The sound of hammers and smell of fresh paint were evident Tuesday as Riverland Community College electrical and carpentry students milled around their House Project, an annual learning experience which also brings a profit for programs.

About 80 students began last November building a house from the ground up at 1406 28th St. S.W. in Austin. The house was put on the market Tuesday and the college is now accepting bids.

“Some years we have more than one (bid),” carpentry instructor Walt Alms said. “We’ve always done fairly well.”

First- and second-year students have the opportunity to construct a salable house, from the floors to plumbing to paint.

“They get a chance to do the wiring, to do the troubleshooting,” Alms said.

Students are working to complete the house by Monday, May 19. The one-story house — 2,113 square feet on the main level — features three bedrooms and an unfinished basement with potentially two more bedrooms; 3 1/2 bathrooms; laundry room; fireplace, hardwood floors; deck; patio; and three-stall garage. It is listed at $298,000.

The 2006-07 project was located down the street, and next year’s house will be behind the current one.

Alms said the southwest area is “where the market has been developing.”

The profit — less a 4 percent sales commission upon closing — will go back into the House Project as well as other Riverland programming.

Phil Mullen, 20, of La Crosse, Wis., will graduate this spring and plans to be a residential electrician.

“I think it’s a really good experience,” Mullen said. “I think it really shows the work involved.”

The property is officially listed and available for sale immediately upon completion of the home May 19.

Bids are due by 11:30 a.m. May 19; bid review is at 1:30 p.m. that day.

All offers will be considered. Bid acceptance is at the discretion of the college. The house is available through all Austin real estate agents, with a 4 percent commission upon closing. No contingent offers will be accepted.

For more information, contact Beth Fondell at 433-0605 or beth.fondell@riverland.edu.