Architect Cinda Lester joins me this week to talk about her ongoing improvements to her split level entry house in the suburbs of Chicago. She has plenty of good tips and cautionary tales to share. Have you ever asked yourself-What would happen if a contractor took off with my money before the job was complete? How would I finish the project on my own without any money? Why would I hire a professional to help me with my project? About Our Guest:Cinda K. Lester is an architectural storyteller, and comes to storytelling through both sides of her family tree. Though she considers herself a Chicagoan, Cinda has traveled and lived all over the US. She and her husband Henri LamBeau met in architecture school at the University of Idaho, where they both received a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch). Cinda returned home from the great American West, bringing Henri along with her, and received her Master of Urban Planning and Policy (M.UPP) at the University of Illinois at Chicago.Cinda and Henri currently live in suburban Chicago with their 17-year-old son Cooper and 15-year-old daughter Kellar, both architectural storytellers in their own right, with pencil, computer and LEGO. Cinda is first and foremost a Lake Girl, and treasures every minute she can get on her water in southern Wisconsin.website: https://1212architects.com**********************************Thanks for listening!Thanks so much for being with us this week.  Please see the episode enhancement for this and other episodes at talkinghomerenovations.comDo you have feedback you would like to share?  Would you like to be a guest on the podcast?  Email me at thehousemaven@talkinghomerenovations.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friendsDon’t forget to subscribe to the show and get automatic updates every Wednesday morning with the latest episode of Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven.  Click here to get the episode enhancements sent directly to your inbox every week.Reviews and ratings help my show gain traction and credibility.  Please leave a review here- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-home-renovations-with-the-house-maven/id1481716218Talk with my guests and me on Clubhouse! The club name is Talking Home Renovations and there is a standing room at 10 am eastern every Saturday. We will be discussing topics from the podcast. Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovationsJoin me on Facebook: Talking Home RenovationsFollow me on Twitter: @talkinghomerenoJoin me on TikTok: @The House MavenTalking Home Renovations with the House Maven is part of Gabl Media, the largest, most engaged AEC network on the planet.  Visit www.Gablmedia.com for great content. Thanks to Ray Bernoff, the editor of the show. www.RayBernoff.comMusic at the beginning and end of the episode is The House Maven's Jig, written and performed by Neil Pearlman, www.neilpearlman.comShow Cover Art by Sam White www.samowhite.comThis podcast is a production of dEmios...