In this episode of Chicks in Construction, hosts Mikki and Jess dive into a harrowing North Raleigh renovation story that underscores the importance of hiring licensed general contractors, obtaining permits, and not prepaying large sums of money upfront. They highlight a homeowner's ordeal with a fraudulent GC who left numerous structural and compliance issues unchecked, leading to significant financial and emotional stress. Tune in to learn vital tips on how to protect yourself in construction ...
Aug 19, 2025•52 min•Ep. 15
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 d...
Aug 12, 2025•43 min•Ep. 14
Most painters are disasters waiting to happen. They'll destroy your floors, paint over problems instead of fixing them, take your deposit and disappear for weeks, then leave you with a mess that looks worse than when they started. But how do you spot the difference between a real professional and some guy who thinks painting is easy money? Elizabeth Mejía from Top Empire Painting has seen it all, from painters who literally paint over staples sticking out of trim to clients who lock contractors ...
Aug 05, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 13
Mikki and Jess tackle one of the biggest problems in home renovations: homeowners going in completely unprepared for what construction actually looks like. After seeing so many horror stories from listeners, they realized many of the "disasters" could have been avoided if people just knew what was normal versus what was actually worth getting upset about. They delve into common challenges faced during renovations, emphasizing the importance of hiring skilled professionals, anticipating delays, a...
Jul 29, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 12
When your roof leaks, a pipe bursts, or a tree crashes through your house, your first instinct is to call your insurance company. But one wrong word in that conversation can mean the difference between getting fully covered or getting nothing at all. Most homeowners don’t realize how much hinges on the language they use...until their claim is denied. In this episode, Mikki sits down with Nicolle Bochenski of Precision Public Adjusting to expose how often claims are unfairly denied, and what you ...
Jul 22, 2025•46 min•Ep. 11
Ever 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 budget The 50/30/20 rule for dividing your renovation ...
Jul 15, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 10
After 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 ...
Jul 08, 2025•46 min•Ep. 9
Mold 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 c...
Jul 01, 2025•45 min•Ep. 3
Everyone’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...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 7
Sophie 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...
Jun 17, 2025•46 min•Ep. 6
In 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 outline...
Jun 10, 2025•40 min•Ep. 5
This 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 t...
Jun 03, 2025•43 min•Ep. 4
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 sk...
May 27, 2025•31 min•Ep. 3
The 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...
May 20, 2025•45 min•Ep. 2
Welcome 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 an...
May 20, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1
