HISTORIC HOME RENOVATIONS
Keep the character. Renew the possibilities.
Preserve the details you love while making an older home work for life today. Historic remodeling in Plainfield, Avon, Brownsburg, Zionsville, and surrounding communities.
WHAT WE CAN HELP WITH
Care for the details that make it yours.
Plan repairs and updates around the original features you want to preserve, with respect for the character of your home.
- Period metalwork & copper details
- Traditional carpentry & coffered ceilings
- Decorative plaster & plaster repairs
- Tuck-pointing & masonry details
- Wood refinishing & restoration
- Specialty window & glass refinishing
WHY PLAN THIS CHANGE?
Keep the history in everyday life.
Thoughtful renovation considers both the building you have and the way you want to live in it.
- Preserve what matters. Identify original features and materials worth retaining.
- Plan modern comfort carefully. Consider how layout and system updates affect existing details.
- Connect old and new. Explore additions and repairs that complement the home.
SEE THE RESULTS
Historic Renovation Projects
Explore existing project photos, with more project stories available below.
Explore more photos & project stories
Project Stories
Historic Renovations Questions
What kinds of historic homes has BGW worked on?
BGW has renovated Victorian homes, farmhouses dating to the 1800s, early-1900s residences, and other period properties across central Indiana, including in and around Zionsville and Danville. Examples are documented in its portfolio.
Can BGW modernize a historic home without destroying its character?
Yes. BGW balances preservation with modern function, integrating plumbing and electrical upgrades while maintaining a property’s period look and important architectural details.
Does BGW work with historic-district regulations or preservation restrictions?
Yes. BGW navigates historic-district rules, insurance requirements, and local building codes as part of the planning process.
What should I budget for a historic renovation?
Historic renovation costs depend on the building’s condition, the work required, and the materials to be preserved or replaced. Discuss those priorities and your budget during project planning.
How do I know if my home qualifies as historic for this service?
You don’t need to be on a formal historic register to work with BGW on a period property. If your home has original architectural character you want to preserve, BGW’s team can evaluate it and advise on the best approach.
Can BGW match original trim, millwork, and windows?
Yes. BGW uses historical carpentry techniques and period-appropriate materials to match original trim, millwork, and window details. Where an original element can’t be sourced, our craftsmen replicate it so the repair disappears into the original.
More historic renovations questions
What's the difference between restoration and rehabilitation?
Restoration returns a home to its original era’s precise look and character. Rehabilitation updates function while maintaining important historical details. Each has different implications for scope, materials, and cost.
What specialty craftsmanship does BGW offer for historic projects?
BGW offers copper and other period metal work, historical carpentry techniques, coffered ceilings, decorative and old-style plaster work, tuck-pointing, wood refinishing, and specialty window and glass refinishing.
Are historic homes more expensive to renovate than standard homes?
Generally yes. Historic homes often require rare or costly materials, specialized labor, and more careful planning. Salvaging, repairing, and refinishing existing elements rather than replacing them protects authenticity but takes more time.
Can BGW add square footage to a historic home without compromising it architecturally?
Yes, carefully. Quality additions can enhance a historic home’s value, while poorly executed ones detract from it. BGW’s approach favors complementary additions over ones that clash with the original architecture.
How does BGW handle rare or hard-to-source materials for historic renovations?
BGW sources and works with period-appropriate materials, and where originals can’t be found, applies traditional craftsmanship techniques to achieve an authentic result.
My old home needs plumbing and electrical updates. Can that be done without gutting everything?
In many cases, yes. BGW has experience integrating modern systems into historic structures while minimizing disruption to period finishes and architectural details.
Do you work in Old Town Zionsville's historic district?
Yes. BGW renovates period homes in and around Zionsville, including the Old Town area, and we navigate historic-district rules and local approvals as part of planning. We balance preserving a home’s character with the modern function you want.
Is restoring an old home worth it?
For the right homeowner, absolutely. A well-restored historic home holds character new construction cannot replicate, and quality work protects and often increases its value. The real return is living in a piece of history made to function for today, which is Return on Enjoyment.
Are there tax credits for historic renovation in Indiana?
Ask the Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology and your tax professional about current programs and whether your property and proposed work qualify. Confirm eligibility and any approval requirements before relying on an incentive in your budget.
LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR PROJECT
Start planning your project.
Tell us about your space, your priorities, and what you would like to change. Photos and inspiration are welcome.
Prefer to call? (317) 268-4487
BGW Construction has served Central Indiana homeowners since 1999, bringing design and craftsmanship together.