Peter Grenier, a Massachusetts contractor, has learned that restoring historic homes is never an easy job. One needs to deal with it with more care compared to other homes. But if the project is done right, your renovation project can go smoothly without any hitches. Below, Grenier shares a few tricks and tips when renovating historic homes.

Prepare For Surprises

One thing that is common with historic homes is that there are always hidden surprises. Nothing is as it seems until you start digging in. For starters, a historic home has probably undergone renovations so many times before. That means you may have to peel down all those layers. One of the major surprises that you will not like is structural damage. You can also find some old wallpaper behind the walls. While it is always exciting to discover what lies underneath a home, Peter Grenier advises contractors to always budget for these surprises to avoid inconveniences.

Replace What You Cannot Save

Repairing something is always cheaper than replacing it. However, while you may want to retain the historic appeal of a home, note that some parts are worth replacing instead of retaining. For instance, if a home has some appealing plaster moldings, you may want to retain them. But only do so if the effort is worth it. But if they are too damaged, talk to the contractor or client about removing what is there and replicating the same concept.

Studying The Craftsmanship And Design Of The House

Before you start putting down walls, first study the original design and craftsmanship of that house. Understand the materials, designs and intricacies used. Try your best to integrate those details into any additions you make to the interior and exterior parts of the house.

Peter Grenier Advices Clients To Be Smart About Their Investment

Renovations should cover these five things:

• Improve the comfort of a home
• Add value
• Improve the functionality of a home
• Add appeal
• Extend the lifespan of a home

Being smart with your renovations means incorporating all these things when renovating a home. One should still focus on value addition renovation, even if the house is not for sale. In addition, the comfort of the people that will be staying in that home matters. Do not forget about aesthetics as well when including fixtures and other home designs.

Honor The History Of The Home

While this may be pricey, the resulting product will be worth the cost. Peter Grenier advises contractors to look for resources with information on historic restorations. This ensures they use the right textures, materials, and colors. Doing this will allow you to maintain the original structure and design of a house.  

Incorporate Modern Additions With Care

Even though some modern upgrades may be necessary, they should still be incorporated in a non-intrusive manner. Those historic features of a home are what make it charming. So ensure you do not add too many modern designs.

When you have a project such as restoring a historic home, you need to approach it with care. That way, you can anticipate the challenges on the way, know how to address them, and maintain the historic appeal of a home.