FHB Contributor Ian Schwandt and Scott Fridrych, Director of Construction at LivCo in Chicago, discuss how a remodeling company can provide a higher level of customer service to their clients and how managing a remodeling company compares to production home building.
The crew hear from listeners about codes and tube skylights, before taking questions about significantly-sloped decks, masonry-filled stud bays and installing skylights in a cathedral ceiling.
In this Pro-Talk podcast, FHB contributor Ian Schwandt talks to Victoria Downing, president of Remodeler’s Advantage, about understanding business financials and the importance of learning from your peers.
The crew answers questions about affordable new-house builds, AI in construction, and trade school education. Brendan shows us a house where all the framing is visible on cold mornings. Justin explains power tool batteries. Doug Horgan has thoughts on fireplace doors and roofs.
In this Pro-Talk podcast, FHB Contributor Ian Schwandt talks to Candice Rania, Design Department Manager at Leff Design Build, about moving into management roles, using the EOS model, and managing creative people.
The crew hear from listeners about DIY foam outsulation and chemical sensitivity before taking questions about digital shower valves, wonky concrete floors, and insulating stem walls.
In this Pro-Talk podcast FHB contributor Ian Schwandt talks to Heather Thompson and Mark Pollard, Owners of Juniper Design Build, about working on an island, high performance building and the design build process.
The crew hear from listeners about insulation and getting kids into trade work before taking questions on bad rehabs, poor enforcement of airtightness rules and what’s the best low-slope roof.
Patrick and Tyler talk about common construction defects, what contractors can do to prevent defect lawsuits, and what’s going on with the Millennium Tower.
The crew hear from listeners about radon, termites and home workshops, before taking questions about finding a good designer, insulating paint, and fan-supplied fireplaces.
FHB Contributor Ian Schwandt talks to Chris Magwood, Director of Research at Builders for Climate Action, about tools for measuring the embodied carbon of building materials and how to build using carbon-storing materials.
The crew hears about indoor-air quality and reclaiming flooring before taking questions about stair stringers, mudsill details, and building a concrete dome.
In this Pro-Talk podcast, FHB contributor Ian Schwandt talks to lead carpenter Antonio Lama about being a lead carpenter with an economics degree, becoming interested in high-performance building, and career opportunities for tradespeople.
Listen and laugh as the crew navigate the trials and tribulations of residential building, design, and remodeling in some of our favorite clips from episodes 155 to 200.
Fine Homebuilding Contributor Ian Schwandt talks to carpentry-program graduate Leah Stargardter about the Madison College Remodeling Carpentry Program, working in urban environments, and construction workforce diversity.
The crew hears from listeners about tilt-turn windows and roof sheathing before taking listener questions about trusses, rigid insulation on the roof, and spray foam.
Patrick talks to Spencer Pope of Bradford White, water-heater manufacturer, about making your water heater last longer, the breakdown of how Americans heat domestic hot water, and the strange calls that come into customer service.
Mike, Ian, and Patrick hear from a listener about patience versus experience, before taking questions about tall windows, insulating stone foundations, and holding up cast-iron waste and vent stacks.
Patrick talks to Steve Rogers, president of The Energy Conservatory, about the tools of building science, what it’s like to have a niche business, and the integration of building science into HVAC work.
Ian, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about holey sheathing and making the most of an existing home, before taking questions on wall stack-ups, drilling holes in concrete foundations, and HVAC systems in a mixed climate.
Patrick talks to Ryan Colker, Vice President of Innovation at the International Code Council, about off-site construction as a way to address multiple societal and industry challenges including affordability, resilience, and workforce availability.
In this live recording from the last day of the show, Patrick, Andrew, Nathan Shirai, and Andy Steele talk about what they learned at the first Southeast Building Science Symposium and the challenges of building in the southeast.
In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Schluter sales rep Chris Hossler about how to achieve a high-quality tile installation and why so many building-products companies do such a poor job of training and support for their products.
The crew hear from listeners about winterizing foundations and lazy additions before taking questions about air-sealing band joists, sheathing tape, and good windows at a reasonable price.
Patrick talks to Charlie Stewart, a contractor in Altamont, N.Y., about what it’s like to work on old houses, sacrifices to please good customers, and renovating Charlie's historic home.