Does It Really Cost Money To Put A House On The National Historic Register…?
I just purchased an 1860’s house and plan on fixing it up. My problem is when we get an inspection of the house (for an occupancy permit to live in it) I’m terrified they’re going to want me to change everything. I understand some codes are safety issues and should be done, but some things that have nothing to do with safety I’m afraid would change the historic charm of the house. We also want to go non-electric in the house and I’ve heard you are required to have electricity now. I’ve read that in my state I can fill out a “green sheet” and submit it to the state and if they declare my home a historic site then it waives some of the requirements. But someone told me it costs $1500 to do this. I don’t want any grant money or anything, I just don’t want an inspector to change everything about the house, but I can’t afford $1500. Is there really a fee to do this or not?
Tagged with: Cost • Does • Historic • House • Money • National • Really • Register
Filed under: home inspection
I’ve renovated several older homes . . . some of which qualified for NHR. My advice to you is DON’T do it . . . wait until AFTER you’ve completed your renovations to apply. Outside of your filing fee, they will require you to use certain pre-approved products in the renovation . . . say goodbye to replacing windows or doors or lighting fixtures or bathroom fixtures or kitchen cabinets from anything available at Lowe’s or Home Depot . . . and look forward to paying in some instances a 300% mark up for historically accurate light fixtures. If you do this after they can only make SUGGESTIONS as to what should be used . . .
It’s sort of like the old saying it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission.
Yes, you’ll probably be required to have electric and some other things you didn’t necessarily want to do but it’s a lot less expensive than going the historic route.
Learn from my mistakes.
You need to talk to an inspector, because not everything needs to be “improved” as long as you work within certain parameters. For example, the handrail on the stairs in my 1890s house is not to code, however, because it is excellent shape, it is “grandfathered in”. However if I decided to replace the railing, then I would need to do it to conform with today’s codes.
For electricity and plumbing, just use the old style fixtures and switches. I have the old push button switches, and was able to buy some new ones that match, even though the wiring behind the walls is all brand new and so is my plumbing, heating and air conditioning. My walls and attic are also insulated.