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A massive home renovation for an elderly woman living in Dunbar will begin next week as volunteers with the Lee Building Industry Association’s Builders Care launch their largest project of 2010. The project marks a milestone for the nonprofit – providing $1 million in services since its inception in 2006. The group has provided 52 home renovations to date.

The recipient of the extreme home makeover is Dorothy House, a 63-year-old single woman who lives in a small home off Edison Avenue where she cares for two teenage grandchildren currently sharing one bedroom. Her home has an aging roof, rotting floors and no air conditioning.

“Mrs. House is not one to create a lot of fuss about needing help, which is one of the reasons we were compelled to help her,” said Heidi Taulman, executive director of Builders Care.

According to House, the 1969 home was moved from downtown Fort Myers to the current property in the 1970s. The home has severe wood rot and termite damage, making it extremely dangerous. Builders Care initially planned to give the home a new roof, remodel the bathroom, rebuild some floors and enclose a third bedroom. However, because of major flooring issues, the project has expanded into a total remodel with everything except the walls and slab being redone. Demolition begins Monday, June 14.

When completed, the home will have new floors, paint, kitchen, bathroom, fixtures and more. The newly renovated home is expected to be revealed June 25 at noon.

“Because of the limited funding for projects through the City of Fort Myers, Mrs. House may have been turned away if Builders Care had not stepped up to help her out,” said Taulman.

With help from a partnership through the State Housing Initiatives Program, hosted by the City of Fort Myers and Builders Care building partners, the home will receive renovation services totaling more than $65,000. 

Local subcontractors contributing labor and material include: Abash Enterprises, A-Rite Glass, Cabinets Plus, Cape Coral Plumbing, Cornerstone Construction, D.E. Moff Construction, D. Peck Roofing, Hide-Away Storage, Mark’s Dumpsters, Murphy’s Handyman Services, Nilles Design, Gulfcoast Engineering, Raymond Building Supply, Sherwin Williams, Southern State Electric, Storm Smart, Sunset Air, T&M Portable Restrooms, T&P Cleaning, TPI Aluminum, Universal Engineering, Wayne Wiles Floor Coverings, West Coast Structural Concrete & Masonry and Westcoast Insulation.

Builders Care is the nonprofit charitable arm of the Lee BIA. Its objective is to provide

emergency repairs and construction services to elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged people who are unable to obtain home repairs through traditional means. Builders Care enlists the volunteer services of Lee BIA members and leverages grants and donated materials to provide construction and remodeling services to qualified homeowners throughout Lee County. Donations can be made to the Builders Care general fund at any Colonial Bank. For more information, call 239-938-0056 or visit http://www.leebuilderscare.org/.

Related posts:

1. Builders Care provides complete home renovation in time for the holidays
2. Builders Care announces 2010 board of directors
3. BB&T donates $2,500 to Lee BIA Builders Care
4. BBQ, Bands and Brew fundraiser raises more than $15,000 for Builders Care
5. Nulman Mediation Services donates $1,000 to Lee BIA Builders Care