For Your Historic Home Renovation

HOW TO FIND CONTRACTORS AND ARCHITECTS

Compile a list of possible firms.If you have seen projects in your area that you like, find out which firms were

involved in design and execution. Resources include: your State Historic

Preservation Officer (SHPO), local historical societies, other historic

homeowners, house museums in the area, the local preservation review

board, and your AIA chapter.

Conduct background research on your list.The firms should all have websites where you will be able view the types of

projects they have worked on previously. Look at the scale and scope of work

they typically do and see if it is consistent with what you want to have done.

For example: If the firm handles mostly commercial projects, they may not be

the most suitable for a residential project.

Talk to the selected firms.Call the firms on your list that seem to have the most

potential, and describe your project and timeline. If

your project is not within the scale of work they do,

ask if they can recommend another firm. If they do

have the capacity to take on your project, ask if you

can stop by their offices, request an example of a

completed project, and ask about how they bill.

Arrange a site visit.For a more in-depth assessment, ask about who will be handling

your job and whether you can arrange for them to visit your home.

Heads up: Most firms charge a fee for site visits, so check

beforehand if this will be the case.

Checking Qualifications: ArchitectsInquire if the firm can provide you with an Architect’s Qualifications

Statement (B305). This statement will provide greater detail for you to

judge the qualifications of the prospective architect. For most

preservation projects, the homeowner should request something like

“five years’ experience on similar scope and budget projects.”

Checking Qualifications: ContractorsSee if the contractor can provide a Contractor’s Qualifications

Statement (A305). Make sure they are licensed, bonded, and insured.

Call the insurance company or private bond issuer to verify.

Post-Selection TipsAlways make sure to have a

written contract. Even if you know

the contractor personally, having

a signed contract insures that all

parties are aware of the work that

is expected and the timeline.

Make sure they have insurance

coverage. Also look into

supplementing your home

owner’s insurance during

construction.

More Post-Selection Tips

Include a retainage clause in the

contract. This will allow the

homeowner to ensure the project

is complete and fully functional

before making the final payment.

Regardless of how small the job

is, make sure any required

permits are secured.

Lien WaversOnce a contractor has been paid in full, make sure that they have

signed a lien waiver. This insures that both parties have signed off

and stated that the terms of the have been met, and all necessary

payments to materials suppliers, subcontractors, or vendors have

been made.

 

The National Trust for Historic Preservation works to save America’s

historic places. Preservation Tips & Tools helps others do the same

in their own communities.

For more information, visit blog.preservationnation.org.

Special thanks to the American Institute of Architects for the reference documents and Ashley R. Wilson, AIA, ASID for consultation.

Photos courtesy: (pg.1, all) Joanne C Sullivan, Flickr ; Nicholas Eckhart, Flickr; Ronn aka “Blue”Aldaman, Flickr; Victoria Pickering , Flickr; Joe Wolf, Flickr; Universal Pops, Flickr; Robert Ciavarro, Flickr; Taran Rampersad, Flickr.