Renovating a home can be a long process, especially when dealing with a specialized type of home. Renovating brownstones in NYC is no exception.
Planning Renovations for Brownstones in NYC
Brownstones in NYC represents a unique style of architecture and those who purchase that type of home want to make sure they stay true to the style. Therefore, planning renovations are extremely important.
Unless the entire home needs to be renovated top to bottom, it is always better to start with small projects and complete them one at a time before moving on to the next project. This helps keep things from becoming overwhelming to the home owner, especially if trying to go it alone.
A great smaller-style project that will make a huge difference is to restore the wood work within the brownstones in NYC. Most often, when someone pictures the brownstones in NYC, they imagine two things – those beautiful facades and the rich wood work. By working to restore the wood work, not only will the brownstone begin to go back to its original beauty, it will significantly raise the value of the home. However, it is worth mentioning again to take small steps. Don’t do all the wood in the home at once. Start with a door frame or a group of windows to gain confidence before taking on a bigger area.
There are also a number of great books that can help the home owner understand the history of brownstones in NYC and this special style of architecture. One great reference is “Bricks and Brownstone: The New York Row House 1783 – 1929” by Charles Lockwood. Originally published in 1972, it has been reprinted multiple times and to this day remains the authority on brownstones in NYC.
Professional Restoration of Brownstones in NYC
There are a number of professionals who specialize in restoring the historic brownstones in NYC. It is important, however, to interview several different professional home restorers to find the right one. Ask to see past work on brownstones in NYC, as well as references. Also check for any complaints against the companies on the Better Business Bureau website. Depending on the type of work and the extent of the needed restoration, it could be a lengthy and costly project. Therefore, finding an experienced brownstone restoration company is extremely important.
