Owning a heritage home comes with a lot of responsibility and will potentially require a renovation process. At some point, you’ll probably be torn between renovating and resorting the edifice completely, in which case you’ll have to take all the factors into consideration before making any step. Heritage buildings are of great importance for you and the surrounding fortifications, which is why you’ll need to consult professionals, as well as go through several other crucial steps if you decide to become involved with heritage property remodelling.
Talk to the contractor first
Talking to the contractor is the first step you should make when thinking about buying or remodelling a heritage property. They’ll help you understand just how much work the building actually needs, as well as what are the right works you should be doing on it. An experienced contractor will also make you imagine the look of the edifice after its remodelling as well as give you a good piece of advice on whether you should restore it or just repair a few minor issues.
If the surfaces have already been covered multiple times, for example, the contractor will know how to discover that and ward you about this potential issue that you need to decide how you want it fixed. It’s also important that the contractor shares an equal passion for heritage homes as you do, in order to know what the best for these types of constructions is.
Plan the process
Once you’ve consulted the contractor and decided whether you want to restore or repair your heritage property, you’ll need to plan the process meticulously. You may have decided to construct an addition, in which case you should make it blend in the entire construction. If it’s overwhelming, you won’t be able to keep the originality and it’ll only wreak havoc on an entire design. If possible, it will be a good idea to live there and become familiar with the condition of the building.
Only after you’ve spent a certain amount of time in the house will you be able to know if it’s mouldy, in what condition the floors and walls are, alongside with electricity and all the installation. Once you start considering the restoration, look for other heritage homeowners and ask for their opinion on your ideas. See what they’ve done with their property and if they had smart solutions on problems that you may have encountered with on your property.
Don’t neglect its originality and historical value
Heritage homes will be filled with original features, which you should try your best to keep if you want to preserve the spirit and authenticity of the edifice. Be sure to research the historical significance of the property before you begin with any constructions or remodelling. The value of the edifice stretches way beyond the aesthetic features, which is why you’ll have to think well about the upgrades you want to make. They should return the building’s old glory without sacrificing the property’s history.
Tiles may have been intended to last for a century or longer, but chances are they will need fixing just around the time you get the opportunity to improve the look of an entire building. Using authentic heritage tiles will help you maintain the originality of the home. Therefore, you should restore roof heritage tiles and ensure another 100 years of protection of the property, without making any damage to the roof or any other parts of the home. Only with professional treatment will the tiles last for another century and maybe even a few years more. The property may also have updated windows that make the construction look dingy, which is why you should consider restoring the windows to their original design.
Stay safe
Only a safe home is a good home, so it’s essential that you know whether all the installations are in good condition. It’s highly likely that electrical wiring will need to be fully restored in order to comply with the latest regulations. However, this doesn’t mean that the heritage property will lose its value in any way. On the contrary, you’ll add value to it and make an improvement to an entire grid making sure it can withstand the modern electrical power.
The piping, on the other hand, won’t necessarily need a full restoration. If the contractor estimates that the piping is in good condition, and the water supply system and sewage work properly, you may be able to go for another few years without these types of work. Just make sure you check all the pipes for leaks because they can wreak havoc on your property if you discover a pipe has been dripping somewhere in the walls. From foundations to walls and finally the entire construction, your heritage property may be completely ruined if you don’t detect the leak in time.
Final thoughts
Restoring or repairing, that is the question. The answer will ultimately depend solely on the condition of the building. That’s why you should consult only the best contractors and seek advice from other heritage property owners. As long as you keep your safety in mind, and don’t neglect the authenticity of the edifice, you’ll have no trouble dealing with all the potential issues.