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Hi, my name is Scott Sidler and I love old houses! Old houses are not just a passion for me they are my career. I started as a DIYer years ago and loved fixing up these historical beauties so much I eventually jumped in with both feet.

In 2010 I started my own historic restoration company Austin Historical. Eventually, I went from fixing a couple broken windows and floorboards to being really serious. In 2012 I became a State Licensed Residential Contractor in Florida and as of 2018 my company restores over $2,000,000 a year of historic buildings nationwide! We aren’t fooling around here.

The Blog was born in 2011 as I began posting answers to common questions my clients had. The depth of knowledge accumulated here has grown considerably as my experience and knowledge has grown. The blog is my laboratory, classroom, playground, and favorite place to be other than with my family because I get to help people like you understand and learn to fix your own old house.

scott sidler
My prerequisite flannel clad headshot

I’m also the author of a multitude of books on restoration, two of which are #1 Amazon Bestsellers! I’m a big believer in reading and learning and so I try very hard to produce great content to help you go further.

In 2015 The Craftsman Store was born where I began selling the supplies my readers kept asking for that weren’t in the typical hardware and big box stores.

We now have scores of restoration supplies and tools to help you get the job done right the first time.

How Did I Get Started?

I haven’t always loved old houses. I grew up in one boring American suburb after another until my parents bought a beautiful 1759 Colonial house in Highland Mills, NY when I was a teenager. The wavy glass, weathered clapboards, and wide plank wood floors drew me in and sparked my curiosity and creativity.

Of course, it wasn’t until later in life, and quite by accident, that I stumbled into this career working with my hands on old houses. Years down the line I somehow ended up in Orlando, FL where I met my wife and as luck would have it she liked old houses too. So, we took the plunge and bought a 1929 Bungalow that needed a little TLC.

We started fixing it up on weekends as we had time. Slowly, we started making improvements (some I’m not particularly proud of) but I’ve learned a lot since then. Soon my DIY weekends turned into me taking time off from my real job to work on the house. That’s when I knew there might be something more to this historic restoration thing and I started my business.

Ever since then I have loved getting my hands dirty and teaching you how to get your dirty too. I’m so glad you stopped by and hope you’ll stick around and check things out

Glad to have you visit, and I looking forward to getting to know you!