Chicks in Construction

In this episode of The Chicks in Construction, hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu discuss crucial red flags, do's and don'ts in the construction industry. Inspired by a serendipitous airplane chat, Mikki shares insights from a fellow passenger who had a positive experience building a dream home. The discussion emphasizes the importance of doing extensive research, hiring an independent interior designer, and avoiding bundled services with general contractors. They also encourage listeners to share both their construction horror stories and wins to help others navigate the complex world of home renovations and new builds. Catch all this and more as they dive deep into ways to ensure a smooth and successful construction project.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Inspiration
01:53 Purpose of the Podcast
03:25 Neighborhood Anecdotes and Real Estate Insights
10:04 Homeowner Wins and the Value of Interior Designers
21:29 The Value of Spending on Renovations
22:10 The Importance of Functionality in Home Design
22:42 Budgeting and Hiring for Home Renovations
24:44 The Role of Interior Designers
25:55 Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Home Renovations
32:25 Research and Contracts: Key to Successful Renovations
36:39 The Importance of Independent Professionals
44:08 Final Tips and Encouragement

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Creators and Guests

Host
Jessica Abreu
As a social media expert, Jessica has a knack for identifying what makes each business unique and translating that into powerful, engaging content that resonates with clients and customers. From crafting tailored strategies and managing accounts to recording on-site content and boosting engagement, Jessica and her team handle it all so their clients can focus on what they do best.
Host
Mikki Paradis
President & CEO at PDI Drywall Inc. Mikki founded her first construction company, PDI Drywall Inc, in 2005 while she was still a student at NC State. After growing PDI into a multimillion dollar company, she has become an accomplished entrepreneur, speaker, and advocate for innovation in business and leadership. With a passion for empowering others, she has built a reputation as a forward-thinking professional dedicated to driving growth and fostering meaningful connections. Known for her dynamic energy and ability to inspire, Mikki is deeply committed to creating positive change in her industry and beyond. Whether through her entrepreneurial ventures or speaking engagements, she consistently challenges the status quo and encourages others to reach their full potential.

What is Chicks in Construction?

You plan your renovation with excitement, trust your contractor, and hope for the best...until things start going sideways. That’s when most homeowners realize they didn’t know what they didn’t know.

From permits that were never pulled to “contractors” who ghost after demo day, the construction world can feel like a maze of hidden costs and shady shortcuts. Too many homeowners end up confused, overwhelmed, and out of a lot of money.

The Chicks in Construction Podcast is here to change that. Hosted by Mikki Paradis, a licensed general contractor with 20+ years of experience, and Jess Abreu, a homeowner turned construction content creator, this show breaks down real renovation horror stories and teaches you how to protect your time, money, and home.

After building a multimillion-dollar drywall business and helping countless homeowners recover from construction nightmares, Mikki is on a mission to make sure you go into your next project informed, not blindsided. And Jess brings the perspective of someone who’s been in your shoes and now knows exactly what questions to ask.

Submit Your Construction Horror Story: https://chicksinconstruction.com/

[00:00:00] Mikki: ~I think for the right person it's fine, but I think for the purpose of what we're trying to help you guys avoid.~

~Bundling is not the move. ~

[00:00:00] Jessica: ~Um, no. Osling for insurance. ~

[00:00:00] Mikki: ~Yeah. Bundling your home and auto. Don't bundle your interior designer and your general contractor. Don't ~

[00:00:00] Jessica: ~bottom bundle your construction work. So we were talking about price and we did a little research behind the scenes and we found out that it's eight to 15 k um, to hire nation ~

[00:00:00] Mikki: ~like that. Nationwide average. Nationwide average. So it could be wildly different in like California or here or wherever, Texas. But that is actually less than I was thinking it would cost.~

[00:00:00] Jessica: ~That's not, that's not terrible. ~

[00:00:00] Mikki: ~No. ~And I can guarantee you for that amount of money. They, that interior designer is gonna make that like is gonna co. Offset that cost

[00:00:11] Jessica: so easily, so easily, so

[00:00:12] Mikki: easily,

[00:00:13] Jessica: so easily. You, I mean, you think about it, you get two change orders

[00:00:16] Mikki: Yeah.

[00:00:17] Jessica: For things that you want that are bougie than what you started with.

[00:00:20] Mikki: Yeah. And if they have a relationship with the tile person and they always get, they always get a, a better price because they. Have those relationships, they've nurtured those relationships and they buy a lot of tile especially, or whatever. It's not even just tile. They buy a lot of materials. ~Um, so especially if you're using like a really reputable interior designer.~

~Mm-hmm. But so what we were saying was just avoid the bundle.~