Finish of freeze-proof hose bib

My subdivision is going in, and I've been watching the construction of my neighbors' homes. I noticed that the outside hose bibs are being mounted on rather unattractive blocks that protrude from the house siding.

As I understand it, the bibs are freeze-proof and need at least 6" horizontally from the outside wall to the inside. The block was put in because there are no interior walls that 'T' into the exterior, and I am on a slab (no crawlspace to jut into!).

Is there any clever way to forgo the block? I doubt I will be able to do anything differently from the rest of the homes unless it is very easy for the plumber (and I can catch him/her at the right time) or I do it after construction is complete.

Thanks for your suggestions!

The block is there becaue the plumbers are one step ahead of the siders.

The plumber is handed the block to put his frostfree faucet through, and then later the siders can match up to that.

In the long run, it can be a better looking job, than having the sider try to cut around an existing faucet that may or may not be the right distance out from the wall.

I wouldn't worry about freezing with the block either.
They only seem to freeze when the hose is left attached over the Winter.