8 Builders and Contractors to Tackle Your Historic Home Renovation

Paul Dyer

A historic home renovation can be as complicated as it is rewarding, which is why it’s crucial to find the right team. Luckily, the talented firms featured on the new Builders and Contractors section of the AD PRO Directory have years of experience bringing older homes back to life. Whether you’re renovating a Victorian in San Francisco or a farmhouse in New Jersey, the AD-approved builders and contractors on this list can help preserve or restore the original beauty of your home while making it comfortable for modern living and ready to be enjoyed by many more generations.

Cicada Company

When SNL star Heidi Gardner wanted to renovate her midcentury home in Kansas City, she enlisted Cicada Company to help bring the residence back to its former glory. The design-build firm is known for imbuing warmth and personality to historic homes while maintaining the original detail and charm. Led by founders Tara and Kyle Davis, the team boasts over 50 years of combined experience in interior design and construction and works on homes from many different periods, including transforming the kitchen and bathrooms of a 100-year-old residence and updating a 1950s family home.

Think Construction

New York City’s historic architecture is in good hands with Think Construction. The Brooklyn-based general contractor and construction management firm enhances everything from town houses to pre-war apartments and is adept at navigating the challenges of renovating landmarked buildings. Previous historic projects include the gut renovation of an apartment in a former cancer hospital on Central Park West built in 1884, and the restoration of a 19th-century Clinton Hill townhouse updated with Passive House efficiency.

Larkspur Builders Inc.

From a Georgian revival townhouse in Pacific Heights to a Victorian home in the Mission District, Larkspur Builders has helped preserve the architectural heritage of San Francisco through its thoughtful renovations. The construction firm brings over 40 years of combined experience to its projects, which include homes throughout the Bay Area. For example, Larkspur Builders is currently renovating and preserving a 1917 Grand Craftsman home originally designed by famed architect Julia Morgan in San Francisco’s St. Francis Wood neighborhood.

Perez Construction

Family-owned and operated Perez Construction was officially incorporated in 2017, but founder Pedro Perez has been a part of the San Francisco construction industry for years. The firm has quickly become a trusted partner for some of the city’s top designers and architects, bringing its expertise to projects such as the transformation of a Portero Hill duplex. The firm’s historic renovation chops have been displayed in their work for the 2023 San Francisco Decorator Showcase set in a 1927 Spanish-style Sea Cliff home, and again the following year when the showcase was hosted at a 125-year-old Dutch colonial mansion in Pacific Heights.

Cook Construction

Period details shine in renovations by Cook Construction. The San Rafael, California–based project management and general contracting firm brings its expert eye to projects throughout the Bay Area and Los Angeles, collaborating with firms such as Armour Architecture, Sutro Architects, and Ann Lowengart Interiors. Cook Construction has revived historic homes throughout the state, including an 1891 Queen Anne Victorian house, a 1913 Edwardian-style cottage, and a 1927 Spanish colonial residence.

Flower Construction

Founded 25 years ago by John Flower, Flower Construction is a go-to for historical restorations and period-inspired new builds across the East Coast. Working in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida, the full-service general contractor collaborates with top architects and designers on projects ranging from the renovation of a barn in Bucks County to the transformation of a West Village town house. Flower Construction is a member of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art and the Sir John Soane Museum Foundation.

Forma Construction

Historic rehabilitations are one of Forma Construction’s specialties. The San Franscico–based firm has a talent for elevating the original details of a home while imbuing the space with soul and warmth. The firm has completed restorations and renovations throughout the Bay Area, including the complete renovation of a 1913 Beaux Arts home in lower Nob Hill, the reconstruction of a guesthouse of a historic Napa Winery destroyed by the 2017 Kincaid fires, and the execution of several spaces in the 2024 San Francisco Decorator Showcase.

Scandic Builders

Family-run Scandic Builders takes an environmentally conscious approach to its renovations and new builds. The Basking Ridge, New Jersey–based firm is known for incorporating recycled and sustainable materials and renewable energy sources into its projects. Scandic Builders has revived storied homes throughout the region, from farmhouses to Colonial, Victorian, and Shingle-style homes, using building techniques and natural materials that will help them last for years to come.

Are you looking for a design professional to hire for your next project? Wherever you are, visit the AD PRO Directory to browse our list of AD-approved designers and builders and find your match for a design consultation.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest

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