<P> Washington was not entirely pleased with the original submission, however; he found it too small, lacking ornament, and not monumental enough to house the nation's president . On his recommendation, the house was changed from three stories to two, and was widened from a nine - bay facade to an 11 - bay facade . Hoban's competition drawings do not survive . </P> <P> The building has classical inspiration sources, that could be found directly or indirectly in the Roman architect Vitruvius or in Andrea Palladio styles; Palladio being an Italian architect of the Renaissance which had a considerable influence on the Western architecture (Palladian architecture). The building Hoban designed is verifiably influenced by the upper floors of Leinster House, in Dublin, which later became the seat of the Oireachtas (the Irish parliament). Several other Georgian - era Irish country houses have been suggested as sources of inspiration for the overall floor plan, details like the bow - fronted south front, and interior details like the former niches in the present Blue Room . These influences, though undocumented, are cited in the official White House guide, and in White House Historical Association publications . The first official White House guide, published in 1962, suggested a link between Hoban's design for the South Portico and Château de Rastignac, a neoclassical country house located in La Bachellerie in the Dordogne region of France and designed by Mathurin Salat . Construction on the French house was initially started before 1789, interrupted by the French Revolution for twenty years and then finally built 1812--1817 (based on Salat's pre-1789 design). The theoretical link between the two houses has been criticized because Hoban did not visit France . Supporters of a connection posit that Thomas Jefferson, during his tour of Bordeaux in 1789, viewed Salat's architectural drawings (which were on - file at the College) at the École Spéciale d'Architecture (Bordeaux Architectural College). On his return to the U.S. he then shared the influence with Washington, Hoban, Monroe, and Benjamin Henry Latrobe . </P> <P> Construction of the White House began with the laying of the cornerstone on October 13, 1792, although there was no formal ceremony . The main residence, as well as foundations of the house, were built largely by enslaved and free African - American laborers, as well as employed Europeans . Much of the other work on the house was performed by immigrants, many not yet with citizenship . The sandstone walls were erected by Scottish immigrants, employed by Hoban, as were the high - relief rose and garland decorations above the north entrance and the "fish scale" pattern beneath the pediments of the window hoods . The initial construction took place over a period of eight years, at a reported cost of $232,371.83 (equal to $3,279,177 today). Although not yet completed, the White House was ready for occupancy circa November 1, 1800 . </P> <P> Shortages, including material and labor, forced alterations to the earlier plan developed by French engineer Pierre Charles L'Enfant for a "palace" that was five times larger than the house that was eventually built . The finished structure contained only two main floors instead of the planned three, and a less costly brick served as a lining for the stone façades . When construction was finished, the porous sandstone walls were whitewashed with a mixture of lime, rice glue, casein, and lead, giving the house its familiar color and name . </P>

When did the construction of the white house begin