Local Workers Helping Save Extreme Makeover Project
The people who bring you Extreme Makeover: Home Edition have this down to a science. But this weekend in Kitsap County, the show found itself under extreme stress after about 70 workers had to leave the job site after having to wait several hours from weather-related delays before they could begin their work.
"These guys were just tired and worn out," said Matt Howland, the Seattle contractor in charge of the job. "They're all good guys; they're all hard workers; they're all willing to come out at 2 in the morning, but after sitting around for that long, it wasn't safe for them to be on the job."
The first glitch came Friday with a five-hour-delay getting started on the actual house. Then, freezing weather slowed the setting of concrete.
Neither of those is a big deal when you take the normal six months to build a house. It's a huge deal when you've got four days!
"Every hour is basically two days' of work," Howland said. "And so every hour that you have that many people on the job is absolutely crazy."
It was Matt's wife, Meagan, who launched a word-of-mouth drive to find volunteers to replace the workers who left. She made calls, got word out on KOMO 1000 News, and within hours, people like Cliff Hurn started showing up.
"We've got maybe about 15 guys that will be here, maybe more," Hurn said.
With a show and a building project of this magnitude, there's always stress. But thanks to enthusiastic volunteers, this Extreme Makeover will get done.
"I am beat...but I have a confidence in everybody that's come together," Howland said. "That's how we're gonna make it."
The show says this Port Orchard makeover will air sometime early next year, but we will be able to get a first look at the house once it's completed next week.
UPDATE: Additional Volunteers Help Save The Day
Meagan Howland told us Sunday evening that thanks to the large number of local volunteers who came forward today, that it has made a huge difference, and that they are back on schedule for getting the house completed in time for the family's return on Tuesday.
But there is still a need for some help. The crew is looking for skilled painters, carpenters and landscapers. You can show up anytime until 2 a.m. Tuesday morning. Just head to the Port Orchard Airport at 12800 Sidney Rd in Port Orchard and there are cars that will shuttle you to the house.
They have enough volunteers who have signed up to help out in other ways already.