by Rhett Umphress

Despite all of the difficulties that have existed in this build, Hallmark Homes CEO Derek Wilder still feels that they will complete their part of the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” project tonight. They plan to hand over the keys to the interior designers at ABC tonight and complete some final exterior projects, such as landscaping this evening into Tuesday morning.

Some of the interior tasks that Hallmark Homes still need to complete on the estimated 3,000 to 3,500 square foot home today are painting, finishing the trim work and finishing the all hardwood floors.

The rain was a significant drawback in an effort to build a house in just over 100 hours.  A normal build of this size would take between 90 to 120 days.

“When you pour a footer and have a monsoon, it makes it rough,” Wilder said.

The rain, which turned the entire build site into a mud pit, required changes to building plans throughout the week. Equipment that would normally be used had to be scrapped after they were getting trapped. For example, lifts that were normally used to lift people to install siding would get stuck in the mud and have to be towed out.

At one point, Wilder predicted that the build was as much as 14 to 15 hours behind schedule. The ability to get back on task can be credited to dozens of laborers who are putting in full days, getting three hours of sleep a night during the build.

And what was the motivation to keep the workers at the site.

“Begging,” Wilder quipped.

One of the focuses of the build was to eliminate the possibility of mold returning to the house. The choice to go with hardwood floors was one of the decisions made that would reduce that risk.

“The previous house was a barn that had been converted to a house. It looked like a pretty old barn,” Wilder said. “The grade [of the old house] sloped toward the house. That caused a big rush of mold.”

The new grade on the house will direct water away from the home, reducing the risk of the dangerous mold returning.

There are a few tasks that Hallmark Homes need to complete before handing the keys off. This includes installing an “interesting style of cabinetry,” along with the floors and painting.

After the keys are handed off, outdoor work will continue. Landscaping and the front porch still need to be completed before the bus can be moved.

After everything, Wilder is still grateful for the opportunity and experience that he has had during this build.

“It’s been a great challenge,” Wilder said. “It’s showed me people can do great things when they come together.”