In a message dated 7/23/98 10:32:26 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< Philosophically (and just to be difficult) what is the essential difference
 between adding electricity to a historic building to make it more habitable
 and replacing original horizontal board siding with vinyl? >>

I think very little, excepting for the fact that a majority of electrical work
is hidden. What about adding a bathroom where there never was one?

Why not install knob and tube wiring? Fire safety is one reason, efficiency
another.

I was recently told about a regular GC type hired to do electrical work on an
historic structure, the idea being to save money by not hiring an HP type
electrician who 1) is difficult to find and 2) if found could be presumed to
be more expensive. In running their cables the electrician managed to auger
through all the mortise & tenon joints.

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