Free Daily Podcast Summary
Chicks in Construction: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Mikki Paradis
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.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 2 days ago1h 0m
Red Flags When Hiring a Contractor & What a Good Remodel Process Looks Like
Host Mikki Paradis welcomes returning guest Nicole Fella, an interior designer and licensed general contractor who owns Bath Remodeling Center in Cary, North Carolina, specializing in kitchen, bathroom, and walk-in closet renovations. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bathremodelingcenterInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bathremodelingcenterPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bathremodelingcenter/They discuss social media trolls, why some men rage bait women in construction, and how the show helps homeowners navigate contractors by sharing stories. Mickie and Nicole react to a contractor video that publicly shames a homeowner’s reasonable email about door rough openings, explaining why this behavior is a hiring red flag and how contractors should educate instead. Nicole then walks through her company’s remodeling process: detailed quoting, minimizing allowances, contract specifics, deposit norms, consistent communication, using mostly in-house crews, staging materials before demo, realistic timelines (about 2.5 weeks for baths plus glass; about 5–6 weeks for kitchens), inspection realities, and clarifying that contractors should pay for failed inspections caused by their own work.00:00 Welcome and Nicole Returns01:10 First Trolls on Social02:45 Why the Podcast Exists06:23 Contractor Shaming Trend11:09 Red Flags on Social Media18:23 Nicole’s Remodel Process22:26 Allowances and Quote Traps25:36 Contracts Deposits and Subs31:46 Project Management and Updates34:06 Inspection Delays Reality35:31 Durham County Nightmares38:18 Client Communication Style39:30 Materials Staged Before Demo40:03 Granite Templating Timeline41:36 Avoid Allowances Trap45:31 Bathroom Remodel Timeframe49:27 Kitchen Reno Six Weeks54:14 Contractor Red Flags55:05 Who Pays Failed Inspections56:33 Final Takeaways and Wrap
- 1 weeks ago48 min
Mold Took Over Their Home: Homeowner Horror Stories
In this episode of Chicks in Construction, Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu dive into a homeowner story involving mold, excessive humidity, HVAC problems, poor ventilation, and major construction issues that eventually led to a lawsuit.The homeowner discovered mold appearing throughout the home, including inside cabinets and around areas where water was stagnant. After testing, the source was connected to extremely high humidity and problems with the home's HVAC system. The home was reaching 70 to 80% humidity, the HVAC system was not properly removing moisture, and water was found inside the ductwork. The attic was also poorly ventilated, and the home was not fully weatherized.The repairs quickly became expensive, with estimates reaching $60,000 to $80,000. The story eventually uncovered documents that allegedly showed the previous owners knew about similar problems before selling the home. The homeowners are now involved in litigation and say they have documentation supporting their case. The hosts discuss the importance of inspections, documentation, proper HVAC installation, ventilation, weatherization, and understanding what you are getting into when buying a home.Mikki and Jessica also talk about why they want to hear stories from both homeowners and builders, including situations where homeowners may be contributing to construction problems themselves.If you have a construction story to share, visit chicksinconstruction.com. You can also find Chicks in Construction on TikTok at @chicksinconstruction and on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at @chicksinconstructionpodcast.00:00 Welcome to Chicks in Construction05:00 How this homeowner story began10:00 Mold found inside the home12:00 Problems with the shower16:00 Mold and stagnant water18:00 HVAC and humidity problems21:00 The HVAC installation issues23:00 Poor attic ventilation25:00 The cost of fixing the home28:00 Why the homeowners went to court31:00 Evidence and the legal case34:00 Health concerns and living with mold36:00 The homeowner's health improved38:00 The seller disclosure issue40:00 Discovering the previous lawsuit43:00 Evidence in the case45:00 A possible fight and win story47:00 How to submit your story
- 2 weeks ago36 min
New Home, Hidden Problems: What Homeowners Need to Know
