A Baltimore rowhouse is a special kind of home. Shared walls, marble steps, long narrow rooms and, in many cases, a century or more of history behind the plaster. Those same features make repairs and renovations a little different from working on a detached house in the suburbs. Spring is when a lot of Baltimore owners finally tackle the project they have been putting off, so this guide covers which local pros to call, what to ask them and how to plan the work in a sensible order.
What makes a Baltimore rowhouse different to work on
Before you call anyone, it helps to know what a good contractor will be thinking about when they walk in the door.
Shared walls. Your walls are also your neighbors' walls. Demolition, drilling and plumbing work can affect the house next door, so you want someone who takes that seriously.
Narrow access. Tight stairways, small doorways and no side yard mean materials often have to come through the front door. Big items like bathtubs, appliances and long boards can be a real puzzle.
Older systems. Many rowhouses still have older plumbing, wiring and ductwork, sometimes patched by several owners over the years. Surprises behind the walls are common.
Roofs that connect. Many rowhouse roofs are low-slope and run right into the neighbors'. A leak can start on one roof and show up in another house.
Lead paint. Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint. If your project involves sanding, scraping or tearing out old surfaces, ask every contractor how they handle lead safely, especially if children live in the home.
Street parking. Contractors may need to park a truck or a dumpster on a busy block. Ask how they plan to handle it.
Which pros a Baltimore rowhouse project usually needs
Most rowhouse projects involve some mix of the trades below. You can browse all of them from the Maryland businesses page, where local companies are organized by category.
A plumber who knows older pipes
If your rowhouse still has original or mixed piping, a plumber should look before you close up any walls. Ask about the condition of the main line, the water heater and any galvanized pipe.
One example listed on Listings Junkie is Hardy Plumbing in Towson, whose listing describes a full range of residential plumbing services. You can compare others on the Maryland plumbers page.
Bathroom work that fits through the door
Swapping out an old tub in a rowhouse can mean squeezing a heavy fixture up a narrow staircase, or tearing out more than you planned. Refinishing is often worth considering first.
Baltimore's Best Tub Refinishing, listed on Listings Junkie, describes bathtub refinishing, reglazing, repair and installation in Baltimore, Dundalk, Bel Air and nearby areas.
Floors
Many rowhouses have original hardwood under carpet or old linoleum. A flooring pro can tell you whether it is worth refinishing or needs replacing. The Maryland flooring and carpet page lists companies that do both.
Windows and doors
Old windows can be drafty and hard to open. Replacing or restoring them makes a big difference in comfort. Check the Maryland windows and doors page, and ask each company how they handle the odd sizes common in older homes.
Ducts and deep cleaning
After a renovation, dust ends up everywhere, including the ductwork. Hydro Clean Duct Cleaning, listed on Listings Junkie, describes residential duct cleaning in the greater Baltimore and Columbia area, along with carpet and furniture cleaning. More options are on the Maryland cleaning services page.
A general contractor for bigger jobs
If you are opening walls, moving a kitchen or gutting a floor, a general contractor can coordinate the trades. The Maryland construction and contractors page is a good place to start. For roof work, browse roofing companies and ask specifically about experience with connected, low-slope roofs.
How to vet a contractor for your rowhouse
A few questions will quickly show you who has done this before:
- "Have you worked on Baltimore rowhouses?" Ask for examples or photos of similar jobs.
- "How will you protect the shared walls and my neighbors' homes?"
- "Who handles any permits the job needs?" A good contractor will know and will explain it.
- "How do you deal with lead paint?" If your home is older than 1978, this matters.
- "Are you licensed and insured for this work?" Ask for proof.
- "Can I have the estimate in writing?" It should spell out the work, the price and the timeline.
Get at least two or three estimates for any big job. The cheapest bid is not always the best value, especially if it skips steps the others included. Our guide on how to choose a reliable contractor or electrician has more questions worth asking.
On Listings Junkie, listings are confirmed by email and checked before they go live, and customer reviews are confirmed by email. Use reviews to look for patterns, like crews that clean up or contractors that stick to the schedule.
Plan the work in the right order
Rowhouse projects go smoother when the work happens in a logical sequence. A typical order looks like this:
Roof and exterior.
Stop water first. There is no point refinishing floors under a leaking roof.
Plumbing, wiring and ductwork.
Do the work inside the walls while they are open.
Walls and ceilings.
Patch, plaster or drywall once the systems are done.
Bathrooms and kitchen.
Fixtures, tile and cabinets go in next.
Floors.
Refinish or install near the end, so other trades do not damage them.
Deep cleaning.
Dust and debris go last, including the ducts.
Spring and early summer are popular times for this kind of work, so call early. Good contractors book up.
Be a good neighbor while the work happens
Living in a row means your project is your neighbors' project too, at least for a while. A quick knock on their doors before work starts goes a long way. Let them know the dates, the working hours and how to reach you if something goes wrong. If your contractor needs to work near a shared wall or roof, talk with the neighbor first.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check before buying or renovating a Baltimore rowhouse?
Look at the roof, the plumbing, the wiring and any signs of water in the basement. If the house was built before 1978, ask about lead paint. A home inspector and a licensed plumber and electrician can tell you what you are dealing with.
Is it better to refinish or replace an old bathtub in a rowhouse?
It depends on the tub's condition, but refinishing can avoid the challenge of moving a heavy tub through narrow stairs and doorways. Ask a refinishing company and a plumber for their honest opinion.
How many estimates should I get for a rowhouse renovation?
Two or three for any significant job. Compare what each one includes, not just the total price.
Do I need to tell my neighbors about my renovation?
It is a good idea, especially for work on shared walls or connected roofs. A heads-up about dates and hours keeps relationships friendly.
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