First step in renovating old building is to preserve the essence of the original design.
After a while, all buildings begin to decay. As great as the Egyptian Pyramids are, even they need touch ups from time to time. There are a number of ways you can rehabilitate a small building. You can make it more energy efficient or completely self-sustainable. You can simply just return it to the state that it was before the decay of the property. Rehabbing can take a few hands and a lot of heavy equipment and parts which could get expensive. Fortunately, there are several grants available to finance building rehabs.
Instructions
1. Determine what the building will be used for once the rehab has been completed. Based on this decision, make a list of essential repairs that must be completed immediately and repairs that can be made later.
2. Get quotes from contractors that can do the work. Contact contractors who you have been referred to first or contractors you might have used in the past. Price materials and labor.
3. Create a proposed rehab plan. Organize the repairs in order of importance and the jobs that you will attack first. Propose a timeline with the help of a contractor of when you can complete the project.
4. Get an inspection to make sure it is worth rehabbing the house. Get recommendations from mortgage companies on independent inspectors you can use.
5. Locate available grants at the state, federal and community level. Use a community foundations locator to find community organizations that may have grant programs. Review private foundations that offer grants for community rehab programs.
6. Look into federal stimulus programs. Amanda Piell writes in Buildings.com about "$6.3 billion for energy-efficiency grant programs, including $3.2 billion for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, and $3.1 billion for the State Energy Program."
7. Check historical preservation records. Ask for a representative to look into the property just in case the building can be salvaged as a historic landmark. The National Trust for Historic Preservation lists officers you can contact to give you background information on your lot. They can also direct you to persons who can research your building. If your building qualifies ask the agencies to help with grant funding and ask if you will be involved in the preservation process.
8. Create an index card for each grant you discover that you may qualify for. On the index card, create a checklist of all the documentation that each grant program requires in order for your application to be accepted.
9. Complete grant applications. Gather all required documents. Submit your application according to the guidelines detailed in the grant instructions.
Tags: each grant, grant programs, index card, repairs that, your application
