I have heard it mentioned that prosecutors are having trouble with what would have previously been sure win cases - they attribute it to the CSI Effect. The jury pool has seen so many forensic shows, they expect every case to come with iron clad physical evidence. If cops can't nail 'em with fingerprints and DNA, the jury will assume innocence (or not-so-reasonable doubt, anyway)
I think we are also seeing something I will refer to as the HGTV Effect. There are some wonderful shows on that make over a room, or several, for a very small budget. The problem is, the budget they reference doesn't include the cost of the professional plumbers, carpenters, electricians, etc. that they use. Sure, if you have the knowledge and skill, you can have those miraculous results for $500, $1000 or $2000 - but you probably don't. If you have to pay a contractor to, for instance, build a wall/replace a door/build and install bookcases, it will cost you more than the price of materials.
D is running into this on a regular basis now. It seems there are oodles of folks just itching to put up new patios, remodel their kitchens....but they want it done for the Designed to Sell, Design on a Dime price. Yep, you guessed it - the price of materials.
Posted by Vox at March 12, 2008 05:33 PM | general