{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Chicks in Construction","title":"Remodel Horror Stories & Contractor Secrets with  Erika Zimandy","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3509,"description":"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 GC02:00 – Facebook contractor stories & homeowner horror stories05:00 – Erika’s background in masonry, public health & real estate investing07:00 – Starting Hilltop GC and becoming a licensed general contractor09:00 – How homeowners can identify trustworthy contractors10:30 – Why contractors using “big construction words” can be a red flag12:00 – Green flags homeowners should look for when hiring a GC14:00 – License lending and why it’s dangerous15:00 – Biggest contractor red flags & overpromising timelines16:00 – How many contractor bids homeowners should get17:00 – Why contractor quotes can vary wildly in price20:00 – Insurance, taxes & overhead: what homeowners forget about pricing21:00 – Hidden remodeling surprises behind walls22:00 – The controversial topic of charging homeowners for failed inspections24:00 – What happens when...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/U4RQe6qavAk3WxUWLiKdTLcjOSkCRvzyPPS1Dj1fGLU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hMWVi/MzVhNTA2ZjUwMWI3/YzA2MDkxZmU3Njlh/NzkzNS5qcGVn.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}