Chicks in Construction

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. 5d ago

    Contractor Horror Story: The Countertop Nightmare

    In this episode of Chicks in Construction, Mikki and Jessica dive into one of the hottest debates in the construction world right now: who should pay when a contractor fails an inspection? Mikki shares a wild personal story involving a fence contractor, disappearing work crews, and an explosive confrontation that proves shady contractors can target anyone — even experienced construction professionals. The conversation then shifts into a homeowner horror story from Connecticut involving a simple countertop replacement that spirals into a four-month nightmare involving delays, disappearing contractors, leaking sinks, surprise charges, and an unlicensed handyman posing as a legitimate contractor. Along the way, the hosts unpack contractor licensing, inspection failures, how homeowners can protect themselves, and why doing even a little research before a remodel can save thousands of dollars and endless frustration. This episode is equal parts hilarious, educational, and cautionary tale for every homeowner considering a renovation project. 00:00 – Mikki’s opening rant about failed inspections and contractor responsibility00:45 – What the podcast is all about for new listeners03:00 – Mikki’s insane fence contractor story begins05:00 – The contractor repeatedly no-shows after demoing the fence07:00 – Mikki fires the contractor… and he comes back anyway08:30 – The confrontation escalates fast10:00 – “Keep talking.” — Mikki pulls out the Southern energy12:00 – Why shady contractors target homeowners they think won’t push back13:00 – The controversial debate about contractors charging for failed inspections16:00 – Why inspectors can sometimes be inconsistent or wrong18:00 – The reality of code interpretation and inspector relationships20:00 – Why experienced contractors build strong relationships with inspectors22:00 – Mikki explains why homeowners should NEVER pay for a contractor’s learning curve24:00 – Today’s homeowner horror story begins: “I just wanted new countertops.”26:00 – The homeowner hires “a guy who knows a guy”28:00 – Large deposits, disappearing contractors, and mounting delays31:00 – The countertops finally arrive… with a terrible seam34:00 – The leaking undermount sink disaster begins36:00 – The contractor demands MORE money to fix his own mistake37:00 – The homeowner discovers the contractor isn’t licensed39:00 – The contractor disappears completely40:00 – A real licensed contractor steps in to fix the mess42:00 – “I should have known better.” — Why homeowners blame themselves43:00 – Mikki explains how homeowners can better protect themselves44:00 – Using AI and online tools to research contractors and permits45:00 – Why multiple bids and contracts matter47:00 – Final lessons from the story and how listeners can submit their own horror stories 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!

    48 min

  2. May 19

    Unmasking Construction Scams: Homeowner Stories

    Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu host an episode of Chicks in Construction about recurring homeowner scams where contractors fail inspections and try to charge homeowners to fix their own mistakes. They share a South Carolina story in which a homeowner hires “Travis” from Facebook to convert two closets into a half bath for $12,000 in three weeks, pays a $4,000 deposit, then gets hit with extra charges after failed plumbing and electrical inspections, including $1,500 and $800 fixes. After five weeks and $6,500 spent, the homeowner discovers Travis isn’t licensed, can’t provide receipts, and abandons the job. A licensed contractor finishes for $4,500, bringing the total to over $18,000 and four months. They emphasize verifying local requirements, licenses, and insurance, and promote their North Carolina “Pours and Plans” contractor-vetting events. 00:00 Drywall Ethics Cold Open 00:20 Podcast Intro Banter 00:53 Spicy Comment Clapback 02:25 Brain Fog And Tab Chaos 04:29 Vitamin Dealer And Birthdays 07:32 Contractor Scams Explained 13:14 Inspections And Who Pays 19:28 Seniors Panel And Aging Talk 23:03 Horror Story Begins Facebook Hire 24:10 Bathroom Reno Red Flags 27:02 Ask Questions Always 27:36 Confidence Isnt Competence 28:11 Permits And Failed Plumbing 29:13 Paying For Mistakes 32:20 Electrical Code Fail 34:37 New Crews On Site 36:17 Toilet Flange Explained 38:30 License Check Fallout 40:46 Receipts And Ghosting 42:08 Real Contractor Cleanup 43:27 Facebook Referrals Risk 45:22 Pores And Plans Events 51:28 Vet License And Insurance 54:02 Wrap Up And Share Stories

