The Reid house (our first Roane County build as Clinch River Habitat for Humanity) in Harriman is complete! 

It was an interesting build. We had some great support from volunteer and sponsors in Roane County, thank you all.

Being our first build in Roane County we had a learning curve, the building codes in Roane County are very solid for lack of a better word. Building Codes Inspector Gleen Cofer made sure everything was meeting those codes. He quickly answered any questions we had and the turnover time for an inspection was pretty much next day. The codes officials in Roane County work really hard to keep a project moving while maintaining high standards for homes built in Roane County. They work very hard.

Footer and foundation

Thank you to Hugh Settles and his crew for getting us a foundation that was level and square as a foundation can be. Then our volunteer crew gave it a good gravel bed, insulation and taped at the seems 10 mil poly encapsulation with a vented radon pit. 

Framing

Right before we started framing one of the TCAT students called and initiated an introduction to the TCAT (Tennesse College of Applied Technologies) Build Construction Technologies instructor Charles Newport. I must say it made the build a great one. We have a crew of regulars that have helped on builds for years and they have definitely have the experience. The TCAT students are eager to work and learn the construction trades, the instructors are great but the students needed a chance to be “in the field”. The opportunity to work on a Habitat build while getting to aid in the training of the next generation of construction trades people was magic to me. It really made this Habitat build extra special. The need for trained construction trades people is desperate at the moment and this next generation of them coming out of TCAT are some great people learning a valuable and helpful skill.

I on the first day of framing we had 30 volunteers at the build site. It was amazing and the floor joists were installed and decking. 

Then the prefabricated walls were installed and time for trusses. Ben Poczobut gave us a great deal on a crane and wow could he operate it. I think he could have performed surgery with it if he wanted. It made setting the trusses a breeze.

Electrical Rough-in

The electrical was great because Lewis Electric partnered with TCAT’s electrical class and under the instruction of Don at Lewis Electric and Buddy Tharpe (instructor of the electrical program at TCAT) the students wired it all. Buddy put in some long hard hours making sure everything was beyond perfect. Then Buddy checked it again, Don checked it and the State Electrical inspector checked it and all three said the students did a great job. 

Plumbing Rough-in

Donny Rackard and his crew came in and quickly and efficiently roughed the plumbing in. They are really nice and do some great work and do it quickly. 

Roof

Barnett Roofing of Knoxville Tn and GAF donated the roofing materials and labor. A very special thanks to them! Rolled in, set up, installed the shingles, cleaned up and rolled out in about an hour and a half. Super professional crew and the roofing job is top notch. 

Vinyl siding and Wall Insulation

Next up was wall insulation and vinyl siding. Mr. Reid’s father was pastor of a church in Pennsylvania when he was young. The church has a mission (LVC Adult Mission) that travels around working on houses! They came in in a week had the wall insulation in and the vinyl siding installed. A great, friendly and hard working group of caring people. The vinyl siding looks fantastic!

Drywall

The drywall was hung by the LVC adult mission crew TCAT and our regular volunteer crew (who have been with us for years and are so loyal and so dedicated) 

Then for finishing we called in the pros at Dependable Drywall of Louisville TN and then it started looking like a real house. They did actually finish on time and under budget with a great looking job. 

Trim Cabinets and Interior Doors

Michelle at the Harriman Lowe’s Pro Desk worked us a really great price on the materials we needed all through the job. The trim, cabinets and interior doors were no exception.