Renovating Historic Homes: 2 Challenges

While we often talk about new home construction at Hebert Design Build, we also have significant experience and expertise in working on older homes, including those with historic designations.

Renovating homes that have been around for generations is something we take great pride in, but these projects do come with unique challenges. If you're thinking about buying a historic home, or if you know someone who owns one and is thinking of renovating, be sure to share this with them.

Challenge #1: Plan for longer lead times.

If you have a historic home, you could easily add another three to six months to your planning time. If you're doing an addition or a major exterior renovation, you have to go through the local commission to get approval, which can take time. On top of that, additional hurdles can pop up that you didn’t foresee.

On a project we did last year, we went through the local commission to get approval for the plans and construction. Then, due to changes in flood zones, we had to go through the state commission. In the end, the regulations had changed so much that the local building inspectors didn't know what to do and they had to inquire about interpretation of the rules. It resulted in a long process to get what we wanted, and, of course, it added time to the schedule.

Challenge #2: Beware of wiring.

It’s essential to consider the electrical wiring when renovating an older home. Since you might not know what you’re working with until you have the walls opened up, it’s important to build in extra room in your schedule and budget. In some cases, especially in much older homes, outdated electrical wiring can be very dangerous and will need to be fully replaced.

Even if your home isn’t very old, you may still want to update your electrical while you have the walls open anyway. You may want more or relocated outlets, or your existing panel may not be able to provide the necessary power for modern appliances.