The Holistic Homes Podcast Christine Cimabue | Holistic Construction Consultant

“The housing market is crazy, can I skip the inspection?” I hear this all the time. And truth be told, I’ve skipped the home inspection before. But I would NOT suggest doing this (you’ll have to tune into the episode to find out why I did).
Today, I’m joined by Tori McGee, a holistic realtor based in Atlanta, Georgia. This episode was so fun to record. We dove into the nitty-gritty of buying a healthy home and let me tell you, inspections are key! Tori shared her wisdom on the must-dos, from checking the roof to testing for radon and mold. She's all about making sure our homes are safe havens for our health and happiness.

I also really loved hearing about how a holistic realtor can be the buyers advocate. From asking the hard questions about what chemicals will be used in remediation to spotting foundational cracks, your realtor can speak up when you’re feeling intimidated. Plus, she gave us some great tips on finding a like-minded realtor and resources for a non-toxic living space. It was such an informative episode, and I can't wait for you to hear her advice.

In this episode, we’re chatting about:
The specific steps in an in-depth home inspectionHow a holistic realtor can help you understand next steps after an inspection reportSuggested inspections for new build homesWarning signs to look out for pre-inspection during the house searching processHow to navigate conversations about healthy homes with big buildersHow you can find a holistic realtor in your area
Connect with Tori:
WebsiteInstagram
Connect with me:
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I’ve seen people rip their homes down to the studs in an effort to get rid of mold. And the worst part is, sometimes they do all of that and they still don’t find what they’re looking for. So today, you’re in for a treat because my friend PJ Harlow, owner and CEO of PJ Harlow Wellness, Inc. is joining us.
PJ Harlow Wellness, Inc is a virtual, IICRC-certified consulting firm specializing in holistic mold removal, decontamination & remediation. As the founder and curriculum director of The Academy for Holistic Home Health & Mold Sciences, she also offers bespoke online courses for homeowners, renters, and professionals!
We’re talking about how to maintain a health fungal ecology in the home. Just like your gut has a microbiome, so do the four walls you live in! And if you’ve been considering investing in an ERMI test, please listen to this episode! We don’t want you to go out and get a result that you can’t interpret. And turning to Facebook is not the answer! You’ll have amateurs catastrophizing and telling you to tear down your house.

In this episode, we’re chatting about:
how to maintain healthy fungal ecology - is there such a thing as being “too clean”Step number one when you think you have a mold problemWhy failed remediations are so commonWhat the remediation process actually entailsWhat is fine particulate cleaning?
Connect with PJ:
For 10% off, go HERE and use the code "christine10"WebsiteInstagram

Connect with me:
Instagram

How do you come up with a figure for your renovation budget? I know allocating funds can feel really stressful when you’re being thrown so many options. So in today’s episode, I’m giving you a bird’s eye view of the budgeting decisions I would urge you to make.
At the end of the day, we want to use the renovation process as a way to avoid bigger headaches down the line. It might feel fun to focus a lot of our attention on fixtures and finishes! But I’m going to be pointing you towards some more integral processes to prioritize first.
I’ll be pointing you towards details that you may overlook otherwise. For example: access doors are incredibly important! Without access doors, you’re making it ten times harder to pinpoint issues as they pop up. And we’re not shying away from the big picture overhauls that might need to happen. If you’re already doing a renovation and you have plumbing from the 1950s, it’s probably time to address that before a pipe bursts a year from now.

I hope this episode gives you a solid place to start when you sit down to create your budget. just remember, it’s easier to deal with the big picture now and small, aesthetic issues can always be replaced later.

In this episode, we’re chatting about:
The big items you need to factor into your budgetWhy you might want to replace the plumbingWhy it’s almost impossible to totally clean a duct system without replacing itWhat I would do if I was in charge of a renovation budgetWhy I would minimize costs in fixtures and finishesThe importance of access doors

Connect with me:
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What does a passive home look like? Well, imagine a home that is completely energy efficient without breaking the bank. Today’s guest, Casey Grey, is the founder of the award-winning sustainable building company, The Conscious Builder.
Casey began passive home building after the birth of his first child. Knowing he wanted to leave the world better than he came into it, he took his background in construction and dove into building research to create a more sustainable future. Get ready to take notes with this episode because Casey is sharing a lot of knowledge! Even I learned something new about how to take an existing, older home and bring it up to today’s standards.

We’re getting the inside scoop on his processes and some of his favorite products for energy efficient home building. If you listen to this episode, you could save yourself from a major headache later down the line!

Casey is also the host of The Conscious Builder Podcast and The Conscious Builder Show on YouTube and the founder of The Conscious Builder Academy, an online course hub for future-focused builders who want to create better businesses. So go check him out!

In this episode, we’re chatting about:
Understanding the difference between a vapor barrier and an air barrierHow airtight remodels workThe difference between an HRV and an ERVWhy an airtight home can become problematic if the mechanical system in overlookedAn insulation option that is mold and fire resistantThe number one mistake homeowners make when communicating with their contractors

Don't forget to rate, review, and share in the group text. This podcast is free and ratings/reviews and shares are our currency.

Connect with Casey:
InstagramThe Conscious Builder’s YoutubeLinkedin

How can you have a productive conversation with contractors? A lot of people will shy away from really digging in with their contractors because they get intimidated by all the jargon. But it’s a really important first step to getting that healthy home you dream of!
So today, I’m laying out exactly how you can approach these conversations. We’re even breaking down what it means to define the scope of the project. I’ll be asking questions that can give you an idea of what decisions need to be made before you talk to your contractors.
And how do you find the right contractor for you? Too often, people will just go with who their best friend or neighbor used. But finding the right contractor is a step that shouldn’t be rushed through. So I’ll be taking you through the red flags to watch out for in your search. For example, if you’re renovating your kitchen and you’re being charged a lump sum - that’s cause for concern. What materials are being used? What’s included vs. excluded, etc?
So if you’re nervous because you’re not sure what questions to ask your contractors - this episode is for you. If this episode is helpful for you, spread the word to friends and family who are about to embark on this process too!

Today, we’re chatting about:
Defining the scope of the projectReverse engineering the budget for your project based on the scopeWhy I suggest getting at least three proposals or bids from prospective contractorsContractor red flagsWhy you need to have every communication in writing
Resources Mentioned:
How to Interview a contractor checklist
Connect with me:
Instagram

One of the biggest misconceptions about mold is that your house needs to experience a massive flood to be at risk. In reality, mold can grow and thrive with minor leaks and excessive humidity. But how do you know when it's time to call an inspector? And what precautions can you take to make sure you don't have to go through the nightmare of chasing mold down to the studs of your house?
Today's guest, Anna Branch, is a mold inspector based in Southern California. She is my number one trusted source when it comes to all things mold. After living in a mold infested house herself, Anna is a testament to the fact that once you remove yourself from exposure, your health can thrive. Now, she's made it her mission to help other families live safely in mold-free homes.
So whether you're looking to build a home designed with mold prevention in mind, or you've spotted mold in your house and want to get to the bottom of it - this episode is for you. I'm particularly passionate about this subject. After going through the nightmare of buying a home and realizing it had a huge mold problem after making the buying decision, I know the value of the work Anna does. We're touching on everything from common misconceptions to actionable tips
In this episode, we're chatting about:
Common misconceptions about mold The role that maintenance plays in preventing mold When is the right time to call an inspector? What is it like working with a mold inspector? How you can prevent a mold catastrophe in your home