What is the best way to undertake planning the restoration of a 100+ year old home?

If it were me, I’d start by lining up a gaggle of talented, trustworthy contractors. I don’t know anything about restoring houses, so I’d want to hire people that did.

This is not an easily answered question. First, what do you mean by “restoration”? Do you mean that you will only use vintage materials? Or do you just want to rehab an old house and put in new systems?

Also, what kind of house is it? Does it have some sort of important architectural value? What style is it in? When was it built, exactly. And, perhaps most important, what condition is it in now?

Check your wallet, your trust fund and your sanity. Embark with great caution; verify the qualifications of the contractors. Add 25% to both the estimated costs and estimated time of completion. Find a good cheap therapist. Take a job overseas or at least in another near-by city. Take a sabbatical. Take a vacation.

It is a really daunting project. I am still recovering from simply replacing cabinets, counters and backsplash in a kitchen.

Watch HGTV and perhaps write the show This Old House (if it still comes on). I haven’t watched it in a while.

@Dr.Dredd – thanks for answering! And yes, I will be using professionals. This is not a “do it yourself” project!

@pdworking. Thanks so much for your answer, and great questions. To give you a bit more information, I live in a Chicago condo highrise, but am referring to our historic family home up in Wisconsin. It has been inhabited for many years by my parents, who can no longer care for the dwelling.

Because I have not hired a contractor to oversee this, I guess I am really looking for some help prioritizing. I can only afford to do a bit at a time. A few years ago, I had a new roof put on, and had the chimney restored. Next, I upgraded the electric (old knob and tube wiring), The exterior brick work needs tuckpointing. The plumbing needs to be done. The 32 windows are old and leaky. The old plaster walls are cracking. One of the front porch steps is deteriorating. It is never ending. I had the gutters and downspouts replaced. I had wall sealing done in the basement. I have an arborist looking at some of the huge old trees, and have trimming done every few years of branches overhanging the roof and approaching high wires.

As for using original materials, in some instances it is required. The house is technically classified in the “historic district” and there are specific rules. To give you an idea of how old, there is a wooden turntable in the garage (not electric) which was used to lean on the car and walk around the cement apron until the car was facing out again. There are some very beautiful built-ins and unique (weird!) features…

@gailcalled: Thanks and I’m glad you mentioned sanity. I’m afraid it’s too late for that. I needed your answer 5 years ago! If you know of any great vacation spots, please send brochures!! I sympathize with your suffering and stress. I bet your kitchen is beautiful!

@queenb: Thanks for your suggestion. I have been watching both for years, and have subscribed to This Old House magazine for years as well. They gave me the courage to start any of this!

I think you have made a good start. First tackle the structural problems which threaten the integrity of the house, and then you can begin to worry about the decorative stuff. You need to make sure floor joists are in good shape, that the sills are OK and the house is sitting on the foundation correctly, then take care of any water-infiltration/drainage problems. If you have galvanized plumbing you will probably want to replace it with copper, you need to upgrade the HVAC system (I don’t know if you cool, if not, you need an efficient furnace and an efficient heat distribution system (circulating hot water?) That’s more than a good start.

I have no idea but I’m excited for you.

Sounds like lots of fun.

Good luck.

Having lived in a pristine 1890s home for nearly a decade I would say that the most important thing is to get the feeling and personality of the house before you do any major demo. If you can live in it or stay a night or two you will better understand the old house’s quirks. because our lifestyles have changed so much since the time of its construction there details that may not make sence to us until we understand a bit more about the house. Research is the most important thing if you know anything about the house already (architect’s name, the style of the house, time period) type it into google and go. pictures are equally as important print them out and put them into a collage or book, this will help you pull togethr a cohesive look and of course it makes your decorator’s and contractor’s work alot easier. Finally look at magazines and restoration sites that may list recomended contractors in your area.
Most importantly have fun!

The house sounds delightful.

You might consider hiring a structural engineer to study the house and make a list of priorities. That way you don’t spend all your time and money on something that will have to be redone because there is an underlying structural problem.

Since the house is in a historic district is there a local history society, history museum, or library that can help you figure out the history of the house, the architect, period-appropriate updates, and maybe even the original plans.

As @pdworkin said, it seems that you have a good start already, getting the roof and chimney, the gutters and downspouts repaired. Next I would work on the foundation.
As others have said it is always good to find out as much as you can about the history of an old house. It will help you to discover just how some of those odd doodads that you uncover, were used.
I would caution to go slow, if there is something that you aren’t sure of, do some more research. Many times replacement is not necessary and some things cannot be “undone”. When it comes to tearing out or changing, I always say “when in doubt, don’t”.
It seems that you already love this house and that is perhaps the most important factor in it’s restoration.

My friends who rehabbed an old house had to move out (young kids) while lead and asbestos were removed. It took four months but had top priority.