Not long after assuming the Presidency, the Trumans thought that the White House might be in need of major repair. When a leg of their daughter Margaret's piano actually went through the floor, they knew that it could be put off no longer. Bess Truman concurred with her husband that the outer walls should be saved and the inside of the house totally rebuilt. Many others wanted to tear the building down and erect a new modern mansion, and that would have been less costly. But in a rare show of public lobbying for Mrs. Truman, she pushed hard for their version, talking to Senators, Congressmen and their wives, and the Truman plan was approved. The truly amzaing project took 2 years and 3 months to complete.