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#1
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
I don't know if you think the same way I do about this reality show?
I work for an architect firm and even the best designer here will take several days before making up his mind and finalize a project as simple as a bathroom remodel. Now we're talking of redesigning a complete house (and not a small one) for a client the designer(s) don't even know in the first place. Just the construction alone of a 300K$ is nearly impossible in a week even if you staff it with 10 000 workers. You reach a point where the number of worker becomes a nuisance and slows down the entire project. Plaster, paint, varnishes and all those products need time to dry too. I think this TV show lies to the public at least on one aspect: they have work prepared already before showing up at the door of the lucky family. The design and the construction dwgs are already made minus maybe a few details, the prefab house has been ordered already and ready to ship, etc. What do you guys believe? Cyberben |
#2
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
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#3
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
"2.) There's no Easter Bunny. "
Wha???? sniff! |
#4
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
"B A R R Y" wrote in message ... wrote: What do you guys believe? 1.) It's a TV show. 2.) There's no Easter Bunny. EXACTLY!!! Along with a ton of others. Trading Spouses, Survivor, the list goes on! It's a TV show. But wait, what about Star Trek, or......... |
#5
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
Along with a ton of others. Trading Spouses, Survivor, the list
goes on! It's a TV show. But wait, what about Star Trek, or......... I can't vouch for the others but clearly, Star Trek is real. How else can you explain how we've been assimilated by the Borg? Lee -- To e-mail, replace "bucketofspam" with "dleegordon" _________________________________ Lee Gordon http://www.leegordonproductions.com |
#6
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
Lee Gordon wrote:
Along with a ton of others. Trading Spouses, Survivor, the list goes on! It's a TV show. But wait, what about Star Trek, or......... I can't vouch for the others but clearly, Star Trek is real. How else can you explain how we've been assimilated by the Borg? Lee ROAR.. and there are several different species.. HD, L, R.. -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C D Patterson Victoria, BC. Canada |
#7
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
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#8
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
Obviously, I don't beleive a single minute that all that bluff is
possible. I'm in the business and I just know too well it's impossible. There are only 2 things that **** me off with this show: 1. It gives a "tangible proof" to the uneducated public that all this crap is possible so you quickly get requests from your customers to hurry up because "they can do it on TV". They want you to design and draw the working dwgs of their dream house in 24 hours. 2. The second biggest problem is when SWMBO watches the show and gives me that disgusted look and says: "Gheeeez, they can build and furnish a house in one week and it takes you months to complete a small piece of furniture". Cyberben |
#9
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
I have never even heard of the show outside of here. I watch very little TV
but I know what you mean about distorting the public view. There are way to many people that believe that TV represents reality. wrote in message oups.com... 1. It gives a "tangible proof" to the uneducated public that all this crap is possible so you quickly get requests from your customers to hurry up because "they can do it on TV". They want you to design and draw the working dwgs of their dream house in 24 hours. |
#11
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
Last year, when they occasionally ran an adjunct program called "Extreme
Makeover Home Edition. How'd They Do That?" I thought we were going to get a little more insight into what goes on in the pre-planning stages of the show. That show did focus a bit more on the construction than on the sob story of the family, and we did see some behind-the-scenes stuff like the fact that scenes such as the one where the design team shows up at the front door with the bullhorn often have to be re-shot, but they never really got away from the myth that all of the magic just materializes on day one. They also have not done anything to dispell the myth that so many of the great things that happen on the show are a result of Ty Pennington picking up his cell phone and placing a call to "a friend." One somewhat surprising thing I got from that show, however, is that it would appear that Ty really does take a major role in the design and construction of his "secret project" room. Unfortunately, "How'd They Do That?" is about as close as we're likely to get to seeing what goes on behind the scenes. Anything more revealing than that (i.e. how many months in advance the preliminary work begins, how they apply for and receive a building permit in a small town without the word getting out, how they arrange for a guy to take a week of vacation without his boss spilling the beans, etc.) would be a little like pulling away the curtain and revealing the true nature of the Wizard of Oz. Lee -- To e-mail, replace "bucketofspam" with "dleegordon" _________________________________ Lee Gordon http://www.leegordonproductions.com |
#12
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
"Lee Gordon" wrote in message
. .. snip Unfortunately, "How'd They Do That?" is about as close as we're likely to get to seeing what goes on behind the scenes. Anything more revealing than that (i.e. how many months in advance the preliminary work begins, how they apply for and receive a building permit in a small town without the word getting out, how they arrange for a guy to take a week of vacation without his boss spilling the beans, etc.) would be a little like pulling away the curtain and revealing the true nature of the Wizard of Oz. I can only imagine that they sign their life away when they "apply" to have their home made over, because having gotten most of the way through a major home addition, my biggest question is how they get a building permit without the city talking to the actual owner. todd |
