HISTORIC HOME RENOVATION
Preserve the character. Modernize the systems. We've been renovating Old Northeast bungalows and Craftsman homes for over 20 years—and we just won Preserve the Burg's award to prove it.
Signs You Need a Historic Renovation
Termite & Wood Damage
Through the years, termite attacks and deferred maintenance have taken a toll on historic woodwork. What was once original detail is now deteriorating.
Layer Upon Layer of Bad Paint
Decades of cheap paint jobs covering original millwork. Under those layers may be lead paint requiring professional mitigation.
Outdated Wiring & Plumbing
Knob-and-tube wiring, corroded pipes, and no central HVAC. The guts of the house need modern systems to last another hundred years.
Review Board Requirements
Your renovation triggers the historic preservation review process. Without experienced guidance, permitting can stall for months.
Our Historic Renovation Process
Timeline
Light Refresh
Cosmetic updates, paint, fixtures
4-6 weeks
Standard Renovation
Systems, millwork, layout
3-6 months
Full Historic Remodel
Studs-out rebuild with preservation
6-12 months
The historic review board typically adds 2-4 months to permitting. We have a 97% approval rate.
Sequence of Work
Pre-Application Consultation
Meet with historic review board
Design & Historic Review Submission
Plans and materials documentation
Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)
Board approval for exterior changes
Demolition & Discovery
Expose conditions, assess damage
Structural & Systems Rough-In
Modern wiring, plumbing, HVAC
Millwork & Period Finishes
Custom carpentry, restoration
Final Inspections & Verification
Building and review board sign-off
Punch List & Completion
Final details and walkthrough
Historic Review Board Timeline
The historic preservation review adds 2-4 months to permitting, and possibly more if variances or board hearings are required. We've navigated this process dozens of times with a 97% approval rate since 1987. The process guides appropriate changes—it doesn't prevent them.
Historic Renovation Cost in St. Petersburg
Cosmetic Refresh
$50K–$100K
Paint, fixtures, selective millwork repair
Standard Historic Renovation
$150K–$300K
Systems upgrades, period-accurate finishes, custom millwork
Full Preservation Remodel
$400K+
Studs-out rebuild preserving historic character
What Drives Costs
- •Custom millwork and period-accurate materials: Labor-intensive skilled finish carpentry
- •Wood window restoration: Few specialists in town, they stay busy
- •Architect fees: More planning, review board interaction
- •Administrative time: Historic review board applications and compliance
- •Custom-milled lumber: Setting knives at the lumber yard for specific profiles
What Causes Overruns
- •Undiscovered termite damage: Hidden behind walls until demolition
- •Lead paint removal vs. encapsulation: Decisions that affect scope and cost
- •Asbestos remediation: Professional removal requirements
- •Scope creep: "While we're in there" discoveries add up
Character Is in the Finishes, Not the Guts
Modern wiring, plumbing, and HVAC behind period-accurate finishes. The code doesn't give historic homes a pass—but there's no reason a house with modern systems can't retain the charm of when it was built in the early 1900s. We update the guts to current code while preserving the character.
Ready to Discuss Your Historic Renovation Project?
Get expert guidance from a team that's navigated the historic review board process dozens of times.
Historic District Review Process
What Requires a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)
- •Demolition
- •New construction
- •Exterior alterations
- •Roofline changes
- •Additions
- •Window/door style changes
- •Siding changes
What Doesn't Require a COA
- •Interior work
- •Routine maintenance
- •Like-for-like repairs
- •Painting any color
- •Landscaping
- •Mechanical equipment not visible from street
97% approval rate since 1987. The process guides appropriate changes—it doesn't prevent them.
Period-Appropriate Materials & Safety
Period-Appropriate Materials
Generally Acceptable
- •Wood
- •Brick
- •Stucco
- •Historic masonry
- •Fiber cement siding
- •Slate/tile/metal roofing
Generally Not Acceptable
- •Vinyl siding
- •Aluminum siding
- •Vinyl windows
Lead Paint & Asbestos
Lead paint: Either removed and replaced to eliminate it completely, or encapsulated with a heavy encapsulant-type paint. We can scrape and sand lead paint, but it requires special safety requirements and site prep.
Asbestos: Can be encapsulated or removed. It needs to be very carefully dealt with because there are specific requirements for how it is handled and disposed of. We won't leave asbestos in place if we can avoid it.
St. Petersburg Historic Neighborhoods
Old Northeast
Brick streets, granite curbs, 3,000 historic buildings. Mediterranean Revival and Craftsman bungalows from the 1920s-30s.
Old Southeast
Adjacent to downtown, quieter character. Mix of bungalows, cottages, and some waterfront properties.
Roser Park
Smallest historic district with eclectic character. Shotgun houses and bungalows from the early 1900s.
Granada Terrace
First designated local historic district (1988). Cohesive collection of Mediterranean Revival architecture.
