Restoring and Preserving Old Homes - Research Paper Example

? Table of Contents ……………………………………………………………………… page 2 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………… page 3 Background ……………………………………………………………………… page 4 I. Thoughts to ponder on ………………………….…………………… page 4 II. Style, people and materials………………………………………….. page 5 The need to restore ……………………………………………………………….. page 6 Money matters ……………………………………………………………. page 6 Restoration is not worth the cost, time and effort ……………………………… page 8 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………… page 9 References ………………………………………………………………………… page 10 Abstract There is much clamor between those who restore and preserve old homes and those who would rather reconstruct the home from scratch. Pro-restoration groups claim that historical homes are irreplaceable. The other side argues that restoration is painstaking and costly. The financial help from private and non-private organizations can alleviate expenses but the assistance may sometimes come with conditions that interfere with the homeowner’s plans. Historical houses can also be a vital part of the community that restoration may not only affect the property’s owner but also the entire neighborhood. As with all restoration projects money will be an issue. However, with careful planning and decision-making, refurbishing an old home can bring the owner a lot of advantages. First, old homes are built with wood, glass and other materials that have lasted through the years. Secondly, in the event that the restored home is sold, it will be worth more than its original market value. Lastly, the historical home is a unique property that not everyone can have. Introduction A dictionary defines a house as a “(n) a building that serves as living quarters for one or a few families.” (house, n.d.) A house is more than a mass of wood, concrete and glass. From conceptualizing to putting in that last door or brick, a lot of thought is put into creating this type of personal space. Houses are made to stand the test of time and weather. Architects, construction engineers and carpenters select only the best materials for each and every home they build. Aside from the aesthetic feature, these professionals also design homes to be sturdy. At times, the house is so resilient that it even lasts longer than the family it was built for. A person’s house will always be a part of the person’s family. The structure is witness to almost every event, if not all, that has happened inside its walls. Generation after generation passes through its doors. When the time comes to leave one’s home, there is an obvious hesitation and forlornness because of the many memories the building holds. This dilemma is one of several why people decide to repair old homes. Rather than destroy it, families opt to salvage whatever they can of the antique structure in an effort to maintain the house’s character. The appreciation for old homes does not end with just the families. States and organizations have also been supportive of this venture. Local governments have introduced measures in order to encourage the refurbishing of old homes especially those they consider historic. Private corporations have also come up with financing for the homeowners and recognition for architects who help create and remodel these structures. There are magazines and websites devoted to giving pointers and resources to people who would rather restore than demolish and build. Sometimes, the restoration of old homes is not only a choice by the owner but also of the community. Background According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory (Koontz and Weihrich, 2008) shelter is one of man’s physiological needs. Shelter is required to sustain an individual’s life. With this in mind, man created dwelling places for himself and his family. Initially, man lived in caves which provided cover from the rain and protection from wild animals. Later on, man and his developed skills and ways needed more than cover and protection. He dug a hole in the ground for himself and his family, placed logs, rocks or grass in it for walls and used the bark of the tree, among others, as a roof. (Dugout Residence, n.d.) Eventually, because of the need to have a more comfortable abode and man’s increasing awareness of the world around him, he decided to build the four-corner structure we know and use today. I. Thoughts to ponder on There are many things to consider when building a house. For Todd Fratzel (2007), a registered professional engineer who constructed his own house, the ten things to ponder on are style, number of bedrooms, single/multiple levels, master bedroom, bonus rooms, number of bathrooms, kitchen style, floor plans, functionality and house site. For Dashiel Wood (2010), a real estate agent, budget is the top priority as construction costs should be well within the owner’s means. Frank Lloyd Wright built residences keeping in mind the owner’s needs and the particular qualities of the structure’s surrounding. (Architect Studio 3D, n.d.) No matter the different opinions on what should be taken into account when building a house, all answers seem to revolve around a single theme – the needs of the person who will live in the house. II. Style, people and materials From its structure to its occupants, a house gradually develops a ‘character’ that is all its own. It starts with the house’s architectural style. Style is the word used to classify houses “according to their appearance, structure, materials and historic period. (Craven, J., n.d.) Architectural style