This year’s Rebuilding Together Howard County project was a labor of love and our most ambitious Rebuilding project yet.

It began in February, when we met Sue and Homer Johnson, a couple who built their Mt. Airy home with their own hands nearly 40 years ago. Sue, a retired cleaning business owner, and Homer, a longtime school bus driver, raised their family there, living simply and giving to the community around them. But after decades of wear and tear, aging systems, worn flooring, outdated fixtures, and safety hazards were threatening their ability to stay in the home they loved.

When we learned these repairs could be the difference between aging in place or moving into a nursing home, we knew this was the project for us.

Like any of our larger projects, we approached the Johnsons’ home the way we do many of our larger projects, with early involvement, thoughtful planning, and close collaboration from start to finish. From reviewing inspection reports to walking through design decisions together, we created a plan that put accessibility and safety first. Sue and Homer were hands-on throughout the process, selecting everything from flooring and cabinet styles to the finishing touches on their new kitchen island.

On April 26, more than 20 Buch team members showed up with tools, trucks, and a whole lot of heart. We organized into teams led by project captains to keep the day running smoothly. Homeowner Homer didn’t just watch; he grabbed tools and worked right alongside us. The bond between our team and the Johnsons grew quickly, with the kind of mutual respect and care that makes a house feel like home.

As Buch Project Manager Christy Cooper shared, “Buch has always inspired us to give back, but doing it right here in Howard County, our own backyard, made it even more meaningful. Over the past few months, the Johnson family has become like family to us. Being part of their journey has been something truly special.”

Over the course of a few months, we completely transformed the Johnsons’ home from top to bottom:

• A fully renovated kitchen and pantry with new appliances, cabinetry, and lighting, plus an island wired with outlets
• New flooring throughout the living spaces and repaired sub-flooring
• An ADA-compliant walk-in shower and bathtub for safe, accessible bathing
• Upgraded the front porch and soffit
• Electrical and plumbing safety updates throughout the home
• A rebuilt side deck and water-damaged ceiling repairs
• A repaired roof and improved drainage to protect the foundation

 

This project also created a powerful mentorship opportunity, as seasoned Buch superintendents guided junior project engineers on-site, showing not just how to build, but how to build with purpose.

We’re incredibly grateful to our trusted trade partners who donated their time and talent to help bring this vision to life, including Jarmer, Granite Marble and Gem, VPG, Al Gleeson, and Mid-Atlantic Interior.

At Buch, we believe community is something you build. And in helping the Johnsons remain in the home they love, we were reminded why this work matters so deeply. As Homeowner Homer Johnson said:

“We are so thankful for the generosity the Buch family showed us. Their kindness kept us safely in our home—and out of a nursing home.”

We can’t wait to do it all again next year. Until then, we’ll be cheering on the Johnsons as they settle into their newly restored home.