With the local Habitat for Humanity’s first remodeling project
under way at 478 Sixth St., crews have finished the major portion
of the project
– a new roof – and will move on to window replacement and other
fixes.
HOLLISTER
With the local Habitat for Humanity’s first remodeling project under way at 478 Sixth St., crews have finished the major portion of the project – a new roof – and will move on to window replacement and other fixes.
The house, estimated to be built in the 1860s, was recently given that new roof. Next, all of the current windows will be removed to make way for double-hung windows from Milgard Manufacturing.
“We like to keep it local,” said homeowner Tom Padgett.
Another aspect Padgett wants to keep local is the painting, which he plans to have done through Hollister Paint Co.
Other projects to be done at the house include new sod, a sprinkler system and some minor electrical work.
Asked whether he’s pleased with the work done on his house, Padgett enthusiastically replied “yeah.” He added that at the time he found out Habitat would be remodeling his house, he was fighting back tears.
“It really means a lot.”
The house has had its fair share of remodeling. In the late 70s, Padgett put the house on a concrete foundation which replaced the original mud flat on which it sat. Much of the plumbing, which ran into nearly every room of the house, was upgraded as well.
Much of the remodeling work has been done on the weekends by volunteers. Many of the volunteers consist of contractors and people in the construction business. The exception has been the roof, which was done by a private company.
The focus of the San Benito County branch – first organized as an official chapter in September 2005 – is on such restoration projects as opposed to building new homes.
So by sticking to restoration projects, the organization expects to make the process simple and keep costs down, while also adhering to Habitat for Humanity standards. Restoration also requires less manpower and significantly less time to accomplish – volunteers hope to have the Padgetts’ house done in three months – than building new homes.
If you would like to get involved with the project or Habitat for Humanity, you can call their office at 635-9904 or visit their Web site at www.hfhsbc.org.
