Chicks in Construction

Podcast Cary
Podcast Cary
  • 3.0 (2)
  • Home & Garden

You plan your renovation with excitement, trust your contractor, and hope for the best...until things start going sideways. That’s when most homeowners realize they didn’t know what they didn’t know. From permits that were never pulled to “contractors” who ghost after demo day, the construction world can feel like a maze of hidden costs and shady shortcuts. Too many homeowners end up confused, overwhelmed, and out of a lot of money. The Chicks in Construction Podcast is here to change that. Hosted by Mikki Paradis, a licensed general contractor with 20+ years of experience, and Jess Abreu, a homeowner turned construction content creator, this show breaks down real renovation horror stories and teaches you how to protect your time, money, and home. After building a multimillion-dollar drywall business and helping countless homeowners recover from construction nightmares, Mikki is on a mission to make sure you go into your next project informed, not blindsided. And Jess brings the perspective of someone who’s been in your shoes and now knows exactly what questions to ask. Submit Your Construction Horror Story: https://chicksinconstruction.com/

  1. 2d ago

    Medication Mistake Killed My Dog + $80K Kitchen Horror Story (Worcester, MA)

    This podcast’s goal is to educate homeowners through submitted “homeowner horror stories.” Mikki shares a personal warning after her English mastiff, Optimus Prime, died from a drug interaction: carprofen and progesterone were prescribed together, leading to a catastrophic GI bleed, and she urges viewers to verify medication interactions and pursue accountability through reporting and complaints.  The episode then covers a Massachusetts kitchen remodel disaster: a homeowner hired a contractor from a mailbox flyer, paid half up front without a written contract, faced unlicensed electrical work that failed inspection, erratic scheduling, long disappearances, and ballooning costs, ultimately spending about $80,000 after hiring a licensed company to finish properly and learning to verify licensing, get everything in writing, and protect themselves contractually. 00:00 Welcome and New Setup00:31 What the Podcast Does02:22 A Personal Story Begins03:05 Optimus Prime and Mastiffs07:35 The Medication Mix-Up13:18 Aftermath and Accountability20:28 Transition to Horror Stories20:57 Worcester and Budget Reality25:49 COVID Prices and Greed28:29 Red Flags With the Contractor29:58 Demo Fast Then Stalls31:06 Permits Licensing and Chaos32:33 Wicked Stressed Realization32:54 Calling the Inspector33:55 Electrical Work Fails34:27 Costs Spiral and Disappear34:58 Contractor Vanishes Six Weeks35:30 Feeling Lost and Ashamed36:00 Why Homeowners Don't Know40:50 Consumer Affairs Game Plan43:17 Firing the Contractor43:54 Airbnb Side Quest Chaos46:51 Hiring a Licensed Remodeler48:17 Final Bill and Lessons49:26 How to Vet Contractors50:52 Facebook Recs Ask for Photos53:27 Contracts Protect Homeowners54:42 Wrap Up and Where to Find Us

  2. Aug 11

    Dream Home to Construction Nightmare Part 2

    In Part 2, Chicks in Construction hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu continue examining the ongoing dispute involving Minnesota attorney and content creator Dylan White, known as The Dad Chats, his wife Suzanne, and the builder of their custom home. According to allegations discussed in the lawsuit, the Whites reported recurring drywall cracks, nail pops, floor movement, subfloor deflection, elevated moisture readings, and other concerns they believed went beyond an ordinary new-home punch list. The builder disputes the allegations.  But this episode is really about what happened after repeated repairs didn't provide answers. Mikki and Jessica explain why fixing the visible damage isn't the same as fixing its cause. When a drywall crack keeps returning, moisture keeps appearing, or the same problem requires repair after repair, it's time to ask a different question: Why does this keep happening? That's what Dylan and Suzanne reportedly began doing. Instead of relying solely on the builder's warranty process, they brought in independent specialists to investigate specific systems—including flooring and possible water intrusion. The episode explains why homeowners may need a flooring specialist, building-envelope expert, structural engineer, geotechnical engineer, or forensic inspector rather than expecting one person to diagnose everything. According to the lawsuit, the Whites allege that after they began bringing independent experts to the property, individuals associated with the builder appeared when inspections were taking place. The complaint includes allegations that an inspector was photographed or recorded from across the street and that members of the White family were photographed or recorded without their knowledge. These allegations form part of an invasion-of-privacy claim and are disputed by the builder.  The episode closes with lessons homeowners can take from the dispute regardless of its eventual outcome: recognize patterns, bring in independent experts when necessary, document recurring problems, keep important communication in writing, and don't confuse repairing damage with identifying its cause. This is an ongoing legal dispute. The claims discussed in this episode are allegations, the builder disputes them, and the court has not made factual findings establishing the allegations discussed. 00:00 – They believed they were being watched00:35 – Welcome back & Part 1 recap05:00 – Inside the lawsuit08:00 – Why recurring repairs matter09:00 – Moisture & mold concerns10:30 – Did they fix the cause?14:00 – Looking for answers16:30 – Hiring independent experts19:00 – Moisture testing20:00 – Why specialists matter23:00 – Independent experts vs. the builder26:00 – Don't diagnose your own house29:00 – The story takes a creepy turn30:00 – Surveillance allegations33:00 – Photos of the family34:30 – Invasion of privacy claim38:00 – When trust breaks down40:00 – Document everything42:30 – Is contractor licensing enough?45:00 – The single-point-of-failure problem49:00 – Are homeowners adequately protected?51:30 – What homeowners should learn54:00 – Share your construction story

