Shows
Chicks in ConstructionTop Renovation Budget Tips to Avoid Costly SurprisesEver wondered what your renovation should cost? In this episode of The Chicks in Construction, Mikki and Jess get real about renovation budget tips that can save your wallet and your sanity. Whether you're upgrading your forever home or prepping a property for Airbnb, this episode is packed with practical advice that every homeowner needs to hear.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why your renovation goal (sell, rent, or live) changes your budgetThe 50/30/20 rule for dividing your renovation budgetWhat contingency budgets are really for (hint: not pretty tile)How to use online to...2025-07-151h 13Chicks in ConstructionThe Facebook Roofer Who Ghosted and Left Them SoakedAfter a spring storm, a brown stain appeared in the ceiling. A quick fix felt doable until the roofer vanished, the drywall collapsed, and the insurance company refused to help. What started as one drip turned into a financial gut punch.In this episode, Mikki and Jess unpack every moment of a roof fix gone sideways. From the first red flag to the final invoice, they break down what this homeowner thought he was doing right and how it all went wrong.Inside the Homeowner Horror Story:The small attic leak that...2025-07-0845 minChicks in ConstructionThe Mold Scare Tactics Homeowners Fall For with Danyelle HollandMold feels like a silent menace; one whiff of “You’ll need to gut the house” and your budget evaporates. In this episode, Mikki sits down with Danyelle Holland of Atlantic Corp to expose the fear-based sales pitches that can turn a routine remediation into a five-figure panic.When a cough, a crawl-space puddle, or a mysterious odor sends you running to Google, you can end up paying for fixes you never needed. Danyelle explains exactly how real pros separate fact from fright, and why the right certifications matter more than any shiny brochure.Inside...2025-07-0144 minChicks in ConstructionThe $2,000-a-Hole Window Myth with Ashley SelzerEveryone’s heard it: “A quality replacement window should run you two grand per opening, or you’re buying junk.” That pitch (often delivered after hours of kitchen-table arm-twisting) convinces too many homeowners to sign for triple-pane glass and monster price tags they don’t actually need. Mikki’s latest guest, licensed GC Ashley Seltzer of Wallaby Windows, dismantles that narrative, along with the pushy sales tactics behind it, one NFRC label at a time. Ashley explains how quotes balloon, why “energy-efficiency” buzzwords get abused, and the questions that separate a real consultative pro from a chuck-in-a-truck. From deposit math...2025-06-241h 29Chicks in ConstructionThe Kitchen Reno That Spiraled to $75,000Sophie thought she was just getting new countertops. Maybe a fresh coat of paint and a few lights. Her budget? A smart, clear $25,000. But one contractor’s suggestions, plus a string of “unexpected” upgrades, turned her kitchen refresh into a financial nightmare. What started as small updates ballooned into a gut job. By the end, she’d taken out two loans just to stay afloat.Mikki and Jess walk through every red flag Sophie missed and the pressure tactics that turned a reasonable project into a runaway train. From disappearing crews to contracts that never appeared, they break do...2025-06-1745 minChicks in ConstructionRaising the Roof: Professionalism Over Profit with Bailey Shey MorrisIn this episode, Mikki sits down with Bailey Shey Morris, owner and lead professional at Cadmus Construction, to explore what it truly means to be a trusted roofer in today’s market. Bailey brings a wealth of knowledge and a steadfast commitment to integrity—qualities that distinguish her from the “Chuck in a truck” contractors all too common in the industry. With Cadmus Construction’s strong reputation for reliable estimates, high-quality materials, and transparent communication, Bailey outlines how homeowners can avoid common pitfalls when suspecting roof damage.Listeners will learn:Why credentials and experience matter: Bailey exp...2025-06-1040 minChicks in ConstructionThe Realtor Was Also the Seller’s Agent And It All Went Downhill from ThereThis episode unpacks a true homeowner horror story involving a dream home, a shady home inspector, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs. Mikki is joined by real estate agent Heather Lane to talk through what went wrong—and how homeowners can protect themselves from ever ending