Home Town: A House Too Big to Move?

Ben and Erin may have bitten off more than they can chew when they take on a project for a client who wants to move and then renovate her great-grandmother's 1930s home. Sometimes it’s good to have a ‘Plan B’.

As seen on Home Town, Hosts Ben and Erin Napier in the dining room of the Rahaim residence. (portrait)

Erin and Ben Napier at the newly renovated Rahaim house

Photo by: Todd Douglas/ Verbatim

Todd Douglas/ Verbatim

Erin and Ben Napier at the newly renovated Rahaim house

What happens when you own a house, but somebody else has bought the land that it's sitting on? For Robyn and Cassidy Rahaim, there's just one answer. Lift the house of the ground and move it. Oh, and get Ben and Erin Napier help with the move then let them renovate the house. Simple, right? Maybe. Maybe not.

The Simmons-Rahain house has been in the Robyn Simmons family for decades on Home Town

Robyn's family home will have to be moved if it's to be saved.

Robyn's family home will have to be moved if it's to be saved.

The Players and The Challenge

Here's the situation: Robyn and Cassidy are newly married and have a five-year-old daughter. The land that had been Robyn's family farm had been sold, however the new owner didn't want the house, just the land. Consequently, the house was set to be torn down. Not willing to see the family home vanish into nothing, Robyn had a plan. "Well, we've got to move it," she said matter-of-factly. "We're keeping it."

The Proviso

The house, which was Robyn's family's original farm house, was built in 1938. It had two bedrooms, 1800 square feet and some desirable features like interior French doors, high bead-board ceilings and hardwood floors. It also had three separate front entrances, a rotting porch and two missing support columns. The cost to move it is $15,000. If that can be done successfully (the big "if"), Robyn and Cassidy's $100,000 budget would leave around $85,000 for renovations. Erin and Ben can take it from there. That's best-case scenario, and Erin has some ideas in mind if things play out as planned.

I mean, that's like the ultimate family heirloom.
Ben Napier

Before

After?

But there are some caveats. Ben and Erin have taken on some fairly intense renovations thus far in Home Town, but nothing like this. Moreover, there are always inherent risks with moving a house, and a myriad of things can potentially go wrong. Some houses don't survive a move. "It's just a little intimidating," understated Erin. "Yeah, I've never moved a house," added Ben, without missing a beat.

They want us to actually pick this house up...relocate this house...and make it beautiful.
Erin Napier

But they're willing to give it a try, but have a backup plan in their back pocket in case of an epic fail. The Plan-B scenario is The Key House, a charming '40s vintage home with some nice vintage features — including one especially important one attribute: it can remain where it is.

As seen on Home Town, Hosts Ben and Erin Napier redesigned the exterior of the Rahaim residence to a craftsman style with large tapered columns to accent the large front porch. (after)

As seen on Home Town, Hosts Ben and Erin Napier redesigned the exterior of the Rahaim residence to a craftsman style with large tapered columns to accent the large front porch. (after)

Photo by: Todd Douglas/ Verbatim

Todd Douglas/ Verbatim

The Transformation

Not to give too much away in terms of where exactly the Rahaim family ends up at the end of of this project, but let's just say that one epic adventure and one collapsed chimney later, renovations can get underway — on a house that's sitting firmly on the ground.

Hosts Ben and Erin Napier level the mantle with precision at the Simmons-Rahaim house on Home Town

Hosts Ben and Erin Napier pause for a behind the scenes look while working on the Simmons-Rahaim house on Home Town

Highlights in the Rahaim's newly re-envisioned home include a massive front porch, bead-board ceilings and beautiful wood floors. There's custom dining table and a vertical-storage dish rack — both a la Scotsman Co. by way of Ben Napier, and an antique bench that Ben salvaged and customized by Ben using reclaimed wood.

