Open House for HHS Building Trades house
Members of the Humboldt High School 2021-22 Building Trades class present for a photo include (l to r): Johnny Rivera, Julian Harvey, Christian Alcala, Noah Skow, Casey Westling, Jace Baker, Nolan Lammers, Conner Andersen, Jacob Heier, Joe Weydert, Evan Harris, Carson Berte, Levi Newton, Dan Oswald (Instructor) and Hayden Holm. See this photo and more at www.humboldtnews.com
The Humboldt High School Building Trades class will host an Open House at their latest project on Saturday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to noon. The public is invited to come view the house, which is for sale.
The students, under the direction of instructor Dan Oswald, gutted and totally remodeled the home at 509 5th Street South in Humboldt.
The 1,700 square foot home includes a large 36’ by 40’ detached garage, plus a lot that is 360’ deep.
There’s a master bedroom and master bath on the main floor, plus two bedrooms and a bathroom on the second level.
A total of 14 students, 13 seniors and one junior, were enrolled in the Building Trades program which is supported by the Humboldt County Housing Development Corporation.
The home, which was built in 1915, was gutted down to the studs with all the old lathe and plaster removed as well as the flooring. The home was re-wired and replumbed, insulated, sheetrocked and painted. There’s a new roof and new siding as well new windows.
The basement floor was pulled up and re-poured.
Inside, there’s a spacious living room with wainscoting on one wall just inside the front door. The kitchen is open concept with an eating bar. White cabinets were installed in the kitchen. Just off the kitchen is a laundry room. A back porch provides a large mud room entry.
Stairs lead to the second level which has two bedrooms and a bathroom.
Vinyl plank flooring was installed and the new homeowner will be able to pick their own carpet. Wide white trim and white six panel doors were used throughout the home.
“I feel good about the house. It was pretty dilapidated and had a lot of unforeseen things we ran into,” instructor Dan Oswald said. “Despite prices going up we were able to pretty much stay on budget.” Garage doors were ordered last July and arrived in January.
Oswald said there is value in doing remodeling projects over building a new home.
“When they’re tearing apart and rebuilding they’re learning more. Sometimes it’s learning how not to do things by seeing what they uncover,” Oswald said.
The 36’ by 40’ garage has two double garage doors and will be attractive to buyers. The lot is another bonus as it is 360’ deep.
This year the HHS Building Trades students took part in an internship program where they were required to work for 10 hours minimum at a job in the trades.
“Every employer filled out an evaluation and gave good reviews. They all want to continue the internship program,” Oswald said.
Next year’s project will also be a major remodel project at 310 6th Street South in Humboldt. Oswald said he is hoping to receive a grant from the Iowa Energy Center to do an energy efficient home.
The HHS Building Trades program has built or remodeled 22 homes since it was started in 1999.
