Chicks in Construction

What was supposed to be a clean, modern upgrade to the only full bathroom in a 1960s split-level turned into four months of dust, delays, and constant headaches. With a solid budget and a contractor who promised four to five weeks, this Rhode Island homeowner thought they were in good hands. Instead, they found themselves showering in a freezing basement with a garden hose while bills kept piling up. Mikki and Jess walk through every misstep, from shoddy plumbing to crooked tile, and the mone...

Show Notes

What was supposed to be a clean, modern upgrade to the only full bathroom in a 1960s split-level turned into four months of dust, delays, and constant headaches. With a solid budget and a contractor who promised four to five weeks, this Rhode Island homeowner thought they were in good hands. Instead, they found themselves showering in a freezing basement with a garden hose while bills kept piling up.

Mikki and Jess walk through every misstep, from shoddy plumbing to crooked tile, and the money decisions that made a bad situation even worse. This story is not just about a failed bathroom reno, it is a cautionary tale about what happens when you lose control of your project’s budget and timeline.

Inside the Homeowner Horror Story:

  • Demo dust covering the bedroom, furniture, and even inside drawers
  • A tub pipe cut incorrectly, causing a $1,100 ceiling repair the contractor refused to cover
  • Floor tile installed so poorly it had to be ripped out and redone for $3,000
  • The risk of paying too much upfront and losing leverage when work goes wrong
  • How a promised 4–5 week project left the homeowner without a real shower for four months and thousands over budget

If you are about to hire a contractor, this is your sign to protect your money, pay for completed work only, and never assume that will not happen to you.

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Creators and Guests

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 Aper, 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

This isn’t just another DIY podcast or contractor interview show. Mikki and Jess pull back the curtain on what goes wrong in home projects, translating industry talk into plain English and giving you practical steps to avoid common (and costly) mistakes.

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.

Want to renovate smarter and spot red flags before they wreck your project? Hit follow and get ready for real talk, expert advice, and stories that will make you say, “Thank God I listened to this first.”

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