A ABC Senior Producer Diane Korman said 95 percent to 100 percent of the cost of the build is provided by the local community. No charitable organizations are receiving the donations.
“We’re building this house for free because of the local contractors and companies participating,” confirmed Larry Ryan, Prudential One’s chief operating officer and volunteer coordinator for the project. “I’ve not had anyone even ask me if this is considered a charitable contribution, and it’s a big expense for some of these companies.”
Q Doesn't the show go overboard by building mansions?
A I wouldn't call this a mansion and if you drive two blocks down the street, you'll see bigger houses, Ryan said. Because of the family's situation, it requires a little bit more space than normal. You have two grown men in wheelchairs, so you need wider hallways.
Ginger Akers, winner of last summer’s “Extreme Makeover” home in West Chester, said her 2,200-square-foot home is now 3,500; about the size of the Terpennings’. She does not consider it a mansion.
It’s what we need in order for the girls to get around in their wheelchairs,” she said. Our bedrooms are not huge, but we have wide hallways.
Much of what’s viewed as extravagant, Akers believes, is creative design and artistry. There’s a three-dimensional butterfly in her daughter’s room, and her son’s room looks like Great American Ball Park.
It’s awesome and cool, but not expensive, Akers said. The idea is to give you a house that will work for your family. It’s all livable.”
Q Funds are being solicited locally through Universal 1 Credit Union. Where will that money go?
A The family fund, according to Ryan, will help defray expenses that may be incurred for the build. If money is left over, there's talk about establishing a fund in the Terpennings' name that would undertake smaller home improvement projects for local families in need. Ryan is still hoping someone will offer to help with the family's mortgage and scholarships for the children.
Q Is it true that some families have sold their homes after the show, and that some families can't pay the higher real estate taxes incurred?
A Regardless of the rumors, I know of only one of our 155 that has sold his house, and that was because his kids grew up and moved out, said ABC's Korman. We talk to our families from the very beginning and let them know if they apply and their house increases in value, they are responsible for any increase in property tax. We also suggest that they consult with financial advisers about everything from budgeting to taxes.
Q Won't there be increases in utility bills and real estate taxes with a bigger house?
A You would think our utility bills would have gone up, but they actually stayed the same because of the geothermal heating system they put in, Akers said. And we don't know how but our taxes went down when they did a reassessment in the county.
Q If you build a house in a few days that normally takes six months, won't the quality suffer?
A They have developed products and procedures to speed up this process. This is a very well-built house, and the quality is as good as any custom build would be, Ryan said. And these company owners are putting their name on the line, so they put their best products and people on the job. This is going to be a showcase for this community for a long time. They don't want it to fall down, and it's not going to.
Q What does the show do for families and neighborhoods after the build?
A Korman said the show has an aftercare department; Akers said families are always invited to future shows being filmed in their area. After the build, the show restores lawns, re-pours sidewalks.
Our location manager will stay in town for a week and make sure we leave the neighborhood in better shape, Korman said. We are only as good as our last neighborhood.
About the Author
