Historic House Restoration
At the turn of the century, Modernism was at its beginnings. During this time there were a lot homes and buildings, even villages and districts that were bulldozed for the sake of building modern homes and other taller structures. Preservation and conservation of historical buildings and other cultural sites became the advocacy of many and because of this, a large number of dilapidated but historically and culturally significant structures were "saved".
Historical Building Restoration.
The next step in preserving and conserving a historical building is its restoration. The repairs were necessary for some very old homes and structures were on its last leg. The restorations are costly but certainly worth it. Design and restoration teams were employed for this kind of task.
A great number of individuals are now well-aware of the need to preserve and conserve old homes. It is indeed an immense project to restore a historical building. If you think your house is a historical building, then you can approach the several organizations in the UK for such endeavour. There are more than 192 agencies that you can approach for funding considerations. Some of them are:
- ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England)
- The Architectural Heritage Fund(AHF)
- Arts Council of Northern Ireland - building scheme
- Lord Barnby's Foundation
- The Country Houses Foundation
- Heritage of London Trust
- Historic Scotland - Building Repair Grants Scheme
- Sir James Knott Trust
- Northern Ireland Housing Executive - Home Improvement Grants Scheme
Personal Non-Historical building Restoration.
However if you have a very old building or home that you want to restore, there are easy ways and less costly means to do it. There are plenty of contractor of old homes who are more than willing help you out with your restoration and renovation needs. There are also companies who can provide you with the needed construction supplies from the flooring to roofing material - and anything in between. The cost of restoring an old home could be prohibitive but you don't have to plunge head on. You can just build and renovate section by section.
The major things to consider when about to do building restoration are:
1. Structural stability of the building - Is the house ready to fall flat? If this is the case, then better get a qualified architect and engineer to assess the building.
2. Are you planning on restoring or renovating? Restoration is repairing the building as it was. Renovating is doing improvement on the property that may or may not affect the original structure and design of the building. Restoring a house to its original "splendour" would take quite a lot of time and money. It is also worth considering replacements for old and totally useless parts and fixtures in the house.
3. How old is your house? What is its Architectural style? If you are unsure of the year and style of your old house, ask a qualified realtor. There must be some kind of floor plans in the Building Official's office that you can make a copy of to make your restoration or renovation easier.
What's your plan? If you have decided on restoring or remodelling or renovating your old home, it is best for you to think ahead of what you want done. Do you want to fully extend the living room? Are you serious about converting the loft? Check out remodelled homes online for inspirations or buy magazines for new home ideas.
Think of quality and apt replacements and additions to your old house. You cannot replace a Queen Victorian home with vinyl sidings as this would decrease its value. A luxury bathroom that is totally out of style and proportion to an old Tudor style house is totally uncharacteristic too. Renovating an old house should conform to the house's original style.
What's your budget? Set aside a budget for the whole project. You cannot just go forge ahead and expect the construction to be within your budget. Even the best-laid budget plans fail. There is a great probability that your renovation product would cost more than your allotted budget. Before you plunge head on, have a professional do an estimate of your renovation or restoration. It is to your advantage if you could get two to three estimates.
Do you need professional help? Be realistic. Being a DIY-er has its advantages. However you cannot expect to do structural shoring and additional foundation on your own. You need to get professional help. Do you need an architect for the project? An architect is necessary if the restoration project is on a massive scale. If there is a need for you to reinforce the structural design of the house, then you definitely need the services of an architect.
If the restoration or renovation project is on a smaller less grander scale then you might not need the services of an architect but it would still be to your advantage if you hire helpers for the project. You can hire a tiler or a finishing carpenter or an all-around mason to help you out with the project. Check if your hired helpers have the necessary licenses and insurances of their trade.
Seal the Deal. Once you have put up a team for your renovation or restoration project, have contracts drawn up. The contracts are for you and your contractors' protection and security. Read the fine prints before you sign any contract. If there are stipulations that you cannot understand, have the contractor explain it.
Get Building Permits. Your contractor or architect will be the one to get the building permits. They will also provided the floor plans and other requirements asked for by the building official. The permits are necessary to see if your planned restoration or renovation meets the local building codes.
When all is set, start on your project!