Builders Care, Lennar partner to complete home remodel for local homeowner in need
A Cape Coral veteran was all smiles after getting a first look at his completely renovated home, retrofitted for better accessibility just in time for the holidays.
Lee BIA Builders Care and Lennar Homes partnered to present the lifechanging home renovations to the 75-year-old homeowner, Guy DiPasqual, all at no cost. Work was completed in just two weeks, and on Dec. 20, more than 65 members of Lennar’s staff, volunteers and project contributors gathered to welcome DiPasqual to his newly remodeled home.
The renovations will create a world of difference for DiPasqual. The U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force veteran suffered an unexpected stroke in May 2019 that left him unprepared for the necessary home modifications that were needed for his day-to-day activities. His only bathroom was not wheelchair accessible, making it difficult for him to get in and out of the tub safely. Additionally, his roof leaked, which caused a portion of the front porch ceiling to cave in.
DiPasqual thought Builders Care was completing a bathroom remodel and fixing a leaky roof. What he found was a total transformation, a home that was nearly unrecognizable. Ray Kershaw, vice president of construction for Lennar, asked DiPasqual what else he might need fixed, and he said it would be great if crews could repair a cracked tile in the kitchen.
“I knew in my mind what we were going to do. We were going to come out here and just tear through this thing, and pretty much give him a new house,” Kershaw said. “We all look forward to this every year in December. We partner with Builders Care every year and give back to help somebody. It’s a really special day.”
The renovated bathroom now features a new entrance with a widened doorway, as well as a roll-in shower with built-in seating, an adjustable showerhead and grab bars. A wall separating the living room from the kitchen was removed, opening the space to display new cabinets, granite countertops and all new appliances. Bedrooms were given new life, and new laminate wood flooring was installed throughout the home, replacing the thick shag carpet that was troublesome to DiPasqual. Finishing touches included new living room and kitchenette furniture, a new TV, fresh linens, holiday décor and a pantry full of food.
Outside, the leaky roof was repaired and all the shingle roofing was replaced, a flimsy entrance ramp was exchanged with a level concrete entryway and finished with a fresh coat of exterior paint. Hurricane shutters will also be installed next week. DiPasqual said that never in his wildest dreams would he imagine an organization like Builders Care and its partners would help improve his life so much.
“The prices are extraordinary for renovating homes,” DiPasqual said. “This must have cost a tidy sum to do all of this. This is a remarkable event to have happened to me, especially at my age. I can only thank the people as well as thank God that he actually looked positively down on me because something had to be somehow motivating people to help me in some fashion.”
Improvements and modifications were made possible thanks to the generous contribution of Lennar Homes and a number of local partner suppliers and contractors. Project partners included ABC Supply Co., Ad-Ler Roofing, All American Shutters & Glass, American Builders Supply, American Woodmark Corporation, Blue Water Construction of Southwest Florida, Builders FirstSource, Caloosa Cooling, Carrigan Brothers, Castlegate Building Corporation, Cemex Construction Materials, City of Cape Coral, Division 16, EC Installations, Elite Structural, Franceschi Marble & Granite, Francisco’s Painting, Knights Creations, Lawson Windows, Mannarino Trim & Supply, NOVA Engineering & Environmental, Platinum Service Contracting, Powerblock, Prestige Cleaning of Southwest Florida, Raymond Building Supply, Rice Insulation & Glass, Rosen Materials, Sherwin-Williams, Sod Professionals, Southwest Disposal & Clean-Up, Sunny Grove Landscaping, Timo Brothers, and Wayne Wiles Carpet.
“From Lennar’s wonderful staff to our dedicated volunteers and generous community partners, seeing everybody come together for this special project is truly incredible,” said Becky Swift, executive director of Lee BIA Builders Care. “It’s a labor of love, and we are so grateful for all who contributed their time, materials and financial support to make such a positive difference in Guy’s life.”
About Lee BIA Builders Care
The mission of Lee BIA Builders Care is to provide emergency construction services at no cost to needy and deserving elderly and/or disabled homeowners, and their families, who cannot obtain repairs through traditional means. Lee BIA Builders Care offers a full range of no-cost emergency construction services to improve the safety and health for needy seniors and disabled individuals of all ages by enlisting the expertise and donated services and materials of contractors, sub-contractors and businesses. To date, Lee BIA Builders Care has put more than $4.75 million in construction services back into the community at no cost to homeowners in need. Builders Care is funded through financial donations, grants and donated services and materials to provide emergency construction services to qualified homeowners throughout the community. Lee BIA Builders Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization under the charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association. Lee BIA Builders Care is headquartered at 6835 International Center Blvd. #4 in Fort Myers. Donations can be made online at www.LeeBuildersCare.org. More information is available by calling 239-938-0056, and by following Builders Care at www.Facebook.com/LeeBuildersCare.
