Episode 37: Lessons Learned from Building My House

Episode 9: the Litmus Test for a Well-Build Home: This week I’m going to be talking about a really important topic, that not all podcasters or builders might mention as we don’t want it to come across the wrong way. However, it’s super important which is why I’ve decided to go there. Today we’re talking all about build quality and what the standard Litmus test should be for a good vs. a not-so-good build and if this same test could be used to assess if someone is a good builder or not, too. The latter of which might help some of you students, young professionals and consumers out there make the right choices. Sponsored by Builder’s First Source, tune into today’s episode of the Build Show where I’ll be discussing three things that define a great build…in my opinion anyway. by The Build Show Podcast

21 min listen

Episode 8: The Mechanical System You Should Have Done, and What Now?: On today’s episode of The Build Podcast, we’re discussing the case for radiant heating with industry experts Terry Alsberg (CEO) and Paul Izenstark (Tech Director) from Warmboard. Radiant heating is something that’s actually been around since Roman times, yet it’s only really taken off as a trend in American homes. Unsurprisingly, it has a ton of benefits; it’s energy-efficient, quieter than your standard forced-air system, and is far more comfortable. Thanks to the tech behind radiant heating, Terry defines the comfort you’ll experience as the “absence of discomfort”, the air temperature stays consistent throughout your home so you’re not in a perpetual battle of feeling too hot or too cold. Tune into this exciting episode where we dig deeper into all things radiant heating. by The Build Show Podcast

52 min listen

Episode 2: Matt's Story - Part 2: On this week’s episode of the Build Show Podcast I want to talk about mistakes, specifically in business and tell you about one of my biggest mistakes I made when I first started out. Speculative projects and debt. I started my company in 2005 and was working entirely on speculation. Throwing my own money into developments in the hope that these potential clients I was speaking to would stick to their word and buy the property for X amount when it was finished. Then the recession hit. Housing prices tanked and one project left me in almost £300k worth of debt. It took me until 2015 to clear off that debt and ever since, I’ve been basically debt-free and I only work on paid client projects now, building specifically to their needs and with their budget, mitigating the risk for myself and my family. Tune in below for the full story and my advice on taking on debt and budgeting for a small building business and so you don’t make the same mistake by The Build Show Podcast

19 min listen

Episode 18: Understanding Treated Wood: On today’s episode of the Build Show Podcast, I’m joined by Josh Roth. We’ve talked already on our YouTube channel about this topic briefly, but today we’re going into a little more detail. Well, be chatting about exterior wood and how to do it right and discuss the process of pressure treating different woods and wood before we take a look into the AWPA’s standards for different types and woods and where/how you should be using them on your build project. by The Build Show Podcast

41 min listen

Episode 17: All About HVAC Systems: On today’s episode of the Build Show, sponsored by Builder’s First Source, we’re chatting with Tim Hill, my VP of construction, all about HVAC systems We’ll talk about the good, the bad and best that we’ve seen over the years, what we personally like to have on our builds and the process we go through to decide the best HVAC system for our clients. Tim offers insight on his HVAC philosophy where he takes a good, better, best approach when it comes to presenting clients with their options. Every homeowner has differing needs; many don’t want things that are too complex and so mainstream works for them. However, others are after multifaceted, innovative systems in their home and as long as they deliver the perfect balance of comfort and reliability without complicating things too much we’re all ears. by The Build Show Podcast

29 min listen

Episode 5: Forensic Engineering and Failure Mechanism Theory: Today’s guest is David Nicastro, P.E. the Chief Executive Officer of BDI BUILDINGDX.COM David Nicastro, P.E. is the Chief Executive Officer of BDI and has authored numerous articles and books related to forensic and facilities engineering. He continues to practice engineering to this day and loves educating colleagues through his numerous speaking engagements and guest lectures on subjects including forensic engineering and failure mechanism theory. This hour-long episode is jam-packed with engineering insight and advice for your next build --and it’s sure to help your new build stand the test of time. by The Build Show Podcast

60 min listen

Episode 1: Matt's Story - Part 1: The Build Show Podcast is here! In today’s episode I wanted to take some time to introduce myself, Matt Risinger, and share my story of how I got to where I am today. I talk all about my first building experience, back when I was in Junior High working on some porches for locals, my journey through college, my first real grad job working for a national building company (where I stayed for 7 years and learnt a lot!), and the idea to start my own company too. So, if you’re new to the Build Show, welcome! We post content daily over on Build Show Network and twice a week on my personal Youtube channel, Matt Risinger. by The Build Show Podcast

