And their second report card is when the Realtor walks through. Students in these programs have a hand in everything from framing the homes to painting the finished product. They make their own cabinets, install windows and doors, and lay hardwood floors. In some programs, they even create the architectural design, do the site work, and design and install the landscaping. Licensed professionals are brought in to do the plumbing and electrical work and a few other specialized jobs.
Students work on the houses from two to four hours every day or every other day.
The goal is to finish a house by the end of the school year. All of the programs work closely with the building industry. Many companies provide discounts on materials, and subcontractors often take time to explain what they're doing as they work. Canby's instructor, Tucker, said many of his students go on to work in the housing industry. Even those who don't stay in the industry benefit from knowing how to paint a house or judge the quality of workmanship in a home.