The Complete Guide to Historic Home Renovations in Nashville

October 8, 2025

In This Guide

How to honor historic character • Common challenges and smart fixes • Permitting basics for Nashville overlays • Budget and timeline ranges • What to ask your contractor • Where to start

Nashville’s historic neighborhoods tell a story. Belle Meade, 12th South, and Green Hills hold Tudor homes, Craftsman bungalows, and timeless estates. These homes carry charm and craftsmanship. They also need thoughtful updates that fit today’s life.

At Merrill Construction Group, we help you preserve the character you love and add modern comfort that works every day. This guide explains the path.

Preserve the past. Live better now.

What Makes Historic Renovations Unique

Older homes were built with different materials and methods. Thick plaster walls. Site-built cabinets. Original windows and trim. Respecting those details while updating systems takes skill and planning.

Typical Challenges

  • Outdated plumbing and wiring that need safe upgrades without harming finishes
  • Structural wear such as settled foundations, tired joists, or moisture issues
  • Layout limits that affect light, flow, and storage
  • Matching original profiles for trim, doors, windows, and siding

Smart, Respectful Solutions

  • Refinish original hardwoods and millwork where possible
  • Use period-appropriate tile, hardware, and lighting with modern performance
  • Hide HVAC and smart-home tech to protect sightlines
  • Open tight spaces with selective wall changes that fit the home’s style

Planning a kitchen or bath inside a historic envelope? See our service pages for scope ideas: Kitchen Remodeling and Bathroom Renovations.

Permitting in Nashville’s Historic Districts

Areas like Belmont-Hillsboro, Edgefield, and Lockeland Springs often fall under the Metropolitan Historic Zoning Commission. Before work begins, confirm if your home sits in a Historic Preservation Overlay. Expect a design review that covers exterior changes, materials, and scale. A contractor who knows this process reduces delays and protects your timeline. Learn more about our steps here: Our Process.

Case Study: A 1920s Craftsman in 12th South

Before: A closed kitchen, aging plumbing, creaky floors.

Our approach: Preserve fireplace and hardwoods. Add a modern, period-inspired kitchen with inset cabinetry and marble. Refresh baths with vintage-style fixtures and efficient layouts.

Result: A bright, cohesive home that keeps its soul and lives easier every day.

Thinking about a larger scope that touches many rooms? Explore Whole-Home Renovations for cohesive design and scheduling.

Budget and Timeline at a Glance

  • Whole-home restoration: $500,000–$1.5M+ | 12–18 months for full restoration; 6–12 months for partial
  • Kitchen: $150,000–$300,000+
  • Bathroom: $60,000–$120,000+

Actual scope, selections, and site conditions affect these ranges. We use fixed-price proposals to set clear expectations before work starts.

How to Choose the Right Contractor

  • Ask for historic home experience and photos of comparable projects
  • Review a detailed, fixed-price proposal with a defined scope
  • Confirm license, insurance, and a clean jobsite protocol
  • Request weekly updates and a single point of contact

Our clients highlight communication, organization, and craft. Many return for future phases. That trust matters most.

Next Steps

Start with a simple conversation about goals, budget, and timing. We will walk your home, discuss options, and outline a plan that protects its character and improves daily life.

Ready to Restore Your Historic Home?

Book a consultation to preserve the features you love and add the comfort you need.

Call (615) 509-2011

Schedule a Consultation

Explore related projects and services:

Whole-Home Renovations |
Kitchen Remodeling |
Bathroom Renovations |
Our Process

Still gathering ideas?

Browse our portfolio, save inspiration, and reach out when you are ready. We are here to help you plan with confidence.

Merrill Construction Group

Nashville, Tennessee

(615) 509-2011

Enriching lives through exceptional remodels

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Hilson Merrill is very professional & his quality of work is a reflection of his high standards. He and Thomas are friendly and easily accessible to set appointments to complete projects.

Kristal

Professional work. Very well done in a timely manner. I would recommend this company to anyone. Very pleased with the final results.

Dayton H

Merrill Construction Company remodeled two bathrooms in our 1920s house as well as a laundry room. We were more than satisfied with every aspect of the project from the design consultation at the beginning to the outstanding workmanship of the tile layers, painters, plumbers and electricians. The project was even finished on time and under budget.

