HOME RESTORATION

Home Restoration: A Hobby With Big Rewards

Today, with home prices falling and many expensive homes falling into disrepair for lack of care, finding subjects for home restoration projects is easier than ever before. Those who pursue restoration projects as a hobby can often complete a complete renovation of a home that will result in a place to live that is far more luxurious than would have been possible otherwise. The joy of restoring beauty to damaged walls, floors and fixtures is an exhilarating and sometimes profitable hobby.

Restoration of a home requires knowledge of many different disciplines. Everything from leveling and shoring up foundations to tracking down and installing genuine chandeliers to turn-of-the century Victorian showplaces is part of restoration. It can take literally years of effort to bring a restoration project to fruition.

In some cases, the cost of restoration of an historic building may be partially funded by grants from the government or from historical society efforts. This will require some bowing to design features in most cases. Sometimes licenses and permits can be difficult to obtain from local jurisdictions. Even if funding must come from the pocketbook of the hobbyist, much can be done by haunting garage sales, auction sales and estate sales.

Much of the work in restoration is done by the hobbyist. Refinishing wood, replacing wallpaper and other cosmetic tasks can sometimes be preceded by major structural improvements that must be made for the sake of safety. Replacing the roof, replacing rotten or broken floors or steps, leveling the foundation, replacing wiring or plumbing are all tasks that come under the heading of restoration.

Although home restoration is difficult work, most people who attempt it will repeat the effort over and over in subsequent homes, just for the joy of accomplishment. Finishing the project provides a lovely and gracious home to live in. For homes with historical significance, it's a chance to show off the beauty of the workmanship in older structures.