    55 min

  3. May 12

    Building Nightmares: The True Cost of Oversight

    Hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu of Chicks in Construction explain why permits matter and share a Denver homeowner horror story: Kevin and Noelle Collins hired Schwab Builders (run by Avi Schwab and involving his father Sean) for a major remodel of their 1950s bungalow, paying over $250,000 in installments. After demolition, progress stalled, communication turned vague, and they later discovered no permits were pulled and the contractor wasn’t properly licensed. A courtesy inspection led to a stop-work order and an engineering report declaring the home unsafe to occupy, forcing the family out after Thanksgiving 2023 and into two years of paying mortgage plus rent. Prosecutors found multiple victims, alleged over $1.1M in consumer fraud, and a jury convicted the builder on 47 felony counts; Avi was sentenced to 10 years. The BBB “Restoring Trust” program helped rebuild the Collins’ home for free, and the hosts highlight red flags like failing to verify licensing and skipping permits. 00:00 Permits Matter 00:13 Welcome and Submit Stories 01:42 Sneeze Talk Tangent 03:50 Tough Mudder Signup 08:59 Camping and Clean Freak 14:30 Back to the Horror Story 18:09 Denver Remodel Nightmare Setup 19:46 Schwab Builders Red Flags 20:55 Quarter Million Renovation Reality 22:22 Contracts and Payments 24:38 Demo and Dependency Trap 27:53 Delays and Ghosting 30:37 No Permits No License 35:30 Lawyer and Courtesy Inspection 37:45 Stop Work Unsafe Home 43:03 More Victims and Fraud 47:21 Trial Verdict and Sentencing 48:56 Restoring Trust and Red Flags 52:00 Final Takeaways and Outro 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!

    52 min

  4. May 5

    Caught in the Act: Shady Contractors and How to Spot Them

    Hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu discuss how homeowners can still be scammed by contractors who seem legitimate, stressing that confidence can be a red flag and research is essential. They cover a fraud case in upstate New York (2019–2023) where a couple used multiple similar business names, contracts, and fake references—one was the contractor’s wife—to take large upfront deposits, stall or abandon projects, deliver poor work, refuse refunds, and spend victims’ money on personal expenses like casino trips and luxury vehicles; losses exceeded $1.5 million across more than a dozen homeowners. The husband received a 5–15 year prison sentence and the wife got six months plus probation. They outline protections: verify licenses and qualifiers, research names via Secretary of State and court filings, avoid deposits over 20%, tie payments to progress, don’t rush decisions, and visit active job sites. 00:00 Confidence Is a Red Flag 00:17 Meet the Hosts 00:48 Justice and Jail Jokes 02:55 Hector and the Purchase Order 06:16 Tech Adoption in Trades 08:15 Why Trades Beat AI 09:37 Research and Real Facts 11:23 Scam Story Setup 14:57 Fraud Case Overview 19:57 Multiple Company Names Warning 23:44 Fake References and Reviews 29:04 Verify Work on Site 31:32 Where the Money Went 31:51 Victims Count the Losses 32:15 Charges and Sentencing 33:51 How the Scam Looked Legit 36:03 Red Flags to Watch 36:07 Multiple Business Names Explained 39:49 Upfront Deposits and Overpaying 41:58 Work Stalls and Bad Workmanship 44:44 Protect Yourself With Research 47:58 Verify Licenses and Qualifiers 52:21 Progress Payments Not Pressure 57:17 Final Takeaways and Share Stories 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!

    1 hr

  5. Apr 28

    Shaky Foundations: A Homeowner’s Guide to Contractor Scams

    Hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu open with a “chicky chat” recap of Mikki babysitting Jess’s kids, including an Uno-cheating incident and the kids texting their parents throughout the night. They then share a homeowner horror story from Sam in South Carolina, who hired a referred contractor to enclose a patio into a sunroom for $42,000 without getting other quotes or verifying a license. After failed inspections, repeated upcharges for rework, delays, and being asked basic planning questions on site, Sam discovered the contractor wasn’t licensed and was allegedly “working under” someone else’s license before ghosting. Sam hired a licensed contractor to redo and finish the project for $28,000 more, stretching the timeline to nearly a year, and the hosts stress that verifying a contractor’s license is the bare minimum step to avoid being scammed. 00:00 Verify That License 00:34 Babysitting Chaos Recap 04:28 Uno Cheating Meltdown 06:58 Kids Texting The Parents 10:21 Dogs Yes Kids No 10:47 Homeowner Horror Stories Setup 13:14 Sam Sunroom Plan Begins 14:27 Contractor Jargon Red Flags 19:36 Deposit And Demo Start 21:45 Footing Inspection Fails 23:08 Inspectors And The Double Dip Scam 30:10 Paying For Rework No Way 30:39 Call the Inspector 31:33 Framing Red Flags 32:05 Failed Header Inspection 35:15 Engineered Beam Upcharge 36:05 Delays and No Shows 39:07 Subs Asking Homeowner 41:40 License Check Discovery 44:39 Confrontation and Ghosting 48:14 Damage Control Strategy 50:34 Hiring a Real Contractor 52:48 Costly Finish and Lessons 54:25 Verify Licenses Always 56:32 Qualifier License Explained 01:01:21 Wrap Up and Share Story 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!

