Originally Posted by Tervuren (Post 10333180)

I would say that given how the customer decided to use shaved 2x4's that the customer wasn't all into spending that much either.

I think the customer fell for something without realizing the cost and restriction.

Originally Posted by look 171 (Post 10334756)

I cut my teeth around those old home in Pasadena doing their woodwork and finish carpentry during college. Moving on to small remodels that grew into much larger ones. We did nothing but rehabbing grand old homes for 10 years then the economy kick everyone's butt and people stop spending. We did 9 grand old homes in 8 years, all were in Pasadena but one. While they aren't as intense as having to look for period correct glass like you did, sometimes it isn't possible and it can't made. The job must move forward people needed to move in. These jobs take 3 times as long and 10 times more complex, with blown budgets, always, but still they need to get done and within a reasonable amount of money. From your description, only few owners or houses out of a thousand have the time and budget luxury. Chemosphere was one. I much rather work on those because there's no time nor budget constrain making it a lot less stressful.

Old Ferrari, G and G or not, the owner's pocket always have the say so and how deep of a restore they want to go. 15-20 years ago, 700 k was a lot of money spent on a remodel on a home worth 1 mil+. I chased after them because it was fun, and I discovered that I was up to the task. I moved on to the west side during that time working for a bunch of movie folks and most I come across weren't interested in restoring old homes but love the shiny new designer stuff. That kept us going for many years and much easier to control. I am getting done with them too and slowly moving back into Pasadena and La Canada due to west side traffic. I am not really interested in restoring an old house anymore, unlike before I was chasing fame within that community. Depending on the owner and the designer, ofcourse. I still do some work in Los Feliz and Silverlake. Maybe I will run into you sometimes.

Which Lauther house did your friend restore? There's a Lauther house within walking distance from my home and I love to restore that to the teeth. Its in pretty bad shape. Since I am out of the loop, they would never hire me.