For historical preservation construction and historical restoration, you should hire historical preservation companies. These businesses employ historic preservation contractors who use the latest techniques and materials. The goal of building renovation, art restoration and antique restorations is authenticity, so these companies work with your client's local historic preservation commission or historic preservation trust on historical accuracy.

Whether your project is a home restoration, building restoration or other renovation project, many facets of the project require specialization. Your client will need to decide whether to use authentic materials, original items salvaged from similar projects, or reproductions that match the period style. In large part, this depends on availability. You should be able to find companies in your area that provide restoration advice, expertise and materials.

Before you contact historical preservation companies, however, keep the following in mind:

1. Make sure the client's project meets the codes and regulations of the local historical societies or historical preservation trust.

2. Determine what types of materials to use in the renovation.

3. Locate historic preservation or restoration companies that specialize in the work needed for your client's projects.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Contact your state or local historical society or historic preservation trust

Historical preservation is an ongoing process. As time passes, buildings, paintings, and other pieces of our history age and need renovation. Historical societies and preservation organizations provide information about the buildings and artifacts in need of renovation and keep tabs on preservation and restoration efforts. They are great sources of information about certified restoration projects as well as local codes and regulations.

I recommend: The National Trust for Historic Preservation provides a large amount of information and advice on preservation and restoration. You can find strategic consulting services, including help with working with local organizations. Check PreservationDirectory.com for organizations that specialize in restoration and preservation. You also will find more than 25 categories of restoration businesses. Each category includes contact information for companies for that particular specialty.

Decide whether your building restoration project requires new or salvaged materials

Discuss with your client whether you'll use authentic materials or reproductions. Construction salvage companies stock authentic pieces that have been rescued from demolition. If you go the reproduction route, you should be able to find reproductions of most items, or companies that will make them.

I recommend: Check the offerings at Traditional Building for the specialties you're looking for. The searchable database contains hundreds of businesses, including architectural and building salvage firms. Other categories provide contacts for specific restoration needs. Architectural Salvage, WD has a huge inventory of salvaged items, such as knobs, light fixtures, gates and much more. Find unique items in the catalogs of new finds and novelty items.

Locate historic preservation and restoration companies

Plan to use specialists for your restoration project. For restoring metal, stone, flooring, artwork and other the technical aspects of the job, you'll need pros who know the latest techniques.

I recommend: For hard to find items check Historic Houseparts. Their inventory includes salvaged hardware, fixtures, wood work and much more. They also carry chemicals approved for restoration. Another source for pieces that fit the time period is Aurora Mills Architectural Salvage. Their online catalog offer a wide range of items to fit various time periods in history.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Real estate agents who specialize in historical properties can help you find both the property and the specialists for a preservation or restoration project. There also are specialists available for art and antique restoration projects.