#13
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
"Lee Gordon" wrote in message . .. One somewhat surprising thing I got from that show, however, is that it would appear that Ty really does take a major role in the design and construction of his "secret project" room. Unfortunately, "How'd They Do That?" is about as close as we're likely to get to seeing what goes on behind the scenes. First thing they should do is shove that bullhorn up Ty's ass. Damn, he can be annoying. I'm sure many of us would be interested is the actual planning, seeing the Gantt chart that was hanging in one of the trailers, etc. My guess is the basic construction is a variation of existing plans that the company has built many times in the past so they know the steps to be taken. Materials are probably pre-cut and/or pre-fabed when possible. That would allow for practice runs as that model is built 20 times in a development someplace to check the feasibility of having three plumbers in the bathroom at the same time. Last week the Hartford Courant had an article about the cop in Kansas that got a new house. A year later, it is still "as seen on TV" but he is appealing the $4000 property tax bill. These people end up with no mortgage, but plenty of tax and utility costs. |
#14
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message ... Last week the Hartford Courant had an article about the cop in Kansas that got a new house. A year later, it is still "as seen on TV" but he is appealing the $4000 property tax bill. These people end up with no mortgage, but plenty of tax and utility costs. He can't afford ~$300 a month? |
#15
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
... Last week the Hartford Courant had an article about the cop in Kansas that got a new house. A year later, it is still "as seen on TV" but he is appealing the $4000 property tax bill. These people end up with no mortgage, but plenty of tax and utility costs. As if there is some comparison. |
#16
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
"todd" wrote in message
"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message Last week the Hartford Courant had an article about the cop in Kansas that got a new house. A year later, it is still "as seen on TV" but he is appealing the $4000 property tax bill. These people end up with no mortgage, but plenty of tax and utility costs. As if there is some comparison. I've never seen the show, but in many areas there is a comparison. In some areas of Houston it is not unusual to find monthly property tax/utility bills at 97% of the monthly mortgage payment, and rising. Giving some poor schmuck a new mansion ("new" has a $pecial connotation to the appraisal districts) and then sticking him with the property tax/utility bills that go with a big house is typical of the nearsightedness of the warm-and-fuzzy do gooder mentality. -- www.e-woodshop.net Last update: 12/13/05 |
#17
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
"todd" wrote in message "Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message Last week the Hartford Courant had an article about the cop in Kansas that got a new house. A year later, it is still "as seen on TV" but he is appealing the $4000 property tax bill. These people end up with no mortgage, but plenty of tax and utility costs. As if there is some comparison. We don't know that. The old house may have had a low rate mortgage with 20 years paid and a $100 payment. While I'd gladly pay the 4k taxes with no mortgage, but, if you are disabled and have minimal income, it could be difficult. Not to mention doubling of heating or AC, more labor to clean it, etc. Considering the house he has, the assessment is probably correct and he has no gripe, but we just don't know. |
#18
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
Swingman wrote:
: Giving some poor schmuck a new mansion ("new" has a $pecial connotation to : the appraisal districts) and then sticking him with the property tax/utility : bills that go with a big house is typical of the nearsightedness of the : warm-and-fuzzy do gooder mentality. Do they also have to pay income tax on the house (since it's a gift)? Last year Oprah Winfrey gave everyone in her audience one day a new car. They had to pay income tax on it, which was a nasty surprise for most of them. -- Andy Barss |
#19
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
On Sat, 6 May 2006 01:23:10 -0500, "todd" wrote:
"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message m... Last week the Hartford Courant had an article about the cop in Kansas that got a new house. A year later, it is still "as seen on TV" but he is appealing the $4000 property tax bill. These people end up with no mortgage, but plenty of tax and utility costs. As if there is some comparison. ... as opposed to the person who *does* have a mortgage. Plus plenty of tax and utility costs. Just because taxes may be rolled into a mortgage payment through an escrow account doesn't mean the homeowner is not paying taxes. (I'm sure that wasn't your point, it's just amazing how many people actually have that viewpoint). +--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough +--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |
#20
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
Gantt chart that was hanging in one of the trailers, etc. My guess is the basic construction is a variation of existing plans that the company has built many times in the past so they know the steps to be taken. Sure, I agree with that. Every house built has an open, similar concept. There's always a plasma TV above a fireplace, all the appliances are bought at Sears, everything (in the house anyway) is almost exactly the same except for some personal trimmings. Even the walkway up to the front door is similar as is the facade of the front of every house. It's a cookie cutter installation. Nothing wrong with that I guess only after you've seen the show a few times, it gets boring real quick. Only thing different to see is the reaction of the family during the last ten minutes when they arrive home to see what has been done. |
#21
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
"Edwin Pawlowski" writes:
