Business Details
Expert Historic Home Restoration Services
Artisan Historic Contracting is a specialized firm dedicated to the meticulous restoration of historic homes and buildings. With a focus on Victorian-era properties and structures dating from the 1960s and earlier, we combine traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques to preserve architectural integrity while meeting contemporary standards. Our team has cultivated extensive partnerships with expert tradespeople and artisans, ensuring every project benefits from specialized knowledge and period-appropriate materials. We approach each restoration with a philosophy rooted in authenticity, sustainability, and community revitalization, treating every property as a cultural asset worthy of careful preservation.Our process begins with comprehensive consultations, including historical research and condition assessments, followed by tailored restoration plans that address structural needs and aesthetic details. We specialize in reviving key architectural elements such as doors, windows, stairs, and decorative moldings, using traditional joinery and woodworking techniques. Our commitment extends beyond individual projects to broader community impact through educational initiatives and social enterprise programs that train new generations in historic preservation trades.
Services
Historic Home Restoration
Window Repair
Door Restoration
Molding Replication
Porches Repair
Siding Restoration
Stairs Repair
Trim Restoration
Consultation
Floor Refinishing
Highlights and features
- We offer over 40 years of combined experience in historic restoration craftsmanship.
- Our team uses traditional joinery and woodworking techniques for authentic results.
- We provide detailed historical research and compliance documentation for preservation standards.
- Our projects include partnerships with vetted artisans specializing in period-specific trades.
- We offer pre-disaster planning services to protect historic properties against unforeseen damage.
What people say
Expert craftsmanship
Meticulous restoration work
True master carpenter
Superb craftsmanship
Trustworthy professionals
Services
Historic Home Restoration
Comprehensive restoration of historic properties from foundation to finish. We specialize in reviving structural integrity and original architectural details while maintaining historical accuracy. Our process includes archival research, material sourcing, and coordination with specialized artisans to ensure authentic results that meet modern functionality requirements.
Window Restoration
Expert repair and restoration of historic windows using traditional techniques. We address rope and pulley systems, replace glass with period-accurate wavy or mouth-blown options, and restore frames using traditional joinery methods. Our approach preserves original materials while improving energy efficiency and functionality.
Door Restoration
Preservation of original solid wood doors including hand-carved and custom-built designs. We restore hardware, reinforce structural components, and implement weatherproofing solutions while maintaining historical accuracy. Our work includes replication of missing elements using traditional woodworking techniques.
Molding Replication
Precise replication and restoration of historic crown molding, baseboards, and decorative trim. Using custom knives and hand tools, we recreate period-specific profiles and repair damaged sections with wood fillers and epoxy while maintaining original paint finishes.
Consultation
Comprehensive historic restoration consultation services including initial site assessment, historical research, and condition evaluation. We develop customized restoration plans with material specifications, cost estimates, and compliance documentation for local preservation guidelines.
People
G. Ellsworth Jordan
Founder & Master Craftsman
Master craftsman with decades of experience in historic preservation. Specializes in Victorian-era restoration and traditional woodworking techniques. Developed the Octopus System for community-based restoration initiatives.
Questions
What types of historic homes do you specialize in restoring?
We specialize in restoring homes built before 1960, particularly Victorian-era properties including Queen Anne, Craftsman bungalows, and Spanish Colonial Revival styles.
Do you provide restoration services outside of Southern California?
Our primary service area includes Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties. We may consider special projects outside this region on a case-by-case basis.
What does your historic restoration consultation process involve?
Our consultation includes an initial site visit, historical research, condition assessment, and customized restoration plan with material specifications and cost estimates.
Can you restore unique architectural features that are damaged or missing?
Yes, we specialize in replicating period-specific elements using traditional woodworking techniques and can recreate missing or damaged architectural features with historical accuracy.
Do you work with homeowners to meet local preservation guidelines?
Yes, we ensure all restoration work complies with local, state, and federal preservation standards and can assist with navigating the permitting process.
Reviews (4)
Jocelyn S.
Jul 25, 2021
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Made an appointment for an estimate and he never showed up. He then messages me 4 hours later to apologize with an emergency excuse. It only takes a minute or less to message someone prior to your committed appointment to let your customer know you are unable to make it. That's the courteous and professional way of doing business. I should have known since your one and only review had the same issue. No, I will not be rescheduling.
Emily M.
May 21, 2021
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Made an appointment with this guy via his online portal, got three email confirmations and even a calendar invite. Then he doesn't show up. No call, no email, nothing. If you can't keep an appointment you're not worth doing a project with.
Fabi Alcala
Oct 05, 2020
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Positive:Punctuality,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Mr. Jordan does excellent work and is detailed oriented. He makes sure everything aspect of the project runs smoothly while making safety his top priority.
Mr. Jordan does excellent work and is detailed oriented. He makes sure everything aspect of the project runs smoothly while making safety his top priority.
Orlando Montero
Jul 09, 2020
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Positive:Punctuality,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
I hired Gulbert Jordan to restore two late 19th Century Victorian homes. He is a
true master Carpenter, few people have the skills and expertise to work on homes of this period. Awesome reproduction work.
I hired Gulbert Jordan to restore two late 19th Century Victorian homes. He is a
true master Carpenter, few people have the skills and expertise to work on homes of this period. Awesome reproduction work.
