Chicks in Construction

Sinking Homes in a 55+ Community: Cracks, Soil, Retaining Walls & What Homeowners Must Ask

Host Mikki Paradis, a longtime drywall and paint contractor and licensed North Carolina general contractor, and co-host Jessica Abreu explain the purpose of their Chicks in Construction podcast: sharing construction “shenanigans” and teaching homeowners what’s normal, what’s not, and how to protect themselves. After a personal “chickychat” about Mickey’s severe insomnia and strange social media feeds, they introduce a major construction defect story involving the Del Webb 55+ community developed by Pulte Group outside Las Vegas, where homeowners allege homes are sinking due to issues tied to soil grading and retaining walls. They discuss warning signs beyond typical settling—recurring cracks, separating patios, doors not latching, uneven floors—why homeowners should compare notes with neighbors, and why geotechnical reports, drainage, slopes, and retaining walls matter. They urge asking follow-up questions, documenting everything, and submitting stories at chicksinconstruction.com. 00:00 Meet the Hosts 00:20 Mickey Construction Backstory 03:09 Why This Podcast Exists 05:08 How to Submit Stories 07:06 Jess Homeowner Perspective 07:56 Podcast Style and Chicky Chat 11:12 Sleep Deprivation and Weird Algorithms 19:49 Del Webb Sinking Homes Setup 21:53 Cold Open Retirement Nightmare 24:57 Neighborhood Defects and Red Flags 29:21 Talk to Your Neighbors 30:13 Compare Notes Neighbors 31:21 Settling Versus Movement 33:56 When Cracks Mean Trouble 37:09 Ask Better Followups 40:12 From Facebook To Lawsuits 43:09 Why Soil Matters 46:01 Permits And Soil Tests 49:48 Retaining Wall Red Flags 51:12 Smart Questions Buyers 53:16 Protect Yourself Proactively 56:46 Document And Communicate 01:00:10 Share Stories And Subscribe 01:02:27 Final Wrap And Goodbye

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Airbnb Stolen Toilet Brushs & A Moldy House Mystery

Mickey Paradise and co-host Jessica Abreu kick off the episode joking about accidentally matching in white button-up shirts, then dive into the realities of owning short-term rentals, including guests stealing a toilet brush and cutting board, rearranging an Airbnb kitchen, and bringing dogs without permission. Mickey shares a major incident where birthday guests without reviews triggered a noise monitor repeatedly, admitted to having 16 people in a small townhouse, and were ultimately removed through Airbnb after continued violations; afterward, the hosts discovered multiple towels and sheets drenched in blood and some blood on the carpet. The hosts respond to a listener from Washington asking about acting as their own GC and advise using scheduling/permit tracking tools and gaining experience working for a GC first. They close with a Maryland flipped-house nightmare involving floods, mold, sweating ductwork and wood, humidity issues, and ghosted contractors, asking viewers to help diagnose the root cause and directing submissions to chicksinconstruction.com and their social channels. 00:00 White Shirt Twinning 00:42 Short Term Rental Reality 02:16 Stolen Toilet Brush 03:16 Kitchen Organizer Guest 04:53 Noise Monitor Party Bust 09:50 Eviction and Blood Towels 12:28 Book Ideas and Fan Stories 13:27 Cora Builds as GC 16:48 Advice on Permits 18:11 Jobsite HR Reality 18:50 Permits Scheduling Tools 19:44 Get GC Experience First 20:57 Maryland Flip Disaster 23:52 Mold Humidity Clues 25:23 Ghosted By Pros 26:55 Egress Window Chaos 29:49 Root Cause Hunt 31:20 Crowdsource The Fix 32:46 Share Stories Follow 33:52 Wrap Up Goodbye

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 Setup 00:31 What the Podcast Does 02:22 A Personal Story Begins 03:05 Optimus Prime and Mastiffs 07:35 The Medication Mix-Up 13:18 Aftermath and Accountability 20:28 Transition to Horror Stories 20:57 Worcester and Budget Reality 25:49 COVID Prices and Greed 28:29 Red Flags With the Contractor 29:58 Demo Fast Then Stalls 31:06 Permits Licensing and Chaos 32:33 Wicked Stressed Realization 32:54 Calling the Inspector 33:55 Electrical Work Fails 34:27 Costs Spiral and Disappear 34:58 Contractor Vanishes Six Weeks 35:30 Feeling Lost and Ashamed 36:00 Why Homeowners Don't Know 40:50 Consumer Affairs Game Plan 43:17 Firing the Contractor 43:54 Airbnb Side Quest Chaos 46:51 Hiring a Licensed Remodeler 48:17 Final Bill and Lessons 49:26 How to Vet Contractors 50:52 Facebook Recs Ask for Photos 53:27 Contracts Protect Homeowners 54:42 Wrap Up and Where to Find Us

