Restore porch columns & bases??

[Boston Bill]

My customer has a 200 foot (!) wraparound porch on a Victorian and she has a letter from an architect saying to replace all the posts which the architect has picked out from a catalog.  My question is, is it economical for my customer to replace them all like the architect wants?  I can't see how restoration in place could be as much as new columns, jacking the porch, dealing with the balustrades.  I'm not an epoxy expert, though I have done some.  Supposedly all the columns (solid all the way thriugh, by the way) have to be replaced because the posts are all custom from the 1890's and this is the best way to get them to match.  Only a couple of posts show the rot on the outside but most are rotted inside, all near the bottom.  I drilled into them.  Some are perfectly sound.  What looks bad is the bases which at least half of them you could stick your finger in somewhere.  I know they will look worse when you get into it.  She is already in sticker shock from the replacement quote but I don't want to argue with the architect.  Tell me, should I stay out of this one?

[Paul Marlowe]

Boston Bill,
The question of column replacement should be addressed by inspecting & documenting damage to each of the numbered columns as best you can, in their existing locations.  With this info. you can consider the overall conditions including the plinths, bases & balastrade.  In my experience the columns & balestrade are usually worth restoring, often needing only paint removal, preservative treatment & epoxy restoration at the ends.  Saving as much durable historic building fabric as possible will maintain the buildings antique character & value.  The more vulnerable plinths & bases sometimes need to be reproduced.  You may not know this until the plates & posts are supported & elevated enough to remove the plinths & bases for a thorough inspection.  This approach leaves open the option of replacement as needed.  The Architect should be familiar w preservation work & be open to other opinions from team members or other sources knowledgeable in wood fabric restoration.     
Paul    

[logdoc]

Boston Bill, what did you do with these 1890's porch posts?

logdoc@gmail.com