BUILDING A HOUSE.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1921, Page 4

BUILDING A HOUSE.

COSTS NOT DECREASING. SMALL RISE IN TIMBER. People who have been deferring «the building of their houses in anticipation of a fall in contract prices have not received much solace from the market reports, the trend of the costs being mostly upward. Recently a rise of from Is Gd to 2s was announced in the price of dressed material, such as is largely used in an ordinary residence. “The only thing likely to bring building down is financial stringency,” said a New Plymouth architect yesterday, in discussing the position in the trade generally. His subsequent remarks indicated that at present there was not the slightest sign of a slackening in and there were just as many inquiries as usual. Some people who had been marking time in anticipation of a drop in the cost of their houses had even grown tired of waiting, and had decided to go on with the work, providing their architect was satisfied with the tender and finance can be arranged. One such case was cited in which the plans were drawn up in September last, and after a wait, extending till this month, it had been decided to push on with the house. This instance was only typical of the feeling in .many other cases of the same nature.

Prices have been easier in some classes of ironmongery, the present cost of baths being about £l7 10s, against £23 a few months ago, while in roofing iron, now approximately £53 per ton, a decline to about £49 has been reported. Much cannot be looked for in this direction, however, in the opinion of the informant, as the amount of building which will have to be done in the devastated areas of France and Belgium will provide a handy market and big demand for Home exporters. \\ ages 'nave still maintained a high level, and eases can be quoted in which some skilled tradesmen are earning £lO per week. Immigration has not provided any appreciable relief in supplying tradesmen, and the few skilled ones have been quickly absorbed. A factor which may have some bearing on the cost of building is that contractor have large quantities of work waiting, and in the tendering there h not much competition. Some who may put in prices have experienced so many difficulties in regard to labor and mi terials in the past that thev put on an extra sum, after allowing for ordinary profit.