applies to both the interior and exterior of a house. (Dunlop, C., et. al., 2003) There are a number of residential styles including Art Deco, Neoclassical, Bungalow, Prairie, Colonial, Cape Cod, Pueblo, etc. These designs alone already bring a certain sense of identity to a house as the classification of residential styles is a direct result of an evolution in home designs. The individuals who eventually live in the house also add to the character of the house. As mentioned earlier, a house is usually built with the occupants in mind. Over time, the residents of the structure may modify the place to satisfy their growing needs. For example, what was once a cream-colored nursery with a crib and chest full of stuffed toys may turn into a small boy’s private space containing a single bed, a chest of drawers and walls that are ocean blue with paintings of different-sized boats. A sunroom may eventually be closed off and turned into a small greenhouse. A four-bedroom house with a large backyard may be remodeled to accommodate a nursery. All these changes only make the existing structure even more personal to those who live in it and interesting to others who, in the event of a sale, are in the look-out for a new home. Because, as mentioned earlier, houses are built to protect its inhabitants, only the most durable materials are used in its construction. From the ceiling, to the windows and down to the floor, builders make these components weather-resistant and long-lasting. The fact that a house has withstood the test of time, nature and, at times even wars, is also an intriguing aspect of its character. It is primarily because of these reasons that some people prefer to restore an old home rather than have it demolished and rebuilt. It is necessary to remember that old homes may date back to as far as the Civil War (1861-65) in the U.S.A., 17th – century Barton Manor in England (Barton Manor, n.d.) or the three-sided single-story courtyard houses in Taiwan dating back to the 1700’s. (Crook, S., 2007) These old homes are testaments to stories of its residents and location. In addition, the materials, proven hard-wearing, used to build these structures may not be available today and can be considered rare and antiques. The need to restore The plan to restore Mount Vernon in 1853 was the first move to preserve an old home in the United States. (Cotton, J. R. n.d.) Since then, more people and groups have become involved with such kind of renovation. Although a number of people would rather demolish an old home and build it again, there are several reasons as to why restoration is a better alternative. Despite the cost, restoration of an old home brings with it several pluses. Money matters Various government and private organizations offer financial help to alleviate repair costs on homes, historic or not whereas total costs for rebuilding it would come out of the owner’s pockets. In South Carolina, historic homeowners can deduct 25% of their repair/renovation costs from their income taxes. (Tax Savings, n.d.) The Canadian government offers a Provincial Portion of Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) Rebate for the materials used in building the exterior of a heritage property. (HST Rebates, 2010). The city of Boston has Home Works HELP which offers a loan of up to $15,000 interest-free for approved home repair projects. (HomeWorks HELP, n.d.) State and local governments offer tax incentives for the restoration of a historic property. (Huddleston, C. 2006) If the property is individually listed on the National Register, then it is eligible for a grant from local, state or charitable foundation preservation. (Cotton, J.R., n.d.) The National Trust Preservation Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation also has a variety of financial aid to people and agencies involved in projects related to preservation. (Find Funding, 2011) The Cleveland Restoration Society also offers financial support in the preservation of old homes. (Cleveland Restoration Society, n.d.) The cost of buying an old home is also a thing to consider. In today’s world where the cost of seemingly everything continues to increase, historic homes can be considered cheap. An example would be in Lynchburg, Virginia where a homesteading program offers dilapidated historic homes for as low as $1 as long as you renovate it and live in it for five years. (Huddleston, C., 2006) Usually, an old home that needs fixing up can be bought for way below market price even in a good neighborhood. In 2001, for example, “Jesse and Marie Goff bought a 1,400-square-foot contemporary house with a water view in Sausalito, California for $535,000 – about two-thirds of market value.” (Rothfeder, J., n.d.) For a practical owner, even with all the costs incurred during restoration, a newly-restored home can fetch a very good price once put up for sale. Buyers will not only pay for a place to live in. They will also appreciate the fact that the house, despite the years, has remained standing and in good enough condition to make it livable again. Moreover, the new owners will now be in possession of antiques and irreplaceable fixtures in the house. For a sentimental owner, a newly-restored home is a tarnished gem that has been polished to brightness. It is a product of hard-work, patience and love. Many homeowners who scout for old homes tell of how they had saved up money to buy one with plans of restoring it to its former beauty. Restoration is not worth the cost, time and effort If there are people who are all for restoration of an old