38 min listen

Episode 25: Uplifting the Craft of Carpentry: On this episode of the podcast, Matt is joined by Zack Dettmore, another one of the newest contributors to BuildShowNetwork.com. Learn more about his business, Dettmore Home Improvements, and discover the backstory that led to his passion for carpentry. Discover what drove him to start a business, as well as the unique services he provides. He started his company as a one-man operation and it quickly grew by word of mouth, and is now excited to share his insights with you. by The Build Show Podcast

47 min listen

Episode 3: How do I find a good builder?: Today I’m joined on the show by a couple of my buddies and business partners here at Risinger Build and we’re here to chat about one of the most commonly asked questions Steve gets in his inbox. And that is, “How do I find a good builder?” Interestingly, he’s found that many who ask that question aren’t quite ready to be at this stage just yet. This is because before you start looking for a builder, you need to be crystal clear about the project and exactly what it is you want from your new home. So, ask yourself… Have I seen an architect yet? Do I have the initial plans? What’s my budget looking like? If you don’t have answers to these questions, or if it’s just a straight-up no, circle back and get those things sorted out first. Then you’ll be in a much better position to follow the tips we share today. And, for all you builders tuning in, stick around, because this episode will provide you with the framework for what we’re telling by The Build Show Podcast

31 min listen

Episode 16: Disaster Resiliency: On today’s episode, things are slightly different. We’ve got a part two and are following on from las week’s episode all about building science. This week we’re creating a whole new definition of building science is for a new generation of well-built houses and I’m joined, once again, by Kristof Irwin from Positive Energy – a thought leader in his field and a good friend. Kristof gives us a recap about how and why systems and building science is so crucial to any build before we discuss building resilient systems. Tags: systems thinking, building science, resilient systems, development, property build, creating systems, architecture, engineering. by The Build Show Podcast

37 min listen

Epsiode 23: Drywall and the Business Side of Building: Today I’m very excited to be talking with one of our newest members of the Build Show Network, Lydia Crowder. You might already know her from her Instagram page @drywallshorty and she's a drywall contractor from Bozeman, MT with 18 years of experience in the industry. We’ll be chatting to her all about the business side of building, learning curves in the drywall industry, and working in extreme temperatures. She also offers tips for all you builders out there to help you get the most out of working with your drywall contractor. by The Build Show Podcast

50 min listen

Episode 15: Mechanicals That Last: On today’s episode, sponsored by Nuvo H2O and Aquor, we’re talking about a topic I absolutely love – mechanicals that last. I’m joined by guest expert Eric Aune, aka @mechanicalhub on Instagram who has over 20 years of experience in the industry and we dive into plumbing and heating systems, typical life spans and longevity of products. Eric also gives us his recommendations on what mechanicals he’d have in his dream home. NuvoH2O coupon code get 10% off for build show listeners. Use code: BuildShow10 by The Build Show Podcast

40 min listen

Episode 4: All About Net Zero Homes: On this week’s episode I’m talking all about net zero homes. Having built several net zero homes I definitely see the benefit of them from both an environmental and financial perspective. Especially down here in Texas where solar energy doesn’t just supply your home’s energy, but also nets you a profit if you want to sell it back to the grid. However, I do think the term net zero is thrown around a lot and sometimes can effect a build in a negative way. So tune in to found out whether or not I think you should build a net zero home, or as I prefer to define it, a net zero capable or net zero ready home. You might be surprised by what I have to say… by The Build Show Podcast

17 min listen

Episode 0: Introducing The Build Show Podcast: Matt introduces the Build Show Podcast and provides details of his background, as well as the importance of having access to great information and mentors in the building industry. Listen in to find out what great guests and information Matt has geared up for this season of The Build Show Podcast. by The Build Show Podcast

4 min listen

Episode 27: How to Design an Efficient and Durable House Right from the Start: On this episode of The Build Show Podcast, Matt and Steve Baczek team up to mull over a very important question: how do we design a good quality, efficient, durable house that’s going to be long lasting – right from the start? As a builder, Matt often gets plans in various stages of completion, sometimes fully finished plans that cause him to wonder how he’s going to build in a way that keeps clients out of trouble. Whether that's water management, energy efficiency, durability, or comfort, he’s seen plenty of plans that are not well thought out and must put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Steve adds his perspective as an architect, noting that building a house comes with thousands of decisions, some of them assumed, but everything has to be planned out. The question he likes to as homeowners is: who do you want to do that planning? The two will chat about previous experiences and best practices th by The Build Show Podcast