    1h 1m

  6. Apr 21

    Beware the Door Knockers: Chuck in a Truck Scam

    Mikki Paradis and co-host Jessica Abreu of Chicks in Construction discuss their growing audience, pushback from trolls, and why homeowners should watch comment sections for shady contractors. They revisit a key rule—don’t pay in full until work is complete—and share a homeowner horror story about John O’Brien of “Traditional Masonry and Construction,” accused of running a door-to-door fraud operation from 2021–2024 across multiple states, largely targeting seniors and stealing roughly $1.9–$2.6 million. Using fear-based claims about foundations, chimneys, and structural danger, he took upfront payments, inflated costs (e.g., $9,500 to $80k–$95k), delivered poor or unnecessary work, and disappeared after collecting final payments. They outline major red flags: unsolicited visits, urgent structural warnings, sudden price escalations, large upfront payments, and avoiding independent inspections. 00:00 Payment Rules Upfront 00:21 Show Welcome And Growth 01:03 Trolls And Shady Contractors 05:03 Clapbacks And Vampire Joke 08:16 Gatekeeping Unlicensed Guests 10:55 Horror Story Setup 11:40 Chuck And Truck Scams 13:08 Door Knock Red Flags 17:00 John OBrien Scam Tactics 20:40 Fear Sales And Senior Targets 22:44 Millions Stolen And First Victim 25:42 Estimate Fluff Red Flags 28:06 How the Scam Scales 29:16 Doorstep Trespass Story 33:06 Paying Before Completion 35:08 Payment Boundaries Retainage 39:39 Wire Fraud and Paper Trails 43:44 Five Contractor Scam Signs 50:56 Final Takeaways and Call In 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!

    54 min

  7. Apr 14

    The Cost of Trust: Lessons from Homeowner Nightmares

    On the Chicks in Construction podcast, hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu clarify that locking up a contractor’s tools is technically illegal despite past comments. Mikki shares her 200-pound dog Prime’s costly physical therapy and daily driveway walks. They then cover a Florida homeowner horror story involving a contractor operating under Environmental Kindness LLC (later Fortress Fencing Crew LLC) who botched retaining walls, French drains, sod, and fencing, demanded additional payments, caused property damage, and failed to fix issues; one homeowner paid $13,400 for faulty work and $35,000 to rebuild correctly, while another paid over $12,000 amid delays, missing scope items, mismatched materials, driveway and yard damage, and unprofessional behavior. The hosts warn that BBB is not a government bureau, stress getting multiple detailed bids, verifying licenses and insurance coverage for the specific scope, and researching contractors’ prior LLCs. 00:00 Contractor Accountability Rant 00:29 Podcast Intro and Legal Disclaimer 01:23 Tool Lockup Debate 02:38 Possession Proverb Myth 04:20 Prime Dog PT Costs 06:56 Spicy Comments and TikTok 10:59 Horror Story Setup Florida 17:19 BBB Ratings Reality Check 18:13 Retaining Wall Failure Details 23:23 New LLC Name Warning 23:46 Insurance Scope Lesson 26:39 Homeowner Lessons Learned 28:22 Deposits and Upfront Costs 29:10 Quote Seems Too Low 31:42 Delays and Surprise Add Ons 34:20 Incomplete Work and Extra Payment 36:28 Rock Delivery and Ghosting 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! 38:05 Property Damage and Excuses 46:38 Commercial vs Residential Chaos 52:16 How to Vet Contractors 57:30 Final Warnings and Wrap Up

    58 min

  8. Apr 8

    Navigating Contractor Chaos: Homeowner Horror Stories

    Hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu of Chicks in Construction share a North Carolina homeowner horror story: a bathroom gut remodel budgeted at $75,000 went off the rails after hiring “Marcus,” who quoted $15,000 labor and $30,000 materials, claimed a license wasn’t required under $40,000 labor, and urged the homeowner to pull permits. After multiple failed plumbing and waterproofing inspections, Marcus charged extra for “fixes,” then disappeared once confronted about licensing and insurance, leaving a gutted bathroom and defective work. A lawyer advised recovery was unlikely; a licensed contractor found additional code issues and quoted $31,500 to finish, bringing the final cost to $95,000 and the timeline to nine months. The hosts stress never paying for rework, verifying licenses and insurance, and treating homeowner-pulled permits and repeated inspection failures as red flags. 00:00 Never Pay for Rework00:18 Welcome to Chicks in Construction00:50 Calling for Contractor Stories02:42 Michael B Jordan Moment03:22 Tourettes Documentary Discussion06:10 Fidelity Investment Scam Alert10:18 Fence Repair Update11:48 North Carolina Horror Story13:14 Meeting Marcus the Contractor14:18 License Requirements Lie14:53 Permit Red Flags16:09 Demo Begins16:36 First Failed Inspection17:52 Waterproofing Membrane Failure19:21 Stuck at the In-Laws20:50 Discovering NC Licensing Laws21:47 License Check Shock22:30 Confronting the Fake GC24:20 Worksite Vanishes Overnight24:35 Tool Leverage Strategy28:14 Ghosted and Legal Reality29:04 Damage Assessment Cost Spiral30:22 Reporting Dead Ends31:52 Hard Lessons Checklist33:48 Normalize Verifying Insurance37:26 Judgments Aren't Proof42:19 Portfolio and Review Sleuthing45:28 Secretary of State Checks46:34 Protect Yourself Next Time47:47 Share Your Story Outro 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!

    49 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3
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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