If you are considering doing home restoration on your old home, you may want to check if your building is historically listed before undertaking any home renovation. Being registered on the National Register of Historic Places, will not affect the plans you have for your building, neither will it increase your taxes or require you to open your home for a tour.
There are also no grants available for the restoration of historic homes, as some would assume. Obtaining a copy of the National Register nomination will give you access to historical information regarding your home. Some states have tax credits available for historical listed buildings.
Should your home be listed locally, you will need to contact your local city government to confirm this. In such instances it may be required to get permission from the local historic preservation commission, if you want to make home renovation changes to the exterior of your home. These commissions are attempting to preserve the historic character of the area.
The property value of homes increase in areas where all residents abide by these rules. The preservation commissions will assist with advice and direction in home restoration, which is to your advantage.
The building materials that were previously used on old homes for home renovation, were very different compared to the materials we use today. Most building contractors are not aware of the correct methods of use. It is vitally important that you ensure you are well advised and hire contractors who have the expert knowledge, of the correct methods in home restoration for old homes.
In this manner you will avoid additional problems. Educate yourself by obtaining information form the National Parks Services so that you are aware of the correct methods that should be used, and well able to check on what your contractors are doing.