in the home's original documents, if you can find them, or by consulting local resources like town or city offices, local libraries, and genealogy departments.

As you walk through the home, take note of its significant original features, such as floor plans, walls and floors, fixtures, and structural systems. These elements are crucial in determining the home's character and historical significance. For example, a post and beam structural system, like the one found in a historic commercial building in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a key feature that should remain exposed during a rehabilitation project.

You should also identify any non-historic elements that have been added to the home. These may include upgrades to the heating and cooling systems, dropped ceilings, partition walls, and new wall and floor surfaces. If these modifications have not acquired architectural or historical significance, you may be able to remove them and restore the interior to its historic appearance.

Here are some key interior components to evaluate during your assessment:

By carefully evaluating these elements, you can gain a deeper understanding of the home's character and historical significance, and make informed decisions about how to preserve its integrity while upgrading its essentials.

Historic home renovations are governed by regulations that ensure the preservation of these living pieces of history.

In Maryland, homeowners must obtain necessary permits before starting any renovation work on a historic property.

There are restrictions on making significant exterior changes to maintain the original appearance of a historic home.

To meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, preservation plans involve protecting significant historic and non-historic elements of a building.

Interior renovations, even for original purposes, will require some degree of alteration, which may range from preserving existing features to a complete renovation.

Renovating a historic home requires specialized knowledge and skills, so it's essential to find professionals who are qualified and experienced in historic renovations.

Sourcing the right professionals can be a challenge, but it's crucial to check their credentials and past work before hiring them.

Finding qualified professionals involves asking for references and visiting previous projects to ensure the quality of their work.

A contractor experienced in historic renovations will be familiar with the unique challenges of these homes, such as outdated construction methods and architectural features.

Assembling the right team is also vital, and this includes planners, strategists, creatives, and visionaries who share the same vision and commitment to the goal.

Partnering with a preservation consultant early on can be beneficial, as they can create a detailed restoration plan and advise on suitable materials and techniques.

Expertise matters when it comes to historic home renovations, and hiring a contractor who is experienced in historic renovations will help ensure the home's historical integrity is preserved.