The Top 12 Things to Know

Before Remodeling an Old Home

Older homes were built under old building codes. Remodeling means meeting today’s codes. Understanding what was allowable then and what is required now is crucial. If you are purchasing an older home, learning about things like upgraded wiring and plumbing requirements is time well spent. If the home has been purchased, getting up to speed on local requirements is always a good idea.

From what you learn about zoning and other codes, it may make sense to go ahead with a renovation, and it may make sense to tear down and start from scratch.

Older homes may have multiple structural challenges. Foundations may have shifted and cracked over time. Lumber used in framing the rafters, joists, and walls may be compromised.

Here is where you will either hire a structural engineer yourself or hire a design/build firm with this step as part of their normal scope of work. You don’t want to get part way through a renovation only to discover the desired changes will require major structural repairs you hadn’t budgeted for.

You love the character of your older home and the well-established neighborhood your home is a part of. But the charm of that neighborhood is likely due in part to strict historic preservation codes. And we all know you can’t throw a stick in greater Boston without hitting a historic preservation district.

Yet, not every contractor is equipped to manage a job with high historic preservation standards. Look for a company with experience in these sorts of projects.

You will need a contractor with access to the highest level of craftsmanship and tradespeople who understand traditional construction techniques. The job might require timber framers to preserve the look of the beams or coppersmiths for copper roofs, or roofers who specialize in slate installation and restoration.

Over the years, older homes are often repaired and added to in haphazard ways. An experienced design/build firm will be able to help you navigate these challenges and preserve the historic charm of your older home.

Older homes mean older, sometimes physically harmful materials, from lead pipes or paint to asbestos shingles, insulation, and other materials. Before remodeling can move forward, these materials need to be safely removed or otherwise managed (lead paint is often painted over, for instance.) Special contractors and permits are required to mitigate the hazardous materials from the home.

Older homes can also harbor mold where moisture has infiltrated. Cleaning up mold and repairing the problems that caused the mold may need to be added to the scope of work on a home renovation.

Many homes require a complete update of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEPs) to bring the home to code.

Old homes may fall under their own building code but when more than 50% of the home is updated it triggers code updates as well. One example, when you update windows in an older home you need to make them meet modern egress codes. Windows need to meet certain dimensions as well as a specific height off of the floor.

An established design-build firm will give you access to highly vetted and skilled people in the trades like HVAC and electrical. They have the knowledge of how to upgrade and replace systems in an older home to make the most of, say, energy efficiency while maintaining the character of the home.

We recently worked on a home that was in need of a complete HVAC overhaul. Our HVAC contractor was able to meet with the client several times to explain what was needed and the process for replacing the HVAC system. When the design/build firm you work with has knowledgeable tradespeople with whom they’ve established a relationship, you will have the benefit of strong communication, so you know what is happening on your home renovation every step of the way.

For years, you’ve been using insulated “snakes” at the base of your exterior doors and making do with single pane windows and exterior storm windows you need to install every fall to brace for those New England winters.

Again, depending on local historic preservation rules, you may be required to install new windows that match the materials of the original — typically wood, but double or even triple paned.

Another example would be roof sheathing. In an older home, this was typically done with planks. In today’s world spray foam is used to insulate attic spaces, but part of the purpose of the planks used in bygone days was to vent the attic. Your renovation will need to factor in the need for ventilation as part of the energy efficiency plan.

For homeowners who chose to serve as their own general contractor, the permitting process becomes among the most challenging aspects of the home renovation process.

In an older home, the permitting process — especially if you are requesting a variance on some aspect of the build — can be incredibly challenging. Permitting can throw off your ideal timeframe by weeks or months. When you hire an established design/build firm, they will likely be familiar with all the local building codes and will have the timing of the permitting process built into the timeline they establish with you.

Knowing how to incorporate new materials while staying in line with the character of the home can be a big challenge in older home remodeling. How do you manage the blending of such a variety of materials? You will likely have some original materials and finishes like plaster walls and original trim and doors.

But over time, some of these materials may have been replaced. Previous renovations add materials that are now neither original or new. These previous renovations may or may not blend in with the original style and character of the home.

Part of your desire to renovate likely stems from a need to modernize a kitchen, bathrooms, and other aspects of your home. Older homes require special approaches in order to renovate with modern materials and product choices.

There are the things you see – everything from built-in appliances, light fixtures to plumbing fixtures – to the things below the surface – like how a new roofline and wall ties into the older portion of a home.

Once your contractor has determined that an addition is legal (given setbacks, historic preservation regulations and other codes to enforce) they will need to blend old and new on a larger scale.

You are adding brand-new building science to an old building. How do you attach the two where the old meets the new?

Again, who you choose as a trusted partner in this process makes all the difference. A builder with a track record of managing additions onto older homes will know how to manage attaching an addition in a way that blends in with the existing structure.

When the shingles are torn off and the roof is leaking, it is easy to determine that it is time to replace the roof. But sometimes, especially with exterior materials like roofing siding, and exterior trim, it is not simple to determine when they are approaching the end of their lifespan.

A home inspection is a good starting point to get a sense of what may need to be replaced. In preparing for a renovation, you may discover that some materials can extend their usefulness with some minor repair. Others may need to be replaced.

“Old house” does not have to mean dark and dingy. You likely will want to create more light with more and larger windows and skylights. Many communities actually have codes regarding the amount of natural light in a home. This is one more area where a knowledgeable craftsperson can help you balance the maintaining of the character of the older home with the need for more natural light.

So you've learned some things about older home remodeling. Now what?

Understanding the unique challenges and nuances of an old home renovation will set you up for success as you move forward. The process we’ve established for working with homeowners gives you the information you need to do the best, most cost effective, remodeling project possible.

We’ll find out what is possible, what codes and regulations will allow, and take the renovation from start to finish with a realistic timeframe and solid budget in place, with the highest quality of craftsmanship to maintain the character of the home at the center of the process. Knowing you are in good hands will alleviate much of the stress related to an older home renovation project.

Want to learn more? Download the ebook Mitchell Construction’s Secrets to Beautifully Remodeled Homes to learn about how the company approaches home renovation, or schedule a discovery call to learn more about how we can help you with your home renovation project.