The Terracotta Trap: Why the 'Obvious' Fix Isn't Always Right

Problem Solved! For Co-ops and Condos

When a century-old building's terracotta cornice started cracking, the board faced what seemed like a straightforward fix: replace the damaged sections with new terracotta. But a closer examination of the numbers told a different story, says Michael Wolfe, president of Wolfe Realty Services, who consulted with the board. The cornice work cost $750,000, and the total project totalled $1.2 million when scaffolding and mobilization was factored in. By thinking ahead, this building avoided spending another $300,000-$400,000 on future mobilization costs when those terracotta patches would inevitably fail again. In this episode, Wolfe shares why it might pay to spend more upfront — sometimes the "obvious" solution isn't the smartest one — especially when you're planning for the long haul. Habitat’s Carol Ott conducts the interview.

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