Ken writes:
>>To do the right thing is often to not do the wrong
thing, which may in some cases mean doing nothing at all. Or to do a lot less
than is imagined has to be done. <<

I give advice to about 10-15 homeowners each year. They are often a young
couple who have just bought an old house are full of energy to get a lot done
in the coming months. One work item, almost always on the list, is sanding and
refinishing all the wood floors. They will already have a costing from a floor
refinishing company, from $5,000. to $15,000. I listen to their plan for the
floors, get a pan of hot water and a little detergent and scrup up a 4'x4'
section. Then I rub on a little alkyd varnish. This takes about 5 minutes and
looks great. Later in the day I have them stand around on the area in their
stocking feet. The homeowners cross sanding the floors off their list and I
have just saved saved the old floors as well as saved my clients 5 to 10 times
my fee. Less *is* More.

John Leeke, Preservation Consultant.