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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 watched 00:35 – Welcome back & Part 1 recap 05:00 – Inside the lawsuit 08:00 – Why recurring repairs matter 09:00 – Moisture & mold concerns 10:30 – Did they fix the cause? 14:00 – Looking for answers 16:30 – Hiring independent experts 19:00 – Moisture testing 20:00 – Why specialists matter 23:00 – Independent experts vs. the builder 26:00 – Don't diagnose your own house 29:00 – The story takes a creepy turn 30:00 – Surveillance allegations 33:00 – Photos of the family 34:30 – Invasion of privacy claim 38:00 – When trust breaks down 40:00 – Document everything 42:30 – Is contractor licensing enough? 45:00 – The single-point-of-failure problem 49:00 – Are homeowners adequately protected? 51:30 – What homeowners should learn 54:00 – Share your construction story

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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 flag 00:45 – Welcome to Chicks in Construction 04:00 – Mikki’s $5,500 vet bill 09:00 – Jess’s dog attack story 12:00 – The contractor debate goes viral 14:00 – Does a GC need experience? 16:30 – Contractor requirements by state 19:00 – States without statewide GC licensing 21:00 – Why experience matters 24:30 – The $1.2 million lawsuit 30:00 – Who is Dylan White? 33:00 – The first problems appear 35:30 – Nearly 500 reported defects 38:30 – Normal settling vs. warning signs 41:00 – Doors, floors & recurring cracks 44:00 – Stop fixing symptoms 46:00 – The bounce house moment 50:00 – How much should a floor move? 52:30 – Multiple problems create a pattern 53:30 – To be continued

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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/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.facebook.com/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.linkedin.com/company/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.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!

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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 licensing 00:45 – New podcast setup 02:00 – European vacation recap 03:00 – Gluten-free travel in Italy 05:00 – Six countries in one trip 07:00 – Venice: worth the visit? 10:45 – Viral builder lawsuit 14:00 – How easy is contractor licensing? 16:00 – Home vs. building inspectors 18:00 – Social media backlash 21:00 – Homeowner horror stories 26:00 – What insurance really covers 28:00 – The burned fence claim 29:30 – Stolen car insurance story 32:00 – Why claims raise your rates 33:30 – Insurance is not a warranty 34:30 – Challenging a denied claim 37:00 – Hidden water damage 38:00 – Find the leak first 40:00 – What caused the damage? 41:30 – Documents homeowners should save 43:00 – Roof damage vs. normal wear 45:00 – When filing a claim makes sense 46:30 – Faulty workmanship exclusions 49:00 – The cheapest contractor trap 50:00 – How to verify a contractor 51:00 – Understanding your policy 52:00 – Documenting your belongings 53:00 – What to do after a denial 54:00 – Public adjusters and experts 55:00 – Final homeowner advice

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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

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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

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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

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Contractor Collapse: How Homeowners Can Protect Themselves

On this episode of The Chicks in Construction, hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu discuss how scammers exploit stress and access to personal information, including a story of a woman in the Raleigh area who was tricked by a caller ID–spoofed “Wake County Sheriff’s Office” into paying $4,000 to “buy out” a fake warrant. They explain why law enforcement doesn’t collect payments over the phone and advise hanging up and calling the non-emergency number directly. The conversation then shifts to an Arizona luxury pool contractor situation where homeowners paid large deposits for $80,000–$200,000 backyard projects that stalled, leaving unsafe excavation pits and unfinished work. They outline red flags like massive upfront deposits, loss of momentum, vague delays, and misleading social media, and recommend protections such as milestone-based payments, verifying suppliers, checking licensing/standing, and cutting losses early. 00:00 Contractor Scam Reality Check 00:31 Meet The Hosts And Mission 01:27 Jury Duty Sheriff Scam 04:37 Dark Web And Number Cloning 09:04 How The Scam Extracts Money 12:40 Aftermath And Safety Tips 20:22 Share Your Horror Stories 21:51 Arizona Luxury Pool Nightmare 25:52 Deposits Paid Then The Collapse 27:43 Pool Build Nightmare 28:43 Cashflow Collapse Explained 30:44 Upfront Deposit Red Flags 33:15 Permits Inspections Pushback 37:06 Branding Can Be Fake 40:06 Momentum Stalls and Demo Trap 45:17 No Crew Means No Pay 48:05 Protect Yourself With Milestones 51:43 References Research and Reality 56:09 Final Lessons and Call In

