The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-06-26
A MEETING OF MINDS

A MEETING OF MINDS
IN BUILDING
(By Noble Foster Hoggson, Presi-
dent Hoggson Brothers, Builders.)
Builders and prospective owners OF
buildings would do we'll to take page
out of Blackstone. One fthe chief
causes for the difficulties and annoy
ances which attend the average build
ing operation, and which make the
owner raise his hand in the air and
declare Never Again!" is due to the
fact that there really has not been
a meeting OF minds"
The first problem to be met and de-
fnitely determined by any prospec-
tive owner is the maximum sum to be
expended Tor the proposed building.
This being settled, it should be under
stood and agreed between the owner
and the builder that the cost of the
completed structure shall not exceed
the amount agreed upon.
The cost is the starting point. An
owners dream of the building he
would like to have is of course his
hearts desire. After his needs, wish
es and requirements are understood
by the builder, and it is known that
the desired structure can be erected
for the specified amount, then con-
struction work may safely begin.
That way would be idealistic, but
it finds few parallels in reality. The
average owner usually omits at the
outset to determine upon and pro-
tect himself in the matter of cost. And
he is generally unable to visualize or
picture from the drawings and plans
that are made and shown him just
how his building will appear, or
whether his ideas will be carried out.
Generally speaking, plans are a
source Of bewilderment to the lay
man. Undoubtedly the prospective
owner has noted and studied certain
features contained in different build
ings which strongly appeal to him.
Often at his instigation these features
have thereupon been assembled, har-
monized and drawn out on what are
technically known as fiat elevation
and sectional drawings, which are
perhaps even more of mystery to
him than the plans. To him the ele-
vation drawing, ordinarily, is hardly
an intelligent picture. Then num-
Der of contractors are asked to sub
nit estimates of cost on the plans
and specifications. Statistics show
that in vast majority of cases, the
figures received are far in excess of
the owners expectations.
The question arises-shall the own
er reduce his requirements, cut down
the size of the building, eliminate GER
tain desirable features, and the many
conveniences that he had longer for
dreamed of, to bring the whole with
in his appropriation? On, on the 9TH
er hand, shall he have recourse to
chance, and seek bids from other con-
tractors in the hope that some one
fthem may offer to do the work at.
a price equal to his means?
The prospectie owner should rea-
lize that building materials and labor
cannot be legitinately obtained at
less than cost. Therefore, should he
accept an offer that is materially low-
er than the ruling price he must take
it for granted that the contractor pro-
pose to erect and deliver the kind OF
building that can be constructed for
the low price he has made If the
cost is 20 per cent. less than the mar
ket price, the owner will receive
building 20 per cent. less in value
than he intended to build.
Building is today much more ex-
pensiye and difficult operation than
! it was a generation ago. This is due
to the constantly increasing cost Of
labor, and the correspondingly in
creasing intricacy Of building con-
struction.
Yet it has been practically demon
strated that it is entirely feasible for
a man who would erect building, to
go to reliable business concern
which will design, construct and de-
liver to him building, complete, as
a motor car company would sell him
an automobile. An automobile, like
a building, consists Of hundreds of
parts which must be assembled. ad-
justed and harmonized. The princi-
pies are the same in each instance.
Of course, the automobile has been
built; it is a commodity; whereas the
building is yet to be erected. But
with the extraordinary facilities at
the command of the modren builder
there is little chance of dissappoint-
ment or for misunderstanding to arise.
A maximum guaranteed cost can be
; agreed upon, and in such case it is
not necessary for the owner To nav