Todd Douglas/ Verbatim
Todd Douglas/ Verbatim

As seen on Home Town, Host Ben Napier inspects the bench that he built for the foyer of the Rahaim residence. (action)

Photo By: Todd Douglas/ Verbatim

As seen on Home Town, Host Erin Napier works in the living room on the final decorations to the fireplace mantle before the reveal of the renovated Rahaim residence. (action)

Photo By: Todd Douglas/ Verbatim

A refurbished kitchen features bead-board paneling and a painted wood kitchen floor in rust red.

As seen on Home Town, Hosts Ben and Erin Napier watch as homeowner Cassidy (R) shows the work he did on dining table to Robyn (C) Rahaim in the new dining room of their renovated residence. (action)

Ben and Erin with homeowners Robyn (C) and Cassidy (R) in the newly refurbished dining room.

Photo by: Todd Douglas/ Verbatim

Todd Douglas/ Verbatim

The Home Town episode titled "Move It or Lose It" premieres Monday, February 12 at 9p|8c. Check here for additional air times, and check back here to see the full photo gallery, and to see more new galleries, exclusive video and show updates.

Next Up

Season 2 of 'Home Town Takeover' — Here's What to Expect

Come April 23, Home Town Takeover — featuring Fort Morgan, Colorado — is back and jam-packed with HGTV guest appearances. Ahead: everything you need to know about Season 2.

HGTV to Expand 'Home Town' Into Multi-Series Franchise

In HGTV's new Home Town spinoff series Home Town Kickstart, Ben and Erin Napier expand their mission beyond their hometown of Laurel, Mississippi, bringing their unique brand of historic renovations and restoration to six small towns nationwide.

Meet 'Home Town': Old Home Love, Small Town Living

Coming in March, HGTV brings you a new renovation show set in a tiny town in the Deep South. Start getting ready now for Home Town.

Ben and Erin Napier Take Their 'Home Town Takeover' Talents to Florida

The Home Town hosts announced which small town will get a makeover in Season 3 of Home Town Takeover.

Erin and Ben Napier Open Up About Filming the 100th Episode of 'Home Town'

The home-renovation power couple, based in Laurel, Mississippi, never imagined the show would make it to this milestone.

'Home Town Takeover': Where Are They Now?

HGTV revisits the now-thriving small town of Wetumpka, Alabama, in a special follow-up to the hit Home Town spinoff, Home Town Takeover, starring Ben and Erin Napier.

30 Smart Ways to Improve Your Community Right Now

There are lots of ways you can enrich your neighborhood. Ahead, experts weigh in on the best ways to do it.

Home Town Season-2 Premiere + Some Other Big News

Heads up, Home Town fans! The much-anticipated second season kicks off Monday, January 8. Also, if you haven’t heard, Ben and Erin have a bombshell of an announcement that just happens to coincide.

'Home Town' House Renovated in Series First Season Is Up for Sale

Revisit the suburban split-level ranch — now available for purchase — that Erin and Ben Napier transformed into an upscale neighborhood show place in one of their earliest Home Town projects.

Ben and Erin Napier Are Back in HGTV's 'Home Town' Season Five

The hit series Home Town returns to HGTV with new episodes starting January 3. And we've got more Home Town news too!

On TV

Bargain Block

10am | 9c

Rock the Block

11am | 10c

Home Town

12pm | 11c

Home Town

1pm | 12c

Home Town

2pm | 1c

Home Town

3pm | 2c

Home Town

4pm | 3c

Home Town

5pm | 4c
On Tonight
On Tonight

Home Town

6pm | 5c

House Hunters

7:30pm | 6:30c

House Hunters

8:30pm | 7:30c

House Hunters

11pm | 10c

House Hunters

11:30pm | 10:30c

House Hunters

12am | 11c

House Hunters

2:30am | 1:30c

House Hunters

3:30am | 2:30c
What's Hot

Home Town

All new January 7 at 8|7c

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.

Luxury Home Giveaways

HGTV Smart Home

A sophisticated Southwestern home in Santa Fe, New Mexico

HGTV Dream Home

A modern mountain getaway in Morrison, Colorado

HGTV Urban Oasis

A Southern-inspired escape in Louisville, Kentucky