{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Chicks in Construction","title":"Before You Sign: Construction Contracts That Can Cost You","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3164,"description":"Before you sign that construction contract, make sure you know exactly what you are agreeing to. Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu discuss the costly mistakes homeowners can make when hiring contractors, approving payments, and relying on banks to protect their renovation projects. They share examples of homeowners facing defective work, unexpected legal expenses, strict invoice deadlines, and construction loans that leave them responsible for money paid to contractors who did not complete the job correctly.\nThe hosts explain why researching a contractor's license and legal history matters, how approving construction loan payments can affect future disputes, and why bank inspections do not necessarily guarantee that work meets building codes or quality standards. Their biggest piece of advice: read every contract carefully, verify completed work before approving payments, and consider hiring a construction attorney to review both contractor agreements and loan documents before signing.\nThe episode also features a hilarious Chicky Chat about Jessica's upcoming Tough Mudder race and its surprisingly intense obstacles.\n00:00 Welcome to Chicks in Construction\n03:00 Chicky Chat and the Tough Mudder challenge\n05:00 Ice baths, electric obstacles, and tear gas\n15:00 Why homeowners need to understand what they sign\n18:00 When a homeowner's evidence gets rejected in court\n20:00 Researching contractors before hiring them\n21:00 The 48 hour invoice dispute clause\n23:00 Why construction contracts may favor contractors\n27:00 Never approve work you have not verified\n28:00 Construction loans and payment approvals\n30:00 What happens when defective work has already been paid for\n32:00 Homeowner protections and contractor accountability\n34:00 Why inspections matter before releasing construction funds\n36:00 Why the bank is not your advocate\n40:00 What bank inspectors actually check\n42:00 When homeowners must repay money for work that was never completed\n44:00 How a contractor dispute...","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}