Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-30

have in mind that illustrates that feature
of the subject. An association building
in the south, lowest bid in September
$S46, OO0, refigured in May, with lowest, on
same basis, of $275,0 GO, but again delayed
and figured anew just a few weeks ago,
the same lowest bidder this time making
his estimate $3.50. 000! In the smaller work
the difference is as noticeable. Here's a
store building I'm a coast city, and Of course
always on the came plans and basis, the
lowest bid last August $1,000, tho lowest
last May S21 600; a row Of houses In an
eastern city estimated last July at $3.50
each and this last month at $3.50. -
before stated contractors bids are more
or less of. a gamble, there's always n wide
difference In them and one that should
not reasonably exist with as ccnstant
quantities to cope with as labor and build
ing materials, but there can be no mistake
In sizing up the situation by comparing
the estimates OF the lowest in each case
and of both periods. And mark you, these
are but three or four Instances out 81
possibly a hundred that have come TO
my knowledge, and all without a single
exception. showing a marked decrease Of
cost now. Though, naturally. / have cited
you the most marked differences. I do net
wish IL understood that everyone was an
example Of 40 per cent or more saved. But
I can say that, averaged up, the cases
that were thus clearly put before me,
denoted a general Reduction OF from II to
20 per cent.
Assuming that 70 per cent is the maxi
mum saving on what would have had 10
be invested a year ago or will have to be
invested six months hence. it would hardly
seem as II we would need 10 Advance any
greater argument TO persuade the business
man to get busy, That represents a full
years net maximum revenue on a CONNER
clal building, Just as II he had had the
building a year ana without the expense
and bother Of repairs. fussing with tenants
and all that sort II thing.
And now then let ms reiterate another
bit Of advice. Build now and build well.
Build even your houses fire proof. You
have had the way fully indicated and
described in former numbers Of The Book
keeper. Even though the Initial cost may
be a wee bit greater than n build the old
inflammable way. ycu1l save perhaps an
other - per cent in that building cost in
a very few years. Better than that, your
Ideas must indeed be queer II you Intend
to build Temporarily" enough 10 make
the matter OF inferior construction attrac-
tive. And assuming that what you do
build will have served It's purpose IN
twenty-five years chats about as long as
folks let buildings stand down town. then
they rip them up and start off on a forty,
sixty or l~0O-story basis) Your fire proof
building. considering lessened repairs, in
surance premiums, etc, will have netted
a total investment Of something like IS
per cent less than what you would have
had to put into an Ordinary building.
Meantime II would have also presented an
Infinitely better appearance. held its own
better against the new comers, attracted
a better class OF tenants and been better
for you I'm every respect. And so for my
finally or Tasty" let me- exhort nv
readers to build well at any time. ana II
they want TO save still more money then
let them by all means build now.-F. w.
Fitzpatrick in the Bookkeeper.