- November 22, 2024
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Hulbert Homes and Thomas Consulting & Construction renovated a Flagler County deputy's master bathroom for free. Photo by Sierra Williams
Regional Director for Hulbert Homes David Whelan (left) and Brad Thomas (right), owner of Thomas Consulting & Construction, hold personalized gifts from the family thanking them for the renovation. Photo by Sierra Williams
A 'before' photo of the FCSO's deputy's bathroom. Courtesy of Vickie and Paul
A 'before' photo of the FCSO's deputy's bathroom. Courtesy of Vickie and Paul
Brad Thomas, owner of Thomas Consulting & Construction, Thomas' office manager Asmaa Wady and David Whelan, Hulbert Homes regional director. Photo by Sierra Williams
When a Flagler County Sheriff's Office deputy entered a drawing to get his home painted for free, he didn't know that he would also end up with a free master bathroom renovation as well.
Paul — who asked for his family's identity to remain anonymous — is a sergeant with the road patrol unit at FCSO. He entered a drawing offered to FCSO employees called the "Paint the County Blue" initiative in spring 2023, but, just like any other type of drawing, he said, he didn't actually expect to win.
He really didn't expect what began as a free house painting to end with free master bathroom renovation. Paul said it was incredible to have been offered this.
"I feel like we don't even deserve it," he said. "I feel like we should just give it back."
Owner of Salazar’s Painting in Palm Coast James Salazar started Paint the County Blue initiative to give back to Flagler County's deputies in 2021. Between 2021-2023, he painted five deputies' home exteriors for free. The initiative has two requirements: The recipient must work at the FCSO in some capacity — not just as deputies — and they must own their home.
Salazar does the labor for free and has worked with local Sherwin Williams paint stores for the paint materials to be donated for the recipients' homes.
After Paul won the drawing, Brad Thomas, owner of Thomas Consulting & Construction and David Whelan, regional director of Hulbert Homes, said Salazar reached out to them about possibly renovating one of the rooms in Paul's home for free.
Paul and his wife Vickie live in their three-bedroom, two-bath home in with their two young sons. He said he was shocked when he found out Hulbert Homes and Thomas Consulting were also willing to renovate a room in the home.
Hulbert Homes offered to renovate any home in the house for free, barring the kitchen. Paul said that would have included the furniture, too, if he and his wife had chosen a bedroom. Ultimately, the couple decided the master bathroom needed the most work.
The teams weren't able to begin renovating the bathroom until this past June and took just over six weeks to complete, Vickie said. Vickie said when she went with the designer to pick out tile and countertops, she wasn't even given a budget to consider.
She said the entire experience of having a room completely renovated in the home was amazing.
"I've never had the experience of building anything, much less a renovation," she said. "...It's easier [now] for us to enjoy living in our house. It feels good."
Whelan and Thomas said the two companies worked together to find sub-contractors to completely renovate the bathroom. By the end of it, the bathroom's closet was expanded and a second closet added, a large tub was removed and replaced with an expanded shower with sleek white-and-gold marbled tiling and black industrial-styled hardware.
Multiple companies made donations to the project, from labor to materials. According to an email from Flagler Homebuilders Association Executive Officer Annamaria Long that includes the following: Anchor Electrical, ASAP Pro Services, Benchmark Glass, C & K Drywall Services, Coastal Stone Countertops llc, Manning Building Supplies, Masterbrand Cabinets, MSI Surfaces, Piltman Services, Delta Plumbing, Ferguson Plumbing Supply and Salazar's Painting.
"This was beyond anything," Paul said. "We really do appreciate it. We're grateful, thankful — everything."
