Remodeling in Taylor

Taylor grew up as a railroad and cotton hub in eastern Williamson County, and much of its character dates from that era: a brick downtown, older neighborhoods of frame houses on pier-and-beam foundations, and Blackland Prairie farmland on every side. It's changing fast now. A large semiconductor plant and new subdivisions are bringing growth, but a big share of Taylor's housing is still older than anything in Round Rock or Hutto. That makes Taylor projects more about repair and renovation than shade and fences.

Permits in Taylor

• The city's building division reviews plans and inspects work for code compliance.
• Applications, tracking and inspection requests go through My Government Online (MGO).
• If you're not sure whether you need a permit, the city invites you to email its permits staff. The city warns that proceeding without required permits may result in fines.
• Taylor has adopted amendments to the 2024 International Codes, a newer edition than many neighboring cities use. Ask your contractor whether they're familiar with 2024-edition requirements.

Historic preservation

Taylor has a Historic Preservation Commission, which reviews Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) applications and recommends design guidelines. Historic preservation rules are part of the city's Land Development Code.

The commission's district map and approval process are still being developed, so if you own an older home near downtown, check with the city before planning exterior changes such as:

• replacing wood windows or siding;
• enclosing porches;
• additions visible from the street;
• demolishing outbuildings.

Even where no COA applies, keeping original features usually protects an older home's value.

Living with Blackland clay

Taylor sits on some of the deepest expansive clay in Central Texas. For homes, that means:

• Pier-and-beam homes settle and need periodic leveling. Sagging floors, gaps under doors and cracked plaster are the usual signs. Leveling usually involves resetting or adding piers and shims under the beams.
• Slab homes crack and move after droughts. Use an independent engineer before committing to slab repair.
• Drainage is the cheapest prevention: gutters, downspout extensions and grading.
• Crawl spaces under older homes should stay dry and ventilated, with debris cleared, to protect wood framing.

Older-home upgrades that make sense

Lead paint: Pre-1978 homes may contain lead paint. Contractors disturbing painted surfaces must be EPA RRP-certified.

Buying an older Taylor home? Check these first

Many buyers come to Taylor for its older houses and lower prices. Before closing, or before planning a remodel, ask your inspector or contractor to look closely at:

• the foundation and crawl space: pier condition, beam sag, moisture and wood rot;
• the electrical panel: fuse boxes, outdated panels and ungrounded circuits;
• the sewer line: a camera inspection of older clay or cast-iron lines;
• the roof and decking: older homes sometimes have several layers of shingles;
• signs of past termite damage in sills and floor framing.

Those findings shape the budget more than any finish choice.

Newer subdivisions

The new subdivisions going up around Taylor share the area's clay soils. Owners commonly add fences, patio covers, attic insulation and better HVAC zoning. Most have HOAs, so get architectural approval before the city permit.

Projects that pay off in Taylor

1. Foundation leveling and repair. This is the most common major project in older homes.
2. Kitchen and bath remodels, often combined with plumbing and electrical updates while the walls are open.
3. Roof replacement after hail, with impact-resistant shingles worth pricing.
4. HVAC replacement, including adding central air or ductless systems to older homes.
5. Windows and insulation for comfort and lower bills.

Utilities

Taylor is outside Austin Energy's service area, so Austin Energy rebates don't apply. Check your electric provider's efficiency programs, which may be run through participating contractors.

Hiring

• Verify electricians and A/C contractors on TDLR's license search, and plumbers with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
• For older homes, ask for experience with pier-and-beam leveling and older wiring.
• Confirm the contractor will pull permits through MGO.