Historic Home Remodels Northern Utah

If your home is in a locally-designated historic district like the Avenues, South Temple, or University, you need a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior changes. This includes window replacement, siding work, additions, and sometimes paint colors. The Historic Landmark Commission reviews applications to ensure changes are compatible with the district's historic character. Interior work generally doesn't require historic review unless it affects the building's structural integrity. We help navigate this process and prepare applications that address the Commission's concerns.

Utah offers a 20% nonrefundable tax credit for rehabilitation of residential historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Project costs must exceed $10,000, and work must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. The credit can be carried forward for five years if it exceeds your tax liability. When combined with the Federal Historic Tax Credit on income-producing properties, owners can receive up to 40% back on qualified expenses. We help determine eligibility and coordinate with the State Historic Preservation Office on required applications.

Utah has one of the highest freeze-thaw rates in the nation, and this creates specific problems for historic brick. Original masonry was designed as a breathable system—soft lime mortar absorbed thermal stress while allowing moisture to escape. When moisture gets trapped by paint, waterproof coatings, or hard Portland cement repointing, it freezes inside the brick and causes spalling (pieces breaking off). We use historically-appropriate lime mortar for repointing, remove problematic coatings, and restore proper moisture management to prevent ongoing damage.

Yes, but additions in historic districts must be compatible with the original home while being distinguishable as new construction—you can't create a "fake historic" addition. Salt Lake City, Park City, and Ogden each have specific guidelines for additions to historic properties. Generally, additions should be located at the rear or a secondary elevation, set back from the original facade, use compatible but not identical materials, and maintain the original home's visual prominence. We design additions that satisfy these requirements while meeting your needs for additional space.

Salt Lake City's Avenues contains Victorian Eclectic, Queen Anne, Prairie, Craftsman, Mediterranean, Tudor, and Art Moderne homes built from the 1860s through 1930. Ogden's Jefferson Avenue district is predominantly Victorian (53%) with Four Square homes appearing after 1903. Park City's residential historic district includes T- and L-cottages, hall-parlor homes, and modest mining-era workers' housing. Across all districts, Craftsman bungalows are common from the early 20th century. Each style has specific character-defining features that must be preserved during renovation.

Sourcing period-appropriate materials is one of the challenges of historic renovation. We maintain relationships with architectural salvage dealers in the Salt Lake area who stock original hardware, light fixtures, and millwork. For items that must be reproduced, we work with specialty suppliers and craftspeople who can match original profiles and materials. The State Historic Preservation Office maintains a preservation directory of experienced contractors and suppliers. For tax credit projects, replacement materials must meet the Secretary's Standards—typically repair before replacement, and replacement in kind when repair isn't feasible.