Home/Remodeling/Victorian & Edwardian Renovation

Victorian and Edwardianhome renovation in San Francisco.

Older San Francisco homes reward careful work. We renovate Victorians, Edwardians and early 20th-century flats as full-scope projects, planning for historic review, hidden conditions and the building's original character before demolition starts.

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Call us (415) 297-2246 Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm PT

Email Courtney Send Project Details courtney@sfbuildinggroup.com

Full-scope renovations of older houses and flats
Historic review and permits coordinated
Hidden conditions planned for in the estimate

LicenseCSLB #1106131

Service AreaAll of San Francisco

EstimateFree, on-site

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We take projects that need a contractor: remodels, commercial build-outs, new construction and major repairs.

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The Approach

How we run it.

What sets the plan, the estimate and the schedule for this kind of project.

Planned for what is behind the walls

Outdated wiring, mixed plumbing and altered framing are common in older houses. Our estimate states what we assume and how found conditions are handled.

Original character protected

We plan which details are kept, repaired or matched before demolition, and protect them during the work.

Review and permits coordinated

Older buildings can be reviewed by Planning for historic significance. We coordinate the schedule around it with your architect.

Empty room with arched windows, a vaulted ceiling and a new floor

The Scope

What renovating an older house involves.

Victorian and Edwardian houses were built with tall ceilings, narrow lots, shared walls and framing methods that differ from modern practice. Systems were added or altered over time, and what is in the walls rarely matches a single set of drawings.

We start with a careful site review, price the scope in writing with assumptions stated, and plan how original details, such as millwork, plaster and wood windows, are protected, repaired or replaced to match.

Careful demolition and protection of original details
Testing and handling of lead and other hazardous materials where present
Structural repair and reinforcement as designed by your engineer
Rewiring, re-plumbing and new mechanical systems
Repair and restoration of millwork, plaster and wood windows
Kitchens and bathrooms updated within the older building
Exterior repair, paint and trim
Inspections and closeout

In San Francisco

Renovating older buildings in San Francisco.

Planning screens older buildings for historic significance. Landmarks and buildings in designated historic districts can require approval of exterior changes from the Historic Preservation Commission, and exterior work visible from the street gets the most attention. Interior work is usually less restricted, but the path depends on the building.

Homes built before 1978 are subject to lead-safe work rules, and older materials can contain asbestos. We plan testing, containment and disposal into the scope and the schedule.

How It Works

How your project moves forward.

See the full process page for what you receive at each step.

Free On-Site Estimate

We walk the house with you and put a written estimate in your hands: line items, assumptions and a phased payment schedule.

Permitting & Planning

We coordinate with your architect and engineer and run permits through SF DBI and Planning, including any historic review.

Build & Final Walkthrough

Regular walkthroughs and written updates during construction, punch-list resolution before final payment, and a closeout package.

Where We Work

Victorian & Edwardian Renovation come up in many San Francisco neighborhoods. These pages cover housing stock, permits and typical projects in each area. We work in every neighborhood in the city, listed or not.

Neighborhoods

Other services

The same process applies across everything we build. See the other project types, or the full services overview.

Common Questions

Victorian & Edwardian Renovation FAQ.

Anything else, ask in the form at the top of the page.

Does my Victorian or Edwardian need historic review?

It depends on the building and the scope. Planning screens older buildings, and landmarks or buildings in historic districts have additional review of exterior changes. We flag the path at the site visit.

Can original windows, trim and plaster be kept?

Often, depending on condition and the scope. We discuss repair versus matched replacement for each item and state it in the estimate.

What about lead and asbestos?

Homes built before 1978 are subject to lead-safe work practices, and older materials can contain asbestos. We plan testing, containment and disposal into the scope and schedule.

Do you take multi-unit Victorians?

Yes. Projects in multi-unit buildings involve other residents, shared systems and building rules, which we plan around in the estimate and the schedule.