Luxury Home Remodeling & Historic Home Restoration in the Main Line & Philadelphia, PA
Since 1998, Mainline reBuild has helped homeowners restore and modernize some of the Main Line’s most distinctive historic properties. From complete home renovations to carefully planned kitchen and bathroom remodels, every project is designed to preserve the character of the original home while improving comfort, efficiency, and long-term value. As a general contractor based in the Main Line, we work throughout Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne, Villanova, and the greater Philadelphia area.
- Who We Are
Renovation Rooted In The Main Line's History
We are a Main Line restoration and renovation company dedicated to helping homeowners preserve, adapt, and modernize historic properties — from full home renovation to targeted kitchen and bathroom remodeling.
Our Vision
To be the Main Line's trusted partner for historic home restoration, blending preservation with modern livability in every whole house renovation we undertake.
Our Mission
Deliver general contractor services in Philadelphia and the Main Line that respect a property's architectural history while meeting the needs of modern homeowners.

Mainline reBuild Team
General Contractor & Restoration Specialists
- Our Servies
Complete Home Remodeling & Home Improvement Services Throughout Pennsylvania
Historic Restoration
Historic restoration is where Mainline reBuild started, and it's still the work we're most known for. Restoring a century-old property means matching original masonry, repairing plaster rather than replacing it with drywall, and navigating the permitting requirements that come with protected or landmark buildings. We've applied this approach across several Main Line adaptive reuse projects, including the conversion of a historic church into residential units.
Basement Remodeling
A finished basement adds real living space, but on older Main Line properties it also means dealing with moisture, drainage, and foundation issues that weren't a concern when the house was built. We handle basement remodeling with waterproofing and drainage as the starting point, not an afterthought — French drains, sump pump installation, and vapor barriers where needed — before any finishing work begins.
Adaptive Reuse & Building Conversions
Converting a church, mill, or other landmark building into residential space requires a different kind of planning than a standard renovation. Structural systems, zoning, and historic preservation guidelines all shape what's possible before design work even begins. Our work on Narberth Place — the conversion of a historic church into condominium residences — is one example of how we approach these projects.
Whole Home Renovation
A whole house renovation touches everything — layout, systems, finishes — and on a Main Line property that often means working around original architectural features worth preserving. We manage the full process from initial planning through final walkthrough, coordinating structural, electrical, and plumbing work alongside the design decisions homeowners are more directly involved in.
Home Additions & Extensions
Adding square footage to a historic or older home means matching rooflines, siding, and architectural details closely enough that the addition doesn't read as an obvious add-on. We plan additions and extensions around the existing structure's proportions and materials, working through the permitting process required for changes to properties in Main Line historic districts where applicable.
Historic Masonry & Exterior Restoration
Stone and brick exteriors are one of the most recognizable features of Main Line historic homes, and also one of the most commonly mishandled in renovations that don't account for how older masonry actually behaves. We repair and restore original masonry using materials and techniques suited to the building's age, rather than modern methods that can trap moisture and accelerate deterioration.
General Contractor Services
As general contractor, we manage the full scope of a renovation project — permitting, subcontractor coordination, scheduling, and budget — so homeowners aren't managing multiple trades directly. This applies across all project types, from a single-room remodel to a full home renovation or historic building conversion, throughout Philadelphia and the Main Line.
Kitchen Remodeling
A kitchen remodel is usually the project with the most day-to-day impact on how a home feels to live in. We handle layout changes, cabinetry, and finishes for kitchens across Philadelphia and the Main Line, working within the constraints that older homes often present — load-bearing walls, outdated electrical, plumbing that needs rerouting.
Bathroom Renovation
Bathroom renovation on an older property almost always means dealing with plumbing that predates current code — galvanized pipe, outdated fixtures, and layouts built around fixtures that no longer exist. We handle everything from master bathroom remodels to smaller code-compliant updates, replacing aging plumbing where needed and addressing water damage common behind walls in older bathrooms.
- Our Commitment
What Makes Us Different
Hassle-Free Process
From initial consultation to final delivery, we manage every stage of your whole house renovation or remodel so you don't have to.
Historic Property Expertise
Decades of experience navigating the unique challenges of restoring and adapting historic Main Line homes and buildings.
Local Contractor You Can Trust
A general contractor based on the Main Line, serving Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne, Villanova, and Narberth.
Built To Last
Quality craftsmanship designed for long-term durability, whether it's a full home renovation or a targeted remodel.
- Highlighted Real Projects
Featured Historic Renovation Projects Across Southeastern Pennsylvania
Mainline reBuild first gained recognition for a distinctive approach to historic preservation: converting Main Line churches into residential communities. Our work on the former Gladwyne Methodist Church — now Gladwyne Commons — and the former Ardmore Baptist Church, reimagined as The Arbors at Athens, has been featured in Philadelphia Magazine, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Main Line Media News. Each project preserved key architectural elements of the original buildings, from structural woodwork to commemorative brickwork, while creating modern residential units suited to how people live today.
- How We Work
How We Approach Every Renovation
01
Initial Consultation
We assess your property, discuss your renovation goals, and outline a plan for your kitchen remodel, bathroom renovation, or full home restoration.
