Building a home in these cold temperatures is a difficult endeavor. But, several volunteers for Habitat for Humanity are not only up to the challenge they are doing something they have never done before.

Thanks to the help from several volunteers a new duplex is in the works, but they've decided to stay warm and build this panelized home indoors.

"It's really nice for our volunteers because obviously the weather conditions outside can be a little chilly in Wisconsin so for them it's really nice to be indoors," says Cheryl McCollum with Habitat for Humanity.

Starting indoors first, they're able to beat the cold temps outside and assemble the whole thing together at the construction site once the parts are complete.

The unit they're working on will be a fortified duplex built to stand up against Wisconsin's elements.

Homes like these get built thanks to the help of over 15 volunteers and even the homeowners themselves get in on the action.

"I mean it gets a little sore but with the heartwarming feeling that I have it gets a lot easier," says Diane Johnson, a foster mother who is one of the future homeowners as is Leah Miller.

But for Leah, who's confined to a wheelchair, they've made her home accessible to her needs.

"I think it's amazing that people are willing to help us," says Miller.

Volunteers, no matter what their construction experience, are all taught the basics of building a home.

And when it's all said and done and the keys are handed over to the owner.

Both Leah and Diane are just thankful for the volunteers who have been apart of this process.

"You know I really don't have words for it. I was out here last week and when I got in my car I cried you know because I'm so happy so excited and I feel so blessed that they are doing this for me," Johnson says.

The group will be finished with construction in the next few weeks.

Both homeowners are expected to move in this March.
Habitat for Humanity has been building homes here in Dane County for nearly 20 years and has completed over 100 homes to date.