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How to Choose a Contractor for Restoring Old Homes

August 1, 2018

Home renovation is a lot more challenging when dealing with historic buildings compared to other pieces of property. The contractor must have a great eye for detail to accentuate all features, new and old.

Choosing the right person for your project isn’t as simple as it may seem. You must thoroughly consider the scope of your renovation to determine who’d be best for the job.

Who you have working with you will largely determine how successful your project will be. Here’s what to look for in a contractor for restoring old homes.

Preliminary Research

Not all home renovation contractors have experience with historic properties. So, to get started, you need to find who in your area could even be considered for the assignment.

You could speak with local historical societies or house museums near you. Each state also has a Historic Preservation Officer who handles matters related to momentous landmarks. Also, consider reaching out to other historic homeowners.

Once you’ve gotten the names of a few home restoration contractors, it’s time to narrow your search. You can go online to learn more about your candidates, as they all should have websites.

Check out their portfolios and see whose work best aligns with what you’re looking for. This should help you knock out quite a few, but keep about 2-3 in mind that you’d like to meet with.

Meet with Selected Home Restoration Contractors

After you’ve honed in on a few that could be a match, start reaching out. First, put in a few initial calls to see which firms are interested. Make sure you talk about the specifics of your project, including your timeline.

If you both agree that working together may be a good fit, schedule a time for you to visit their office. This provides insight into their processes and allows you to gauge their professionalism.

Make sure you discuss billing terms and what services are to be provided. You should also inquire about the specific contractor who’d take on your project. Try to schedule an initial consultation for that person to come to your home.

Choosing a Contractor for Restoring Old Homes

After you’ve met with a few contractors, you may still not be sure of who to hire. If you’re stuck between two or more firms, consider the following:

Does either contractor have a Contractor’s Qualifications Statement ( A305 )?
How many years experience do the contractors have?
Who seems able to work with me on the particular details of my project?
Do I anticipate a problem down the line with either contractor?
Which contractor has better references from former clients?

Let’s Wrap This Up

Restoring old homes doesn’t have to be a daunting process. You just need to find a quality home restoration contractor who you feel comfortable partnering with. When doing research, always go with your gut on who to trust!

Fitzpatrick Painting and Construction could be the group for your job. We strive to deliver the highest levels of honesty and integrity in all our business practices, and have experience with historical restorations.

If you’re looking for someone to restore your old property, contact us today. Check out some of our reviews here.

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