Watch the Property Brothers Complete a 6

Jun 18, 2023

Property brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott have often worked under tight deadlines, but on the latest "Celebrity IOU," they truly outdo themselves by building a whole new structure in a mere six weeks.

Joining the brothers on the Season 4 episode "Glenn Close Gifts a Sanctuary" is the award-winning actress best known for playing iconic villains like Cruella de Vil in "101 Dalmations" and Alex Forrest in "Fatal Attraction." The actress shows her soft side by saying she wants to help Robin, the very first volunteer for Close's organization, Bring Change to Mind, which encourages dialogue about mental health.

"She has poured her life into her son," says Close. "Anybody who has been a caregiver for someone who is dealing with mental health issues—it's exhausting. And I think everyone needs a place where they can find sanctuary and peace and build up their emotional strength again."

The Scott brothers travel to Eliot, ME, so they can build a sanctuary in Robin's own backyard—and as they get to work, they come up with some smart tips for completing an entire living space at a record-setting pace. Check out how they pull it off, plus plenty of lessons that might inspire you to carve out a relaxing retreat of your own.

(HGTV)

When Close and the Scott brothers are discussing the possibilities of building a private sanctuary with a bathroom and bedroom in Robin's backyard, Close says, "I’ve heard there are incredible prefab possibilities…"

She thinks prefab is a good idea because they won't have to deal with cellars or complicated foundation issues, and they can get it done quickly before the rugged Maine winter kicks in.

"Glenn's idea of a prefab is not only brilliant, but in reality, it's the only way we could possibly build something from scratch in time," says Jonathan.

"And we do have to move quickly, because this is Maine, not L.A., and winter is just around the corner," adds Drew.

And about that foundation? It's fast-tracked with a prefab, too.

"Normally, you’d pour a concrete foundation or slab for a new structure, but this one calls for these premade concrete piers," explains Jonathan.

You just dig a large, deep hole and place them in. The house sits on top.

(HGTV)

The first thing Jonathan does is check the setback requirements, which is the distance a house or structure must be from the property lines.

Jonathan finds out that on Robin's lot, the building has to be 30 feet away from the back perimeter and 20 feet away from either side.

So they have enough room for a structure with a bathroom and a bedroom, just under 500 square feet. It's a good thing they checked!

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(HGTV)

As the brothers start looking for a prefab builder, Jonathan points out, "If we can work with a local modular company, that would make things so much easier."

Drew agrees and hits the jackpot by locating a modular company near Robin's home.

"It's only about an hour away, and they have great choices of ADUs that fit right into what Glenn's imagining for Robin's backyard sanctuary," he explains.

He also points out that buying local keeps shipping costs down and saves valuable time: The construction and delivery time comes in at a speedy two weeks.

"Everything but the finishes has been assembled in a controlled environment with no interruptions from weather or material shortages," Drew explains.

It's a solid reminder that if you want to save time and money on a building project, check out prefab resources close to home.

(HGTV)

The most grueling part of the entire process just might be the placement of the pre-assembled unit on the pad. You can't just lift it with a crane and plop it into position.

First, the ground crew preps for the crane, which will hoist the 18,000-pound unit safely into position. Then the crane has to lift the unit over power lines and between the trees, then rotate it and set it down square on the pad.

"It's very dangerous, and we want to be very careful," says Jonathan.

"We can only swing the unit one way that avoids damaging trees, power lines, and existing structures," explains Jonathan. "That means the crane has to extend a bit higher than what's typically needed for a job like this. And it requires 42,000 pounds of counterweight to keep it from tipping."

"You just can't help but hold your breath when a house is essentially floating in midair," adds Drew.

(HGTV)

The Scott brothers and so many other designers have been singing the praises of luxury vinyl flooring for years. We know by now that it's durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean.

"Nothing can stain it or scratch it," says Close.

The intense rain they run into while working on this project reveals yet another asset.

"Maine has some humidity, so you can have some expansion and contraction with hardwood floors, but you won't get that with luxury vinyl," explains Drew. "It's going to be perfect and low maintenance for her."

(HGTV)

Within six short weeks, the property brothers race to complete this sanctuary, installing a kitchen with an island, a full bath, and a crafts room for Robin that could be used as a bedroom if need be.

At the big reveal, Robin is astonished to see what Close and the Scott brothers have built in her backyard in such a short span of time.

"The whole thing is amazing," she says. "I like the stillness of it, the serenity of it, the peace of it, the love that's in it. It's a blessing. Thank you!"

(HGTV)

Lisa Johnson Mandell is an award-winning writer who covers lifestyle, entertainment, real estate, design, and travel. Find her on ReallyRather.com