At the beginning of the restoration process we are called in by the architect or builder to uncover and evaluate layers of paint to find what the previous finishes on surfaces were during a certain period in time- whether that be at the completion date of the building, or at a later Target Restoration Date. Usually the Target Restoration Date is preset by the architect or historical agency before we arrive, based on the known history of the building. Sometimes the discovery of decorative arts can change the known history because most finishes are flat and can be covered over by layers of paint or even removed and plastered over. This is where the paint analysis is important. By excavating the layers of paint on surfaces and cross-referencing with other architectural elements we can give a decorative history of the building By working conjunction with the architect, who tells the Architectural history of the building, we can combine our efforts and give a full narrative. This full narrative is very important for the future of the restoration project. Given the full architectural and decorative narrative the builder can then start the bidding process with all the facts in place.