We have had the honor of designing renovation / additions for several of the beautiful historic homes on Franklin street in Harrisonburg over the years. Our approach to a project in a historic neighborhood is to figure out what is possible with the existing structure and the available budget, then to maximize the value added with the work planned. Sometimes working in existing homes there are really unique opportunities that we can highlight through design. Sometimes working in existing homes there are big challenges that limit the opportunities. We work hard to figure out what can be done on paper before construction starts.
We serve as our clients’ advocate and protection in all construction projects. This is even more important when working on a historic home. Hiring a builder to do the design and construction leaves you open to not having expertise to figure out if you are getting the best value. You may be giving up design options that the builder has decided are too complicated or not even thought of since they are not trained in design. You might be convinced to remove parts of the historic home that still have useful life in them because it will be easier. You might also simply be putting a new finish on an old problem.
To avoid creating problems in your historic home you should develop a plan that thinks through as many of the obstacles and opportunities as possible prior to construction. To offer the most protection for your budget and scope of work, have your architect involved through design and into the construction phase. We know what is possible and can give options should a surprise be uncovered during the demo. A team approach is the best way to maximize the value of your renovation dollars.