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Nailed It? The Hard Truth About Home Makeovers

In this episode of Chicks in Construction, Mikki and Jessica unpack another homeowner renovation nightmare — this time from Florida — involving an unlicensed contractor, endless delays, disappearing cabinets, surprise costs, and complete chaos inside a family home for nearly eight months. What started as an exciting kitchen renovation quickly spiraled into stress, financial anxiety, strangers showing up unannounced, and a growing realization that the contractor they trusted was never legitimate in the first place. Along the way, Mikki and Jessica go on several hilarious side quests involving jury duty scams, true crime energy, sketchy contractors, and why homeowners must verify licenses, insurance, permits, and registrations before any renovation begins. The episode is equal parts comedy, cautionary tale, and practical education for homeowners trying to avoid becoming the next construction horror story. 00:00 – The emotional reality of living through a renovation nightmare 00:45 – What Chicks in Construction is all about for new listeners 02:00 – Why shady contractors get angry when homeowners ask for permits 03:00 – Mikki’s “particular set of skills” rant begins 05:00 – Jury duty scams and fake warrants explained 08:00 – Mikki gets an actual jury summons and is way too excited about it 11:00 – Jessica explains how she got dismissed from jury duty instantly 12:00 – The insane burglar lawsuit story 15:00 – Bartending, over-serving, and legal liability stories 18:00 – Why listeners should keep submitting homeowner horror stories 20:00 – Callie the “non-consensual licker” dog side quest 23:00 – Today’s homeowner horror story begins: the Florida kitchen renovation 26:00 – “We thought we were doing something exciting for our family.” 30:00 – The contractor confidently claims he’s licensed 32:00 – The kitchen demolition begins and everything falls apart 33:00 – The homeowner discovers the cabinets were never ordered on time 35:00 – Delays, missing materials, and mounting frustration 36:00 – Random workers begin showing up without warning 38:00 – Why homeowners need communication and safety protocols during renovations 40:00 – The renovation budget spirals out of control 41:00 – Eight months without a functioning kitchen 42:00 – The homeowner discovers the contractor was never licensed 44:00 – Mikki explains why shady contractors hate permit conversations 45:00 – Why homeowners must independently verify licenses and insurance 48:00 – The hosts discuss possible delay scams and hidden costs 49:00 – Liquidated damages explained in large construction projects 51:00 – Why legitimate contractors don’t profit from delays 52:00 – Insurance verification and contractor credential checks 53:00 – The dangers of renovations completed without permits 54:00 – Why unpermitted work can hurt your home’s resale value 55:00 – Final lessons for homeowners before starting renovations

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Urgency, Fear, and Fraud: How to Spot a Shady Contractor

Hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu discuss Bay Area reports of groups posing as contractors who target homeowners—especially elderly people—by showing up unsolicited, claiming urgent dangers like failing roofs or unsafe chimneys, and using fear to force quick decisions. They describe how scams often start with small quotes that rapidly escalate into tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, including one reported $450,000 loss, and note these groups may operate across counties and states under frequently changing business names. The episode highlights red flags such as high-pressure urgency, shifting company identities, and sudden cost increases, and offers protections: never sign the same day, get multiple opinions/inspections, verify licenses and business registration via the Secretary of State, check addresses and phone numbers, and research local permit/inspection requirements. They invite viewers to submit stories at chicksinconstruction.com and share where to follow the podcast on social media. 00:00 Contractor Scam Cold Open 00:28 Meet the Hosts 02:04 Spicy Comments and Rage Bait 04:25 Inspection Rework Rule 08:23 Blocking Trolls and Staying Busy 10:41 Rental Setup Chaos 13:48 Special Trash Trim Haul 17:49 Send Us Your Stories 19:44 Traveling Contractor Scams 20:51 Door Knock Panic Pitch 23:57 Bay Area Scam Details 26:09 Scammers Look the Part 26:37 Fear Based Pitch 27:48 Pressure Sales Red Flags 30:22 Elderly Targeted Scam 32:26 Costs Spiral Fast 34:32 Rotating Company Names 37:13 Door to Door Reality 39:03 Verify People Not Brands 42:50 Organized Scam Networks 45:18 Common Red Flags List 50:16 Protect Yourself Checklist 53:30 Wrap Up And Share