  3. Aug 4

    Dream Home to Construction Nightmare

    In this episode of Chicks in Construction, Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu dig into the ongoing lawsuit involving Minnesota attorney and content creator Dylan White, known online as @TheDadChats, and the builder of his family's custom home. The episode begins with a bigger question: How much experience should someone need before they're trusted to build a house? Mikki and Jessica discuss contractor licensing requirements, why a license doesn't necessarily equal experience, and why homeowners should investigate who's actually building their home. Then they get into Dylan's story. According to allegations discussed in the episode, what initially looked like typical new-home issues—drywall cracks, nail pops, and cosmetic defects—eventually grew into hundreds of reported concerns. Mikki explains why individual problems may be completely normal, but several systems showing recurring problems can warrant a much closer look.  Then came the moment that changed everything: Dylan has publicly said his children were playing in a small bounce house in the basement when his wife noticed movement upstairs, including rattling pictures and objects moving on shelves. The hosts discuss why that experience, combined with the other reported issues, raised bigger questions about what was happening with the house.  Mikki also breaks down the difference between normal settling and a pattern of potential warning signs. A drywall crack, squeaky floor, sticky door, or nail pop alone may have an innocent explanation. But when multiple systems repeatedly show signs of movement, homeowners should start looking for a common cause rather than treating every symptom separately.  Because this litigation is ongoing, the claims discussed in this episode are allegations and have not been established as fact. The builder disputes the homeowners' characterization of the issues.  And this story isn't over. Part 2 is coming next. 00:00 – When house movement becomes a red flag00:45 – Welcome to Chicks in Construction04:00 – Mikki’s $5,500 vet bill09:00 – Jess’s dog attack story12:00 – The contractor debate goes viral14:00 – Does a GC need experience?16:30 – Contractor requirements by state19:00 – States without statewide GC licensing21:00 – Why experience matters24:30 – The $1.2 million lawsuit30:00 – Who is Dylan White?33:00 – The first problems appear35:30 – Nearly 500 reported defects38:30 – Normal settling vs. warning signs41:00 – Doors, floors & recurring cracks44:00 – Stop fixing symptoms46:00 – The bounce house moment50:00 – How much should a floor move?52:30 – Multiple problems create a pattern53:30 – To be continued

  4. Jul 28

    Flipped Homes, Hidden Damage & the Truth About "As-Is" Sales

    Welcome back to another episode of Chicks in Construction — the true crime podcast, construction edition! This week Mikki and Jessica kick things off with some Chicky Chat: Hector's international gallbladder surgery adventure in El Salvador (complete with translation app fails, gloveless procedures, and Juan Carlos saving the day), plus travel tales from Jess's European cruise. Then it's on to the main story: why the prettiest flipped homes can hide the ugliest secrets. Fresh paint, brand-new floors, and gorgeous quartz countertops can conceal water damage, mold, missing permits, and structural problems that don't show up until months after closing. As always, we're not attorneys or doctors, and this isn't legal advice — but these real cases and lessons can help you avoid becoming one of our future stories. Got a story of your own? Share it with us at chicksinconstruction.com — we'll always keep you anonymous, even if you don't check the box. Follow us: Facebook, LinkedIn & Instagram: @chicksinconstructionpodcast TikTok: @chicksinconstruction #ChicksInConstruction #HomeBuying #HouseFlipping #RealEstate #TrueCrimePodcast #HomeInspection #RenovationRedFlags Chapters: 0:00 Intro & Chicky Chat (Hector's El Salvador surgery, Jess's cruise) 27:03 Getting to today's story 27:17 The dream home that's hiding secrets 29:50 The bidding war & waived inspections 36:48 Johnson v. Davis and seller disclosure law 41:41 When the inspector misses it 45:58 "As-is" doesn't mean anything goes 57:12 Rapid-fire red flags to watch for 1:01:59 Where to find us Submit your homeowner horror story:www.chicksinconstruction.com Follow on Social Media:www.instagram.com/chicksinconstructionpodcastwww.facebook.com/chicksinconstructionpodcastwww.linkedin.com/company/chicksinconstructionpodcastwww.youtube.com/@ChicksInConstruction ________________ Love what you hear?Subscribe to Chicks in Construction and share this episode with your friends because every homeowner, builder, contractor, and designer needs to hear this one!

