She's a beauty. Don't change too much.

Yes, contact an engineer. Our inspection team called one in because they were suspicious of a section of foundation. She gave recommended how to fix it, and a general idea of how much it would cost to hire a crew for the work.

What a gorgeous house. Yes lots of work even before you get to the pretty but it will be so worth it. Please post as you renovate.

I'd start with an engineer also.

Thanks everyone. if you look at the pics towards the end there's one of the porch on the servants quarters ( a 2 room mini house !!) and where it attches to the main house one the right you can see where the brick goes wonky altho that pic was skillfully taken to minimize it.

Yeah I'm super excited. Sold this house

https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/4048-N-Harding-Ave-60618/home/13483871

in April after 30 years . I could still cry every time I go past that one but time to move on.

Oh wow thank you for sharing! She is a beauty. I have no advice but good luck in restoring her.

Your home you just sold is my dream home. Both are stunning

When we were buying our 100 year old house, we got quotes for everything the inspector had a problem with. Foundation issues can be expensive, so you really want to know before you close.

In my area, I would start with taking to the local historic masonry specialist. Whenever a person mentions masonry to an old house lover, the comment is always "have you talked to JC?" This guy maintains a stash of local reclaimed materials and knows the ins and outs of historic house.

You need to find that area's equivalent person, even if you need to go further afield than expected. Contact the local brickyards and ask, in person if possible, for a recommendation to the best craftsman for restoration work. Talk to the local historic preservation organizations and any recommended contractors. Listen closely for the comments about someone who might not be taking on anything new because he's too busy or wanting to retire. That is the guy to contact and hope your house is sufficiently interesting to intrigue him. 

Whether you end up with an engineer or not, you must find the masonry contractor. So, start there and see if he thinks you need the engineer and who he wants to work with.

ok thanks. I will probably start with the local historic society, as it's near Lexington there should be cratsmen available. Any ideas on what it might cost to get roof, gutters tuckpopinting ,electrical and plumbing up to snuff? Ballparks?

A good mason can take care of that. No one can tell you what things will cost in your town, on your house. But I paid $3500 to a mason to repair a falling section of brick under a bay window, repair a failing section along the front stairs, and repoint the whole house (as needed). It took him 1 day to repair the bay window section, and one day to do all the rest.

I spent $10K to re-roof (2 layers tear-off, installed embedded 2x4s along edges to prop up sagging eaves) and another $2K to rebuild the porch (rotted from a tree falling through it). It took them 7 days total for all work.

Gutters and downspouts cost us $500.

Electrical, plumbing, and all the rest are DIY for us.

Here's the "before" house, which of course is very different from yours:

thank you. That's would be a bargain, I'm assuming a whole ton of money, basically.

Kentucky should cost you a lot less than Chicago. And you've got a 2-story roof, but it's not a real complicated one. Just start getting quotes and see where you get to.

FWIW, here's our after (can't really tell the brick work from this far back).

You had a beautiful home. After 30 years, you must have seen a lot of change in the Irving Park neighborhood. I used to visit friends there quite often (on Hamlin) but don't get back to Chicago much these days. Good luck with your new home!

wow nice brick work on the columns. I love that house style. My first choice would have been a arts and crafts but hard to find in this area.

Yes my block saw 3 single family homes go down and 8 boxes of cr@p go up in their place. I was determined not to have that happen to my house.

Thank you for saving the old lady.

Well im finally moved in. Very overwhelmed and alternating between wtf did I do and yes this is great. Built like a tank but what a shitshow of neglect. Getting bids on electric and roof. New copper lined box gutters with new corbels quoted at $75K so thats not going to happen. Looking at more affordable alternatives.

Ripping out kitchen first. Going for the freestanding style no built in cabinets.The wood floor is decent but thinking of wood look porcelain for durability.

I live in Lexington and have a GREAT contractor if you want his info. Gorgeous house. Welcome to the Bluegrass!

I can’t wait to see your renovation progress-please do share! Thank you for embarking on this project and helping save a slice of Americana!

The wood floor is decent but thinking of wood look porcelain for durability.

Please don't do that 2010 fake wood. If you want durability instead of wood, do Marmoleum. Basically Marmoleum is linoleum and linoleum was first used in 1860 so would be appropriate for your house and it holds up forever.

Thanks for the marmolem tip.I will look into it. And yes Allison I will gladly take any word of mouth recommendations. In between a flurry of roofing and electrical contractors coming by, so far just scrubbing the woodwork and scraping off wallpaper.

Marmoleum is also a lot easier on your back and knees

Sure .Is it ok to give it out here on the forum or is there a way to dm?

I can’t find a way to DM on the site. Maybe someone else knows if that can be done.