Manitou Springs is home to some of the most unique, historic properties in the Pikes Peak region. Remodeling homes built from the 1880s through the 1930s — often on steep grades with original plaster walls, period trim, and character that can't be replicated — requires experience and care that generic contractors don't bring.
Manitou Springs has a residential character unlike anywhere else in the Pikes Peak region. The historic core along Manitou Avenue and climbing up into Crystal Hills and the Ruxton corridor contains homes dating from the 1880s through the 1930s — Victorian cottages, craftsman bungalows, and early-20th century character homes built on steep lots with the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak as backdrop.
These homes require a different approach than new construction or even standard older homes.
Original plaster walls. Most Manitou Springs homes built before 1950 have plaster walls rather than drywall. Plaster is more durable than drywall and significantly more difficult to repair correctly. Standard drywall patching techniques produce visually obvious results on plaster because the materials respond differently to paint. We work with plaster using the appropriate bonding compounds and skim coat techniques that blend repairs into the surrounding surface.
Period woodwork worth preserving. The trim profiles in Manitou’s historic homes — the baseboards, door casings, window surrounds, built-in cabinetry — were milled from old-growth timber in patterns that aren’t available new. Replacing a damaged section of craftsman casing with modern colonial base is not the right answer. We repair, custom-mill matching profiles when needed, and refinish to match the surrounding original finish.
Steep-grade lots. Many Manitou homes are on grades that complicate exterior access and foundation drainage. We work with these conditions regularly — drainage assessment, retaining wall repairs, exterior paint on steep elevations, and deck and fence work on sloped lots where standard installation methods need to be adapted.
Accessibility and egress in older homes. Historic Manitou homes often have narrow doorways, steep stairs, and layouts that were built before modern accessibility standards existed. Modifications for aging-in-place, improved egress, and accessible bathroom conversions are increasingly common requests in this neighborhood.
Manitou Springs has a strong community commitment to preserving its historic character. We share that commitment. When we assess a Manitou home project, the first question is always: what’s here that’s worth preserving, and how do we work around it? The second question is: what needs to be replaced, and how do we match it properly?
This is a different starting point than a new construction upgrade project. It requires patience, the ability to assess original materials honestly, and the skill to work with them at a high level. It’s the kind of work we find genuinely interesting.
Every Manitou Springs project gets a written flat-rate estimate before we start and a walkthrough when we finish.
Every project gets a detailed estimate with flat-rate pricing before work begins.
Request Estimate (719) 243-9718Manitou's historic homes have original woodwork that can't be sourced new. Refinishing rather than replacing is almost always the right answer.
Read Guide →Original stair railings in Manitou Springs homes are architectural assets. Repair and refinish before considering replacement.
Read Guide →Plaster repair in historic homes is different from standard drywall patching. Understanding the substrate matters.
Read Guide →