Taking on a restoration project for a heritage building is unlike any other restoration as you have to consider the historical and cultural significance of the building and try your best to preserve its heritage and charm. It is this unique challenge which demands intense passion and dedication from the restorer. If restoring heritage buildings was straightforward and easy enough that it could be done by following generic guidelines and procedures then perhaps a lot of people would have tried their hand at restoration, but the truth is the condition of every historic building will be different and as a result, each building will require a different restoration process and plan. Hence, it’s important to understand and prepare for the challenges that you will face ahead in your restoration project.
Doing irreparable harm to the building
The materials and tools used to build the building would have been vastly different from what we use today. So, it is extremely crucial to use the right tools and materials to avoid doing harm to the building and causing irreparable damage.
Repairing instead of replacing
Some seemingly minor issues like a crack or a loose brick might be signs of bigger problems with your building. So, use the help of specialists to fix these problems instead of guessing that it’s just a small repair issue.
Making historically inaccurate additions
In the race to make the building fully functional, people tend to make historically inaccurate additions to the building which makes it lose its historical significance. Take care to do proper research about the original building before deciding to make changes.
Meeting modern building regulations
It can sometimes be difficult to follow modern building regulations while restoring a period building back to it true original form, cooperating with local authorities and informing them about the significance of the building would be a big help to you.
Finding a competent restoration contractor
It cannot be stressed enough that choosing a contractor would be one of the most important decision you’ll make during the restoration process. It’s not easy to find a team that will ensure satisfactory results as most professionals are skilled in building and restoring modern buildings, but with enough research you can find the best suited contractor for the job.
Planning
- Try to obtain the history of the building, including when it was built and its original use. This information will help you better understand the period architecture aesthetics and the construction methods used.
- Find a local heritage architect and ask them what will be involved in carrying out restoration work. Get an understanding of the requirements for consultant reports and any professional fees.
- Ask, research, investigate, and plan before you lift a tool; don’t make assumptions.
- Check if the original building plans are on file at your local council. This gives you an idea of what the building originally looked like and allows for easy comparison to its current structure.
Building
- Start from the ground up. Foundations need to be structurally sound before you can move forward with restoring any other part of the building.
- Erosion happens over time and is the result of atmospheric pollution, foundation movement and the expansion and contraction of building materials due to weather. Water penetration is the main area to address prior to completing exterior restoration.
- Don’t forget to factor in potential hidden costs when completing restoration works
- Engaging with heritage based subcontractors, architects and specialists can ensure that restorations are completed in an accurate manner.