The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-11
Why the High School Building VIII
Require $4,000 More
Than Intended.
The Trouble Was All Between
the Foundation and
the Roof.
One Of the Results Of Not Knowing Just
What II Wanted Before Making
u Start.

we'll as useful, at a cost of $4,000. When
finished it may be both an ornament and n
useful institution. but the cost will come
near to $4,000. The estimate OF the ar
chitect, &c. Paulson, called for an expend-
iture of $62, 800, exclusive Of heating and
plumbing. The contracts made in accord
ance with this estimate were for 1862, 400.
They we're ms follows:
Whalen d Grant, completion Of the entire
building, except cut stone, rubble granite,
steam heating, ventilating, plumbing and
gas fitting, $40, 1b2; William Harrison, sand
stonea and cut granite and rubble granite
$22,24 total, 500, 400.
In addition contracts were made az fol-
lows: Helena Steam Heating and Supply
company, $6,991 for steam heating and VEN
tilatinR; and N. i. Walsh 81, 900 for plumb
ing and gas fitting; total, &c, 1891.
These amounts make a total of $71, 391.
With some extras that might have to be
added, the building should have cost, if
the original plans had been carried out.
not over $4,000.
Up to the present time the extra work
provided for on the building amounts to
IS, 499.78, as follows: Extra foundation,
$5.l25.78; slate roof instead of shingle,
Y2,4S5; terra Gotta cresting for slate roof,
$785; extra stone for coal chute, $1O4.
The total of original contracts and extra
work is therefore now $79, $3.50. 10. The cop
per cornice, which ia. now to be placed on
the building, instead of the galvanized iron
as at first intended, will cost $1,7OO more.
The top or loft story it was at first not in
tended to use and therefore no provision
was made for its completion in the original
estimate. 1t has now been decided that it
will be necessary to use it. This will neces-
state changes in the original plan that will
bring the total cost of the building up to
$4,000, if it does not go beyond.
Architect Paulson has an explanation to
make of this little matter Of exceeding the
expected cost of the building by $3.50 600.
originally an old graveyard in part and
partly worked out placer mines. No per-
feet survey of the city being in existence,
this was not known when the specifications
were issued. When the contractors began
.excavating for the foundation they found
things. They notified the architect that
they would have to 20 deeper. The archi-
tect notified the school trustees that it
would be necessary to have from ten to
twelve feet more of foundation. The trus-
tees directed the contractors to 90 ahead
until a special meeting could be held, 90 as
not to delay the building. Eventually the
Va NosSSc AASp oAN ~ WOE pAAnbkCN uA0U JLS
contractors should go ahead on the extra
foundation work, for which IS, l25. IS was
charged. Even with the added depth TO
the foundation the extra work could have
been avoided by allowing the basement
story to be sun below the level originally
intended. But the architect advised against
this, and it was determined to keep the
basement on the level provided for in the
plans. This necessitated the first extra
cost.
From the cellar the trouble skipped to
the roof. The architects plans, which
were prepared in July, called for a shingIe
roof. Afterwards the city council ordained
should be fire proof. This, so to speak,
knocked the shingles off the roof. II was
necessary to ind another covering, A tin
roof would have cost about 1880 more.
The architect did not think tin would COM
port with the character of the building and
advised slate; The trustees accepted the
advice, and slate it was; extra cost $2,4S5.
Paulsen avs he thinks this was
very close figuring. Then came another
extra" With a wooden roof there was to
been a cresting of galvanized iron,
With q slate roof galvanized iron would
never do. 1t was necessary to have terra
Gotta; extra cost $785. The galvanized iron
for the shingle 70 IF must be sup
planted by one OF copper to go with the
slate; extra cost 81, 700.
The fourth floor, it was intended at the
start, was to be left unfinished as a loft.
with the roof supported by pillars. II is
now said that so much additional room will
be needed that it will be necessary to finish
the loft as a room. To do this the pillars
will have to be omitted and roof trusses
used instead. Dormer windows will have
to be placed in the slanting roof. These
with the plastering and flooring
and other finishing touches. will take up
the extra money asked for by the trustees.