Illegal fireworks caused a fire in the Dorchester triple decker. Charlie Silva along with local contractors put this house back together. After a long wait, Carol and family can now move back home.

It's been over a year and a half since the fire, and the triple decker is just about ready for the homeowners to return.  Kevin O'Connor checks out what's left to do in all three units, both inside and out.

The apprentices attend a roofing class and then put their skills to practice.  Back at the triple-decker, a vinyl floor goes in, Mauro touches up the cabinets, and Tom and Charlie install French doors.

Tom and Kevin reinstall cabinets that survived the fire, and Tom teaches apprentices to trim a window.  HVAC contractor James shows Richard the plan for hot water, while Homeowner Carol and her sister shop for appliances.

Mauro works with the apprentices to fix the plaster damage.  Richard meets plumber Ronnette to learn about the new sprinkler system.  Kevin joins homeowner Carol and her sister Willie to shop for tile and appliances for all three levels of the house.  The glass doors get repaired by an expert.

Kevin finds Tom working with the new apprentices on the front door and learns about YouthBuild.  Tom and Charlie teach them about mineral wool insulation. Homeowner Carol looks at kitchen cabinets and counters. Richard works with James on the three separate HVAC systems.

Jenn Nawada brings together a team to create an urban patio.  Heath Eastman rewires part of the house with intact plaster ceiling.  Charlie and Tom Silva hang a new fire rated door.  Richard Trethewey explains how a new tub is fitted in.  Kevin and Tom install a replacement window.

The back porches on the triple decker are brought to code.  Ice blasting is used to get rid of the fire odor.  New vinyl siding gets installed on the entire house while homeowner Carol considers new accent colors to match the siding.  Framing begins inside.

Removing asbestos from exposed ductwork; a plumber works on dormant pipes; Jenn visits a community garden; architectural historian Arthur Krim talks about three-deckers; Tom and Charlie pull off the melted vinyl siding.

"This Old House" returns to Dorchester, Mass., the home of the first This Old House project, to follow the renovation of a triple decker that was burned due to illegal fireworks.

The abandoned Seaside Victorian Cottage is restored to its original beauty.  A new addition matches the existing architectural details, and the new hardscape and landscape anchor it to the corner lot.

Work happens in the kitchen.  Kevin and Tom tackle the molding, and the pantry gets a secret door.  Countertops, backsplash, and tile are installed, and a new wood mantle goes around the gas fireplace.

Trees and sod arrive at the house.  The deck hatch is installed, and inside, a Wifi lock and new rangehood are placed.

Tom assists with interior window trim and custom storm windows.  Richard checks out an electric meter and panels.  Mark follows work on the hardscape, and Kevin watches the assembly of a decorative shed.

Inside the house, the work is busy with floor installation, and the design plans for the master bath are finalized.  Outside, a custom pizza oven and fireplace arrive, as well the plants and the new pool cover.

Ceiling mounted speakers disappear in plaster.  The new HVAC system gets turned on.  New garage doors are side-mounted.  The pool is lowered into place.  The homeowner makes kitchen design choices.

Mark McCullough explains cobblestone aprons.  The crew reinforces floor joists.  Tom Silva and Jeff Sweenor install a drop finial and a swinging window.  Kevin O'Connor meets with paint experts.

Original house details such as the Yankee gutters and corbels are installed. Host Kevin O'Connor catches up with the electrician's apprentice. Richard Trethewey looks at the new tankless hot water system.

After months of meticulous restoration, the stained glass windows are ready to be reinstalled.  Electrician Ben Giles has an apprentice.  Tom Silva re-creates original shingles.  Landscape meeting with homeowners.

Chimney bricks are cleaned and repurposed for a new, straight chimney.  Staggered shingles are reapplied.  Kevin O'Connor learns about glass orbs hidden on Block Island.  Richard Trethewey shows a new shower drain.

Decorative Queen Anne style barge rafters are reproduced for the garage addition.  The antique windows get restored and primed in the shop, re-glazed, and then returned to the house for installation.

The guys begin restoration of an 1887 Queen Anne Victorian Cottage.  Kevin hears about preserving historic details while updating the interior space and creating a new garage and master suite

From demo day to design, we follow every step as the homeowners decide on the components and the crew converts a decades-old butler's pantry kitchen into an up-to-date kitchen for the future.

From young blacksmiths metalworking to a woodworker who finds centuries-old lumber under water,  This Old House features talented makers all over the country who make beautiful household items.

From large scale industry to small town makers, these factories provide the materials for our projects.

We take a tour of some of the past This Old House project kitchens. Follow the evolution of appliances from white to stainless as well as cabinet finishes from natural to painted.