‘Never been on a happier job site’

As I drove up to the job site at 7 a.m. to meet the other builders for our morning ritual of a brief meeting that ends with a prayer each day, I realized that we are almost half way through our Home Builders Blitz. The houses will all be sheetrocked, taped and floated today. Many of the homes will have the trim started by noon. As exciting as it is that each of the homes are more than a half day ahead of schedule, it is also bittersweet. I almost don’t want the HBB to end.

Everyone has been so gracious throughout this entire event. I have never been on a happier job site or met so many generous, selfless people. Imagine eight builders, 175 subcontractors, building seven homes “together” and not one single grumble. Every comment I hear, whether it is from another builder, subcontractor or partner family member has been positive. The builders are already talking about “next” year’s build and there is even discussion of attempting to build a house in one day.

The families have been on the site every day, arriving as early as the builders and the subcontractors – and not leaving until the end of each day helping in every way possible. One of the families even brought fresh cut fruit that they had cut up themselves and delivered it to each of the workers. Each family is so proud of their new house and excited to be able to participate in building the place that they will soon call “home.”

- Keith Ellis