PHOTO COURTESY OF HERMISTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
Inland Plumbing arrived on the Columbia Basin Student Homebuilders Program home site this week to begin work on the rough-in plumbing phase for Fieldstone #1, the first of 11 houses to be built by the student-led program.
Jason Knutz, owner of Inland Plumbing, is providing the expertise and oversight as CBSHBP students connected the house utilities to the city of Hermiston water and sewer services.
Inland Plumbing, a member of the Northeast Oregon Homebuilder’s Association (NEOHBA), will work with students through the week on the rough-in plumbing stage. Once the home is framed, Knutz will return to mentor students through the internal and finish plumbing components for the home.
Being the first opportunity to work students or on a project of this nature, Knutz said he didn’t know what to expect. “They are definitely willing to work,” he said. “They have good work ethics, not scared to get on the end of a shovel and see what happens.”
The students are eager to learn, some arriving an hour early to the job site or staying through lunch to work on the project, according to CBSHBP Coordinator Curt Berger.
Within the last couple weeks, Findley Brothers Construction worked with students on the floor joist phase of the 2,000+ square foot home. Once the rough-in plumbing is completed, Findley will return to oversee the students as they complete the wall and roof framing components.
“We are so grateful that sponsors such as Inland Plumbing and Findley Brothers are willing to collaborate with us on this project,” said Berger. “Without their support, and the support from many others, this wouldn’t be possible.”
