Building Costs

Progress, Volume XIV, Issue 3, 1 November 1918, Page 354

Building Costs

Discussion in Christchurch An interesting discussion occurred recently in Christchurch regarding the increased cost of building. The matter arose over a hospital for Oxford County, which was estimated, presumably by the architects, at £3200, but when the tenders came in the lowest tender was £4300. At a meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board the Chairman, Mr. F. Horrell, said that eight tenders had been received ranging from £4300 to £6700. Added to that were £4OO for lighting, and the cost of furnishing and other details, and, on the basis of the lowest tender, the total cost would be close on £SOOO. Since the plans of the hospital had been sent in to the department, the Inspector-General had made certain alterations in them, so increasing the cost, and the prices of building materials also had risen. The matter affected the finances provided by the Oxford people, as well as the Board's finances, and the Finance Committee recommended that the position be placed before the Minister-in-Charge of Hospitals. It was now for the Minister and the Oxford people to say what should be done. In the discussion which followed it was stated that the Board's estimate of the cost was prepared about six months ago. Mr. O. Bradley advocated waiting until the war was over, being of opinion that, with the resulting increase in manufacturing activity, the prices of materials, apart from timber, would decrease. Mr. H. J. Otley advanced different views. He pointed out that prices are rising "every day," and that the shipping difficulty, not only now, but also in the future, had to be considered. When the war was over, there would be a strain on shipping space, because of so many thousands of men having to be returned overseas to their homes. Again, an enormous amount of material would be required for the rebuilding of the devastated portions of Europe. He could not see any hope of prices falling appreciably for some considerable time after the war ended. Timber certainly would not get cheaper unless they could get cheap freights from America. "What about the West Coast?" interjected another member. Mr. Otley replied that the West Coast people could get more for their timber in Australia than it could be retailed at in Christchurch, but they were loyally keeping Christchurch merchants going. Unless the Oxford people could wait for five or seven years, he could not see that anything was to be gained by waiting until prices decreased, and he took it that proof of the real need of the hospital was provided by the fact that the Oxford people were so willing to provide their share of the cost. Mr. Otley added that earlier in the war he had advised his clients, who wished to go in for building to wait, but now he regretted that advice, for people who could not wait any longer had had to build at greatly increased cost.

After further discussion it was agreed to place the position before the Minister, and that the Finance Committee should wait on him when he is next in Christchurch. Curiously enough, the tender for the new morgue at the Christchurch Hospital, accepted a few minutes later, was found to be £l7O below the estimate, but no statement as to the date of the estimate, or other explanation, was given. Builder's Estimate of Increases A discussion arose at the meeting relative to increases which have resulted to the prices of building materials. Just what the advances during war period really mean can be realised .from the following figures which have been supplied by a well-known builder:— Increases per cent. Red pine . . . . .. 50 Nails .. .. .. ..300 Linseed oil . . .. .. 250 White lead .. .. .. 175 Glass .. .. .. ..200 Galvanised iron pipes and fittings .. 200 Labour . . . . 10 Spouting .. . . .. 400 Lime and cement .. .. .. 20 Laths .. .. .. ..125 Average increase on these lines . . 173