How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They're Built

by Stewart Brand

Jamie Wolf, a professional remodeler in Connecticut, estimates with dismay that only 10-to-15 percent of all remodeling is ever formally given a permit and inspected. The techniques for hiding new work are legion: put stain on the stacks of new lumber and plywood so they are inconspicuous; instantly age the wood siding on new construction by rolling on a slurry of a few handfuls of ready-mix concrete in a few gallons of water; do just a little of the work at a time to avoid complaint or inspection; inside, put down old carpeting on new stairs; make new roof beams look ancient by staining them and blowing a shop vacuum full of dust and dirt on the wet stain. Most of it comes down to neighbor relations. Inspection evaders have the work done when the neighbors aren’t around, and they make deals: if you don’t complain about my new dormer, I won’t say anything about the deck you snuck in last year.