Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-08-28
INCREASED COST OF BUILDING,
Bradstreets.

BrdQStreetS.
The man who built him house econo-
mically for 81, 900 in the year 1898 has to-day
house worth $2700. In fact, the chances
are against his going into the market to-
day and getting a good house for 81 ZOO, .
says the Mississippi Valley Lumberman.
Building material for residence purposes
has advanced not less than 80 per cent.
Where he found a year ago men ready to
deliver his Material promptly and to his
satisfaction in small particulars, and men
to do his work in time and according TO
contract, to-day he will find delays and
minor neglect all the way through from
material man to hod carrier Though this
year is particularly a building year it is
not particularly the year to build. AS COM
pared with the four years last past it is
a year to be avoided by the man who would
build for other than most certain needs.
For buildings demanding much iron and
glass the increased cost has been more
than 80 per cent, for these items have en-
joyed a boom far beyond their proportion.
Present estimates by Minneapolis arch-
tects make residences cost 40 per cent.
more than one year ago, of which advance
% per cent. has been added since January
l. of this advance they estimate 80 per
cent. on materials, while contractors, being
overrun with work, have added a margin
of per cent for further contracts. The
man who builds this year goes into a sell
ers' market at every turn.
THE item of lumber has advanced So per
cent. The first of August, 1898, lumber
sold in this market on a basis of $40.
August /, 1899, it is on a $3.50 basis, and
will probably sell at that much more freely
than it did at $40 a year ago. Nails have
advanced since December last from ST. 4211aa
per basis key to $3.05, a little more than ia
per cent. Locks. hinges and such builders
hardware has advanced SO per cent. Win
dow glass during the year has advanced 40
per cent, and while Plate glass has made
no advance in that time it had advanced
just previously 80 to 40 per cent Plumbing
costs SO 1-3 per cent. more than it did one
year ago. Heavy structural iron such as
beams, arches. rs, ETC., has advanced this
year from $40 to s225 per hundred, or
over 50 per cent. Steel plate, which is ex-
tensively used in large building operations,
has advanced from $40 to $3.50 per hun
dred, or over 127 per cent
Along the entire line advances have been
made, making the average advance of
less than IS per cent, which has been ex-
actly the advance in lumber during the
year No one seems able to give a fair
guess at the time when and the point
where the advance in values will stop. The
general verdict is that we are safe for one
year, when we may begin 40 look for the
deluge. or whatever is the recompense for
such swift upward rush in values. 1t is
reasonable to say that these advances must
cease some time, and in the not far distant
future. 1t is also reasonable to believe that
in the excitement of swift advances ask
ing prices will be carried beyond the line at
which they can long be he'd. The reaction
is certain to come, and he is the wise man
who shall protect himself against that re-
action"