This is the story of a come-along aka the ratchet lever hoist… which is my friend and ally. I LOVE this tool! Using leverage is as symbolic as it is literal. Finding a way to move a massive amount of weight with some strategy, a little know-how and a little patience. It’s not so much about force as it is about working WITH the dynamics at play. I enjoy a challenge and this project definitely fit that category. This series of photos shows the process of hooking up the come-along to the truck and the framed wall panel and ratcheting the panel up into place. A one-person, one-truck operation. On a typical crew there would be 2-3 strong people lifting this panel.

Then came the framing of the roof. This photo shows the dormer I built over the entry way. It was a big learning curve! But so glad I decided to do it as it’s added so much character to the building. I did this at the right time of the year (end of August) as the weather was like this day after day.