Renovating any type of home comes with its challenges but historic house renovations can be even trickier to navigate. As well as carrying out renovations in keeping with the aesthetic, there are also legal complexities to take into account.
We’ll explore the intricacies of renovating historic homes and offer some useful considerations when faced with the common challenges.
The legalities
Historic buildings and homes are often classed as listed buildings, meaning there are special laws that protect them. There are different grades of listed buildings, Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II. Each is classed due to their special or exceptional interest and there are different laws about how each one can be renovated.
Grade I homes and buildings have the most strict laws relating to renovation, with importance placed on retaining historical features. It’s unusual for a home to fall into this category as it mainly relates to national treasures.
Grade II* homes follow less stringent laws but there is still an emphasis on protecting the architecture.
Grade II houses and buildings are the most common and, while greater changes are legally allowed, they must be fully approved and authorised.
All grade listed buildings need planning permission and an architect and builder should work alongside a conservation officer to determine the best course of action to ensure laws are followed and the historic home is preserved.
Maintaining architectural integrity
It’s often a good idea to consult a specialist craftsperson who’s skilled in historic preservation to take care of the aesthetic work. This can help ensure that the renovation work remains in keeping with the original style and architecture.
While this might mean more time and resources needed in the preparation and building stage, it can remove any complications further down the line.
Challenges and considerations
Renovating a graded historic home can be a challenging task, and it often involves issues that are not commonly seen in modern renovations. Therefore, many people choose to take out renovation insurance, which can provide some coverage if unexpected issues arise during the renovation process.
Such complexities can include structural issues, the use of modern systems such as energy-efficient lighting or smart systems and the need to source specific materials to ensure a good match with the historical architecture.
Renovations of historic homes typically take a great deal longer than contemporary houses due to the paperwork sign-off and potential issues that can arise unexpectedly. Setbacks are common and it’s wise to have a contingency plan in place for such problems.
But, despite the need for legal checks, thorough planning and careful use of materials, renovating a historic home can be hugely rewarding, especially if its original character is retained and the work is carried out in a sensitive way to preserve its integrity.
Leave a Reply