> The bulk of humanity has always lived in cheap construction Yes, but when older homes were built labor (even highly skilled labor) was comparatively much che

> The bulk of humanity has always lived in cheap construction Yes, but when older homes were built labor (even highly skilled labor) was comparatively much cheaper and lumber came from old-growth trees. Most homes built today (cheap or not) will literally begin to fall apart in months if they're not kept temperature and humidity controlled. To build a house today using a mix of modern technology (electrical, plumbing, foundation, etc) with the quality of wood and finishing used in older homes would be very expensive compared to typical construction, even in high-end developments.