Historic Bend Home Remodel

Breathing New Life Into a house: a Historic Bend Home Remodel

Some homes carry stories as old as the streets they stand on. The Fenstermacher residence on Congress Street — originally part of Bend’s historic Miller family estate — was one such house. Over the years, each generation added rooms as their families grew, resulting in a patchwork structure filled with quirks: mismatched construction, lath and plaster, funky wiring, even stashes of old newspapers tucked inside the walls.

When the Fenstermachers purchased the home, they wanted to honor its history while making it a functional, comfortable space for modern living. That’s when they turned to DH Builders.

Phase One: Whole-Home Remodel
In 2017, our team completed a full interior remodel of the residence. The project included:

• Renovating five bedrooms and three bathrooms
• Creating a sixth bedroom in the basement along with an additional bathroom
• Updating living spaces while preserving the home’s historic character
• Addressing lead paint, outdated wiring, and structural repairs

Though we installed a prefabricated steam shower at the client’s request, we advised it might not hold up long-term. The rest of the work transformed the house into a livable, welcoming space while retaining its unique history.

Phase Two: Returning Clients, Renewed Trust
Eight years later, the Fenstermachers called us back. The steam shower had failed — just as we predicted — and they wanted it replaced with a lasting solution. Our team returned to design and build a custom tile steam shower in the primary suite, the kind of quality installation that stands the test of time.

While onsite, we also discovered missing attic insulation over the kitchen — the cause of years of uncomfortable hot-and-cold swings. Correcting that detail not only improved comfort into this historic Bend home remodel, but also ensured better energy efficiency.
This return engagement reflects one of our greatest points of pride: clients who choose to work with DH Builders again, trusting our workmanship and commitment to getting every detail right.

Trusted Partnerships
As with many of our projects, collaboration with local partners brought this renovation to life:

• Royal Flush Plumbing – Plumbing solutions
• High Lakes Electric – Electrical updates
• Vintage Tile & Stone – Tile
• Element Design Collective – Tile selection and design support
• The Fixture Gallery – Shower and bath fixtures
• Bend Glass & Mirror – Custom glasswork
• DH Builders Custom Woodworking – Cabinetry & Live Edge Pieces

These partnerships, paired with our team’s craftsmanship, ensured every element of the remodel was handled with care.

Notable Finishes & Features

Custom Remodel Success

This Bend Historic Home remodel was more than just an updated home, it’s a story of continuity. From the first full-house remodel to the more recent master bath transformation, the homeowners have trusted DH Builders to balance respect for history with the comfort and functionality of today.
For us, that trust is the highest compliment.

Reach out to us for your very own custom remodel in Bend, Oregon.

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