George

I can’t say enough good things about our renovation process with Merrill Construction Group. The team is comprised of the best of the best. The attention to detail and project management throughout our seven-month project exceeded all expectations. We’re thrilled with how everything turned out and would recommend them to anyone.

Susannah

They are reliable, wonderful crew and very friendly. I would recommend them any day. They always put customers first, before anything else.

John

Hilson and his team are professional and timely (something not common in this industry!). Went above and beyond to make sure everything was up to our standards/liking. Would definitely recommend him to anyone needing something built/remodeled at their home.

Bryan

We did a master suite addition, with a screened-in porch and two covered porches. Merrill Construction Group did an excellent job on the addition and we were especially impressed with how they made the addition fit into our existing home. You cannot even tell that there is a new part. We love our renovation and thought they did a fantastic job.

Stephanie

Merrill Construction Group had done a fireplace and a kitchen redo for my neighbor, who was very happy with the job. I felt Mr. Merrill was neat and professional, always took and returned my calls on time and had some good ideas for my fireplace so I accepted his bid to perform the job. I liked the fact that everything was written down and that the supervisor, Thomas, was intelligent and professional. They did a marvelous job. It is beautiful and took less than a week start to finish. Everything was left neat and clean, and Merrill Construction Group even lowered the amount they originally thought it would cost because it took less time than they had thought it would.

Jeanne

I have worked with Merrill Construction Group for a number of years. They have completed renovations large and small in our house, including a full bathroom remodel (see most recent floor install in picture), an update to our kitchen and even exterior house painting and repair. Hilson Merrill is always professional and courteous throughout the job. I trust him, his crew and project managers to keep me updated on the project and let me know when problems arise – which is inevitable with a historic 100-year-old home! They stay on budget and are transparent throughout the process. I highly recommend the company and will use them again!

Sara

We hired Merrill Construction Group for a total master bath and closet renovation. Hilson and his team are very professional and were quick to respond to all our questions and requests. His crew kept the site clean, showed up when they said they would and did excellent work. We highly recommend Merrill Construction Group and look forward to working with them again on future projects

Kim

Originally remodeled two bathrooms and did a great job. Recently remodeled our downstairs including the kitchen. They started exactly when they said they would. They finished on time and on budget. They were respectful and kept our needs in mind. I would always use them for projects in the future.

Janis

Our remodeling experience with Merrill Construction Group was fantastic. Mr. Merrill gave us an estimated cost and gave us a plan for both the builder and homeowner to move step by step through the process. It was always very professional. We never wondered what we needed to do next or when work would be finished. Deadlines were set and met. Every question along the way was answered very quickly. The quality of the work exceeded our expectations. If we had an idea, we worked together for the most positive outcome. His subcontractors and staff were terrific!

Lucianne

Merrill Construction Group completed my major kitchen renovation, and I was very pleased. A few things that I really appreciated: #1 – Hilson and his team are great at communicating on a daily basis about the project; #2 – Hilson and his team are very nice and trust-worthy guys; #3 – I was pleased that the project wasn’t delayed or come in over the quote.

Camellia

Last year Merrill Construction Group remodeled a master bath, a studio and enclosed a hot patio for us. We are enjoying these improvements to our home so much! They did an excellent job. The sub-contractors were very fine workers with above average skills. They were on the job and we were finished very close to the time that was allotted for the work. Love this company and highly recommend!

Anne

Hilson’s crew is extremely professional and great to work with. We used them for two projects within the last 18 months and both times they delivered on time and under budget. I would highly recommend him for your next home project.

Drew

Great Job! Very professional and great communication. Everything happened on schedule and in budget. I highly recommend Merrill Construction Group. Thanks, Hilson!

Dillon

They walked in to an unfinished problem, and took it to completion quickly, on budget, and at a very high quality.

Julia

We hired Hilson Merrill to help us add a screened porch to the back of our home as well as add a new roof on our home and porch. The project was completed on time and within budget. Our porch is by far our favorite “room” in our home. It was beautifully designed with the help of a draftsman that Hilson recommended. Hilson was responsive to all of my emails, questions, and requests throughout the project. He is honest and upfront about the building process. We would highly recommend this company!

Laura

Merrill Construction Group was of the highest quality for my home renovation. The workmanship was excellent. The crew was helpful and the contractor was available when needed and had great ideas or solutions to questions I had. I have hired them more than once and would readily do so again.

Pam

Ready to turn your home into something you love?

Contact us to start your remodeling project