National Republican., 1885-02-21
BUILDING A DoMtCILE.
A Few Hints 90 Those who contom-
plate House ConatruetIop.

PihNN
Any ono who has built house will bo
likely to recognize his own experience in
the following article from the Builder aud
WOodporker: Tho ordinary man." tho
writer Justly continues, "has very little
knowledge OF tho amount of labor ro.
quired to get out complete working draw
ings for good-sized building. Now, tho in
tending builder contemplatcs building in
the spring, say April or the beginning of
May. What does he do2 Instead of going
to an architect during tho winter months,
when work Is slack, and giving him his
ideas, so that ho may have time to work
them out and develop them he waits until
week or two before he is ready to
build. Then he rushos off to an architect
and wants plans submitted to him at
once. But every house must be treated
by itself and separately, and the archi-
toct, like tho physician, diagnoses the
case, aud takes measures accordingly.
First, he takes survey of the ground;
notices If there are any Irregularities or
peculiaritios that may have to be over
como In scientific manner. Then he
prepares sketches, plans, and submits
them to his client Nine times out of ten
somo modification or alteration is de-
sired-an alteration may DO trivial in
itself, but which may necessitate consid-
ornble careful thought aud study.
With the sketch plans will he an ap.
proximate estimate, which will generally
come within few hundred dollars of the
actual estimate. OF course everybody
wants n $4,000 house for $4,000, but
this Is such triho that every well
educated architect is used to thi!
pleasing trait, and would be disappointed
If his client did not develop il. Th,
| alterations in tho sketch plans having
been made, tho architect must get out i
full sot of working and detail drawings
showing with the greatest accuracy
every important piece of construction
and furnishing detail, very often full size
OF carving, or ornamental work or specia
features. These drawings have thou L
be traced, the tracings being used by th,
contractors, and the originals remaining
in the architects office, and becoming {
part of the contract. All this takes time
but the builder is anxious to see his hous,
under way, ana wants matters rushed
| When the drawings havo all been pre-
pared contractors are invited to estimate
OH the work and furnish their bids
which, OF course, is again a matter o
time. But at last the lowest estimate ha
been accepted, the contract signed, anC
the ground broken for the foundations
The troubles and tribulations of tho archi
tect are by no means ended
As the work progresses and begins /,
show its shape, tho owner takes friend
to sec his new acquisition. Mr.. A. sug
gests that the house will be gem, but /
ought to have q smoking room. Thei
Mr.. B. visits the house and likes IL evei
so much, but there ought to bo littl
private room for its owner. Architec
again consulted, and in some way o
other room is squeezed in. But thes
suggestions from the male side of tn
house arc as nothing compared with tn
orders, hints, and suggestions Furnished
by the presiding member of tho faire
sex. Ladies, as rule, seem tO.think tha
houses will stretch like SO much Indi
rubber, and that IL is as easy to add
room here, or picturesque bower there
as it is to purchase the extra half yart
for dress, which overy dressmaker find
her patron fails to provide. The mora
Of oil this is that when you mako up you
mind to build house, take plenty @
time about it; having settled on you
plans, allow your architect to carry ther
out, and don't attempt To change ther
half dozen times, because if you do tn
result will be unsatisfactory. -ScieRtyl
| 9meyicuu