up in the same situation. Spoiler: if the listing agent offers to represent you too… run.Together, they break down what buyers should ask when hiring a realtor, why some agents aren't as neutral as they seem, and how an experienced team can make or break your home-buying jour...2025-06-0342 minChicks in ConstructionThe Permit You Didn’t Pull (and Why It Will Cost You)In today’s episode, Mikki and Jess dig into a renovation horror story submitted by a local North Carolina homeowner—and this one has everything. Think unfinished bonus room turned crooked office, mystery permits, Monday morning sick texts, and drywall work so bad it made the homeowner feel seasick. Yep, it’s that kind of story.Mikki breaks down what should have happened at every step, from pulling permits to hiring licensed contractors, and shares some hard truths about what happens when you skip the right steps. Jess adds the homeowner perspective (and plenty of eye-rolls) as they u...2025-05-2730 minChicks in ConstructionHow a Bad General Contractor Turned a Mold Mess into a DisasterThe Chicks in Construction podcast is officially LIVE, and we kicked things off straight from the International Builders' Show—recording from the Hydroblok booth! Our very first guest joined us to talk about one of the biggest nightmares in construction: mold.If you’ve ever dealt with a mold disaster, you know how quickly moisture issues can spiral into a full-blown nightmare. In this episode, we cover: A real-life mold horror story that could have been 100% avoided with the right waterproofing solution (spoiler: Hydroblok would have saved the day!)Why moisture management is one of the bigge...2025-05-2045 minChicks in ConstructionWelcome to The Chicks in ConstructionWelcome to The Chicks in Construction Podcast! Your hosts are Mikki Paradise, a seasoned general contractor with 20+ years in the industry, and Jessica Aper, a content creator who works with construction pros and a homeowner who’s learned a lot of lessons the hard way. Together, they’re here to pull back the curtain on the construction world and help homeowners understand what really goes on behind the scenes.This podcast was born out of frustration. Mikki kept hearing the same stories over and over again: homeowners getting taken advantage of, jobs going sideways, and people not know...2025-05-2010 min
Cash Confident with Brie SodanoFrom Scarcity to Abundance with Mikki ParadisWhen Mikki Paradis hammered her first nail into a drywall, she wasn't just building a wall; she was tearing down stereotypes. Tune in for a hearty dose of laughter and wisdom as Mikki, a maven of the construction world, recounts her climb from wide-eyed intern to the owner of her own enterprise. She navigates us through the scaffolds of her life, sharing the invaluable lessons learned from being a woman in a field of hard hats and steel-toed boots. Her story is more than just a blueprint for breaking barriers; it's a masterclass in wielding both wit and a...2024-03-1447 min
Work + Life Harmony | Time Management, Organization and Planning for Overwhelmed WomenDreaming Big with Mikki ParadisWe've all heard the saying "go big or go home." But, the reality is that going big is scary. Going big usually means that we are taking a huge risk. Going big might mean saying yes without knowing the actual "how." Mikki Paradis is the CEO of PDI Drywall and Mikki Paradis Consulting and continues to dream bigger and badder every year!https://www.pdidrywallinc.com/ http://mikkiparadis.com/ ________________________________💻 Free Training Overwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for...2020-09-0141 min
Books that BoxOutliersMikki Paradis, a female business owner in the primarily male trade of construction, talks about how Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers gave her a new perspective on her ability and her life.2020-05-0151 min
The ConTechCrewThe ConTechCrew 172: A Fax Machine is a Carrier Pigeon with Mikki Paradis from PDI DrywallThis week's construction tech news with Jeff Sample (@IronmanofIT) and James Hillegas (@JaHillegas_51) Featuring: - Interview with Mikki Paradis (@ConstructionChk) from PDI Drywall - Construction Tech News of the Week Follow @TheConTechCrew on social media for more updates and to join the conversation! Listen to the show at http://thecontechcrew.com Powered by JBKnowledge Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.com or follow @JBKnowledge & @TheConTechCrew on Twitter.2019-06-0759 min