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NAHB Achievement Award Honors ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’
 In a ceremony at the association’s board of directors meeting on Sept. 26 in San Diego, NAHB presented its first-ever Special Achievement Award for Contributions to the Home Building Industry to the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” television show.
“Through their work, the talent, creativity, dedication and generosity of the home-building community has been showcased in millions of living rooms across the country,” said NAHB Chairman Sandy Dunn.
NAHB created the award to recognize individuals or organizations that are not directly involved in housing that have done much to showcase the home building industry in a positive light.
“‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ has changed the lives of more than a hundred families — and inspired millions more,” Dunn said. “And more importantly, it has shown what a home can mean to a family.”
She noted that the program enables the families — who often have encountered many hardships and are struggling with the special and unique needs of one or more of their members — to attain their dream of having a home that is a safe and comfortable sanctuary for everyone.
Communities Come Together
The award was accepted by Executive Producer Conrad Ricketts, Senior Producer Diane Korman and Production Manager David Bohler.
“Builders have been part of what has made this nation great,” Ricketts said. “You’ve given individuals the ability to own a home, to have a retirement and to put their children through school.”
More than 100 home builders and 65,000 volunteers have donated time and materials to build homes for more than 130 “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” families across the United States.
“You cannot meet these builders and families and not be affected by it,” Ricketts said. “When you watch your community come together, it is an amazing thing to be part of.”
Homes Not Really Built in Seven Days
 Ricketts revealed to the more than 1,000 builders in the audience that the homes are not built in seven days, as depicted on the show.
“That’s just Hollywood,” he said. “It’s done in just 106 hours, from the time the family leaves to the time they return home.”
According to Ricketts, every single home has been completed within the time limit.
Two “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” teams travel across the U.S. and work simultaneously to build a home each week for the show. An average of 500 volunteers works on each project.
Work With 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition'
The show is seeking builders who want to help with “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” projects.
For the first time, starting this season, builders will be allowed to alert the local press prior to a project’s start.
“You will be able to rally your community in ways we never even thought possible in the past five years,” Ricketts said. “It’s the greatest team-building exercise you will ever go to, like the barn-raising of the 1900s.”
Builders wanting to work with the show should e-mail builders@emhe.tv.
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” premiered in 2003 and has won two People’s Choice awards, a Family Television Award and two Primetime Emmy awards.
For more information on the award, e-mail Gwyn Donohue at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8447.
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