In this episode of Chicks in Construction, Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu break down a homeowner dispute involving a new construction home, water intrusion, suspected mold, and questions about the home's construction and waterproofing.The episode follows the homeowner's experience after problems reportedly began within six months of moving into the home. When repeated concerns about water intrusion were met with recommendations to use caulk and reseal grout, the homeowner eventually opened up her own shower to investigate what was happening behind the tile.Mikki and Jessica explain why tile and grout are not the complete waterproofing system in a shower, how water can travel far from its original source, and why simply sealing the visible wet spot may not solve the underlying problem. They also discuss the importance of proper plumbing ventilation, keeping moisture out of attic spaces, and understanding what is behind the finished surfaces of a home.The hosts are careful to point out that the homeowner's lawsuit is still active and that no determination of fault has been made. They also distinguish between the homeowner's reported health concerns and what can actually be established through medical evidence.Along the way, Mikki and Jessica discuss what homeowners should do when they notice recurring water problems, including documenting concerns, getting the right professionals involved, understanding warranty implications, and avoiding unnecessary demolition before understanding the potential consequences.The episode also highlights a larger lesson for homeowners: when something continues to go wrong, do not ignore it just because the visible problem seems small. Ask questions, document what is happening, and make sure the underlying issue is properly investigated.If you have a construction story that could help other homeowners learn from your experience, you can submit it anonymously at chicksinconstruction.com. You can also follow Chicks in Construction on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram at @chicksinconstructionpodcast and on TikTok at @chicksinconstruction.00:00 Welcome to Chicks in Construction06:00 The homeowner story and the mysterious builder08:00 The lawsuit and what happened12:00 The homeowner takes a hammer to the shower15:00 Water intrusion and reported health concerns17:00 Can caulk actually fix a water problem?20:00 Why homeowners should be careful with demolition22:00 Understanding shower waterproofing24:00 Why water finds its own path26:00 Suspected mold and the inspection28:00 The plumbing vent problem31:00 The homeowner's concerns and the builder's response34:00 How construction problems can stack up
- 3 weeks ago49 min
Your New Home Could Be Rotting?!
Mikki Paradise and Jessica Abreu take a closer look at what can go wrong when building or buying a home, including hidden water damage, structural issues, inspections, warranties, and the importance of doing your homework before choosing a builder.The episode explores why passing a building inspection does not necessarily mean a home was built correctly, how rushed construction can lead to major problems, and why homeowners need to understand their rights and responsibilities when something goes wrong.Mikki and Jessica also discuss real cases involving major home builders, construction defects, warranty disputes, and what homeowners can do to better protect themselves.News sources mentioned:• FOX 13 Tampa Bay• Hunterbrook Media and its investigation, The House From Hell00:00 What Chicks In Construction is all about07:00 The construction story behind today's episode13:00 Hidden problems behind your home's walls18:00 Water intrusion and improperly installed windows20:00 Who is responsible when something goes wrong?24:00 Private inspectors and potential conflicts of interest25:00 What a building inspection actually means31:00 Construction defect deadlines and homeowner rights34:00 The House From Hell investigation40:00 Warranties, delays, and forced arbitration45:00 What homeowners can learn from these cases47:00 How to protect yourself when choosing a builder
- Sep 8, 202659 min
Navigating the Construction Jungle
In this episode of Chicks in Construction, Mikki Paradise and Jessica Abreu break down one of the wildest homeowner horror stories yet: a Florida custom home builder who collected more than $8.7 million from 15 families while failing to pay subcontractors and suppliers.The homeowners did what most people would consider their due diligence. They hired an established builder, signed contracts, made payments, and waited for their custom homes to be completed. But eventually, the trucks stopped coming. Then the lien notices started arriving.The episode explains how construction draws work, why paying your general contractor does not necessarily mean the subcontractors have been paid, and how unpaid tradespeople can place liens against a homeowner's property. The hosts also explain why unfinished construction can become dramatically more expensive to complete and why homeowners can end up paying twice for work they already paid for.Mikki and Jessica also break down the warning signs homeowners should look for before and during a construction project, including lien waivers, notice letters, payment schedules, large upfront deposits, and third party construction escrow services.Most importantly, they explain what to do if your construction project has