Comments on: A visit to an Extreme Makeover Home Edition: Beavercreek

By: tricia

tricia — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 02:14:10 +0000

AWESOME! Marisa, thank you so much for sharing. I figured there was a great explanation, after all, it is a television showing running for many years now. Seems if there were big problems we would be hearing about them. I was actually going to quiz Brian on all this so thanks for saving me (and him) the heartache. Can’t wait to hear more about your pillow making!

By: Marisa

Marisa — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 01:48:59 +0000

Hi Tricia! Thanks for the plug!

I know Extreme Makeover raises some questions. I’ve been curious too. Since Brian is a builder and had the chance to hang with some of the production crew I asked him about it.

As far as concrete he said they use the highest quality concrete available and it is a specialty concrete that sets up very quickly. And the drywall putty is a type that sets up in about 5 minutes- even available at Lowes!

He said there are inspectors on site 24/7 and that the house gets a better inspection than your typical custom built home, which is nice to know.

He said the construction is good quality, but the details are where things get a little less than perfect. The miters might be off on the molding, the concrete may not be completely smooth, etc. Since it is the volunteers doing the finish work it’s not going to be custom quality. Bottom line is it’s better than what they had before and will serve a great purpose for this family

All the subcontractors sign an agreement that they will fix any problems, (i.e. cracks in drywall, etc) free of charge for one year. And there is a punch-out list that is finished before the crew leaves town.

Of the 155 homes that EMHE has done no one has lost their home. Only one family has moved and it was because their children were gone and they no longer need such a large home. It’s a pretty good record if you ask me!

So, for all those inquiring minds… a few questions answered

By: tricia

tricia — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:07:21 +0000

In what part of the country do you live?

By: tricia

tricia — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:06:59 +0000

So fun to discover it is a small world! We can definitely be in touch. Feel free to email.

By: Melanie

Melanie — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:40:06 +0000

I was so excited to read your blog today! I just returned from seeing this house. However, I was NOT a VIP!!! I had to ride the bus over and stand in the mud!!! I have followed your blog for sometime but never knew how close you are to me!
The house is awesome. My girlfriend’s husband poured the concrete. We did talk to some neighbors and they said that they lived right around the corner and knew none of their neighbors and now everyone knows everyone. Cool!
Let me hear from you if you have time.
THANKS!

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:48:23 +0000

They were in our area just a few weeks ago. It was great to see our community come together to help out the family. I didn’t get to go to the site due to having a newborn but I enjoyed following the progress as it was on the news each day.

By: tricia

tricia — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:10:43 +0000

I like to think that with all of that media and $$ they have come up with some super great concrete mix that withstands the test of time after only 24 hours. . .I can dream can’t I?

By: tls

tls — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:21:34 +0000

Well there is a reason that foundations are poured then sits there for 2 or 3 weeks before actual construction usually begins on a house; the concrete needs that time to cure. These houses, while usually beautiful, are slapped up in a fraction of the time it should take, and it should take longer for many reasons, mainly foundation curing time and making sure things are set and dried properly elsewhere too. I can’t imagine slapping up drywall and getting that in correctly and that it’s ready to paint in just hours, not the couple days it would normally take for the seam plaster to dry. I have a friend who’s husband worked on electrical installation of the house they did here when they were going across the country doing one in every state… he said he wouldn’t live in it if it was given to him because these houses are probably going to start showing the shoddy construction before too long. If it were really that easy and that *good* to put up a house in a week, that’s how they’d ALL go up. I realize these people are still mostly better off than what they had before; I just hope it doesn’t come back to bite some of them in the fanny with repair issues later down the road.

By: tricia

tricia — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:04:18 +0000

We were actually discussing this because I have had the same questions. However, last year’s recipients of a house were there and seemed to be doing well. Someone also pointed out that the increased in costs of electricity, etc are probably balanced with the no more mortgage. On the home fitting in the neighborhood front, I would say that they have done a good job with this one. It is very homey and looks appropriate for the neighborhood. There was an extra lot next door so I am sure that helped.

By: tricia

tricia — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:01:39 +0000

Definitely find time to take them. It is so much fun. If nothing else they will love seeing all the construction equipment!

By: Tami

Tami — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:33:06 +0000

That’s so cool.

They are actually going to be in our town in 2 weeks. My boys are looking forward to going to watch the building. My 6 yr old son is convinced that he is going to volunteer to help build the house.

By: Christy

Christy — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:17:55 +0000

Tricia,

That is so cool to be on the set. Several years ago we got to meet a young girl who was the recipient of a Extreme Makeover Home out in the State of Washington. My oldest Niece remembered the show and was so excited to meet this young girl.

My husband and I are thinking just what you are about meeting the neighbors. When I lived here alone, I did not feel comfortable going out to meet the neighbors on my own, but now that we are married, we are going to plan on doing this once a month until we have met them all. I am sorry to say I only know one of my neighbors and have lived here for 15 years. I am glad that I am married now so I can meet all of my wonderful neighbors. It is important to know the people around you.

Can’t wait to hear how it goes with you neighbors!!!

By: Sharyn

Sharyn — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:48:58 +0000

Thanks for your comments on this; I would be interested to know the long term outcome of these shows. Are the families able to maitain a home usually 2 to 3 times the size of the home they previoulsy had. I know most shows I have seen recently the contractor has paid the mortgage off or somehow the family was not responsible for the mortgage – but maintaining a home costs money too.

I also wonder about the look of the homes in relation to the other homes in the neighborhood. Often the new home looks like the Taj Mahal plopped down in a modest neighborhood.

I commend all who have helped with these homes.

By: MommyAmy

MommyAmy — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:30:52 +0000

Very cool! I love that show!

I have noticed that now that I’m spending more time in my yard gardening I’m getting the chance to get to know my neighbors. I also walk my neighborhood with my kids nearly every day. And I’ve gotten to know some people that way too.