45 min listen

Episode 20: Low Voltage Systems: On this week’s episode of the Build Show Podcast, I’m joined by my COO Steve Lesem to talk all about wiring in the house. We dig deep into low voltage systems, fiber optic technologies, WiFi Certified Housing and a whole lot more as we talk about how we can “futureproof” our homes so they’re ready for the tech of the future. As an electrical engineering graduate who then worked in high tech and software before turning to building, Steve has a wealth of knowledge and expertise to share with you today. Tune in to this insightful episode, sponsored by Builders First Source. by The Build Show Podcast

38 min listen

Episode 22: Why Better Framing is Needed: In today’s episode, I’m chatting with my VP of Construction, Tim Hill. Tim is in his 40th year of construction and we’re looking at framing, how it’s evolved and changed since he started working in the industry back in the 70s. We’ll be taking a look at both the labor aspect and even the lumber, how that’s changed and what lessons he, and I have both learned through the years. by The Build Show Podcast

38 min listen

Episode 6: Disruptions in the Building Supply Chain: On today’s episode I’m joined by two very special guests from the go-to company for all your sealant caulk, and stain needs -- Sashco. Nathan and Les are discussing all things supply chain disruption (it sure has been crazy out there) and what to do if you can’t find your preferred product for a build. With an increased demand for housing and this bottleneck in the supply chain, it’s become a little (a lot) more difficult to source the products we need. Big companies like Sashco are no different and have been placed on percentage allocation until things are back to normal meaning they’ve had to adapt to make things work. With back-orders looking to affect companies until mid-summer, we likely won’t see normal trade resume until early fall. With this in mind, Nathan and Les are talking us through some of the key features to look out for when making performance tradeoffs to meet your business’s demand. They’ve even provided us with by The Build Show Podcast

34 min listen

Episode 26: Holistic Building and Environmentally Friendly Design: On this episode, Matt sits down with another one of the newest Build Show Network contributors to chat. Meet Doug Cameron, owner of a boutique design-build company called “EcoSafe Spaces,” (currently branded as “ESS Design+Build” or simply “ESS”). Learn more about holistic building science and intention-based homebuilding practices. You’ll hear the personal stories that led Doug along on his path, find out what sparked his interest in green home building, and discover how to channel your creative skills into hands-on work and make it your own. by The Build Show Podcast

54 min listen

Episode 12: Building Pet Peeves: On today’s episode, sponsored by Builder’s First Source, I’m going solo and talking you through my top 10 pet peeves when it comes to a build. From cheap plastic vents and missing post bases to cheaply made floors that cause all the problems when installing furniture. I’ll be addressing each point in more detail and I even throw in a few insider tips on the way to help you get the most out of any build. So, tune in to see if some of my pet peeves resonate with you and be sure to reach out on social and let me know if you’ve ever done any of these. by The Build Show Podcast

27 min listen

Episode 39: How to Attract Younger Workers to Skilled Trades: On this episode of The Build Podcast, Matt is joined by Travis and Joe of Catalyst Construction to discuss what it takes to encourage young people to get into the trades. They'll discuss what got them involved in the industry, inspired them to snag multiple skilled licenses, and why it's so important for 20-somethings to get busy early. Find out what makes the industry not only enjoyable, but profitable and empowering for those who are looking to something great with their lives. by The Build Show Podcast

43 min listen

Episode 13: So, You Want to be a Builder: So, you want to be a builder? Then today’s episode, Sponsored by Builder’s First Source, is definitely for you. I’m joined by my friend Luke Mezger who is sharing a little bit about his story and how he took his childhood fascinations for all things building (he used to love breaking apart toys as a kid and putting them back together) into the career he has today. He highlights some of the key points in his life that really sparked that passion for construction, tells us about his educational experience and even offers some insight into his role now as the owner of Mezger Homes. Finally he offers his advice to any of you out there who are looking to get into the world of building and construction. Tune in below. by The Build Show Podcast

47 min listen

Episode 44: What do builders do during a recession?: The pending possible recession is top of mind for Matt. So, this week he’s sitting down with his friend, and fellow YouTuber, Kevin AKA “Meet Kevin” to talk about what builders, architects, landlords and homeowners should be doing to prepare for what could come. Kevin is an expert in both real estate and investing/finance and the two will discuss the overall market, what happens to housing sales during this time, what to look for in cash buyers, and if we should be selling properties. You’ll gain some insight into cashflow and investments and other macro economics topics. by The Build Show Podcast