  5. Jul 21

    What Homeowners Insurance Actually Covers

    In this episode of Chicks in Construction, Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu explain what homeowners insurance actually covers, why construction defects and long-term water intrusion are frequently excluded, and how homeowners can protect themselves before something goes wrong. They also discuss the surprisingly low barrier to becoming a licensed general contractor, the difference between a home inspector and a building inspector, and why a contractor can be responsible for an entire home without completing the apprenticeship or experience requirements expected in many individual trades.  Through real court disputes, homeowner stories, and firsthand experiences, Mikki and Jessica explain why insurance is not a home warranty, contractor warranty, or maintenance plan—and why identifying the cause of damage is often more important than proving the damage exists. You’ll also learn what documents to save, when filing a claim may increase your future costs, what to do after a denial, and why hiring the cheapest contractor can become the most expensive decision you ever make. 00:00 – General contractor licensing00:45 – New podcast setup02:00 – European vacation recap03:00 – Gluten-free travel in Italy05:00 – Six countries in one trip07:00 – Venice: worth the visit?10:45 – Viral builder lawsuit14:00 – How easy is contractor licensing?16:00 – Home vs. building inspectors18:00 – Social media backlash21:00 – Homeowner horror stories26:00 – What insurance really covers28:00 – The burned fence claim29:30 – Stolen car insurance story32:00 – Why claims raise your rates33:30 – Insurance is not a warranty34:30 – Challenging a denied claim37:00 – Hidden water damage38:00 – Find the leak first40:00 – What caused the damage?41:30 – Documents homeowners should save43:00 – Roof damage vs. normal wear45:00 – When filing a claim makes sense46:30 – Faulty workmanship exclusions49:00 – The cheapest contractor trap50:00 – How to verify a contractor51:00 – Understanding your policy52:00 – Documenting your belongings53:00 – What to do after a denial54:00 – Public adjusters and experts55:00 – Final homeowner advice

  6. Jul 14

    What Every Homeowner Should Know About Plumbing

    Main Street Plumbing Company:https://mainstplumbingnc.com/ Main Street Plumbing Number:919-617-0496 Capps Plumbing Company:https://cappsplg.com/ In this episode of Chicks in Construction, Mikki Paradise welcomes Hailey, a plumber with more than 14 years of experience, to share hilarious stories, hard-earned lessons, and practical advice every homeowner should know.  From the strangest things ever flushed down toilets to why plumbers cringe when they hear someone used Drano, Hailey explains the mistakes that lead to expensive repairs—and how homeowners can avoid them. The conversation also explores what it's like being a woman in the plumbing trade, dealing with stereotypes, earning respect on the job, and why the construction industry needs more women. Along the way, Mikki and Hailey discuss water heaters, water pressure, plumbing maintenance, DIY repairs, builder shortcuts, and the importance of finding a plumber you can trust. Whether you're a homeowner trying to prevent costly repairs or someone considering a career in the skilled trades, this episode is packed with practical advice, laughs, and insider knowledge. 00:00 – Welcome back to Chicks in Construction 01:00 – Meet guest plumber Hailey 04:00 – How Hailey became a plumber 06:30 – Why the trades were a better fit than college 07:00 – What it's like being a woman in plumbing 10:00 – Why construction should be called "male-populated," not "male-dominated" 11:30 – Homeowner mistakes plumbers see every day 14:00 – Why plumbers hate Drano and drain cleaners 17:00 – The only three things that belong in a toilet 18:00 – Flushable wipes aren't really flushable 19:00 – Grease, clogged drains, and expensive repairs 20:00 – The strangest things ever flushed down a toilet 23:00 – Inside Main Street Plumbing 26:00 – Why water pressure matters 28:00 – Knowing where your main water shutoff is 30:00 – Water damage prevention every homeowner should know 33:00 – Should you flush your water heater? 35:00 – Plumbing maintenance plans explained 37:00 – Extending the life of your water heater 38:00 – Warning signs your water heater is failing 39:00 – Why you should shut your water off before vacation 42:00 – Cheap toilets vs. quality plumbing fixtures 45:00 – Why trustworthy contractors are worth keeping 50:00 – Builder shortcuts plumbers see every day 53:00 – Which plumbing repairs are safe to DIY? 55:00 – Final homeowner tips

