Dos and Don'ts of Home Additions in Historic Nashville Neighborhoods
As a seasoned general contractor in Nashville, BuildCo7 has navigated the unique challenges of home additions in our historic neighborhoods. Here are essential dos and don’ts to ensure your project respects the character of our beloved city.
Dos:
Do Research Local Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with Nashville's historic preservation regulations. Each neighborhood may have specific rules regarding materials, design, and scope.
Do Consult with Experts: Engage architects or designers experienced in historic renovations. Their expertise can help ensure your addition harmonizes with existing structures. BuildCo7 is a design-build firm whose team, including architects, are well versed in Nashville’s historic requirements and can save you a lot of time and energy throughout the process.
Do Prioritize Authentic Materials: Use materials that match or complement the original home. This not only maintains aesthetic integrity but also supports local craftsmanship. Be prepared for the exterior of your addition or DADU to need to match the existing house, sometimes requiring custom craftsmanship.
Do Consider the Neighborhood Context: Pay attention to the scale and style of surrounding homes. Your addition should blend seamlessly into the streetscape.
Do Communicate with Neighbors: Keep open lines of communication to address concerns and foster goodwill. Neighbors can provide valuable insights about local preferences. For some projects, the city and Historical Commission will require the plans to be reviewed at a hearing, in which case your neighbors must be notified in advance and can attend the meeting to support or contest your desired changes.
Don'ts
Don’t Ignore Historic Significance: Avoid designs that overshadow or detract from the original architecture. Respect the home’s historical value. Outside of local requirements, it is good practice to consider the style and materials of the existing home in an addition or renovation. Even if you are planning to modernize the interior to a large degree – a few pieces or places that pay homage to the historic significance can be stunning.
Don’t Skimp on Permits: Failing to secure the necessary permits can lead to fines and forced removal of your addition. Always adhere to local regulations. Trying to make shortcuts in this process may ultimately come back to bite you.
Don’t Rush the Planning Process: Take the time to develop a thoughtful plan. Impulsive decisions can lead to costly mistakes and community backlash. These things take time. While BuildCo7 has the allies, rapport, and knowledge to expedite pieces of the process, going into it planning to invest in some time and potential adjustments will help set expectations from the beginning.
Don’t Use Generic Designs: Avoid cookie-cutter additions that lack character. Tailor your design to reflect the unique essence of Nashville’s history as it exists in your neighborhood.
Don’t Neglect the Environment: Consider sustainable practices and materials in your addition. This not only benefits the environment but can also enhance property value.
Successful home additions in historic Nashville neighborhoods require careful planning, respect for the past, and consideration of the community. Follow these dos and don’ts and find local partners such as BuildCo7 to create a beautiful space that honors our city’s heritage.
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