Nova Scotia's lieutenant-governor will receive an extra $6,000 per month to entertain guests at her condo while the official residence undergoes a $3-million facelift.

Government House, the oldest vice-regal house in Canada, will be closed for two years while workers install new wiring and plumbing and a heating and cooling system.

Project leader Greg Lusk said this is the most extensive repair yet for the 200-year-old structure, and the most important restoration job the Department of Public Works has undertaken.

"This is a building that along with the legislature represents what we are as a community and as a province," Lusk told reporters Tuesday.

The province looked at several options for a residence during the restoration, including the purchase of a new home or renting one in south-end Halifax.

But Lusk said the $72,000-a-year living allowance for Mayann Francis was the least expensive.

The money will cover catering, housekeeping and other costs, and is in addition to her annual salary of $100,000, which is paid for by the federal government.

In addition, the province has rented Francis a 2,100-square-foot office in Maritime Centre at a cost of about $60,000 a year. She'll work out of Province House until her new office is ready in November.

Speaker Cecil Clarke said "piecemeal repairs" have been made to Government House over the years, but it has been continuously occupied since 1805.

He said the much-needed work cannot be done when there are people living in the building.

Francis will be sworn in Thursday as Nova Scotia's new lieutenant-governor.