New-York tribune., 1909-02-28
SOME POINTS ABOUT BUILDING A BUNGALOW
The Best Mat rial for
Construction Presents
Many Problems.


Chapter III.
Although the bungalow builder has chosen his
site and obtained his plans from ready made
concern or an architect, he does not yet know the
exact cost of his undertaking. The expense Of
labor materials widely in different parts
OF country. and only the local builder knows
the exact conditions in his district y slack work
ing season. proximity a brick yard a sawmill
or distance from the sphere of Union influence mag
result in the saving Of several hundred dollars.
Advantage may be taken of local conditions by
. slight changes in the specifications which should
be elaborate enough to afford alternatives in the
use Of material. The local builder will ask 10 per
cent or so Of the construction cost to put up the
bungalow. Let it be assumed that the would-be
Of a very modest summer residence dis
penses with his services and engages that all
around genius of rural communities a boss
penter. The boss carpenter. II he is Of the right
kind. will be a guide, counsellor and friend. and
manage everything from foundation 10 roof al
minimum expense. He viii sign the contract, hire
all hands and pay ell bills He will work and su-
peryise at the same time Under him Will be a
boss mason and his helper-if these nOn-unicn
nlen-two iaborers for excavation work and two
journeymen carpenters.
At the start the economical owner accompanied
by the trustv boss carpenter, goes to a lumber
yard for rough lumber, and to the nearest mill
for finished boards and trim The dealer is pre-
sumably honest, and will supply the goods called
for the carpenters presence at least prevents
errors and his knowledge may insure little
10 visit number OF dealers and get their lowest
quotations. which may effect a saving in the lum-
Der bill Of 500 to $500. Often quantity of COM
paratively inferior lumber, quoted at low price.
viii be quite suitable for the underhooring
sheathing Of a summer habitaton. If there is
sawmin near and the owner possesses some forest
land and wishes TO play the pioneer, he may cut
down some trees and have them sawed up at the
mill al the rate Of one cent foot Then the lumber
will require a years seasoning. Ii Is better
and hlI- Tren are1 I1r11ba
the mill In any it is far cheaper TO use
lumber produced at hand than 10 buy
terial that has been shipped across the cuntiuent
from the Pacific Coast.
Whatever changes made in the plans and
specifications should be made before the work is
begun. OF course, every owner has bright ideas Of
improving the structure after ii is half built,
generally rues them when the bill Is presented.
Some builders viii take contract at very low
price depending the weakness of for
changes and extras TO make & profit The unscru-
pulous builder has his opportunity of charging an
extra $50 for slight change that may actually
cost one-tenth Of the amount II is well have it
nominated in the bond that changes do void the
contract and permit an unlimited gouging of the
owner.
The question Of labor has its ethical practical
aspects II the has objection to non
union labor he may give pause on the consideration
Of a possible miniature strike which may prevent
a seasons enjoyment of the home and create an
unpleasant hostility in the neghoorhood. There is
also the danger of incompetence among non-unon
men The union rate for 4 mason IL the country
Is 81 day and for carpenter about s TO- while the
non-union gets s. % day. The union man
works eight hours. with half day Saturday:
the non-un1na works nine CT hours q day.
or course wood is tho chief material for the con-
struction OF a cheap moderately priced bunga-
low. Various combinations OF wood with other ma
terials made For example. there is the stucco
house. a wooden structure. with sand and cement
mortar on the outside in place of shingles clap
boards This is a substantial. coo, dwelling in
southern regions, but in northern climate frost
inyades the .stucco and makes it crack off il uu-