Few places in the country have older homes than New England. Antique colonials, Victorians, farmhouses and early-1900s capes line the streets of Acton, Concord, Lexington and Sudbury. They're full of character — and full of surprises once you start opening walls.
If you're planning to renovate or add on to an older home, here's what to expect and how to make the project go smoothly.
1. Find out if your home is in a historic district
Many Massachusetts towns, including Acton and Concord, have local historic districts overseen by a Historic District Commission. If your home is inside one, exterior changes visible from a public street — additions, new windows, siding, roofing materials, porches, even fences — typically need the commission's approval before you can get a building permit.
That approval process adds time, but it isn't something to fear. Commissions generally want to see thoughtful design that respects the home's style, scale and materials. A contractor who has worked through the process before can help you prepare drawings and material choices that are likely to be approved.
Some towns, Acton among them, also have demolition delay bylaws that apply to older buildings, so check before planning to remove any significant structure.
2. Expect the unexpected behind the walls
Older homes were built with different methods and have often been modified many times over the decades. Common discoveries include:
Outdated wiring, such as knob-and-tube, that needs replacement
Undersized or altered framing from past renovations
Little or no insulation in walls and attics
Old plumbing, including galvanized or cast-iron lines
Lead paint in homes built before 1978, which requires lead-safe work practices
Asbestos in older flooring, pipe insulation or siding
None of these should stop a project, but they should be in your budget. For older homes, we recommend a contingency of 15–20%.
3. Bring it up to modern standards — carefully
A renovation is the perfect time to make an old house perform like a new one: modern electrical service, efficient heating and cooling, better insulation and air sealing, and updated plumbing.
The key is doing it without stripping out what makes the home special. Original trim, wide-plank floors, built-ins and period details can often be preserved, repaired or reused — and they add value that new materials can't replicate.
4. Design additions that belong
The best additions to historic homes look like they've always been there — or are clearly distinct but respectful. That means matching rooflines and proportions, choosing compatible siding and window styles, and keeping the addition subordinate in scale to the original house.
An addition at the rear of the home often preserves the street-facing façade and makes historic review simpler.
5. Choose a builder who knows older homes
Working on an antique house takes a different mindset than building new. Look for a contractor who:
Is licensed and registered in Massachusetts (Construction Supervisor License and Home Improvement Contractor registration)
Has experience with historic district and permitting processes in your town
Follows lead-safe practices on pre-1978 homes
Communicates clearly when hidden conditions are discovered, with options and costs before work continues
Renovate with Somma Builders
Somma Builders is a licensed general contractor (CSL 116932, HIC 214611) based in Acton, MA. We renovate and expand homes of every era across Acton, Concord, Lexington, Sudbury, Littleton and Greater Boston, coordinating design, zoning, historic review, permits and construction from start to finish.
Thinking about renovating an older home? Call 617-792-1059 or email contact@sommabuilders.com to schedule a consultation.