02
Historic Property Assessment
We review the property's history and existing structure to plan a renovation that respects its architectural character.
03
Project Execution
Our team manages construction with regular updates, keeping your renovation on schedule and on budget.
04
Final Delivery
We walk through the completed renovation with you, ensuring every detail meets our standards and yours.
Trusted Agency
Modern Design
Exclusive Property
Prime Location
Luxury Living
Trusted Agency
Modern Design
Exclusive Property
Prime Location
Luxury Living
- Faqs
Have Questions In Your Mind? Get The Answers Now
A whole house renovation typically takes 4 to 9 months depending on scope, from initial planning through final walkthrough. Historic properties on the Main Line often require additional time for permitting and careful restoration of original architectural details.
Yes. Many Main Line properties, including converted churches and pre-war homes, fall under historic preservation guidelines. We manage the permitting process for historic restoration and adaptive reuse projects, working with local municipalities across Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, and Narberth.
Kitchen remodeling costs on the Main Line typically range from $35,000 to $90,000+ depending on layout changes and finishes. A master bathroom remodel generally runs $20,000 to $55,000. We provide a detailed estimate after an on-site consultation.
We work with a consistent network of subcontractors and suppliers who have experience with historic construction — masons who understand original stonework, plumbers familiar with older systems, and suppliers who stock period-appropriate materials when matching is required. For standard renovation work, we coordinate whichever trades best fit the project scope and timeline.
Not always. For smaller remodels — a kitchen update, bathroom renovation, or finished basement — design and permitting can typically be handled without a separate architect. For larger projects involving structural changes, additions, or historic preservation review, we can work alongside an architect or help connect you with one if needed.
In most cases, yes — especially if the home still has galvanized or original plumbing. Renovation is the most practical time to replace aging pipes, since walls and floors are already open.
Requirements vary by municipality and whether the property is in a designated historic district. We handle the permitting process as part of every project, including any historic preservation review required.
Absolutely. Water intrusion behind walls, beneath flooring, or around foundations is one of the most common issues uncovered during renovations of older Pennsylvania homes. Identifying and correcting these problems before rebuilding helps prevent future structural repairs and protects the long-term value of the renovation.
Still Have Question?
- Why Choose Us
Why Pennsylvania Homeowners Choose Mainline reBuild
Pennsylvania Historic Home Specialists
Historic properties don't respond well to a standard renovation approach, and that's the gap we built this company to fill. A few things set our process apart:
Historic property expertise
We've worked on landmark buildings and century-old homes long enough to know what generic contractors typically get wrong — from matching original materials to navigating preservation guidelines.
Licensed general contractor
Every project is managed under proper licensing and permitting, with subcontractors coordinated directly by our team.
Local Main Line experience
We know the municipalities, the permitting offices, and the architectural character of Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne, Villanova, and the surrounding communities.
Personalized project management
One point of contact manages your project from planning through completion.
- Service Area
Proudly Serving the Main Line & Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mainline reBuild provides home renovation, historic restoration, and remodeling services throughout the Main Line's residential communities, including Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne, Villanova, Narberth, Wayne, Haverford, and Wynnewood, as well as nearby Philadelphia neighborhoods. Our experience with the area's historic housing stock — from converted mills to Victorian-era homes — lets us plan renovations around the specific architectural character of southeastern Pennsylvania rather than applying a generic approach.
Main Line Communities
Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne, Villanova, Narberth, Wayne, Haverford & Wynnewood.
Philadelphia Area
Greater Philadelphia neighborhoods and the surrounding southeastern Pennsylvania region.
Historic Districts
Experience with protected and landmark properties requiring preservation review.
- Our Expertise
Remodeling Historic Homes Requires More Than Construction Experience
Renovating a historic home isn't just a matter of updating finishes — it means confronting whatever's behind the walls. Older Main Line properties frequently have galvanized plumbing that's decades past its intended lifespan, knob-and-tube wiring that doesn't meet current code, and foundations without the drainage systems modern homes are built with. We've seen firsthand how water damage from aging plumbing or poor drainage can go unnoticed for years in a historic property. Every renovation we take on includes an assessment of the building's structural integrity, plumbing condition, and moisture control.
Aging Plumbing
Galvanized and original plumbing systems decades past their intended lifespan — identified and replaced before finishing work begins.
Outdated Electrical
Knob-and-tube wiring that doesn't meet current code, assessed and updated as part of every whole-home renovation.
Moisture & Drainage
Foundation drainage issues and water damage behind walls — common in older Main Line properties and addressed before any rebuild.
Mainline reBuild is a general contractor specializing in historic home restoration, whole home renovation, and kitchen and bathroom remodeling throughout the Main Line and greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From adaptive reuse projects like the conversion of a historic church into residential units, to basement remodeling, additions, and exterior restoration, our work is built around preserving what makes a property distinctive while making it function for how people live today. Our projects regularly involve updating aging plumbing, electrical systems, waterproofing, and other critical home infrastructure to ensure historic homes remain functional for future generations.
- Highly Satisfied Clients
Our Clients Feedback
4.9 /5
"From consultation to closing, everything was handled efficiently. I felt fully supported and informed throughout the entire transaction process."
- Articles & Insights
