Siding, trim and soffits are started

A wind vane seems like the right touch for finishing the top of the turret.  The roofer is returning soon to close up the back deck and we are talking about a copper cone with the vane at the top. 

The front door was a slab, that is, it was not hung on jambs.  Since we are painting the jambs I pick up a finger-joint pine set and mortise the hinges.  After the door is installed, I close it off by nailing some lumber across the door/opening.  That way the door will not be accidentally damaged by me or any of the trades who are working inside.

I need to complete the rough-in plumbing and electrical to pass my framing inspection, so I start drilling studs and pulling wires.  I am going to work electrical a bit at a time when the weather is bad and I am forced inside.

We work on the prototype window deciding to miter and wrap the top molding to meet the siding.  It is more typical for a Victorian window trim and the overall look is much better.  The additional labor is small compared to the improved effect.

I hire a sub-contractor to start working the soffits, trim and siding.  They estimate that the work will take a 3 man crew about 18 work days.  That would be over 9 weeks for me to do the same job.  Ecofutures Building, Inc. starts work on the south side.  They begin a side by doing the soffits, then they go down and run the siding and window trim up from the bottom.  They caulk as they go - so the house should be ready for paint sometime in early October.

Pump-jacks are used to create a floating work platform.  After a few days, the siding marches up the walls.