Lancaster County Career and Technology students sell house they built

The Lancaster County Career and Technology Center sold a single-family home, built by their students, in Mount Joy on July 15. 

The house sold for $415,900 after taking a few years to complete due to some setbacks from COVID-19, the school said in a press release. 

 The house was a group project, completed by students in the senior construction, painting and interior finishes, carpentry, electrical, cabinetry, plumbing, HVAC, architectural CAD and heavy equipment operating programs. 

The three bedroom, two and a half bath, single-family home is located on a 2,000-square-foot subdivision of the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center’s Mount Joy Campus. The house is entirely built and constructed by the students, with subcontractors only stepping in to handle a few aspects such as laying the foundation and insulation, the school said. 

LCCTC has had students building houses for decades. In the future, LCCTC plans to continue subdividing the surrounding land and have two houses under construction each year- one that students are finishing and one that students are just starting. This allows students to experience the entire process of building a house from start to finish. 

Richard Martin, LCCTC’s construction coordinator, manages the project. He’s in his sixth year at Lancaster County CTC and worked as a homebuilder prior to joining the organization.  

Martin takes care of organizing the plans, specifications, purchasing materials and scheduling subcontractors. Martin’s work in the background allows the instructors to have more time with students, which ensures that students receive more hands-on experience, the school said. 

“This project is the highlight of their year,” Martin said. “These kids are here because they want to be working with their hands; that’s what they’re excited about and this project gives them that opportunity.” 

 Martin also noted that the project benefits the community by supporting the industries that LCCTC is preparing students for. “A strong industry means more available jobs for individuals within the community. We’re making sure students are leaving here with skills that employers are looking for.”