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Remembering the Forgotten
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Your one-stop destination for expert restoration, repair, and preservation of your home’s architectural heritage. Whether you’re reviving the charm of a Queen Anne Victorian or maintaining the timeless beauty of a Craftsman bungalow, our skilled artisans bring unmatched expertise and passion to every project. Let us help you protect and celebrate the character of your most treasured architectural gem—your home.
Types of Historic Homes We Work On
Common Historic Home Styles:
- Victorian (Queen Anne, Folk Victorian)
- Craftsman Bungalows
- Mission Revival
- Spanish Colonial Revival
- Tudor Revival
- Classical Revival
- Norman Revival
- Colonial Revival
We specialize in designated historic homes, showcasing a variety of architectural styles
2026 Hourly Rate Chart
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Repair
(Starting $142.51 perhr)
Focused, localized work to correct damage or failure. Repairs are targeted interventions that stabilize existing conditions with minimal disruption. Pricing reflects investigative effort, precision labor, and compliance with safety and insurance requirements.
Restoration
(Starting $197.51 perhr)
Preservation‑grade work that returns historic elements to their original or documented condition. Restoration requires specialized craftsmanship, traditional methods, and careful material compatibility. Rates reflect the skill level, time, and accuracy required to protect historic fabric.
Rehabilitation
(Starting $211.51 perhr)
Comprehensive, high‑risk work that adapts a historic structure for continued or new use. Rehabilitation often involves structural stabilization, systems integration, and code compliance, along with managing unknown conditions. Pricing accounts for increased liability, coordination, and long‑term performance responsibility.
In short:
Repair fixes problems.
Restoration preserves history.
Rehabilitation ensures a building’s future.
AHC’s rates align with the level of expertise, insurance, and risk required to do the work correctly, legally, and durably.
Based on current data for California in 2026, here's a detailed breakdown of AHC's hourly rate for a Restorration-related service, incorporating actual wage data and estimated percentages for taxes, insurance, and profit:
Tier / Item | Billable Rate ($/hr) | Craftsman Labor Rate ($/hr) | Burden & Overhead ($/hr) | Total Company Cost ($/hr) | Net Profit ($/hr) | Add Manpower ($/man‑hr) | Master + 1 | Master + 2 | Master + 3 |
Base Range | $140.00–$211.51 | $62.50 | $64.19 | $126.69 | Varies | $69.00 | +$69 | +$138 | +$207 |
Repair | $142.51 | 62.50 | 64.19 | 126.69 | 15.82 | 69.00 | $211.51 | $280.51 | $349.51 |
Restore | $197.51 | 62.50 | 64.19 | 126.69 | 70.82 | 69.00 | $266.51 | $335.51 | $404.51 |
Rehabilitate | $211.51 | 62.50 | 64.19 | 126.69 | 84.82 | 69.00 | $280.51 | $349.51 | $418.51 |
References
[1] GENERAL PREVAILING WAGE DETERMINATION – ORA‑2025‑1California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
<https://www.dir.ca.gov/oprl/2025-1/PWD/Determinations/Subtrades/ORA.html>
[2] Workers’ Compensation Rates in CaliforniaWorkersCompensationShop.com
Anatomy of 19th & 20th Century Homes
Understanding the components of historic homes is key to authentic restoration:
Structural Elements:
🪵 Balloon Framing
A 19th-Century Innovation in Homebuilding
Balloon framing uses long, continuous studs that run from the foundation to the roof. This method allowed for faster construction using standardized lumber and nails. While efficient, it created vertical cavities that can pose fire risks—something to consider during restoration and retrofitting.
🪚 Post-and-Beam Construction
Timeless Craftsmanship with Exposed Timber
Seen in homes from the 1600s to early 1800s, this method features large, hand-hewn timbers joined with mortise-and-tenon joints. These visible beams are not only structurally sound but also add rustic charm. Restoration often involves sourcing reclaimed wood and traditional joinery techniques.
🧱 Stone or Brick Foundations
Durable, Earthy, and Built to Last
Historic foundations were typically made from locally sourced stone or brick, laid with minimal mortar. Over time, they may settle or deteriorate. Restoration includes repointing with lime-based mortar and improving drainage—always with an eye toward preserving the original materials.
🧰 Wooden Lath and Plaster Walls
Breathable Walls with Character
Before drywall, walls were built with wooden lath strips covered in layers of plaster. These walls are durable, sound-insulating, and full of texture. Restoring them requires traditional plastering techniques and materials to maintain their historic look and feel.
We Restore The Follow
📏 Common Measurements
We provide accurate restoration estimates using traditional and modern measurement standards:
House Style | Avg. Size (SF) | Avg. Exterior Scope (LF) |
Victorian / Queen Anne | ~2,800 SF | ~1,800 LF |
Craftsman Bungalow | ~1,600 SF | ~1,200 LF |
Colonial / Revival | ~2,400 SF | ~1,500 LF |
Spanish / Mission | ~2,200 SF | ~1,400 LF |
Mid-Century (1940s–60s) | ~1,900 SF | ~1,300 LF |
Linear Footage:
- Trim & Molding: 100–500 LF per room
- Porch Railings: 30–100 LF
- Stair Handrails: 10–50 LF
House Style | Labor $ / LF | Materials $ / LF | Total $ / LF |
Victorian / Queen Anne | $27.67 | $5.67 | $33.33 / LF |
Craftsman Bungalow | $41.50 | $8.50 | $50.00 / LF |
Colonial / Revival | $33.20 | $6.80 | $40.00 / LF |
Spanish / Mission | $35.57 | $7.29 | $42.86 / LF |
Mid-Century (1940s–60s) | $38.31 | $7.85 | $46.15 / LF |
Square Footage:
- Flooring: 100–3,000 SF
- Wall Surface: 400–2,000 SF per room
- Roofing: 1,000–3,500 SF
House Style | Labor $ / SF | Materials $ / SF | Total $ / SF |
Victorian / Queen Anne | $17.79 | $3.64 | $21.43 / SF |
Craftsman Bungalow | $31.12 | $6.38 | $37.50 / SF |
Colonial / Revival | $20.75 | $4.25 | $25.00 / SF |
Spanish / Mission | $22.64 | $4.64 | $27.27 / SF |
Mid-Century (1940s–60s) | $26.21 | $5.37 | $31.58 / SF |