‘It just looked odd’: This Boston homeowner found out his home was split in half 80 years before he bought it — 3 costly mistakes to avoid when budgeting for a historic home improvement

Maintaining it for future generations

The other half of the house was the back of the building — and it didn’t go far.

“It clicked when I realized that the house just down the road — two doors down — looked very similar,” Shutes told CBS News. "The back half was the kitchen, the storage area for the butlers, servants' quarters in here. And there's actually another staircase, a little staircase, a service staircase which is in the other house,” Shutes explained.

In a recent vote, the Boston Landmarks Commission unanimously approved advancing Shutes’ application. The final decision rests with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the City Council, who must give their approval before the property is officially granted landmark status.

The home would become Roslindale’s first historic landmark if the application is approved.

“This was the spur. ‘Maybe we should just do something about this and try and maintain it for future generations,’” said Shutes about his decision to apply.

If you're a homeowner or potential buyer eyeing a historic property for restoration, there are some important factors you’ll want to consider to make sure the project is both financially smart and true to the home’s heritage.

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How to avoid costly mistakes when renovating a historic property

There can be a lot to consider when renovating a historic property. It requires careful planning to preserve the home’s unique character while at the same time making sure you know what to expect financially.

Here are some mistakes you’ll want to avoid and what to consider doing instead.

Underestimating the cost of materials

It’s a good idea to always overestimate material and labor costs, as they can fluctuate. Some government programs offer financial assistance to help make renovations more affordable. You can check your eligibility to see if any aid applies to your situation.

When it comes to working on a historic building, there may be other financial incentives that you can explore that are specific to older buildings, like Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credits, which are meant to help preserve historic buildings.

You can also shop for materials in bulk to get the most value for your dollar and set up a contingency fund of around 10% to 20% of your total budget to account for unexpected costs.

Overlooking hidden structural issues

Structural issues, such as outdated plumbing or mold (which can skyrocket renovation expenses) may be something you run into. To avoid this, do a thorough inspection before buying a property.

For homes built before 1978, like Shutes’ home, there could be lead-based paint. The Environmental Protection Agency provides guidelines on how to safely renovate a property with this type of paint to avoid lead exposure.

Depending on how many issues you face, you may need to prioritize the upgrades that are most crucial before considering purely superficial changes.

Failing to account for delays

Renovations take time. If you have a historic home, there may be certain precautions you have to take before making modifications.

For example, you’ll want to make sure to check in with the National Park Service to see if there are guidelines around rehabilitation, preservation and restoration of the building that you’re thinking about.

Next, you may want to check if there are best practices for upgrading any windows, lighting or HVAC systems in the home. The General Services Administration provides resources and recommendations for this type of technical work in historic buildings.

Having renovations overlap can make it difficult to inhabit a home, so you may want to consider a phased renovation approach, rather than doing it all at once.

Upgrading a historic home can be a smart investment, letting you preserve its charm while adding modern comforts. But steering clear of these mistakes can make all the difference when ensuring it’s a straightforward project rather than a costly surprise down the line.