40 min listen

Episode 19: The Business of Homebuilding: On today’s episode of the Build Show, I’m joined once again by my COO Steve Lesem to discuss all about the business side of building and more comprehensively, how we educate our clients on certain aspects of their build so they can make an informed decision about what they’re putting into their home. On any build, one of the major factors clients discuss is cost. However, we like to think of things a little bit differently, and rather than always going for the cheapest possible price on features, we strive for the best possible outcome a product can deliver within their budget. Oftentimes, clients who sacrifice cost early on, pay for it later down the line when it comes to repairs and maintenance. But this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, more expensive products, like marble, for example, might not deliver the desired outcome. So how can we honor the client’s wishes and remain somewhat cost-focused during a project, while educating them on a by The Build Show Podcast

37 min listen

Episode 29: Four Types of Natural Disasters and How to Prepare Your Home for Each: From freezing temperatures, heat waves, wildfires, and floods, most of the U.S. is plagued with one form of disaster or another. On this episode of The Build Podcast, Matt is joined by his VP of Construction and good friend, Tim Hill, to discuss how to stay prepared for whatever disaster comes your way. They’ll address each disaster, as well as some great solutions for each including different types of generators for power backup, fireplace considerations, roofing materials, and slab thoughts. Each topic will provide critical insight into what you can do to the prevent of extreme home damage, physical harm, and inconvenience. by The Build Show Podcast

38 min listen

Episode 40: HVAC Talk: Traditional Ducted vs. Ductless Units: Chad Gillespie Senior Manager, Performance Construction at Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US joins matt to take on a very specific topic: a subset of HVAC around ducted and ductless. The two will dive deep into this to tach us exactly what a ducted unit is and exactly what a ductless unit is. (Hint: ductless= an indoor unit that has no ductwork attached and connects to the heat pump system.) The two will address the different applications, benefits and considerations if you find a ductless unit is right for you. by The Build Show Podcast

37 min listen

Episode 10: Balancing the Cost vs Performance Aspects on a Build: Today I’m joined by my COO, Steve Lesem, to talk all about balancing the cost vs performance aspects on a build. We all want to have a nice home, and of course, if we had an unlimited budget, we could just buy top of the range products for every aspect. However, that’s not usually the way it works. So, how do we make that compromise when it comes to quality and cost? How do we find the right balance? We discuss it all on today’s Build Show Podcast, sponsored by Builder’s First Source. by The Build Show Podcast

43 min listen

Episode 24: Mechanicals, Plumbing and HVAC: Today I’m chatting with Eric Aune from @mechanicalhub, one of our newer contributors to the Build Show Network and a Mechanical Contractor, Plumber, and HVAC specialist based out of Minnesota. We’ll be talking all about his career, how he got to where he is today, how his engineering spirit as a youngster led him to pursue an apprenticeship over college, and how this ultimately resulted in him starting his own business. We also cover his inspirations for setting up his very successful Instagram account and how he became the go-to content creator for professionals in the HVAC industry. by The Build Show Podcast

41 min listen

Episode 7: Supply Chain and Building Supplies: On today’s podcast I’m joined by special guest Jeff Rettig, VP of Supply Chain at Builders First Source to talk about the crazy spike in the commodities market especially surrounding lumber products. Lumber prices have sky rocketed recently by almost 4 times compared to what they were this time last year and with demand increasing and supplies tightening due to varying factors, it’s having a huge impact across the industry. For the average sized house build, the lumber alone is costing around $26,000 to $30,000 more than normal and lead times have been gradually increasing with many having to wait as long as 6 months. by The Build Show Podcast

30 min listen

Episode 14: Building Science and Systems Thinking: Today on the Build Show, we’re talking all about the future of Building Science and Systems Thinking with my very special guest; a long-time friend, colleague, and one of THE brightest minds in the Industry, Kristof Irwin from Positive Energy. We’re going to be covering A LOT today in a short amount of time and Kristof is super excited to be talking us through the concept of building science. He describes as “using architecture, engineering and systems thinking to design and build beautiful buildings that are practical,” because, let’s face it, if we build something ugly, it’s not going stay up for long. So stay tuned as we unpack Systems Thinking and be sure to tune into Kristof Irwin’s Podcast, Building Science, if you want to nerd out more on this kind of topic – there’s over 100 episodes over there. by The Build Show Podcast

31 min listen

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Episode 37: Lessons Learned from Building My House

Episode 37: Lessons Learned from Building My House

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