Last week the Hartford Courant had an article about the cop in Kansas that got a new house. A year later, it is still "as seen on TV" but he is appealing the $4000 property tax bill. These people end up with no mortgage, but plenty of tax and utility costs. Maybe the taxes and utility bills do up, but they probably aren't as high as the former mortgage and taxes combined unless someone had a pretty inexpensive house. They could tone down the ceiling heights in the houses they build. A 20 foot ceiling is going to cost an arm and a leg to heat/cool. Brian Elfert |
#22
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
"Brian Elfert" wrote in message They could tone down the ceiling heights in the houses they build. A 20 foot ceiling is going to cost an arm and a leg to heat/cool. Yes, but it makes for good TV |
#23
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
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#24
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
"ghost" wrote Several things have bothered me.. no argument that the people they choose deserve the help, but to go from 'poverty' to 'mansion' in a neighbourhood of far less value homes.. why not expand the area and spread the funds around a bit.. Speaking of which.. with the resources available to them, I was surprised that except for one program, they could have applied their manpower and resources to alleviate a lot of the gulf coast destruction. Given their on going efforts to out do themselves with million dollar mansions, I seldom watch the program anymore.. There is that. And I agree with you. I used to watch it too. But when it became a game show format where little if anything was shown as to the actual construction details, it became a lot less interesting. When it became a manipulative process to make you feel sorry for the housing "victims, game show winners", I got totally turned off. If they really wanted to help these folks, there are a lot better ways to do it than building a mansion with designer bedrooms. Afterall, what is the objective here? To build houses or to really help people? I don't think they know. |
#26
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
A friend of mine donated RVs to this show through his RV business...
supposed to air Mother's Day. The show gave him t-shirts, photos of his family with Ty, autographed photo of the whole crew, etc. I'm curious to see how it comes out on the air! John |
#27
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
ghost writes:
Several things have bothered me.. no argument that the people they choose deserve the help, but to go from 'poverty' to 'mansion' in a neighbourhood of far less value homes.. why not expand the area and spread the funds around a bit.. In some cases, they have gone through the neighborhood and distributed needed goods to the neighbors. I would imagine the neighbors get some sort of compensation for the show ruining their lives for a week or more with construction noise 24x7 and the huge crowds. I liked the show a little better when they were actually remodeling the houses and not creating huge mansions. Brian Elfert |
#28
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
Ok. They did a house in our county about 14 or so months ago and
yes, it was done in an entire week! The producers cooperated with the County Bldg Dept to get the permits way ahead of time, a design was also done and all furniture, fixtures, etc were all stockpiled. They worked all day/night on the thing and it was a big event. The house was where the daughter has a condition that prevents her from being in direct light. The had an Inspector onsite for the entire time. The biggest noise that came out of it was the that the house was appraised at a tax level MORE (obviously) then the original house. Here in Calif, we have Prop 13. Your tax level remains at level until 1) you change owners or 2) remodel. The family was a bit put out about the taxes. Not sure if they got some relief. The show claims that there is a loophole for taxes if they RENT the house while the family is out. Not sure what got resolved. But as to the building, yep, they do it in the time they say! Teamwork and very, very tight planning. The architect and builder were all assigned well ahead of time and plans were approved by the County before the Extreme Makeover team arrived. MJ Wallace |
#29
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
"MJ" writes:
onsite for the entire time. The biggest noise that came out of it was the that the house was appraised at a tax level MORE (obviously) then the original house. Here in Calif, we have Prop 13. Your tax level remains at level until 1) you change owners or 2) remodel. The family was a bit put out about the taxes. Not sure if they got some relief. The show claims that there The families should realize when they apply for the show that their property value will go up and thus the taxes will go up. I guess in some cases the family did not nominate themselves. In probably 50% of the cases, the family gets a large check that should cover the taxes for a number of years. A bigger concern could be the income taxes on the new house. Wouldn't the states and the IRS consider the added value of the new house as income and send the family a large tax bill? Brian Elfert |
#30
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
Not so with this one local family. They really were pinched
with the extra tax bill. Also, any "winnings" they get from the producers of the show, they will have declare as income. Even if the money came as rent - which is what they do to avoid the big problem - all the work they do could be considered income, but signing a rental agreement, that allows for the renter to remodel, allows the family to get that without a tax penalty. Also, taxes are "forever". Meaning, if they got a check for $100,000, that would only cover taxes for about 10 or 12 years, at best on a million dollar house here in Calif. MJ Wallace |
#31
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
On 7 May 2006 11:37:37 -0700, "MJ" wrote:
.... snip Also, taxes are "forever". Meaning, if they got a check for $100,000, that would only cover taxes for about 10 or 12 years, at best on a million dollar house here in Calif. Thought earlier in the thread, the comment was that they were building *big* houses. In Kalifornia, isn't a $1M house on the order of a 400 square foot efficiency apartment? GD&R +--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough +--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |
#32
