{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Chicks in Construction","title":"From Digital Designs to Real Defects: Welcome Homes on Trial","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/e04ae257\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3717,"description":"Hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu of The Chicks in Construction discuss a homeowner horror story tied to alleged lawsuits against Welcome Homes, a PropTech startup founded in 2020 by DigitalOcean executives that promised custom homes built in about six months through an online design-and-build platform. Citing a vetted New York Post article, they describe claims of long delays, permit issues, construction errors (including flooded basements and hidden mistakes), and disputes over deposits and cancellation fees, including one couple who reportedly ended up with only cleared land and a pit. They note former HGTV host Anthony Carino joined as VP of Design but left in January 2024, saying leadership wouldn’t follow construction best practices, and that only one customer was living in a completed home when he left. The hosts highlight red flags like guaranteed timelines and inexperienced leadership, and advise homeowners to vet contractors carefully.00:00 Experience Matters00:27 Podcast Welcome01:48 Pet Debate Begins03:19 Cat Cafe Chaos07:49 Allergy Aftermath09:55 Babysitting Confessions11:27 Water Cooler Horror15:04 Legal Preface16:13 Tech Meets Construction19:58 Prefab Versus Hype22:21 Six Month Promise27:57 Welcome Homes Lawsuits28:52 Price Too Good29:57 Permits and Delays31:04 Mud Pit Fallout33:17 More Lawsuits Surface35:14 HGTV Credibility Boost40:16 Tech Bro Leadership42:03 Business Model Pivot48:27 Red Flags Checklist55:57 Construction Is Hard01:00:50 Final TakeawaysSubmit your homeowner horror story:www.chicksinconstruction.comFollow 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!","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}