Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-18
Build Now and Save Money
Arthur o. clausen, Architect.

The first cold snap every fall is the
cause of a sudden falling off of business
in the building line. and since the cost
Of a home is always governed by the ever
changing law of supply and demand, this
sudden cease of activity in the building
line invariably causes a slump in the price
of building materials and an anxiety on
the part of contractors and material
agents which creates an exceptional OPP
portunity for the prospective home builder
to let the contract for his home at a price
considerably lower than would be pos
sible during spring and summer.
The October number of Suburban Life
devotes a two-page article to the Golden
Opportunity" which has been created by
an unusual combination of circumstance
for the home builder, and the liberty will
be taken to quote from that article freely.
1t states that reliable reports from all
over the country show that In many sec
tons it is cheaper to build now than it
has been at any time during the last five
years" That is true, and 1t further states
that "this opportunity will be gone six
months from now-iust as soon as bust
ness has resumed its usual momentum.
building prices will be swept back to the
former figures which prevailed during
the summer of 1907. Indeed, the indica-
tions are that the new schedule of build
ing prices will go higher than any which
ever existed before" Such a prophesy is
reasonable and founded on the trend of.
events. The reakish condition of finan-
cial affairs during the fall of 1907 caused
the breaking up of all building combina-
lions, and a scramble for the "pickings"
that sent the cost of a home far below
what It has been for years. The gradual
increase of business during the past sum-
mer brought a slight reaction during Au-
gust and prices went up until at the close
of the month of August II was only 70
per cent cheaner TO build than during the
summer of 1907. The first cold snap, how
ever, has sent the cost Of a home back
again to the prices which prevailed dur
ing the early part of the year. There still
is time for the home builder 10 have his
plans made and start his building II he
is active. and there are many good rea-
sons why he should. besides the important
item Of cost. In the first place, it has
been proven many times that a so-called
winter job" produces a better house than
II built at any other time Of the year.
Here arc several Of the reasons: Work
| men Will NOIh raster ana DtlltT UuTllB
chilly weather than during hot weather.
The mills are not crowded with work and
La more prompt delivery of the mill work
can be assured. Tho millman, the con-
tractor and all their assistants have more
time to devote to your work; the employees
are anxious TO keep their Jobs and there
fore do better work and in less time. TIL
total result. Is a better home built in less
time and at a lower cost than is possible
during the spring or summer.
Experience has proven that there is nc
weather during the months OF September
October. November and December wher
Il Is too cold to build.
What will prices be next year? No mar
can tell exactly, but everything indicate.
I that the reaction which always follows q
! financial panic will send the prices higher
than we have ever known them before
This has always been the case in %prev1ou,
years and there Is nothing to indicate
that next year will be an exception. Tit
uncomfortable law Of human nature is re
sponsible more than anything else for thu
increase or decrease OF business, and It &
a well known fact that the building o
hundreds Of buildings Of a speculative ma
, ture is being held off pending the outcom
of the election. which is one cause 70
lower prices now, and will mean highe
/, prices next spring.
We will give a concrete example: tn
/, home Illustrated on this page can be bull
: at present prices for about A,Oo, not in
Guiding the heating and plumbing. l
would have cost between 500 and 500 NOR
to have let the contract for Il during Jul
s or August and will cost at least $500 NOR
+ TO build next spring. The same scale o
prices applies In proportion 70 any hous