Building It Up To Take It Back Down

So Dad decided the best way to tackle the large roof was to basically build parts of it, cut the wood for the remaining parts, and take it all down until we need it again.  Which is a good plan when your workforce consists of 2-3 people.

He started by using some online program to determine the correct angles of all the boards.  Then we were able to set up this center frame and build outward from there.

The house has a hip roof (as opposed to a gabled roof) so that requires a lot of intermediate boards.  We worked on setting up one portion of the roof and made sure that all of the angles and lengths were correct before cutting the remaining boards.  We then could cut corresponding angle boards for the remainder of the roof but those were just cut and stored for later.

We took it all apart and placed it in our storage container for when we are ready to put the roof on.  Then all we will have to do is pull out each section (which are clearly labeled) and screw them back in place.  Hopefully that will make our job slightly easier!

Now we are moving on to the walls!  We took the Easter weekend off BUT my dad just retired from his job (after 39 years) so I just know that he will devote all his new free time to finishing the house!

Laying The Foundation...Of The Foundation

So we've accomplished a lot in the past few months!  It won't look like it from the pictures, but all of the work that goes into a foundation is overwhelming. 

Once all of the forms were redone after the rain incident we were able to begin laying the rebar.  Pieces had to be bent and cut to make the rectangular shaped pieces that would sit down in the 4 ft. "ditch" around the edge. 

Then all of the long pieces that stretched across the foundation had to be arranged and wired together.  That work is back-breaking and I did not enjoy it at all!

Luckily it only took a couple of weekends to get that all finished and then it was go time on the concrete!  I have so much appreciation of what goes into foundation work and I know that this foundation will last a LONG time!