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BUILDING TRUST BLOG
The Jolly Post Story: Part Two
Three months after our first visit to this historic home in downtown Pendleton, South Carolina, we returned to find a very different job site. The first installment of the series introduced the early-1900s home, the family legacy, and the plan to preserve the history while modernizing it for future generations. At that point, demolition exposed the original framing and provided an initial look at the work ahead.
By the time we filmed Part Two, the project reached an important turning point. Extensive termite damage was discovered, the home's structure was reinforced, and Project Manager Sam Parkinson addressed the major concerns previously concealed inside the walls. With the most difficult structural questions answered, the team could begin moving forward with a clear understanding of the house and what it would take to make it last another 100 years.
Three Months of Progress
Progress on a renovation of this scale depends on many different trades working in the correct sequence. During the three months between episodes, masons, grading crews, plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, roofers, framers, and Daniel Builders craftsmen all visited the job site. Each crew completed work that prepared the way for the next stage.
The changes are visible throughout the property. The original home contained about 2,200 square feet, and the addition increased the livable space by about 1,700 square feet.
Bringing old and new construction together requires skill and planning. Floor levels, framing, rooflines, soffits, and fascia all must tie into the existing home. A new roof creates a unified structure while maintaining an exterior elevation that’s consistent with the original architecture.
Resolving Decades of Hidden Termite Damage
Termite damage was one of the project's central challenges. Demolition revealed that the damage was extensive: in structural beams, walls, and even ceiling joists at the center of the home.
The affected areas were not the result of recent activity. The home had reportedly been treated for termites for roughly 50 years, indicating that much of the deterioration had been hiding inside the structure for decades. By the time the walls were opened, some portions of the structure could no longer safely carry the load.
Before demo could occur, the team developed an elaborate support plan. First, the team reinforced the floor from beneath using posts, masonry block, and jacks. The ceiling and roof loads were then supported from the stabilized floor, allowing damaged exterior walls and beams to be removed without compromising the structure above them.
Once the loads were secure, deteriorated beams could be replaced and new walls framed beneath the roof. It was an involved process, but it allowed the team to address the damage completely and thoroughly. That work eliminated the structural concerns and established a sound foundation for fixtures and finishes.
Moving Beyond Minimum Requirements
Repairing the structure made the house safe, but success required more than meeting minimum code requirements. Building codes establish essential safety standards, but the team also considered how the home would manage air, water, temperature, and energy over the long term.
A high-quality vapor barrier was installed on the exterior of the house to help prevent water intrusion and reduce uncontrolled air movement through the walls. This improved the performance and efficiency of the home's heating and cooling systems.
This is where historic renovation and current building science intersect. The original home was remarkably strong, but it lacked contemporary building technologies like insulation, moisture management, and energy performance. The historic home made the leap to modern day through these updates.
Planning for Future Needs
The framing stage was also the right time to think about the home’s functionality down the road. Prior to insulation and drywall, our team added blocking: lumber installed between wall studs to create a solid attachment point behind the drywall for future fixtures.
Some locations required immediate preparation, including stairwell handrails. Other locations were prepared for the homeowners’ future desire to age in place. Blocking would eventually support grab bars in the shower and a chair lift between levels. Thinking about those needs during the framing stage would save costs and disruption and provide flexibility later.
Though these details aren’t visible in the completed remodel, they are an important part of designing a home for long-term use. The clients thought beyond inspiration photographs and considered how the home could best serve multiple generations for years to come.
Restoring the Home's Character
To eliminate the termite damage, more of the original structure had to be torn out than anyone hoped. That created a new challenge: how do you preserve the legacy of a historic home when much of the structure is new? The goal was for the home to stay reflective of the period when it was built. To accomplish this, the decision was made to reuse meaningful materials where they could naturally contribute to the finished design.
The team planned to use salvaged timber from the house in several locations. Original lumber was set aside to wrap an LVL beam and construct a mantel. Trim profiles and other finish details were selected to reflect the period in which the home was built.
Those choices were intentional nods to the house's history. The home's systems, structure, and building envelope were substantially improved, but the interior would carry the warmth and character of the family’s original property. Preserving that legacy was equally as important as adding square footage or resolving structural problems.
Preparing for the Next Phase
With the framing complete and the structural unknowns resolved, the remodel could move into the next phases: insulation and drywall installation. Next, hardwood flooring and tile will shape the design of the interior. Daniel Builders craftsmen will begin the trim work that gives the home its architectural character.
Work will continue outside as well. Grading crews will return to prepare the driveway and patio, and masons will install the remaining brick.
The craftsmen could now focus on the details that would truly honor the home’s legacy.
Are you contemplating a major home renovation? Speak with a Daniel Builders project guide by calling 864.506.5546 and discuss the best path forward for your custom renovation or get your renovation started here!
Part One of this series introduces the overall vision for the project and captures the home during demolition. Part Two follows the team through the structural changes, showing how the house was stabilized, repaired, and expanded. Part Three shows how the design details came together to preserve this legacy property. Part Four showcases the final transformation of the property.
Watch episode one: Jolly Post Revealed (1 of 4).
Watch episode two: Jolly Post Renewed (2 of 4).
Watch episode three: Jolly Post Preserved (3 of 4).
Watch the stunning conclusion: Jolly Post Transformed (4 of 4).
Watch the client testimonal: Jolly Post Journey.
