Jul 07, 2005 - 06:58:44 CDT
Many college graduates don't have any real work experience in their chosen career field, but this is not always the case.Seventeen students enrolled in construction technology at United Tribes Technical College put the finishing touches on an $80,000 house that took nine months to build. Now they are showing off their talents and waiting for somebody to make an offer and turn the house into a home.
Michael Matheny, primary instructor for the construction technology program, said he is pleased with the way the house turned out. He is even willing to compare the structure and finishing touches of the house to any other builder's house in town.
The three-bedroom, one- bathroom house is 1,248 square feet and has a rough- looking Nova brick exterior. It comes with carpet, wood and tile floors, light fixtures, and a bay and patio window. The house doesn't come with appliances, but Matheny thinks that will be overlooked once shoppers see the handmade oak cabinets.
The custom oak cabinets were built by students and are estimated at $3,500.
The original funding available for the house was $25,000, but with grant money they were able to design a "dream house," he said.
The best part of the project for students is gaining experience and learning and using all aspects of the construction business, said Kevin Mentz, a construction technology student. "Every-body got to try everything they wanted to. We got to see what our personal interests are, and this gives the students an idea of what they like to do."
The house is on display from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday at the Skills Center Building on the UTTC campus.
The house is open for bids, with the minimum at $80,000 to cover the material costs.
Next year Matheny wants to have the students build two houses. He hopes one can be on site and the other one will be a log cabin. To take the program to the next level, he hopes people will ask the program to build houses.
"If people have extra time and want to save money, we can build them a house in a few months and realistically save them 15 percent, if not 20 percent," Matheny said.
The construction program was able to build the house at $64.10 per square foot, and it was inspected by Bismarck officials and meets state electrical requirements.
Whoever buys the house will have to move it at their own expense, but Matheny said if people look and shop around they can get a really good deal.
The house is one level, but has been framed to add steps if the homeowner wants to build a basement. Matheny said the students can even help lay the foundation for the house or build a garage, at the owner's expense.
For more information about the house or future projects, contact Matheny at 255-3285, ext. 1242.
(Reach reporter Kayla Cogdill at 250-8251 or kaylacogdill@bismarcktribune.net.)
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