St. Louis and the county
These are not eight copies of the same page. The housing stock genuinely changes as you move out from the city, and so does what a remodel in it involves.
St. Louis
Brick, plaster and century-old bones worth working with.
Brick bungalows, two-family flats and turn-of-the-century homes across South City, Tower Grove, Dutchtown and the north side. More than half the housing in the city was built before 1940 — the median build year is 1938 — so expect knob-and-tube or early wiring in untouched houses, galvanised supply lines, and plaster over lath that needs a different approach than drywall.
St. Louis detailKirkwood
Established lots where additions usually beat moving.
A wide spread, from pre-war homes near downtown Kirkwood to mid-century ranches further out. The ranches in particular are strong candidates for opening up a kitchen wall or going up rather than out.
Kirkwood detailWebster Groves
Historic homes where matching the original detail is the job.
Early 1900s through 1930s housing with original millwork, hardwood and in many cases the original windows. The trim detail is the tell on any renovation in this area.
Webster Groves detailLadue
The top of the market, where the finish standard is the brief.
Substantial homes on large lots, with a median build date in the mid-1950s, so a great many of them are now at the point where original systems and original kitchens are being reworked rather than patched. Renovations here usually happen around finishes the owner has no intention of touching, which makes site protection part of the scope rather than an afterthought.
Ladue detailClayton
Higher-end work where the finish standard is the whole point.
Substantial older homes alongside newer infill. Renovations here often involve working around finishes the owner has no intention of touching, which makes protection and site control part of the scope.
Clayton detailChesterfield
Newer subdivisions hitting their first real update.
Larger subdivision homes with full basements, frequently left unfinished by the builder. Open-plan kitchen updates and basement build-outs are the two dominant projects.
Chesterfield detailBallwin
West County homes where the basement is the easy square footage.
Split-levels, two-storeys and ranches with full basements. Original baths and kitchens from the build date are frequently still in place and are usually the second project after the basement.
Ballwin detailUniversity City
Older homes, tight lots, and a lot of hidden 1920s wiring.
1910s through 1930s homes, many with original plaster, hardwood and early electrical. Lots are narrow, so additions usually go up or to the rear rather than sideways.
University City detailCrestwood
Post-war ranches owned by the people living in them.
Post-war ranches and split-levels with a median build date around 1960, most with full basements. Original kitchens and bathrooms from the build date are common, and the basement is usually unfinished or finished badly in a previous decade.
Crestwood detailJust outside this list? Ask anyway. Whether a job is worth the drive depends far more on the job than on the postcode.
Tell us where, and what
Pick your town and describe the project. You will hear back with real questions about the space.