What Should Be Included in a Historic Restoration Project Proposal

• Best practice is to work with a historic restoration contractor that provides a written, detailed proposal before work begins.
• A detailed project proposal creates a clear line of communication and trust between the contractor and the historic property owner.
• A quality project proposal should include inspection findings, scope of work, and areas of material restoration and reuse.

One of the most important things to consider when choosing the right contractor for your historic restoration is the company’s ability to generate a detailed project proposal. Not only does a written, detailed project proposal demonstrate the contractor has done the required homework to evaluate the needs of your historic property, it provides you with a clear vision of what the restoration process will look like.

Here, we’ll look at a couple things that should be included in a historic restoration project proposal, and how Renaissance prioritizes these elements for a productive partnership. 

Property inspection findings

Any quality historic restoration begins with a holistic inspection of the property to help identify areas of need. The connected nature of historic structures — starting with the roof system and including everything from wood framing to gutters and downspouts to masonry — means small problems can balloon into larger issues if not properly diagnosed.

A property inspection helps prevent this, making it critical to document and include property inspection findings in the formal project proposal. These property inspection findings should detail a careful evaluation of all parts of a historic property, including:

• The interior of the property, with special attention paid to the attic, framing, and insulation and ventilation.
• The exterior of the property, including roofing (flashing, underlayment, and roof deck), masonry, and gutters and downspouts

• interior and exterior inspection to uncover smaller issues like leaks from aging caulk or seals, or deterioration and damage from animals or other environmental forces.

Including property inspection findings in the project proposal helps tell a more complete story about the current condition of your property and how the scope of work will address existing deficiencies. 

For example, the Renaissance Magellan Building Assessment uses a 360° evaluation of your property — including drone footage — to understand precisely the work required to restore your property to its original glory.

A comprehensive scope of work

A comprehensive scope of work extends beyond an outline of the restoration tasks to be completed and an estimated timeline for completion, although those components are extremely important and should be included in any written proposal before work begins.

A scope of work should also include an overview of everything associated with the restoration project, from the removal and disposal of existing architectural elements to the number of restoration technicians required to complete the job. Some key things to look for in a comprehensive project proposal include:

• The materials to be used in the restoration and the ability of the contractor to match any new materials to the originals to ensure historic accuracy and integrity.
• The processes and techniques required for an accurate restoration — this can include anything from architectural sheet metal fabrication to masonry facade stabilization.
• Adherence to guidelines set forth by historic restoration organizations to ensure the property retains its historic significance and recognition.
• The estimated timeline for completion and projected costs, along with any project milestones that will be used to demonstrate progress and communication with an insurance provider.

The Renaissance Monarch Elite Process provides historic property owners with a detailed project plan that outlines each step of the restoration process, helping you understand the how and why behind each part of the project.

Restoration over replacement where possible

There are instances in which  the restoration and reuse of original historic components is just not viable. In those cases,  it’s important to partner with a contractor that has the knowledge, experience, and resources to fabricate replacement components that match the originals and preserve the historic integrity of the structure.

In instances in which restoration over replacement is possible, a historic restoration proposal should specifically reference the components and materials that will be restored and reused as documentation of the historic value of your property.

Calling out instances of restoration over replacement is also important to project budgets and timelines. For example, restoring and reusing clay roof tiles can help accelerate project timelines,  as sourcing or fabricating new tiles can result in lead times as long as 6 to 12 months.

Making note of restoration and reuse over replacement helps the property owner better understand the time and labor associated with the restoration process, and it provides a clearer rationale for the overall project timeline.

At Renaissance, we have decades of experience in crafting detailed historic restoration project proposals that help property owners understand the care and dedication our craftspeople put into every historic restoration. From property inspection to project proposal to a finished restoration, we’re ready to partner with you every step of the way.