Bellefonte Building Supply helps bring HGTV’s ‘Scariest House in America’ to life
BELLEFONTE — What started as a surprise email turned into a national spotlight for a Centre County business — and a celebration of small-town craftsmanship on the biggest home renovation stage in America.
Bellefonte Building Supply, along with its sister companies Bellefonte Home Showcase and Hackman Builders, recently teamed up with HGTV to help transform a 200-year-old home for the network’s hit show “Scariest House in America.” The project, led by designer Alison Victoria, challenged the Bellefonte-based crew to completely renovate the historic property in just eight weeks, a feat that had never been completed on schedule in previous seasons.
“I think it was a very large scope for the timeline they gave us,” said co-owner Shane Murphy. “It was essentially tear down to the studs and rebuild the whole house, including some structural adaptations within eight weeks. But they were upfront about that from the start and they told us we were the first to ever finish on time at this level of quality.”
Murphy co-owns the business with Phil Martin. The two took over the former Triangle Building Supply about a year and a half ago and have since grown the business into a multi-faceted operation offering everything from kitchen and bathroom remodels to custom flooring and full-home renovations. Showroom manager Lisa Hill has helped expand the company’s design capabilities and guided clients through hundreds of remodeling projects across the region.
Unexpected opportunity
The HGTV opportunity came unexpectedly.
“Honestly, we thought it was a scam at first,” Murphy said with a laugh. “They reached out saying they were looking for reputable contractors in the Bellefonte area. They had contacted over a hundred companies across Pennsylvania and even into New Jersey. Once we realized it was real, we explained our capabilities and community focus and that ended up being one of the reasons they chose us.”
That community connection turned out to be a deciding factor. During the interview process, Murphy and his team had to miss one of HGTV’s scheduled calls because they were hosting a community cookout.
“We didn’t realize it at the time, but that’s what sealed the deal,” Murphy said. “They loved that we were so invested in our town.”
Working on a 200-year-old home presented a host of challenges, from uneven walls to structural decay, but it also gave the team a chance to showcase their problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
“There wasn’t a single plumb or level wall or floor in the whole house,” Murphy said. “But that gave us a real opportunity to see transformation. They let us make some of those design calls to make it right for the homeowner.”
Final reveal
The final reveal was emotional not just for the homeowner, but for the crew that brought it to life. Murphy said the team celebrated with a watch party at Antifragile Brewing Company.
“Our craftsmen don’t always get to take a step back and see what their work means to people,” he said. “Watching that reveal on national TV and seeing the homeowner’s joy…it reminded all of us why we do what we do.”
Beyond the TV fame, Murphy hopes the project shines a light on Bellefonte’s rich character and on the next generation of local tradesmen.
“We’re big advocates for the trades,” he said. “We work closely with CPI and the Builders Association to connect with students. Projects like this show that construction and remodeling are honorable, creative careers. You’re literally shaping people’s lives.”
More than anything, Murphy said the experience reaffirmed what makes small-town businesses special.
“When you work with local suppliers and contractors, you’re not just hiring a company. You’re building a relationship with your neighbors,” he said. “To be able to give back to Bellefonte and the greater area in whatever way we can. It’s really unique and something we’re very thankful for.”
For Bellefonte Building Supply, that spirit of craftsmanship, community and collaboration is what turned a spooky old house into a nationally televised success story.
