Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 91.djvu/801

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��A Modest Home at a Modest Price

General plans for the construction of an all-the-year-around residence or a camp

By Charles A. King

��IN comparison with the past the present does not seem a propitious time to enter upon a building proposition, but there is slight assurance that future conditions will be much better.

Just how much of a house may be built for a given amount of money is a problem upon which many who contemplate build- ing will welcome light. By applying the cubage method of estimating we can ap- proximate the size of house within which reasonable liberties may be taken with the plan, but it is not recommended as the basis of a contract.

In the suburbs of the more important cities an expensive wooden building will cost about 17 cents per cubic foot at the present time. Concrete, stucco, and hollow tile will cost about 20 cents, while a brick dwelling of the better type will cost about 10 per cent more. In ordinary times a well built house of the type shown in the sketch may be put up for from 8 to 12 cents per cubic foot, depending upon the cost of labor and materials in different localities, but at present the cost would range from 10 to 15 cents. Probably 14 cents per cubic foot would pay all the bills connected with the erection of such a dwelling in the vicinity of most cities, while present building conditions prevail.

We will say that $2500.00 is the maximum amount which can be expended in the

��erection of such a house with the essential conveniences and some luxuries, finished, ready for occupancy. If we divide $2500.00 by the price per cubic foot, say 14 cents, we will find the cubic contents of a house which can be built for that sum; in this case, 17,857 cu. ft.

The basis of an estimate of this sort is the area enclosed by the average outside dimensions, exclusive of the porches. By dividing this area by the distance from the cellar. floor to a point which will include one half the average height of the roof from the plate line to the ridge, say 23 ft., we find 776 sq. ft. as the possible area of the ground floor, the size in this case, 24 ft. by 32 ft. 4 in., exclusive of all projections beyond the rectangle, as shown in the ac- companying floor plans. Allowing 120 sq. ft. for the area of the pantry, bathroom, stairway and chimney, we have 656 sq. ft. the area available for rooms. This may be divided into four rooms containing upon an average 164 sq. ft. each, including parti- tions, closet and back entrance. A kitchen with an area of 120 sq. ft., a dining-room of 144 sq. ft., and a bedroom of 140 sq. ft., would permit a living-room of about 12 ft. by 21 ft., or containing 252 sq. ft. There would also be a bedroom and trunkroom in the attic, a front piazza and back entrance and porch. With this data the planning of the house is reduced to a matter

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