Work continues on Building Trades home

Though the weather in northwest Missouri has taken a winterish turn, work on the new building trades house being constructed by Northwest Technical School students continues in full swing.

From the outside, the house looks ready to go. Siding is in place, and work on the roof, windows and doors has been completed.

The goal for NTS students and instructor Jay Drake was to get the inside of the structure sealed off from the elements by the time winter hit.

That has been accomplished, so work should continue uninterrupted during the spring semester.

"It is a great opportunity to learn how to build," NTS student Cole Nelson said. "We learn what it takes to put a house together."

Last week, students worked to finish sealing the doors and windows and apply sheetrock backing.

Good weather through autumn and the first part of winter helped the crew get to the point where they could move inside.

"That's why we're focusing on getting the siding and everything done before break," Drake said. "We've only had one or two days when we couldn't work because of rain."

The three-bedroom, two-bath home includes a walk-out basement and two-car garage. The front door opens into a hallway that leads to a sliding glass panel, which will soon provide access to a 14-by-12-foot deck.

After returning to school in early January, the students will begin to put up sheet rock while sub-contractors install plumbing fixtures, carpet and other finishing touches.

With all the warm weather this fall, Drake and his crew are on track to complete the house in the spring, when it will be sold during a sealed-bid auction.

"It is a realistic goal," Drake said. "We're ready to keep moving forward with all of the things that need to go into place."