already gone wrong. Stop releasing payments, document everything, run a lien search, investigate the builder's history, and contact a construction attorney in your state as quickly as possible.This episode is a reminder that prevention is often the best protection when you're building or remodeling a home.Disclaimer: Mikki and Jessica are not attorneys. Construction lien laws vary by state, and this episode is intended for educational purposes only. Speak with a qualified construction attorney in your state for advice about your specific situation.00:00 Welcome to Chicks in Construction02:00 What are Homeowner Horror Stories?07:00 Disney's senior community in North Carolina10:00 Why general contractors need construction experience13:00 The Florida construction story begins17:00 Imagine saving for years to build your dream home19:00 How homeowners and subcontractors both get hurt21:00 Why subcontractors can put liens on a property22:00 What makes a custom home different from a production home24:00 How homeowners' money is exposed during construction27:00 How 15 families were affected28:00 The three reasons homeowners didn't realize what was happening30:00 What is a construction draw?31:00 Why you should never pay ahead of the work34:00 How construction liens work38:00 Why finishing an abandoned construction project costs more40:00 How liens can prevent you from selling or refinancing41:00 The builder's sentence42:00 $8.7 million in restitution47:00 Seven ways to protect yourself48:00 Lien waivers with every draw49:00 Don't throw away scary letters51:00 How much should a construction deposit be?52:00 The danger of using new deposits to pay old bills55:00 How to find out how bad the situation really is56:00 Who should you call first?57:00 The biggest mistake homeowners make58:00 The one thing every homeowner needs to remember59:00 Share your story and follow Chicks in Construction
- Sep 1, 20261h 2m
Sinking Homes in a 55+ Community: Cracks, Soil, Retaining Walls & What Homeowners Must Ask
Host Mikki Paradis, a longtime drywall and paint contractor and licensed North Carolina general contractor, and co-host Jessica Abreu explain the purpose of their Chicks in Construction podcast: sharing construction “shenanigans” and teaching homeowners what’s normal, what’s not, and how to protect themselves. After a personal “chickychat” about Mickey’s severe insomnia and strange social media feeds, they introduce a major construction defect story involving the Del Webb 55+ community developed by Pulte Group outside Las Vegas, where homeowners allege homes are sinking due to issues tied to soil grading and retaining walls. They discuss warning signs beyond typical settling—recurring cracks, separating patios, doors not latching, uneven floors—why homeowners should compare notes with neighbors, and why geotechnical reports, drainage, slopes, and retaining walls matter. They urge asking follow-up questions, documenting everything, and submitting stories at chicksinconstruction.com.00:00 Meet the Hosts00:20 Mickey Construction Backstory03:09 Why This Podcast Exists05:08 How to Submit Stories07:06 Jess Homeowner Perspective07:56 Podcast Style and Chicky Chat11:12 Sleep Deprivation and Weird Algorithms19:49 Del Webb Sinking Homes Setup21:53 Cold Open Retirement Nightmare24:57 Neighborhood Defects and Red Flags29:21 Talk to Your Neighbors30:13 Compare Notes Neighbors31:21 Settling Versus Movement33:56 When Cracks Mean Trouble37:09 Ask Better Followups40:12 From Facebook To Lawsuits43:09 Why Soil Matters46:01 Permits And Soil Tests49:48 Retaining Wall Red Flags51:12 Smart Questions Buyers53:16 Protect Yourself Proactively56:46 Document And Communicate01:00:10 Share Stories And Subscribe01:02:27 Final Wrap And Goodbye
- Aug 25, 202634 min
Airbnb Stolen Toilet Brushs & A Moldy House Mystery
Mickey Paradise and co-host Jessica Abreu kick off the episode joking about accidentally matching in white button-up shirts, then dive into the realities of owning short-term rentals, including guests stealing a toilet brush and cutting board, rearranging an Airbnb kitchen, and bringing dogs without permission. Mickey shares a major incident where birthday guests without reviews triggered a noise monitor repeatedly, admitted to having 16 people in a small townhouse, and were ultimately removed through Airbnb after continued violations; afterward, the hosts discovered multiple towels and sheets drenched in blood and some blood on the carpet. The hosts respond to a listener from Washington asking about acting as their own GC and advise using scheduling/permit tracking tools and gaining experience working for a GC first. They close with a Maryland flipped-house nightmare involving floods, mold, sweating ductwork and wood, humidity issues, and ghosted contractors, asking viewers to help diagnose the root cause and directing submissions to chicksinconstruction.com and their social channels.00:00 White Shirt Twinning00:42 Short Term Rental Reality02:16 Stolen Toilet Brush03:16 Kitchen Organizer Guest04:53 Noise Monitor Party Bust09:50 Eviction and Blood Towels12:28 Book Ideas and Fan Stories13:27 Cora Builds as GC16:48 Advice on Permits18:11 Jobsite HR Reality18:50 Permits Scheduling Tools19:44 Get GC Experience First20:57 Maryland Flip Disaster23:52 Mold Humidity Clues25:23 Ghosted By Pros26:55 Egress Window Chaos29:49 Root Cause Hunt31:20 Crowdsource The Fix32:46 Share Stories Follow33:52 Wrap Up Goodbye
