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Buying an old Revival style house. Is it a nightmare to restore?

real estatehome improvementhistoric homes
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Stan_R
Joined:
11.03.2022
Posts: 1385
Topic Starter
22.01.2025 06:33
My partner and I recently fell in love with a 1920s Colonial Revival home that has been sitting on the market for a while. The exterior is stunning, but we are both a bit terrified of what might be lurking behind the walls. The inspection report mentions knob-and-tube wiring in parts of the house and some potential water damage in the attic. We are handy, but we definitely aren't professional contractors. I would love to hear from anyone who has taken on a historic home restoration project. Is it manageable if we take it room by room, or are we signing up for endless financial ruin and stress?
20 replies in this topic
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sunday_guest
Joined:
29.08.2021
Posts: 606
04.03.2025 10:13
Honestly, knob-and-tube wiring alone is enough of a dealbreaker for me. Insurance companies can be a nightmare about it.
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Olivia_T
Joined:
02.06.2021
Posts: 803
09.03.2025 03:03
If you are not professional contractors, please budget at least 30% more than whatever your highest estimate is.
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watcher_x
Joined:
26.11.2023
Posts: 1537
17.04.2025 19:23
In reply to a previous post
I agree with the second point. We thought we were handy too, but old houses always hide the worst surprises.
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Profit_Maker
Joined:
31.07.2024
Posts: 1577
10.05.2025 22:11
Take it room by room? That's the only way to survive sanity-wise, but living in a permanent construction zone gets old really fast.
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Roman_88
Joined:
19.12.2022
Posts: 2315
13.05.2025 07:11
What kind of Colonial Revival? The 1920s ones usually have great bones, at least!
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BlackCat
Joined:
30.12.2023
Posts: 2093
03.06.2025 10:11
In reply to a previous post
Check the roof first. That attic water damage could just be a minor flashing issue, or it could mean rotted rafters.
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curious_k
Joined:
14.08.2024
Posts: 2076
04.06.2025 15:29
Run away. Just run away. Unless you have deep pockets and a lot of patience, old houses will eat your soul.
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Nadia_D
Joined:
24.02.2022
Posts: 2083
03.07.2025 20:24
Don't listen to the pessimists! Restoring a piece of history is the most rewarding thing I've ever done.
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Amelie_Z
Joined:
26.11.2023
Posts: 1153
22.07.2025 21:32
In reply to a previous post
Easy for you to say! Did your house have knob-and-tube too?
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Max_D
Joined:
26.04.2023
Posts: 227
15.08.2025 07:42
In reply to a previous post
Yeah, ours did. We had to completely rewire the whole place. Cost a pretty penny, but peace of mind is priceless.
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chris_1982
Joined:
14.01.2022
Posts: 1021
01.09.2025 11:25
Make sure you check for lead paint and asbestos before you start knocking down any walls.
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Master_J
Joined:
31.10.2022
Posts: 419
17.09.2025 02:57
In reply to a previous post
That's a very solid piece of advice. The remediation costs for those can sneak up on you out of nowhere.
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Yani_Z
Joined:
02.06.2023
Posts: 322
03.10.2025 10:14
We bought a 1910 Craftsman five years ago. We are still working on the kitchen. Just embrace the chaos.
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Iva_R
Joined:
17.07.2022
Posts: 99
23.10.2025 07:45
Do you guys both work full-time? If so, DIYing a historic restoration will consume every single weekend of your lives.
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Chris_K
Joined:
14.01.2023
Posts: 1311
31.10.2025 10:03
In reply to a previous post
Totally agree with the weekend comment. Say goodbye to vacations for the next three years.
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Leon_M
Joined:
14.12.2020
Posts: 1390
15.12.2025 07:38
In reply to a previous post
Have a structural engineer take a look at the framing before you sign anything. Water damage in the attic is a huge red flag.
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Brian_Z
Joined:
25.06.2021
Posts: 1605
04.02.2026 02:51
Colonial Revivals are gorgeous though. That symmetry is just unbeatable.
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Brian_Z
Joined:
29.01.2025
Posts: 381
22.02.2026 11:51
In reply to a previous post
Beauty doesn't keep you warm at night when the historic drafty windows are leaking heat everywhere lol.
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tech_geek
Joined:
29.10.2025
Posts: 2129
27.02.2026 17:17
Get a specialized historic home inspector, not just a regular home inspector. They know what to look for.
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Olivia_T
Joined:
16.08.2023
Posts: 1943
12.04.2026 01:48
Wish you the best of luck whatever you decide! Follow your heart, but keep your wallet close.

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