New Life for Old Dwellings: Appraisal and Rehabilitation

The wood-frame house has been one of the most prevalent forms; of shelter in the United States since the days of the early settlers. As a result, there are houses of various ages in outmoded and deteriorating condition in almost every community across the country. Some are being razed while others are simply abandoned. In either case they must be replaced by a new living unit at a high cost and with the consequent drain on our natural resources. Many of these homes could be rehabilitated at a lower cost than that of new construction and with desirable material savings. This handbook was developed to promote the twofold advantage of lower cost housing and conservation of our natural resources. The principles spelled out here can likewise be used for more minor renovations of the home. The appraisal section of this handbook is a guide for appraising the suitability of wood-frame dwellings for rehabilitation. A systematic approach for inspecting the building and evaluating information from the inspection is presented. If the building is determined to be worthy, the rehabilitation portion is a guide for planning and accomplishing the rehabilitation of a building that has been found suitable. Detailed instructions, including numerous illustrations, are presented. This handbook should be particularly useful to homeowners and prospective buyers of older homes. It should also be of interest to carpenters, contractors, and lending institutions, and various groups that seek to maintain and improve homes within a community. The guidelines presented are intended for the majority of older homes which require some changes for liveability, and should not be applied directly to buildings of historic or architectural significance. When planning rehabilitation of such significant properties, obtain advice from qualified professionals such as architects, architectural historians, and planners skilled in historic preservation. Assistance in locating these people can be obtained in each State from the State Preservation Officer.