- Aug 18, 202654 min
Medication Mistake Killed My Dog + $80K Kitchen Horror Story (Worcester, MA)
This podcast’s goal is to educate homeowners through submitted “homeowner horror stories.” Mikki shares a personal warning after her English mastiff, Optimus Prime, died from a drug interaction: carprofen and progesterone were prescribed together, leading to a catastrophic GI bleed, and she urges viewers to verify medication interactions and pursue accountability through reporting and complaints. The episode then covers a Massachusetts kitchen remodel disaster: a homeowner hired a contractor from a mailbox flyer, paid half up front without a written contract, faced unlicensed electrical work that failed inspection, erratic scheduling, long disappearances, and ballooning costs, ultimately spending about $80,000 after hiring a licensed company to finish properly and learning to verify licensing, get everything in writing, and protect themselves contractually.00:00 Welcome and New Setup00:31 What the Podcast Does02:22 A Personal Story Begins03:05 Optimus Prime and Mastiffs07:35 The Medication Mix-Up13:18 Aftermath and Accountability20:28 Transition to Horror Stories20:57 Worcester and Budget Reality25:49 COVID Prices and Greed28:29 Red Flags With the Contractor29:58 Demo Fast Then Stalls31:06 Permits Licensing and Chaos32:33 Wicked Stressed Realization32:54 Calling the Inspector33:55 Electrical Work Fails34:27 Costs Spiral and Disappear34:58 Contractor Vanishes Six Weeks35:30 Feeling Lost and Ashamed36:00 Why Homeowners Don't Know40:50 Consumer Affairs Game Plan43:17 Firing the Contractor43:54 Airbnb Side Quest Chaos46:51 Hiring a Licensed Remodeler48:17 Final Bill and Lessons49:26 How to Vet Contractors50:52 Facebook Recs Ask for Photos53:27 Contracts Protect Homeowners54:42 Wrap Up and Where to Find Us
Get Chicks in Construction summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
Conversations With A Contractor
A contractor interviews trades and examines renovation projects to help homeowners understand what makes a project successful.
This Old House Radio Hour
Experts offer practical home improvement advice on renovations, repairs, and maintenance for homeowners and DIYers.
Two Designers & A Builder Walk Into A Bar
2d1bbar
Elevate Construction
Interviews and training focused on improving construction practices for workers, companies, and the industry.
You, Me & Mike
A married couple shares candid conversations about life, relationships, and listener-submitted topics.
Get Obsessed : With Living Your Best Life
Two hosts explore transformative stories and taboo topics with people challenging norms and living unfiltered lives.
Business of Home Podcast
Dennis Scully interviews design industry leaders about the business and challenges of interior design.
Juicy Scoop with Heather McDonald
A comedian explores pop culture, celebrity gossip, and real-life drama with unfiltered opinions and candid guest interviews.
Chameleon
A weekly true crime podcast exploring elaborate cons and impostors through stranger-than-fiction stories of deception.
You'd Be Surprised Podcast
Mothers and entrepreneurs discuss balancing parenting, business, and personal growth while sharing candid stories from their journeys.
Clutterbug - Real-Life Hacks and Tips to Declutter, Organize and Clean your Home Fast
Practical home organizing and decluttering advice with ADHD-friendly strategies to help manage clutter and improve daily life.
After the Edit with Daryn Carp
A reality TV podcast dissecting the biggest moments, wildest storylines, and behind-the-scenes drama with insider commentary and key guests.
About 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.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Chicks in Construction in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Chicks in Construction daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Chicks in Construction as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Chicks in Construction podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Chicks in Construction product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Mikki Paradis.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Chicks in Construction release new episodes?
Chicks in Construction publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Chicks in Construction cover?
Chicks in Construction covers topics including Leisure, Education, How To, Garden, Home & Garden. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Chicks in Construction summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.