BUILT TO LAST: BUYER BEWARE

Awarding-Winning BUILT TO LAST
Directed/Produced by George Siegel
a Climate Action NOW Monthly Film Festival Film
Monday February 24, 2025

Built to Last: Buyer Beware is a compelling documentary that delves into the issue of poorly constructed homes and their far-reaching consequences on homeowners and communities. Narrated by award winning actor Dylan Baker, the film exposes the negligence and lack of accountability within the building industry, presenting a stark contrast between homes that fail under stress and those that stand the test of time.

Through interviews with experts, builders, and affected homeowners, Built to Last: Buyer Beware not only highlights the flaws in the current system but also provides valuable insights and solutions for future homebuyers and policymakers. The documentary aims to educate viewers, empower consumers, and advocate for higher standards in home construction to ensure safer, more durable living environments for all.

OPENING REMARKS by George Siegel

OUR AWESOME PANEL:

GEORGE SIEGAL, Filmmaker, podcaster, former local news reporter and weathercaster George Siegal’s first-hand encounters with families victimized by natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and earthquakes inspired him to produce and direct a new cutting-edge documentary, Built to Last: Buyer Beware. The film addresses the issue of poorly constructed homes and the consequences for homowners and communities. The film exposes the consequences of the problem while showcasing examples of well-built structures.

ROB MOORE is the Director of Flooding Solutions within the Climate Adaptation Division of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Moore works to address water-related impacts that result from climate change, particularly the escalating risks of flooding and the effects of sea level rise. The team he leads primarily focuses on issues related to flood insurance, building and land use standards, disclosure of flood risks, and how to improve assistance to people who need to relocate to higher ground. Rob is in the film Built to Last: Buyer Beware.

ELEANOR KU CODDING (Ellie) is the Fairfax County DPWES Deputy Director who oversees County stormwater management. Ellie is a licensed professional engineer in Virginia with 27 years of experience in civil engineering. Before joining Fairfax County in 2013, she worked at consulting firms, where she provided technical support in wastewater and stormwater management to government agencies and private organizations. Her role involved assisting with regulatory development, compliance, and enforcement efforts.

HEATHER COLTER, Urban Conservation Specialist, Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District. Heather is originally from Boston, MA and has a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from NC State University. She joined Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District in mid-2024 as an Urban Conservation Specialist to support the Local Stormwater Finance Assistance Program (LSFAP). Previously, she was an Environmental Health Specialist in North Carolina specializing in water quality & soil assessments for private onsite wastewater systems.

MODERATOR:

ELISA SOLOMON is the Project Coordinator at the Fairfax Food Council. She holds a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in food security and nutrition.

EVENT SPONSOR: Climate Action NOW (CAN) 501c3. EVENT PARTNERS: Network NOVA, Trace – The Zero Waste Store, Climate & Clean Energy Working Group, Go Electric DMV.

BOOK SEATS NOW before theater reaches capacity!