The Project

On Sept. 26, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” traveled to Holt, Mich. to tell the Nickless family that their 1860’s farmhouse was going to be remodeled in only seven days!

Arlene Nickless' house in Holt, Mich, which is in dire need of repair, will be torn down and replaced with a dream home by the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” crew.

After husband Tim Nickless passed away in January, Arlene and her three sons were left to fend for themselves in the dilapidated home. Therefore, Ty and his designers will rebuild the Nickless’ home to help them eventually rebuild their own lives after their tragic loss.

Tim Nickless was a true Renaissance man. This loving husband and father to three young boys was not only a respected nurse devoted to his patients but also a gifted craftsman, mentor and environmentalist.

As president of the Lansing Area Flying Aces model airplane club, and a member of the Arbor Day Society, Tim had a lust for life and a love for all things living. However after a painful 7-year battle with Hepatitis C, Tim died on Jan. 19, 2008.

Arlene and her three boys are now on their own in a 148-year-old farmhouse that is in dire need of repairs. Its walls, floors and foundation are deteriorating, and the old wiring is a fire hazard. Had he survived, Tim would have and could have turned this dilapidated house into their dream home. It is now up to Ty and his designers to do just that, for with Tim’s untimely passing, Arlene and the boys are desperate for help.

While Ty and the designers, local builder Mayberry Homes and hundreds of volunteers and workers are rebuilding their home, the Nickless family will go on vacation to DisneyWorld.

The design team for this episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” will feature team leader Ty Pennington and designers Paul DiMeo, Paige Hemmis, Eduardo Xol and John Littlefield. Construction will begin immediately following the 'Door Knock' and conclude the following Friday, October 3.