Restoring a historic property requires passion, expertise and dedication. Whether it is a derelict sit that needs complete rebuilding, or a well-preserved heritage home, restoring an older building is no easy task, especially with the wide range of issues that may be affecting it. It is a lengthy process, but one that is well worth it in the end when you have beautifully restored the historic home. Here are seven vital steps in restoring a historic building:
1. Your vision
It is important to know what you want when restoring your property. You need to be able to go into every room and picture exactly how you want it to look when it is finished, this gives you a starting point for planning the actual work. If you have a good imagination and eye for design then by all means do this step yourself, if you’re less creative, then get a designer in to help you plan and create your dream vision. Check out these before and after photos for some inspiration.
2. Write your lists
Once you have decided what you want, it’s time to plan how you’re going to make that happen. Lists are going to be your best friend at this stage, write down everything you’re going to need, when will you need it by and how much will it cost. This step requires thorough research, but it is so important to be fully organised before the work begins, that way you will feel fully in control when all the madness starts.
3. Out with the old
This is when you will start getting rid of everything you aren’t going to be keeping. It can vary massively from room to room depending on how much is going to be demolished. Some rooms might be completely stripped bare are started over, whilst others might just require some minor damage fixed and some fresh paint.
4. Setting the infrastructure
At this stage, it is time to work on the basics, to build a decent base for your new and exciting features. This can involve fixing the walls, removing rotten floorboards, sorting the lighting etc.
5. The fun begins
Now we’re getting to the good stuff. This is the stage where you start adding your new features and making that vision from step 1. a reality. At this stage, you will inevitably come across setbacks and issues that will change your plans and make you rewrite your lists over and over again. The fun of restoring a historic building is that they are never predictable, and you will always hit some bumps in the road that require you to come up with a solution.
6. Light at the end of a tunnel
Once you’ve got over the inevitable hurdles, you will start to see your project coming together nicely. This step is satisfying as you will start to see all your hard work pay off. Your rooms will finally look like rooms again, and you can slowly start to put them back together. Walls are fixed, mouldings can go up, and any of your favourite historic feature that may have been removed for the work to take place, can be reintroduced.
7. Make it yours
Now your rooms are back together, it is time to get decorating. This is where you can really start to bring your creativity to life and make your historic house a home. Everything from wallpaper and paint to sofas and lampshades will add character and flare to your new building. Check out this guide of tips and tricks for interior decorating.
The whole process of restoring a historic building is a journey, and it helps to have a specialist on hand to help you every step of the way. Visit this website for information on historical restoration specialists.
