Plans and Specifications. perintendent, but that functionary then has a stipulated salary and no corrupting perquisites. The better way for the owner is to let the architect superintend and assume the entire responsibility. Another question, the uncertainty of which goes hand in hand with that of expenditure, is time. All contracts 69 well as to newer men, and when the proposals come in the lowest is chosen, if the difference in price is not commensurate with the difference in reputation. Should the aggregate of all the desired contracts be too large a sum for the owner to pay, then he, with the architect, must work over the plans and cut down a few luxuries and beauties and ask the competing contractors to estimate again. It will perhaps happen, even after all these precautions, that at the end a bay window or a balcony will have to be relinquished. Economy should never be attempted in mason-work or framing. Luxuries in the way of trim and finish may be add should have the time for completion specified, and to make this a vital point there should be a stipulation that contractors failing to meet the time requirements shall be liable for all consequent losses to the owner. Even in the face of this and other precautions, there is invariably a tedious delay toward the completion of a building, Two interior views showing the large living-room of plan, Fig. 2. which should be philosophically con- ed afterward, but if the construction of templated in advance so as to forestall disappointment. the house be poor, it is never worth any expenditure for the sake of embellishment, and will prove but a poor investment either to live in or to sell. The location of a house is so much a matter of individual preference that ad Location. To build economically and at a low figure, means primarily to have no scruples about naming a small sum to the architect. He will then advise what materials to use to economize vice upon it is either unneceswithout lessening the honesty of the sary or too voluminous to give, house. Elegance and fancy finishing but one principle is applicable to both can never compensate an owner for suburban and city lots. It is the highpoor foundations and construction. est class of property that pays best as Plans and specifications are sent out to an investment. Poor neighborhoods firms with established reputations, as are as likely to deteriorate as to be re |