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Can you renovate a historic home in Rhode Island? 

If you’re thinking of renovating a historic home in Rhode Island, you’ll need to make sure that you follow the proper guidelines. There are several steps that you’ll need to take to ensure that your renovation doesn’t damage the historic integrity of the property. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the most important steps that you’ll need to take when renovating a historic home in Rhode Island.

  At Hill & Harbor Design + Build, we handle all the crucial aspects of a historic renovation for our clients so they may update their homes in the most efficient way possible.  Below are just a few of the necessary steps many people do not realize the need to be addressed when working with a historic renovation-

Don’t make any major changes without the approval of the Rhode Island State Historic Preservation Office.

You also need to get approval from the state historic preservation office before making any major changes, which can often involve a long and complicated process.

Research the history of your historic property to maintain authenticity throughout renovations.

Be sure to research the history of your property to maintain authenticity throughout renovations – Work with a professional who is familiar with and understands all necessary approvals for historical homes. This can be very complicated and requires experience and precision in order to successfully complete the project within tight timeframes without violating any rules or regulations regarding restoration work on this type of structure. If you’re thinking about renovating an old home, it’s important that you hire the right people from the start so as not to risk failure before even beginning!

Use materials that are historically accurate for your property.

Typical problems with historic projects include the repair or replacement of deteriorated features such as roofs, windows, masonry, and wood trim; improvements to make it easier to access; and installation or replacement of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems. Choosing the right materials is critical for preserving the historic integrity of a home. Although the material is essential, picking a replica that can match the appearance and qualities of the original is more important.

Make sure that all changes and additions to the historic home are reversible.

In order to make sure that our historic renovation would be approved by the state historic preservation office, we must make sure we are following all necessary rules and guidelines. One of those major rules is that any changes made must be reversible so as not to damage or alter the historical nature of our property which they consider a national historic landmark. Any changes or additions to a historic home must be carefully considered in order to maintain the historical integrity of the property. It’s often helpful to work with a design-build professional who is familiar with historic renovations and can help you make the right decisions for your project. Hill & Harbor Design + Build has years of experience renovating historic properties and knows how to get the job done while preserving the original character of the home.

A historic home is RIGHT for you if you want to…

• Preserve the historic home’s character; intimate nooks, hand-carved newel posts, and undulating wood flooring may all contribute to a historic house’s appeal and should be treated with care.
• Follow specific guidelines. The need to get familiar with local laws is especially important as a preservation office may have different standards that restrict the changes you can make to your house. A board of review will evaluate everything from exterior modifications, repairs, and house colors. For example, the Historic District Commission in Providence, Rhode Island, will examine roof colors according to their regulations.
• Share your home with others. One thing that makes a historic home special is that it is part of a greater story, that others want to be a part of sometimes.

If you’re looking for a design and build a company that specializes in historic renovations, then Hill & Harbor Design + Build is the perfect fit. We have extensive experience renovating historic homes all over Rhode Island. Our team of experts will work with you to create a renovation plan tailored specifically to your home and needs. Contact us today so we can help make your dream come true!

View Completed Historic Home Renovations