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Remodel Horror Stories & Contractor Secrets with  Erika Zimandy

In this episode of Chicks in Construction, Mikki and Jessica sit down with licensed general contractor and real estate investor Erika Zimandy of Hilltop GC for an honest conversation about what homeowners really need to know before hiring a contractor. Erika shares her journey from public health into real estate investing and construction, offering a unique perspective from both sides of the renovation world — as both a homeowner/investor and a licensed GC. Together, they unpack contractor red flags, remodeling horror stories, pricing differences between bids, realistic timelines, deposits, permits, inspections, and the biggest myths HGTV has taught homeowners. The episode also dives into the controversial topic of contractors charging homeowners for failed inspections, whether homeowners should buy their own materials, and what upgrades actually provide the best return on investment. If you’re planning a remodel or simply want to avoid expensive construction mistakes, this episode is packed with practical advice and real talk from women working in the construction industry. 00:00 – Introduction to Erika Salgado-Zemandi from Hilltop GC 02:00 – Facebook contractor stories & homeowner horror stories 05:00 – Erika’s background in masonry, public health & real estate investing 07:00 – Starting Hilltop GC and becoming a licensed general contractor 09:00 – How homeowners can identify trustworthy contractors 10:30 – Why contractors using “big construction words” can be a red flag 12:00 – Green flags homeowners should look for when hiring a GC 14:00 – License lending and why it’s dangerous 15:00 – Biggest contractor red flags & overpromising timelines 16:00 – How many contractor bids homeowners should get 17:00 – Why contractor quotes can vary wildly in price 20:00 – Insurance, taxes & overhead: what homeowners forget about pricing 21:00 – Hidden remodeling surprises behind walls 22:00 – The controversial topic of charging homeowners for failed inspections 24:00 – What happens when homeowners request non-code-compliant work 27:00 – Realistic timelines for kitchens, bathrooms & additions 30:00 – Contractor deposits and payment schedules explained 34:00 – Should homeowners buy their own materials? 38:00 – Best remodeling upgrades for return on investment 40:00 – Kitchen upgrades buyers notice immediately 41:00 – Bathroom trends: tubs vs. giant showers 43:00 – What homeowners overspend on during remodels 47:00 – Craziest requests Erika has received as a contractor 49:00 – Biggest HGTV myths homeowners still believe 52:00 – The truth about staged HGTV renovations and furniture reveals

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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 responsibility 00:45 – What the podcast is all about for new listeners 03:00 – Mikki’s insane fence contractor story begins 05:00 – The contractor repeatedly no-shows after demoing the fence 07:00 – Mikki fires the contractor… and he comes back anyway 08:30 – The confrontation escalates fast 10:00 – “Keep talking.” — Mikki pulls out the Southern energy 12:00 – Why shady contractors target homeowners they think won’t push back 13:00 – The controversial debate about contractors charging for failed inspections 16:00 – Why inspectors can sometimes be inconsistent or wrong 18:00 – The reality of code interpretation and inspector relationships 20:00 – Why experienced contractors build strong relationships with inspectors 22:00 – Mikki explains why homeowners should NEVER pay for a contractor’s learning curve 24:00 – 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 delays 31:00 – The countertops finally arrive… with a terrible seam 34:00 – The leaking undermount sink disaster begins 36:00 – The contractor demands MORE money to fix his own mistake 37:00 – The homeowner discovers the contractor isn’t licensed 39:00 – The contractor disappears completely 40:00 – A real licensed contractor steps in to fix the mess 42:00 – “I should have known better.” — Why homeowners blame themselves 43:00 – Mikki explains how homeowners can better protect themselves 44:00 – Using AI and online tools to research contractors and permits 45:00 – Why multiple bids and contracts matter 47:00 – 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/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.facebook.com/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.linkedin.com/company/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.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!

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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

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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/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.facebook.com/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.linkedin.com/company/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.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!

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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/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.facebook.com/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.linkedin.com/company/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.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!

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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/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.facebook.com/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.linkedin.com/company/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.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!

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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/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.facebook.com/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.linkedin.com/company/chicksinconstructionpodcast www.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!

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