Restoring a Listed Building: What to Expect During Your Project

At HNB Construction, we specialise in all forms of construction and renovation, one of which is restoring listed buildings.

When we work with clients who are living in a listed building and considering restoring aspects, they often want to know what to expect during the restoration process.

Living in a listed building that is being restored is definitely a unique experience. But, when you choose HNB, we do everything we can to make the process comfortable for you and your family. 

What to Expect When Restoring a Listed Building

If you’re considering restoring a listed building, we would strongly recommend partnering with a professional. Here is what to expect if you’re living in a listed building during the restoration process.

1. General Disruptions

The main concern that people have when restoring a listed building is the physical disruptions. The main issues you may come up against are;

• Noise and Dust – Restoration work involves noisy activities such as drilling, hammering, and sawing; this can be very disruptive, so consider what you will be doing during the days of your restoration. If you usually work from home, you might choose to find a quieter location. Despite cleaning up after ourselves regularly, there will also be a lot of dust and debris present.
• Limited Access – it’s important to consider the dangers of living within a building that’s being restored. This means that we will have to make certain areas of the building off-limits during the restoration process. We understand that this will affect your daily routines so we give you plenty of notice and ensure you have relocated all of your belongings before starting any work.
• Relocation Possibility – In some cases, it might be a better idea to temporarily relocate if the work is extensive or if it involves essential facilities like kitchens and bathrooms. We will discuss this with you at the beginning of the process and can recommend when to relocate and how long you can expect to be out of your home for.

2. Listed Building Regulations

When restoring a listed building there are often strict guidelines on what work can and cannot be done. Here are some things you can expect.

• Listed Building Guidelines – Listed buildings are protected by law, meaning any restoration work must comply with specific regulations. This can limit the scope of changes and require the use of traditional materials and techniques. We can discuss this with you at the start of your project to see what your options are.
• Approvals – When it comes to modifying listed buildings, any restorations require approval from local heritage or conservation authorities. This can be time-consuming and definitely something to keep in mind before you start your project.

3. Perceived Outcomes of the Restoration

If you’re currently living in a listed building and looking into the restoration process, it’s important to understand what the outcome will be once the restoration is complete. Because we are often limited on the materials we can use and the elements we can add, there may be some issues that we cannot bring up to modern day standard.

• Heating and Plumbing – Integrating modern amenities while preserving the historic character and keeping within regulations can be challenging. Elements such as heating, plumbing, and insulation will not be as efficient as they would be in a modern building – although you notice an improvement.
• Energy Efficiency – Listed buildings often have poor energy efficiency compared to modern buildings, this can lead to higher heating costs which is something to be aware of.

4. Costs

Restoring a listed buildings can be expensive. We are often limited on the materials we can use. This is something to consider at the start of your project. If you have questions about materials and labour costs contact us today and we can talk you through what to expect based on your building and the work you would like carried out.

5. Insurance and Legal Aspects

When it comes to listed building restorations, the insurance and legal elements differ from having work done on a modern building.

• Insurance: Insuring a listed building can be more complex and expensive. You may need a specialist insurance policy that covers the specific risks associated with historic properties. We can help you with this at HNB, before embarking on our project with you we will discuss your insurance and what it covers.
• Legal Obligations: As the owner or resident of the listed building, you have a legal obligation to maintain the property and ensure any work complies with preservation laws. Again, this is something we will discuss with you before we begin the project.

How we Help You Manage the Restoration Experience

We know that restoring a listed building can be a stressful process for the owner or resident. So, when you work with HNB, we do everything we can to help the process be as low-stress as possible. Some of the things we do to ensure this are;

Communication – We make sure we maintain open communication and clear communication with you. We keep you updated every step of the way, so you have all the information you need. It can also help to keep communication open with your neighbours to manage their expectations of the overall process.  

Planning – we provide a detailed restoration plan of the works we will be carrying out and a timeline for when each different element will be started and completed. If there are any delays which crop up during the restoration process, we will let you know as soon as we can to help manage your expectations and your plans for living in the restored house.  

Restoring a Listed Building with HNB

We know that embarking on a mission to restore a listed building can be daunting and stressful. It requires patience, careful planning, and a deep appreciation for heritage conservation.

If you are thinking about restoring a listed building and would like some professional advice, then contact the team at HNB today – we look forward to hearing from you.