1 HISTORIC BUILDING + RENOVATIONS =EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
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One of the issues with building restoration, especially in regard to historic structures is the unexpected construction surprise. The Garner home has been no exception to this rule. In the case of the Garner restoration, these surprises as a general rule were feet below ground and no prior planning could have avoided these surprises.
Unlike modern day construction, in 1920 there were no set "building code requirements" to meet. Nor were there any construction documentation as to how the 1920 building was built. While noted Texas State Architect, Atlee Ayers, designed the home there were no construction notes with his architectural house plans.
Correspondence regarding the building of the home was mainly between Mr. Ayers and Mrs. Garner. Mr. Garner left the matter up to her, she handled the home, and he handled Congress. In the Garner Papers there were letters between Mr. Ayers and Mrs. Garner referencing Mrs. Garner's preference to wood floors, woodwork stains, and wall colors. Regretfully there were no references to footer depth or steel reinforcement in the foundation.
The results of the "Unexpected Surprise" is mainly in time and money; time in figuring out how to fix the surprise and money in regards to the job costing more.
Here are a few of the surprises to date:
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