    What Every Homeowner Should Know About Plumbing

  7. Jul 7

    Contractor Catastrophes: What Every Homeowner Should Know

    In this episode of Chicks in Construction, hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu discuss an Arizona case in which senior citizens Elizabeth Matthews and her husband hired Settlers West Home Builder in May 2022 to build a $1M custom home in Tucson’s Catalina Foothills, then were persuaded to sign a separate $300,000 guest-house contract and pay large amounts in cash outside their construction loan. After paying $150,000 for the main project plus $150,000 and later $105,000 toward the guest house (and nearly $60,000 in upgrades), the couple saw major delays, received no refund when requested, and ultimately learned the builder filed for bankruptcy in December 2023, leaving two homes only framed. The builders had 18 license complaints before revocation in February 2024. The hosts stress red flags, not paying for uncompleted work, milestone-based draws, lien waivers, and retainage. 00:00 Renovation Limbo Warning 00:25 Podcast Intro and Horror Stories 02:47 Why Contractors Dodge Consequences 09:04 Time Optimist Tangent 13:45 Hoarding vs Throwing Away 19:01 Deep Dive Redemption Setup 20:34 Dream Home Disaster Begins 22:59 Meet the Matthews and the Contract 26:08 Guest House Upsell Red Flags 27:53 Discounts as Red Flags 28:42 Cash Pressure and Markups 31:02 Selling the House to Pay 32:54 Delays and Sunk Cost Trap 36:34 Overpaying for Bare Framing 38:38 Complaints and Bankruptcy Twist 48:13 Why Fixing Work Costs More 52:39 Pay Milestones and Lien Waivers 56:43 Retainage and Final Takeaways

    Contractor Catastrophes: What Every Homeowner Should Know

  8. Jun 30

    The House That Shouldn’t Have Been Demolished

    Mikki Paradis and co-host Jessica Abreu introduce the Chicks in Construction podcast, explaining their mission to help homeowners understand what’s normal, spot red flags, and avoid contractor scams by sharing “Homeowner Horror Stories” submitted at chicksinconstruction.com. They discuss how construction failures often come from chained mistakes and share a shocking Atlanta, Georgia incident where a private demolition crew tore down the wrong inherited family home while the owner was on vacation, then left; the City of Atlanta issued a correction notice requiring the owner to clean up rubble and warning of fines despite the work being unpermitted and unauthorized. They note similar Atlanta cases, compare homeowner protections across states, and invite listeners to submit stories and follow the show on social media. 00:00 Cold Open Banter 00:20 Podcast Mission 03:14 Submitting Horror Stories 05:16 Cups Hydration Heat 05:54 NC Weather Whiplash 07:44 Running Zombies Alaska 12:51 Neighborhood Demo Problem 15:40 Why Trees Matter 16:33 House Shouldnt Demolish 18:13 Wrong House Shock 19:51 How Crews Miss Addresses 21:02 Drywall Wrong House Story 23:16 Safeguards That Failed 23:48 Irreplaceable Memories Lost 25:59 Contractor City Fallout 29:04 Atlanta Pattern Of Demos 35:13 Homeowner Protections Gap 39:22 Share Your Story Outro

    The House That Shouldn’t Have Been Demolished
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Ratings & Reviews

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out of 5
2 Ratings

About

You plan your renovation with excitement, trust your contractor, and hope for the best...until things start going sideways. That’s when most homeowners realize they didn’t know what they didn’t know. From permits that were never pulled to “contractors” who ghost after demo day, the construction world can feel like a maze of hidden costs and shady shortcuts. Too many homeowners end up confused, overwhelmed, and out of a lot of money. The Chicks in Construction Podcast is here to change that. Hosted by Mikki Paradis, a licensed general contractor with 20+ years of experience, and Jess Abreu, a homeowner turned construction content creator, this show breaks down real renovation horror stories and teaches you how to protect your time, money, and home. After building a multimillion-dollar drywall business and helping countless homeowners recover from construction nightmares, Mikki is on a mission to make sure you go into your next project informed, not blindsided. And Jess brings the perspective of someone who’s been in your shoes and now knows exactly what questions to ask. Submit Your Construction Horror Story: https://chicksinconstruction.com/

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