Nothing is more self-gratyfying than taking on a historic preservation project.
Living in a historic district in Grandview Heights/Flamingo Park myself, I adore the architectural splendor of my hisotric district in West Palm Beach. Attempting to tackle a renovation project for a home in the historic district offer benefits to the homeowner and the city as well. You are creating value and forced savings for the home upon completion.
If you are considering purchasing a historic home, you will need help through the process of renovation. Make sure you find a local Realtor that is knowledgeable in the historic area and can help after closing with advice after you close as well to help you stay on track.
DOs
Determine Work Scope and Budget
Look carefully at the structure of the house to see what needs to be done. Get a clear idea of how much it will cost to get the level of finish you desire. It's easy to get carried away with their renovations. You may want to remove the wall to open up the kitchen but realize that you need to move the air duct to do so which could cost you $10,000, which could be better spent elsewhere.
Find the Right Architect
Ask your local Realtor that works in that area if they know of any architects that specialize in historic homes in West Palm Beach. Also check with the local neighborhood association, such as in Flamingo Park Historic District that has Flamingo Park - HOA website. The website has information regarding new regulations for building such as size, scale and mass Flamingo Park - Building Regulations . Also check with neighbords, they are always a good source of information. Your City's Historic Preservation Division if they have one. West Palm Beach has a great one at West Palm Beach Historic Preservation Division.
Buy Local
It's always good to purchase as many locally stocked materials as possible. In the historic districts in West Palm Beach, such as Grandview Heights, Flamingo Park & El Cid, the historic homes are known for their Dade County Pine wood floors and buyers love it. You can't purchase it anymore so don't destory it if you have some. It's extremely durable and impervious to termites. it's a gem in these historic homes.
DON'Ts
Stop Mid-Process
Don't stop the project mid-process if it can be avoided. Delays can become costly over time and opossibly increasing the costs.
Bother the Contractor
I know it's temting to call or go to the job site while the contractor is there working with questions but everytime you do, it's delaying the project. Keeping questions to a minimum until he or she is off the clock.
Ignore the Historic Landmarks Commission
Not working with your hisotric landmarks commission in your city can be a huge problem. They can help to ensure you have the appropriate permits and are working within the required guidelines. Think about how disappointed you will be if you find out later that they can't have what you want because it's not historically incorrect - for example, wanting alumium siding in lieu of weatherboards, only to find out that it isn't allowed, when they could have gone with a good slate look-alike which is doable, easier and less expensive to install the slate.
Disregard the Budget
The biggest “don’t” of all is to not make a clear budget or plan for cost overruns. Even with the most detailed of budgets, projects do often run 25 to 50 percent over budget, so it’s important to have these funds available if needed.
By taking on a historic renovation, you can help a neighborhood turn itself around. These projects will bring life back to a community and reveal the promise that is buried within those old treasures.
Happy Building!
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