The Essentials of Creating a Work Plan for a Historic Property
Preserving and maintaining historic properties requires careful planning and attention to detail. Whether you’re a dedicated preservationist, a property owner, or a professional in the field, crafting a comprehensive work plan is an essential step in ensuring the long-term vitality and authenticity of a historic property.
Let’s explore the essentials of creating a work plan for a historic property, from one of the top historic preservation consulting firms in Southern California:
Essential Considerations
Start by researching the history of your property to understand its original character-defining features and architectural style. Assess and document the current condition of the home, including any damage or alterations with a thorough historic property survey. Define the goals of your specific preservation project, such as maintaining historical accuracy or making necessary repairs and carrying out restoration of certain elements. It’s important to check local, state, and federal regulations related to historic preservation to determine if you need permits or approvals for the work you want to complete. Many cities require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to be issued before work can commence on a property that is located in a historic district.
Create a budget that includes the cost of drawings, materials, labor, permits, and contingencies so that you can properly phase the work for your project without financial burden. It’s best to prioritize your projects and begin with the most urgent repairs. Include historically accurate materials for the repairs in your work plan and choose preservation methods that are reversible and minimize harm to the original materials. It will be important to hire contractors, architects, designers, or preservation specialists with experience in historic properties to ensure the work is being done accurately and sensitively. Once repairs have been completed, develop a regular maintenance schedule to prevent further deterioration. Keep detailed records of all work done, including photos, documents, and receipts.
Professional Assistance with Your Historic Work Plan
Preserving a historic property is a labor of love and a long-term commitment. Engage with local historical preservation organizations for resources to find a qualified architectural historian such as Historia Design & Consulting that can assist you in creating the best work plan for your property.
Explore grant opportunities, tax incentives, or historic preservation funding to help cover costs such as the Mills Act property tax abatement program which requires a work plan to be submitted with the application. Take your time and seek expert guidance when needed to ensure the best results for your home’s preservation.
Contact Historia Design & Consulting to get started with one of the top historic preservation consulting firms in the area.