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
Well, no. Not in all municipalities. In ours, a $1 mill, gets you a
2000 - 3500 sq ft house and some acreage - anywhere from 1/2 to 3. Depends on the area. Where this couple live, their house was appraised for over a $ 1 mill. A 400 sq ft house in SF would run about $600k! MJ Wallace |
#33
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
Brian:
Found this on a website: --- Shows like "Extreme Makeover" are also finding innovative loopholes to help the families avoid a burdensome tax bill -- turning the renovation into a tax "gift," for example. "In terms of the value of the house itself, we consulted with tax experts and learned that a homeowner can lease their property to the production company for 14 days for the purpose of the shoot," says David Goldberg, president of Endemol USA, which produces "Home Edition." "So any improvements made to the home are exempt from federal and state taxes. It's a win-win situation for everybody." The shows consult with the families beforehand -- letting them know what may be in store for them come tax time. "We don't have a slew of disgruntled families or people being adversely affected by tax ramifications," Goldberg says. "It's all very clearly detailed [to the families] beforehand, not only in written contracts, but verbally. They're all aware of that. "We want to make it a pretty minimal issue for them." --- MJ Wallace |
#34
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
"MJ" wrote in message
"So any improvements made to the home are exempt from federal and state taxes. It's a win-win situation for everybody." And that typically dodges the real issue .. it is "property" taxes which are the real burden. Almost all property taxes are based on "appraised value", so any improvements, no matter what scam is used to make them, will result in an increase in the property's value, which results in higher taxes. -- www.e-woodshop.net Last update: 5/6/06 |
#35
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
"Swingman" writes:
And that typically dodges the real issue .. it is "property" taxes which are the real burden. Almost all property taxes are based on "appraised value", so any improvements, no matter what scam is used to make them, will result in an increase in the property's value, which results in higher taxes. Many of the families are given sums of money or have the mortgage go away or both. The kids usually get college scholarships. I would bet in most cases the increased property taxes are not going to be any more than the old property taxes and mortgage payments. Someone whose life is changed by a new house, maybe a new car, and a wad of cash should be able to figure out how to pay the taxes once the money runs out. For the familes that get $100k, they could put it in a bank CD and make enough interest to cover a $4,000 tax bill. Brian Elfert |
#36
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
wrote in message ps.com... I don't know if you think the same way I do about this reality show? I work for an architect firm and even the best designer here will take several days before making up his mind and finalize a project as simple as a bathroom remodel. Now we're talking of redesigning a complete house (and not a small one) for a client the designer(s) don't even know in the first place. Just the construction alone of a 300K$ is nearly impossible in a week even if you staff it with 10 000 workers. You reach a point where the number of worker becomes a nuisance and slows down the entire project. Plaster, paint, varnishes and all those products need time to dry too. I think this TV show lies to the public at least on one aspect: they have work prepared already before showing up at the door of the lucky family. The design and the construction dwgs are already made minus maybe a few details, the prefab house has been ordered already and ready to ship, etc. What do you guys believe? Cyberben While I generally don't appreciate their work, it is definitely possible. I saw a video of an effort I believe in San Diego where they were trying to set a world record for building a house in record time. It took over 18 months to plan and 750+ workers but they literally built this house in under 3 hours (I forget the time but it was under 3 anyway). They made use of fast curing materials and worked in expert precision....obviously, 18 months gives a lot of practice. It really was pretty incredible to watch even if, at the end of the day, I wouldn't have lived there! They had inspectors there checking everything as they went and at the end, they issued the occupancy certificate. Judging by the hair cuts, it appeared they did this in the 70's sometime. Anyway, I personally think the show is crap and is more about the emotional aspect vs. renovation so I don't watch it. Cheers, cc |
#37
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OT - Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
wrote in message ps.com... I don't know if you think the same way I do about this reality show? I work for an architect firm and even the best designer here will take several days before making up his mind and finalize a project as simple as a bathroom remodel. Now we're talking of redesigning a complete house (and not a small one) for a client the designer(s) don't even know in the first place. Just the construction alone of a 300K$ is nearly impossible in a week even if you staff it with 10 000 workers. You reach a point where the number of worker becomes a nuisance and slows down the entire project. Plaster, paint, varnishes and all those products need time to dry too. I think this TV show lies to the public at least on one aspect: they have work prepared already before showing up at the door of the lucky family. The design and the construction dwgs are already made minus maybe a few details, the prefab house has been ordered already and ready to ship, etc. What do you guys believe? Cyberben The home they just built in a week is near where I live, they did build it in the time they stated, in the rain a large majority of the time. They had people working on it 24 hours a day. Of course they have it planned out ahead of time, it is VERY orchestrated and planned to meet deadlines, many local companies and contractors were involved, and the local news followed it very closely. For the most part, what you see is what really happened. |
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