News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville High School’s Carpentry class will auction its 2023 House Saturday.
Carpentry Teacher Randy Mansell said the program is a win-win for the community and the students, because the community can bid on a new house, and the students learn valuable skills that can help them get jobs.
“There’s a huge shortage in skilled tradespeople, electricians, plumbers, HVAC, framers, roofers, and we cover all of that in our class,” Mansell said. “And we also help place these kids and find them jobs.”
Mansell said the program dates back to the 1930s, and he has been building houses with students since 1998. He said this year’s house features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open floorplan.
“There’s a very large living room, kitchen, and dining room that’s all open, custom-made cabinets, solid surface floors, ceiling fans in all the rooms,” Mansell said. “It’s a vinyl siding house, the dimensions are 60 by 26, so there’s 1,560 square feet.”
Mansell said all the money from the auction goes directly back into the program, funding supplies for next year’s house. He said the house has been inspected and is ready to live in, but the buyer is responsible for moving the house themselves.
“The house is not a module home, it’s not a portable home, it is a stick framed custom built home, just like you would hire a contractor to build it on your property,” Mansell said. “We just build it there at the high school and then it has to be moved.”
The public auction is Saturday at 10 am at Cookeville High School.
