Little River Contractors serves Jackson Ward — a National Historic Landmark District and one of the most historically significant African American neighborhoods in the United States. Family-owned, based 20 minutes away in Henrico, and working on Jackson Ward homes for over 23 years. We handle bathroom remodels, drywall and plaster repair, carpentry, interior and exterior painting, and flooring. Jackson Ward’s Federal, Italianate, and Greek Revival rowhouses and ongoing restoration projects deserve a contractor who respects the history. We do.

Home Improvement in Jackson Ward: What We Do

Jackson Ward — historically known as “Black Wall Street” and “The Harlem of the South” — is a National Historic Landmark District designated in 1976. The neighborhood contains one of the largest surviving concentrations of ornamental cast-iron porches in the country, alongside Federal, Italianate, and Greek Revival rowhouses dating primarily from the 1870s through the early 1900s. Original plaster, wood cornices, cast-iron details, and multi-layer paint histories are the norm. So is lead paint.

We’re EPA Lead-Safe certified — federally required for any home built before 1978. We handle plaster restoration, wood cornice repair, exterior masonry coating, and interior remodels that respect the historic fabric. Bathroom and kitchen remodels in Jackson Ward homes almost always involve some carpentry, some drywall or plaster work, and some structural surprises. Our one-crew model handles all of it under one project manager.

Our Home Improvement Services in Jackson Ward, VA

• Bathroom and Small Renovations — End-to-end bath remodels in historic rowhouses, working around clawfoot tubs, original tile, and older plumbing.
• Drywall and Plaster Repair — Original plaster restoration, skim coating, and patching to match historic wall textures.
• Carpentry and Wood Repair — Wood cornices, exterior trim, porch restoration, interior trim preservation.
• Interior Painting — Lead-safe prep, historic color palettes, and finishes appropriate to the era.
• Exterior Painting — Brick and masonry coating with proper primer systems, wood trim, cast iron.
• Flooring Installation — New hardwood, restoration of original heart pine, LVP for damaged areas.

Neighborhoods and Areas of Jackson Ward We Serve

• Historic Jackson Ward core (Marshall to Leigh, 1st to 2nd Streets) — Federal, Italianate, and Greek Revival rowhouses. The heart of the historic district.
• North Jackson Ward — Similar-era rowhouses and singles with ongoing restoration activity.
• Adjacent Carver neighborhood — Comparable era construction bordering Jackson Ward to the west.
• Broad Street corridor — Mixed-use historic buildings with residential upper floors.

Why Jackson Ward Homeowners Choose Little River

We know late-1800s and early-1900s Richmond construction. Federal-style joinery, cast-iron porches, original plaster, and lead paint layers each need specific handling. We’ve done it for over two decades.

EPA Lead-Safe certified. For any pre-1978 home, lead-paint protocol is required. In Jackson Ward, that’s essentially every home.

Respectful of historic fabric. We preserve original trim, cornices, and details wherever possible. When replacement is required we source period-appropriate materials.

Jackson Ward Homeowner FAQs

Are you familiar with the National Historic Landmark District rules?

Yes. Jackson Ward’s designation adds another layer to exterior work approvals. We can help prepare submissions to the Richmond CAR (Commission of Architectural Review). Final approval is the homeowner’s responsibility.

Do you work with cast iron porch and railing details?

Yes. We paint and restore cast iron features common on Jackson Ward rowhouses. For structural iron repair we coordinate with a specialty metalworker.

Can you restore original plaster walls?

Yes. Full plaster repair, skim coating, and texture matching are part of our regular work here.

How long does a rowhouse bathroom remodel take?

Typically 3 to 4 weeks. Historic plumbing routing, plaster demo, and hidden structural surprises take extra time. We communicate clearly if anything shifts.

Are you EPA Lead-Safe certified?

Yes. Current and required for essentially every Jackson Ward home. Our protocol covers setup, containment, cleanup, and disposal.

Are you licensed and insured for Richmond city work?

Yes. Fully licensed in Virginia, fully insured, BBB accredited. Certificates of insurance available on request.

Get a Free Estimate for Your Jackson Ward Project

Free estimates. Written quotes within 48 hours. Family-owned, EPA Lead-Safe certified, and serving Jackson Ward for over 23 years.

Get a Free Estimate or call 804-908-3700.