Georgia Utility Contractors Association (GUCA) President Brent Scarbrough of Brent Scarbrough and Company helped make a dream come true for a needy family in Lake City, GA, by participating in ABC’s Extreme Makeover, Home Edition, from Jan. 16 to 23.
The family chosen for this life changing event, the Harper family, originally of Brooklyn, NY, experienced tragedy when they lost their young son, who did not received prompt medical treatment that possibly could have prevented his death.
Ready to make a fresh start in Georgia, they relocated to Lake City and bought a home. However, their troubles continued when they bought a home that had severe sewage drainage problems. Unable to correct the living conditions, they contacted Extreme Makeover, Home Edition and were chosen as recipients of a new home.
Taken away from their home on Jan. 16 and sent to Disney World in Orlando, FL, the Harpers were promised that when they returned Jan. 23 that they would be in for the shock of their lives.
Beazer Homes coordinated the project, but at 11:30 a.m. the crew from Brent Scarbrough and Company, led by Superintendent Brian Bishop, set the pace by eagerly demolishing the existing home in only three minutes.
The job was accomplished so quickly by the use of a Caterpillar D8R bulldozer, two Caterpillar 953C loaders, two Volvo 330B excavators and a Caterpillar 325C excavator.
The demolition debris was hauled off by Dell Walker, president of Enviro-Recyclers.
The work was performed in such a quick and orderly fashion that show host, Ty Pennington said, “This was the most amazing demolition that I have ever seen. It was orchestrated beyond belief and better than any of the previous 32 homes that we have done.”
In addition to demolishing the home, Brent Scarbrough and Company worked with Southeastern Clearing Systems to clear a new sewage easement and then installed 380 ft. (116 m) of new sewer line.
Brent Scarbrough and Company also excavated the basement and backfilled the walls and foundation with stone. Once that was complete they kept an average of eight employees on site 24 hours a day thru the week-long job to complete the sewer and provide the final grade so that the project could continue on its nonstop pace.
GUCA member Florida Rock and Walker Concrete donated more than 800 tons (726 t) of No. 57 stone gravel and No. 89 gravel to provide compaction. Enviro-Recyclers provided truck hauling for 1,400 tons (1,270 t) of No. 57 stone, 450 tons (408 t) of No. 89 gravel, 36 tons (33 t) of No. 4 stone, 10 loads of topsoil, 36 tons (33 t) of river rock and 19 tons (17 t) of river sand. Enviro-Recyclers also hauled off the demolition debris and 980 cu. yds. (749 cu m) of unsuitable soil.
Several pieces of heavy equipment for this project were supplied by GUCA members. Yancey Brothers donated two Caterpillar skid steers, LB Smith provided two Volvo 330 excavators with thumbs and two Volvo 55 excavators and Tractor and Equipment Company providied one Komatsu skid steer to help complete the transformation of this home.
Several other GUCA members donated time and materials to make this project a reality.
Joe Strack, of Cherokee Petroleum Company, donated all fuel for the off-road equipment on the site as well as for the light plants that ran every night and heaters that ran 24 hours a day.
Bob Conn, of Foley Products, donated the manholes for the new sewer line.
Tim Vanegmond, of Mainline Supply, of Jonesboro, donated the PVC pipe for the new sewer line.
Harold Stephens, of Metro Koring and Supply. also donated time and equipment to core the manholes.
Clayton County Water Authority assisted by quickly inspecting the new sewer line.
GUCA is a non-profit state trade association located in metro Atlanta. Representing more than 500 contractors and affiliated firms statewide, GUCA members provide the materials and workforce to build and maintain the state’s network of water, sewer, gas, telecommunications and other utility systems.
For more information, visit www.guca.com.
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