'Extreme Makeover' house in E. Setauket gets atrium, siding

Construction continued Friday on the "Extreme Makeover" house in East Setauket, with about 150 workers and volunteers putting up siding on the newly built home for the Lutz family.

After four days of work, a handful of onlookers still gathered to watch as glass plates were lifted by suction cups and placed into an atrium on the roof. A six-bedroom home replaced what was only a foundation in a matter of days.

Plans Friday also called for adding a skylight near the atrium and building brick flower beds in the front of the house.

As the work continued, with painting and tiling indoors and cesspool maintenance outside, the goal was to turn over the keys to the "Home Makeover" cast Saturday, which will then finish the interior decorating before Sunday's reveal.

Sal Ferro, the owner of Alure in Plainview, which is building the house, was enthusiastic about the number of volunteers who have come to help throughout the week.

"We're never lacking for volunteers," said the Huntington resident.

After building eight houses with the show, Ferro asked to build close to home. "I wanted to keep it on Long Island," he said. "That was important to me."

People from surrounding neighborhoods wandered in and out of the site for most of the day.

Lynn Sisti, 71, of Stony Brook, said she read about the Lutz family and was moved by their story. She also praised the work of the many trades professionals and volunteers.

"I can't wait to see the final outcome on TV," she said. "I'm sure they are doing great things."