Illustrated Handbook for Historic Commercial Buildings

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Illustrated Hanbook for Historic Commercial Buildings 52 Collecting organized, on-site information is the single most important— and often most time-consuming—step in any building assessment, especially for those new to the process. While it may feel slow at first, there’s no substitute for the firsthand insights you’ll gain about the structure. Identifying patterns of deterioration before planning any intervention is critical in historic commercial buildings; skipping this step risks causing irreparable harm to the building’s integrity. Once you’ve mapped out where and how urgently repairs are needed, you can create a structured rehabilitation schedule, breaking the work into phases and timelines tailored to the building’s specific needs. Finally, using the tools presented here and following a consistent documentation process aligns your work with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. That compliance not only helps protect the building but also makes it easier to qualify for tax incentives and obtain permits—such as a Certificate of Appropriateness—when you need them. Your Next Steps: Structuring Your Rehabilitation Plan