March 22, 2022
CONTRACTOR
GUIDE
Realtor, contractor, architect advise on historic restoration By Anna Skinner anna@youarecurrent.com With regard to preserving historic homes, specifically in Noblesville, local experts offer a range of advice. Realtor Kurt Meyer, who lives in a house built in the 1870s in downtown Noblesville, consults with clients on what they can do to enhance their home’s value while retaining its history. “I can think of a time where on 10th Street, I saw an original Victorian-era staircase torn out of a house laying in the side yard waiting for the dumpster,” Meyer said. “I know people pay extra for that detail, and they were
taking their trump card and throwing it in the dumpster.” Meyer said property owners should consider preservation for two reasons. “One is you can never get it back,” he said. “And two, a lot of people watch too much HGTV and think they can Chip and Joanna Gaines every house. I think you need to have a longer view than whatever is trendy right now.” WHAT TO PRESERVE If an owner wants to sell or restore a historic house, Meyer urges them to retain as much of the original architectural detail as possible. “But the house has to work like a modern house,”
The after photo of Preservation Hall after MacInnis Construction restored the exterior. (Photo courtesy of Heather MacInnis)
Meyer said. “So, bathrooms, kitchens, mechanical systems — if you want top dollars, those all have to function like a brand-new house.” A common mistake Meyer notices is removing original doors. “That’s something where you can lose a lot of detail because when you lose a door,” he said. “You lose the ornate hinges, beautiful, ornate doorknobs.” Meyer said owners should take their time when finding contractors to help with historic restoration. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10