home, there are also those who would rather level it to the ground and build it again. They argue that the restoration of an old home, if not thought over carefully, does not only cause one financial but also physical and emotional strain. A lot goes into refurbishing a run-over home. People who go this route are advised to plan and go about it wisely as unseen problems may add on to the obvious ones. Some, if not most, of these houses may need important structural improvements. Important repairs such as plumbing and electrical system overhauls, foundation upgrades and extensive roof and wall work are usually invisible. (Rothfeder, J., n.d.) It is also suggested that buyers of old homes have a preservation consultant or contractor inspect the place so proper information about the work and cost can be given. (Curry, P., 2001) There is also the matter of location. Being in a historic district is an added bonus to owning an old home because it may make the owner eligible for tax breaks on restoration costs. However, historical commissions can be picky about exteriors by making the owner replace what was missing or removed with something exactly the same as the originals that are still intact. (Curry, P., 2001) If the owners of the old home need to restore it and make it income-generating, the community may protest. (Rabin, C. and Edwins, L., n.d.) If parts of the property are changed instead of restored, it will not be a candidate for tax incentives. (Huddleston, C., 2006) Rebuilding an old home from scratch might not always be the practical route. John Ahlen and his wife from Atkins, Arkansas moved an 1890 Queen Ann Victorian from its original location, spent four years rebuilding it, became broke and eventually just sold the house. (Ahlen, J., 2008) Cost of materials and labor for building an entire house can be quite expensive and the homeowner would still have to wait and see how the house survives wear and tear. Conclusion There is just something in the old designs of houses that call to men. As such, even the postmodern architecture which began in 1970 is found to be a revival of period styles. (Paradis, T. (n.d.) People still manage to look beyond the sagging porch, overgrowth of bushes, missing roof shingles, broken windows and see the classic beauty and character of an old house. Even in a world where technology has allowed men to build houses made with glass or live in a spaceship, old homes still have much appeal. The worth of old homes is not only aesthetic but also monetary. According to Ellena Hinson, who has created a website dedicated to help other historic-home enthusiasts, “there has been a lot of demand for historic homes, especially in the last couple of years as awareness of the value of these properties has increased… (Huddleston, C., 2006)” An old home once beautifully restored is worth more than one that is rebuilt because it retains its character. Bobby Chasin, a real estate agent from Illinois, suggests that if buyers want a good price for property they have renovated, the integrity of the house should not be lost. (Vogel, C., n.d.) The numerous resources to help out people in restoring old houses are proof that many believe restoration is better than rebuilding. Aside from owning something that was part of history, the individual who restores this kind of structure acquires a very valuable property which has been proven to withstand the test of time. References Ahlen, J. (2008, April 3). The Devil Queen. [Weblog]. Retrieved from http://thedevilqueen.blogspot.com/ on June 22, 2011. Architect Studio 3D. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.architectstudio3d.org/AS3d/home.html on June 20, 2011. Barton Manor. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.headington.org.uk/history/listed_buildings/bartonmanor.htm on June 20, 2011. Cleveland Restoration Society. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.clevelandrestoration.org/about/vision.php on June 22, 2011. Cotton, J. R. (n.d.) All Historic Districts Are Not Created Equal. Old House JOURNAL. Retrieved from http://www.oldhousejournal.com/all_historic_districts/magazine/1298 on June 17, 2011. Cotton, J. R. (n.d.) New Horizons in Historic Preservation. Old House JOURNAL. Retrieved from http://www.oldhousejournal.com/all_historic_districts/magazine/1298 on June 17, 2011. Craven, J. (n.d.) What is Style? About.com.Architecture. Retrieved from http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/g/style.htm on June 18, 2011. Crook, S. (2007, August 16). Two old houses that stand tall: architectural oddities in rural Chiayi. The China Post. Retrieved from http://www.chinapost.com.tw/travel/taiwan-central/chiayi/2007/08/16/118636/Two-old.htm on June 21, 2011. Curry, P. (2001, January 30). Restoring historic property takes patience, cash. Bankrate.com. 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Retrieved from http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,694903-3,00.html on June 20, 2011. Tax Savings for Owners of Historic Homes. (n.d.) State Historic Preservation Office. Retrieved from http://shpo.sc.gov/grants/homeincentives/ on June 17, 2011. Vogel, C. (n.d.) Renovations That Give You a Return on Your Investment. This Old House. Retrieved from http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,408045-6,00.html on June 22, 2011. Wood, D. (2010). Things to Consider Before Building a House. Sooper Articles. Retrieved from http://www.sooperarticles.com/real-estate-articles/construction-articles/things-consider-before-building-house-34088.html on June 20, 2011 Read More