3 Things To Do When You Close On Your Old Home
You’ve just closed on your beautiful old home, now what? If you’re like most, this question is weighted. Assuming you were selective when searching for an old house (check out my post from last week) you hopefully don’t have any one thing that is a must (a ‘raining roof’, a crumbling foundation, and basic electrical and plumbing). Everything is probably equally exciting and daunting and the answer of “what comes first” is really up to you. The cadence or even method (room by room? Task by task?) is whatever makes the most sense for you and your family. Like most things with an older, period home, this journey will be unique to you. Shed your expectations for this journey you are embarking on to mirror anyone else is the first step. The second, seek out a team.
On last night’s episode of “A Quarter ‘Til Wine” I had the immense pleasure of speaking with Dave of Rademacher Revival. Dave, a builder and “old home specialist”, and his wife have caught the attention of many in the old home community. Through showing their personal journey and professional work have redefined what a ‘team’ might look like as it pertains to the renovation or restoration of an older home. Unlike a new build the path is not as apparent.
Three things to keep in mind …
Educate Yourself.
This may seem counterintuitive to the whole idea of hiring professionals. However, because of the endless variations of homes and their evolutions over time you will always be your home’s best advocate. Unlike modern construction and mass production, builders of the past would essentially build a custom home every single time. Every window, door, trim piece was uniquely crafted for your home. These one of a kind homes would then be bought and sold to homeowners over the years that would then care for them in varying degrees. Because of these discrepancies when you acquired your 19th century home here in the 21st you are embarking on uncharted territory. Do the work to learn as much as you can about your particular style of home as you can. The old home world may seem immense at the start but when you narrow your focus (for me it would be Tudor Revivals built in the early 1900’s in central Illinois) it will become more manageable.
Communicate Your Desires.
Everyone has their version of what a historical sympathetic renovation looks like. Because of our modern conveniences most homeowners aren’t looking to restore a home but evolve the home in a way that honors its historical fabric. Because this looks different for each of us, communication is absolutely essential. I have found that incorporating salvaged materials takes the most coaxing when I am working with a builder. The fact is, it is downright easier to quickly fall into the mass produced building world. Of course, you can have a Bluetooth speaker in the shower surrounded by salvaged, period accurate tile (because I’ve done it) but you really have to understand what is important to you and then communicate that even when they may look at you funny. If I had a nickel for every time a contractor says “I don’t get it” and then immediately sighs a big “ah ha, I get it!” when completed I’d be rich.
P.S. “That will be difficult” does not mean that it is impossible.
Hire the specialist or the student
Not everyone that will touch your home will always be a specialist in older homes (preferred but not mandatory). However, at bare minimum they must be willing to listen and seek out applications that are “sensitive to the fabric” of the home. I often hear that clients have gone through so many contractors through the years and the truth is, I have too. It is not uncommon to hire someone who, because of modern training, may not understand or be well versed in the nuances of older homes. That alone should not be a deterrent as with anything it is possible to learn. But what should be an absolute deal breaker is when they want to trump your voice and refuse to consider the alternatives (your old windows have to be ripped out, even though you know better, Thank you but no thanks). Like I mentioned before, equip yourself with knowledge and steer that ship! I am a strong believer that our homes hold an energy that communes with us regularly. Even a novice will have an inkling about something that may seem off or not right. Trust that! On the other hand, when you find your perfect match you’ll feel that too.
I hope these tips help you on your old home journey. I equate it to raising a child. You will have no idea what you are doing, and probably will be overwhelmed most of the time, but you will always know what’s best. It will be a soft whisper in your heart, trust that, and fight like hell to protect it.