Madison Builder is Close to Finishing Home in 12 Days

July 18, 2008

Media Advisory: Habitat for Humanity of Dane County House Blessing
Saturday, July 19, 11 a.m.
5168 Unity Way

Contact: Cheryl McCollum, cmccollum@habitatdane.org, 255-1549, ext. 114, 658-8158 (McCollum’s cell) or 279-6871 (Zimmer’s Cell)

(MADISON) – “We could have used just a few more days.” That was the assessment of Madison area builder Tom Zimmer on his work to build a Habitat for Humanity of Dane County home in 12 days.

While the home is 95 percent complete, Zimmer notes there still needs to be some interior work done on the home. “We have the electrical, plumbing, heating, drywall, roofing and siding all complete,” said Zimmer. “There’s just a few more things to do on the inside of the home.”

What normally takes 12 weeks to build, Zimmer of Zimmer Builders tried to do in 12 days. On Monday, July 7 the subcontractors, the family and Habitat for Humanity of Dane County held a kick off/coffee break celebration. Zimmer made sure the coffee break was a short one because work on the home needed to progress quickly. By the end of the first day, the outside walls were up with the crew ready to start roofing and siding by days two and three.

On Saturday, July 19, at 11 a.m. the home will be dedicated for the family. The interior work will be completed in the home over the next month. The family will move into the home in September.  

Zimmer said it’s been a goal of his to build a home in a short amount of time. “I’ve always wanted to try this and now I can cross it off my Bucket List (referring to the 2007 movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman).”  

Koung Khampanya and Sareth Pov will move into the home with their three children -- Videl, Valery, and Cole in September. Videl and Valery are twins and will start kindergarten in the fall, while Cole stays home with Khampanya.

“We have been here seven years and enjoy Madison,” said Khampanya. “My family and I would like to say thank you for all your help.”

Zimmer, who is on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, said the Builders Blitz is a perfect way to get a variety of contractors involved and working on a community project. "It’s been an excellent project to watch everyone come together and work as a team,” said Zimmer.  “I’ve really enjoyed it and it will be great when the family moves into the home."

The house will be 1,150 square feet of finished space, three bedrooms and one bathroom.

The Builders Blitz in Dane County is one of several types of Blitz Builds occurring at more than 100 Habitat affiliates nationwide. More than 1,000 builders have built more than 263 homes this spring and summer.  The public is invited at anytime to watch the Builders Blitz. The home is located at 5168 Unity Way in the Twin Oaks subdivision on the southeast side of Madison.

To see the progress of the build, go to this link: http://www.habitatdane.org/curr.detail.cfm?build=154

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Habitat for Humanity of Dane County provides simple, decent, affordable housing for families who might not otherwise become homeowners. Eligible families pay monthly mortgage payments on a 0% interest loan, and contribute 350 hours of sweat equity in the building of their homes and an additional 25 hours helping other Habitat homeowners build their homes. More than 135 families currently live in Habitat homes in Dane County. For more information on Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, call 608-255-1549 or visit www.habitatdane.org.