Kingston was chartered in 1694 as “Kingstown,” which makes it one of New Hampshire’s oldest towns. Its houses range from 18th-century homes around the Plains to newer subdivisions and cottages on Great Pond and Country Pond. Planning a remodel here starts with knowing which kind of house you have. This guide walks through each room and the local questions to settle first. When you’re ready to talk specifics, see our page for a remodeling contractor in Kingston. Dom’s Workshop, Inc is based in Plaistow, NH, just down Route 125.
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What kind of Kingston house do you have?
- Historic homes in and near the town center. The Kingston historic district around the Plains includes the Josiah Bartlett House (built 1774), the Sanborn Seminary, the First Universalist Church, and the Nichols Memorial Library. Homes nearby may have timber framing, plaster, and original details worth saving. Exterior changes in the district may involve extra review.
- Pond homes. Great Pond (home to Kingston State Park) and Country Pond have many homes that started as seasonal places. State shoreland rules apply near both.
- West Kingston and rural roads. Farmhouses and capes on larger lots, usually with a well and septic.
- Newer neighborhoods. Colonials and split-levels ready for kitchen, bath, and basement upgrades.
Kitchen: old house or new?
In an older home, the biggest decisions are structural. Can the kitchen take over a back room or pantry? Can a wall come down? How will new ductwork and plumbing reach it without damaging rooms you want to keep? Choose finishes that suit the house, like painted cabinets, simple tile, and traditional trim.
In a newer home, the layout usually works. Focus on storage, counter space, lighting, and an island sized for the room.
Either way, plan a temporary kitchen for the construction period. See kitchen remodeling.
Bathrooms
- Older homes may have one bath, or a bath squeezed in decades ago. Adding a bath under a dormer or in a small bedroom is common.
- Families often need a second-floor bath with two sinks and good storage.
- Long-term living calls for a low-threshold shower, grab-bar blocking, and good lighting.
See bathroom remodeling.
Basement
Kingston basements range from fieldstone cellars in old homes, which are usually not good candidates for finishing, to poured-concrete basements in newer homes, which often are. Before you plan, check moisture, ceiling height, egress for any bedroom, how a bathroom would drain, and septic capacity if you’re adding a bedroom. See basement remodeling.
Additions
For historic homes, an addition should be subordinate to the original house: a rear ell, a modest family room, or a connector to a barn. For newer homes, family room additions, primary suites, and bonus rooms over the garage are typical. On every lot, check setbacks, well and septic locations, and shoreland or wetland limits before you design. See room additions and our home additions guide.
Garage, barn and mudroom
Many older Kingston properties have an attached barn or carriage shed. Depending on its frame and foundation, it can become a garage, a workshop, or living space. In newer homes, the most useful upgrade is often a mudroom between the garage and the kitchen, with a bench, hooks, closed storage, and a floor that can handle snow and mud. A bonus room over the garage is another way to add space without a new footprint. See garage remodeling and the garage cost guide.
Pond-lot planning: Great Pond and Country Pond
Both ponds fall under New Hampshire’s Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act. Most new construction, excavation, or fill within 250 feet of the shoreline needs a state shoreland permit from NHDES in addition to the town permit. Some smaller projects qualify for permit-by-notification. On top of that, pond lots tend to be narrow, with limited parking and space for deliveries, so access needs a plan before the work starts.
Permits and the historic district
Most structural, mechanical, and addition work needs a Kingston building permit. We can take care of permits for you. If your property is in the historic district, we’ll find out early whether exterior changes need additional review and plan the schedule around it.
Phasing for older homes
Older houses reward a phased plan. Start with the structure, roof, and mechanicals, then move on to kitchens and baths, and save finishes for last. That way, nothing new gets torn out to fix something old.
For the full process, see How a Remodel Works with Dom’s Workshop and our whole-house renovation guide.
Kingston planning FAQ
Is my house in Kingston’s historic district?
The district covers the town center around the Plains. We can check your property during planning.
Can I finish a fieldstone basement?
Usually not as full living space. Fieldstone cellars tend to let in moisture. A newer poured foundation is a much better candidate.
Do I need a state permit for work near Great Pond or Country Pond?
Often, for work within 250 feet of the shoreline. We check during planning.
What should I do first in an old house?
Address the structure, roof, and mechanicals before cosmetic work.
Can you help phase a long project list?
Yes. We’ll put the work in an order that avoids redoing anything.
Next step
Dom’s Workshop, Inc, based in Plaistow, NH, serving Rockingham County, NH · (978) 775-8642 · Dom@doms-workshop.com