For some people three cents is a LOT of money and they may not be so easily
persuaded to part with it. When I go to Park Slope & see the guys out on frayed
rope rigs without safety belts chopping up another brownstone facade for the
stucco treatment I simply have to walk away from the market. Disgusted, yes,
willing to fight it, no. If property owners are not willing, or forced (safety
regulation of mom & pop contractors), to pay more for skilled labor... and
management that recognizes the value of quality products, means & methods, then
I think knowledgeable preservationists need to find more accomodating markets.

What I see is that there is a constant pressure to find a lower price, to the
sacrifice of quality, or to go to the extreme of paying a high price thinking
it will assure quality. Either extreme, as I see it, increases the likelihood
of an unfairness to the owner and a real danger of permanent damage to the
historic fabric.
--
][<en Follett
SOS Gab & Eti -- http://www.geocities.com/~orgrease
Bullamanka-Pinheads website
http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?A0=bullamanka-pinheads