Move that bus...What really happens on Extreme Home Makeover Home Edtition

Wow, $5000 bucks worth down the drain without a mention. How much extra would it have cost to get mentioned?

The extra cost to be mentioned adds up quick. It's $3500 to Extreme Home Makeover, plus about $5,000 to the local ABC station for 3 ads (yes, 3 ads shown in 30 days).

so how much does the design team do...as far as decorating?

In the title, you say "Move that bus...."

What does that mean?

Nothing. It is all done by locals. They come in for photo ops and video.

they act like the designs are their vision on the show...

Move that bus is what they are known for. It would have been nice to know all the details before you sign on. To get any credit you have to spend additional $8,500 or so above the cost of materials and labor contributed to the project.

I don't like the show....too sappy for me

The design was done by a local company, and all work was contributed by local companies. The "Design Team" just popped in for video/photo ops.

Sappy is one thing, it would be nice if the big TV network actually put some money up to make it happen.

The family receiving the home makeover, were they overwhelmed,
touched by all that was done? Worth it to see their
sincerity?

The family was very appreciative, but they have an income of over $100,000 per year. Most of the people that worked on the house have an income that is half that.

I think that says all that needs to said reguarding this.



I still don't know what 'Move that bus' means. Is that a saying they have? I've seen the show before, but never from start to finish, so I don't have any idea what the name of the show is, or what it is known for.

Do you normally do business like that? You were pretty sloppy in your business practices. I always want to know what I am committing to what the other party is committing to.

you get advertising of some sort and the label of having contributed to the comunity and charity.

you cant buy that for $5000. you have to give it to get that.


good job. BRAVO to you.

lol the network is feeding off human emotion to line their own coffers. laughing all teh way to teh bank.,

I am soooo there with you! I was a part of the one the show did in Middleton ID. Never EVER will I ever be a part of another one! It is soooo FAKE and unreal and portrayed so wrong as to how it really is! I have never even watched that stupid show since my experience!!!

What were the details?

I suspected it was all a sham. I suppose we all did.

But I thought that the "designers" on the show would really be involved--at least a bit. That they'd be contributing. And that this would be at least IN PART more than just a network money-maker. What a disappointment.

I stopped watching a few years back when they went from building a nicer dwelling for really needy people to building a mansion where every child gets a dream room and there's top-of-the-line stainless everything in the new 20,000 sq ft kitchen. And a pool. And tennis courts. And a new car and a free college education thrown in there somewhere.

I figure that if the family couldn't pay for/maintain the home they had, there is NO WAY the will be able to take care of the new monstrosity. And they'd build these things in the middle of a low income neighborhood; nobody would ever be able to resell. It just got crazy.

Good for you for participating, but I'm not surprised it ended up being a sour experience. EVERYTHING in Hollywood is fake, smoke and mirrors.

Maybe you could make back some money by writing an expose! :) I'm sure you have to sign something promising you won't though, huh?

I live in Delaware and I don't know who saw it but Extreme Home Makeover came to my town in 2008.

This is when I started to realize the facade of the show which is all a smoke and mirrors, IMO.

*The personalities on the show were only at the renovation site for taping. They had NOTHING to do with the design work or construction...at all. They were staying at the poshest hotel in our area and were only driven in (via limo) for taping the ABC segments.

*The family that received the makeover received not only the home but over 500K in donations from the local community and the kids were given full scholarships to college.

*EHM recently came back to Delaware for another renovation and asked the first homeowner to be a part of the show and volunteer. She declined due to "just started a new job". Huh? I'm sure she could have arranged something??

*When asked how she felt about her home a few years later she stated "I have no problem with the house..no real complaints". WHAT? How gracious of someone who received such a great gift.

So....what does it take to be picked for an Extreme Makeover? I saw this on a site looking for applicants in my area:
"We're looking for those special people who have amazing strength of character and never give up," Shumsky said. "Whether it’s keeping their chin up in really tough circumstances or going out of their way to help others. We want to help people whose stories have really affected their community or made a big difference in other people's lives."

Hell, I should submit an application and I would venture to say many of my fellow GLP'ers would more than qualify. Right?

The beginning is very exciting, lots of secrecy. We were not told who the family was or the location of the jobsite. Everyone signs on to do their part well ahead of time. The community really came forward to help. The house was built with all local contributions. The design team is there for the Hollywood effect, plus it is what gets people on board to donate time and materials. The design team is friendly, but the real work is done by local volunteers. It is more of a community effort than a network project.

I need help mow,with a small project in TEXAS. please contact me [email protected] 830-864-4813 ps. time is running short fo me.

Isn't that his usual demeanor?

What episode was this on? We donated time, labor and material to a project in Brandon, MS. I worked from start to finish, and out of all the major donors, no one was asked to pay extra to have their company mentioned. You are correct on local volunteers, but the design team was their 70% of the time, and yes they did work. The other time they were not there, they were out looking for items for the home. If what you state is true, post the name of your company, the location of the project, and which episode. I can tell you if you installed a garage door, with the fast paced building that goes on, you were probably there for only half the day. This is a great thing that they do, and I was personally involved from start to finish, and could give a damn about getting credit. This was to help a family in need, and I have donated my time, money and materials since then, when I can, to help others. The only reward I want is to see someones face light up when they see what people with good hearts are willing to do for them. And who cares if Ty went to have a beer, tastes great after a long hot day.

If you notice, one of the main contributors from tools to household appliances is Sears. It is all donated to promote their brand names, and yes I am sure it is a right off for them. I think it is great to see someone that is helping disabled kids, or just someone that gives and gives, but has nothing of real value receive something nice. What goes around, comes around. I really believe if more people would give part of their time helping others, this world would be a much better place.

network shill alert!!!

There is a reveal coming up in December, for a home in Texas, where the owner is a drug and alcohol addict. He got his buddies to lie about all the good he does and got enough support to get a home built. It seems its more of a lobbying process to get picked.

The neighbors saw him take one of his dogs and slam its neck on a fence to shut it up. He told his kids the dog was found dead.

The neighbors are hoping he loses his home when he can't pay the taxes as they can't stand the SOB.

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What do you have to do?

I wish something like this would happen for my parents. My dad is a Vietnam Vet and just last year he lost his left leg due to Mersa from the V.A hospital on Green street in Baltimore, Md. This kind of act isn't for fun and games when you have so many places and people who would do anything to have this done, I know I would. So I have heard about people getting this kind of help and not for good reason or any reason at they make it harder for those who do need it and would be blessed for life.