Historic Kenwood
Arts district with walkable access to Grand Central. Mix of Craftsman bungalows and cottages.
Ingleside
Historic neighborhood with local designation. Diverse architectural styles from early 20th century.
10-Year Property Tax Freeze
Property owners who maintain historical accuracy and preserve specified materials can qualify for a freeze on ad valorem taxes for up to 10 years. The historic review board provides the list of requirements you need to meet to qualify.
WHY CHOOSE REVOLUTION FOR HISTORIC RENOVATION
What sets us apart from other contractors in St. Petersburg.
IN-HOUSE LABOR
20+ W-2 carpenters with skilled finish carpentry expertise for period-accurate millwork and custom woodwork.
T&M TRANSPARENCY
Open book construction with weekly budget reports. You see every invoice and know exactly where your money goes.
LOCAL EXPERTISE
25+ years renovating St. Pete historic homes. We know the neighborhoods, the review board, and the quirks of early 1900s construction.
PRESERVATION AWARD WINNERS
Preserve the Burg award for whole house historic remodel. 97% approval rate with historic review board since 1987.
Historic Renovation Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a historic renovation take?
A light refresh takes 4-6 weeks. Standard renovations with systems upgrades and millwork run 3-6 months. Full preservation remodels done to the studs can take 6-12 months. The historic review board typically adds 2-4 months to permitting, and possibly more if variances or board hearings are required.
How much does a historic renovation cost in St. Petersburg?
A cosmetic refresh runs $50,000-$100,000. Standard historic renovations with systems upgrades and period finishes cost $150,000-$300,000. Full preservation remodels starting from the studs run $400,000+. The work is labor-heavy because of custom millwork, period-accurate materials, and the skilled finish carpentry required.
Do I need permits for a historic renovation?
Yes. Interior work follows standard permitting. Exterior changes, demolition, new construction, roofline alterations, additions, and changes to windows, doors, or siding require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the historic review board before you can get a building permit.
How does Revolution's T&M approach work?
Time & Materials means you pay for actual costs, not a padded estimate. You receive weekly budget reports showing labor hours, materials invoices, and remaining contingency. It's open book construction—you see exactly where your money goes.
What can and can't be changed on a historic home?
The requirements aren't overly burdensome. Most finishes can be replaced with modern materials if it's your decision. The key decision point is usually windows—staying with wood versus switching to modern materials like vinyl. Exterior changes require review board approval, but interior work typically doesn't.
How do you bring an old home up to code without destroying character?
The good news is that most of the character is in the finished materials, not the guts of the house. Modern wiring, plumbing, and HVAC can be updated to current code while retaining the historical charm. The code doesn't give historic homes a pass, but there's no reason a house with modern systems can't look like it did when it was built in the early 1900s.
How do you handle lead paint and asbestos?
Lead paint is either removed and replaced to eliminate it completely, or encapsulated with a heavy encapsulant-type paint. Asbestos can be encapsulated or removed—both require careful handling and disposal. We won't leave asbestos in place if we can avoid it. These are concerns in any house through the '70s, not just historic properties.
Are there tax incentives for historic preservation?
Yes. St. Petersburg offers a 10-year property tax freeze on ad valorem taxes for owners who maintain historical accuracy and preserve specified materials. The historic review board provides a list of requirements you need to meet to qualify for this incentive.
LOVED BY OUR CUSTOMERS
Nothing means more to us than making our clients happy, unless perhaps it is making them so happy they come back to us or refer us to their friends and family!
"We had multiple contractors tell us that our 100-year old bungalow in Old Southeast should be torn down instead of remodeled. Revolution worked with us on an extensive plan to rebuild structural components and remodel the entire house. Now we have the best house in the block!"
"The guys at Revolution have done projects for us in two houses now. They added a master bathroom for us in northeast St Pete and then remodeled every square inch of a 4500-sq. ft house in Pinellas Pt. Through every challenge over two years of construction they have been there pushing our projects forward. We wouldn't use anybody else!"
"Awesome company! I had Revolution Contractors do some work on my house and did an amazing job!!! The guys there are great to work with and very professional and knowledgeable on there work. I am very happy they way there work came out and will be getting more work done on my house from them."
"Find them to be very professional, provide sufficient info for bidding, easy to contact, and most importantly they pay good. All and all NuTrend really enjoys a very productive and lucrative relationship with Revolution Contractors would recommend them and do often"
"On a challenging structural project for an investment property Revolution saw me through all sorts of headaches with the building department and were able to carry off multiple layout changes with gorgeous results. They've done multiple projects for my family as well as my group of closest friends and are now working on my primary residence!"
"Revolution Contractors have helped my family on numerous projects, providing guidance and honesty throughout all projects. The crew is hardworking and reliable. The owners are quick to respond and very honest. Definitely would recommend!"
