How about Norm?

It will take some asking around to find sympathetic contractor. It is well worth the effort. Do you have a local historical society or historic preservation organization? That's where I would start.

Another thing you might want to consider is the notion in preservation circles, where it is frowned upon to make an addition a period-style fake. It is considered better to let the addition be clearly a later work. That said, I don't always do this perfectly, though I try to give it some consideration. For me more important requirement, however, is to make sure the proportions and massing and "rhythm" of the structures are in harmony.

For repairs, (structural and decor) in the original building, and I believe if I was very modestly enlarging a space that already had similar materials, I would use recycled stuff (timbers, flooring, trim, etc.) My house is full of things where I have used salvaged parts for repairs and replacement pieces. However, I would draw the line at using recycled material installed in a totally new addition to make it look as if it had been original to the site or building.

It is popular, I realize, to ignore this point -- look at the success of TOH, and of late, even in OHJ. Not to mention the regular shelter mags which are always talking up additions made out of parts and "looking as if they had always been there". Except, of course, that they really do look fake, because they are fake.

Molly~

Hmmm. Good thoughts, Molly. Thank you. I really just want the addition to "fit in", especially with the scale of the house and style. And you're right - I don't want "fake". You've actually articulated what I meant, although I hadn't thought it through as well as you have.

I appreciate it!

jenswrens, by "How about Norm?", I'm not at all sure what you mean. Do you mean the "This Old House" guy? If so, and you're not kidding, that's undoubtedly out of my price range! L0L!

Thanks to both of you -

Suzique

Ask other old house owners for the good and the bad contractors.

Yes, I'm kidding of course! Since you're in Mass, and have an old house, I thought it was the obvious choice! I've always dreamed of having Norm come to my house and work his magic...

Check your phonebook for restoration specialist.

Ha! I agree, jenswrens!!! Wouldn't it be great to have Norm? Just imagine it - an excellent contractor with an excellent personality! Well, on-screen at least. Oh well, my budget is closer to $ than $$$$$!

I have asked other homeowners for the good and bad contractors. That was, of course, my first step, but I didn't get much info as the people I know haven't really had much work done on their houses in years or at all.

Checking the phonebook for restoration specialist is a good thought - better than looking at Builders, etc.

One quick word of caution here about a "restoration specialist." Restoration can mean different things to different people. The contractors I just fired from doing our water damage/home disaster restoration in MN (see saga under my post on radiators) were called XXXXXXX Restoration. These idiots did not know a single thing about old houses or maintaining historical integrity or even matching the current style of my home. To them restoration meant simply "restoring" my damaged house to a livable shack. They tried to repair my plaster walls with sheetrock and failed, then tried plaster and failed at that; they tried to give me an off-the-shelf, builder-grade, low-end 1980s oak and melamine kitchen; they tried to rip up my old hardwood floors and probably would've replaced them with $5 sheet vinyl had I not intervened. They tried to replace the visible piping to my old brass radiators with thin industrial-looking copper tubing. (When I made them redo the radiators for the third time because they still couldn't get it right, they finally brought in some old codger out of retirement who obviously knew the "old stuff" because they knew they were in over their heads.) The list goes on and on with the crap they tried to pull on me. From the materials they used and their "style" I could tell they've never worked on old houses before, but instead probably do tract homes or apartment buildings. (BTW, I didn't hire them--my insurance company did.) I unfortunately just kept having faith that they would begin to understand I'm a high-maintenance gal in a high-maintenance old-fashioned, historic and detailed house. When I couldn't live with all the sleep I was losing (literally) from the anxiety over their erring and dishonest ways, I finally fired them and to h*ll with what the insurance said. It's my house and I'm not letting anyone ruin it.

So, be careful about looking in the phone book. Check references and go *see* the houses they've done. Ask the references detailed questions about the work that was done and materials that were used. Cheapest is usually not the best. I've learned that, because cheap means they're using subpar materials and lining their pockets with the profit, all the while trying to sweet-talk you into thinking 2" plastic molding is more desirable than your old 6" hardwood trim. Unfortunately some people probably fall for that. I knew better.

Ask your neighbors who also have old houses who they use and recommend. I've also learned that when any contractor tells you something can't be done or "isn't done that way", it usually means they don't know what the h&ll you're talking about but don't want to admit it. And if you can prove to them with your construction-savvy knowledge that you've restored more old houses than they've ever even stepped foot in, then things really begin to sour....

Well, now you know why I've been dreaming about Norm. If you value your old house and your sanity, do not take the selection of your contractor/builder lightly. It's work to do the research, but you'll be so much happier down the line.

See the exhibitor list for the NH preservation alliance old house fair (http://www.nhpreservation.org/html/home.htm) or call the Boston preservation alliance (http://www.bostonpreservation.org/) and see if you can get this list from one of their old fairs. The Boston Society of Architects (http://www.architects.org/) has a facility to search for architects online. Try keywords like 'restoration'.

We're going to an antique show this weekend sponsored by the historical society in the county next door. It's in the biggest city in our area. I plan to talk to members of the historical society about who they've used for their projects.

Do you have a Preservation Society in your area? Even tho these groups usually work on public or large historic buildings, they may have a respected Restorationist Contractor referral list.

Great suggestions - thanks all!

Okay this is really late but you have an excellent resource in your area....SPNEA, Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. You'll have to google their number but they are devoted and friendly and just about the greatest source for info that you can imagine. I'm sure they could help you.