During the week of June 13-20, Habitat Wake partnered with builders from around Wake and Johnston counties to bring homes from frame to finish for four local families in just seven days through Home Builders Blitz!
What is Home Builders Blitz?
Home Builders Blitz was founded 22 years ago by Tom Gipson in Wake County, and it has since become a cherished tradition at Habitats across the country. The event brings together local for-profit builders to construct Habitat homes for local families in just one week. It concludes with a Dedication Ceremony celebrating the hard work of the homeowners, builders, volunteers and supporters that make the event possible.
One in four families in our community is cost-burdened, meaning they pay too much of their income toward housing at the expense of other necessities like groceries, healthcare and education.
The Home Builders Blitz gives for-profit builders a chance to be part of the affordable housing solution in the Triangle and add to the more than 900 safe, affordable, energy-efficient homes Habitat Wake has built in all parts of Wake and Johnston counties. It also condenses Habitat Wake’s building schedule, allowing more families to buy homes sooner.
Home Builders Blitz 2024
Back for the first time in Wake County since 2018, the 2024 Home Builders Blitz brought together for-profit builders from around the Triangle to work tirelessly alongside Habitat Wake staff and homebuyers to construct four homes in just one week.
Throughout the week, substantial progress was made on the four homes with each day marking various key milestones. Builders and subcontractors began by raising walls and completing framing, followed by roof sheathing, plumbing and mechanical installations.
Midweek efforts included completing drywall, installing windows, doors and siding, and placing interior features like cabinets, trim, fixtures and appliances. Painting began soon after and progressed through the last few days.
As the week concluded, the finishing touches were applied, including detailed landscaping. Final inspections were conducted, and houses were perfected with power washing, paint touch-ups and interior cleaning. Our builders added special touches for the soon-to-be homeowners like rocking chairs, flags, welcome mats and gift baskets.
The final build day concluded with a mixer that brought together our homebuyers, builders, subcontractors, sponsors and community stakeholders to celebrate the hard work done throughout the week.
Dedication Wrap
On Friday, June 20, we held a Home Dedication to celebrate the hard work of our new homeowners, builders and supporters with words of gratitude and the exchange of keys to welcome families home. We’d like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the building partners and generous sponsors who made Home Builders Blitz 2024 possible!
Builders
Sponsors
Keith Scherzer, Senior Vice President of Operations at Cornerstone Building Brands, with Habitat Wake CEO Patricia Burch at the Home Builders Blitz 2024 Dedication Ceremony.
A special thank you to Cornerstone Building Brands, the Presenting Sponsor of this year’s Home Builders Blitz and long-time Habitat for Humanity partner here in the Triangle.
In addition to financial support, Cornerstone supplied Plygem windows and Mastic® Ovation siding for the Blitz homes. The organization has made a massive impact through its Home for Good project, which supports affordable housing and creates safe homes for families across the country.
Other event sponsors included First Bank, A&M Premier Roofing and Construction, AssuredPartners, ColorGraphic: Signs, Banners, & Vehicle Wraps, CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC, FMB New Homes and G3 Roofing.
Our hospitality sponsors included 321 Coffee, Advance Concrete, Bass, Nixon & Kennedy, Inc., Builders First Source, Butcher's Market, C&L Sales Consultant, LLC, Coastal Credit Union, Fidelity Bank, Fifth Third Bank, FMI Corp., Habitat for Humanity ReStores, Jones Insurance, Morning Rolls, OnSite Masonry, TowneBank, Wegmans and Tightline Designs.
For more information on how you can get involved next year as a builder, hospitality or event sponsor, please contact Patricia Burch at patricia.burch@habitatwake.org.
Check out more photos from the 2024 Blitz:
