Every builder should explore the benefits of joining the local Home Building Association (HBA). Matt sits down with Taylor Jackson, CEO of HBA Greater Austin; they highlight how HBA membership supports builders and remodelers through networking, advocacy, and educational opportunities. Membership provides valuable connections at local, state, and national levels. These include access to standardized contracts and exclusive industry events, like monthly builder councils and training certification...
Nov 01, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 158
Matt sits down with Lydia, aka @drywallshorty, to talk about essential tips for bidding drywall projects. The conversation, aimed at builders and contractors, covers drywall specifications, the importance of choosing the right materials, and best practices for achieving high-quality results. Lydia emphasizes the need for early discussions with drywall contractors about drywall thickness (1/2” vs. 5/8”), as this affects both pricing and the quality of the final job, particularly in custom homes. ...
Oct 25, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 157
Matt and Steve sit down to talk about the newest installment in the Build Science™ series, Build Science ™ 201 . The conversation covers the importance of both Build Science™ 101 & 201 as educational tools for builders, architects, and contractors, emphasizing how these can help improve the understanding and application of advanced building techniques. They reflect on their experience in the field, sharing how they've learned over the years by educating themselves and seeking guidance from m...
Oct 22, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 156
Matt welcomes Justin Pratt from Builders’ FirstSource to delve into the future of construction operations, focusing on how builders can adapt to advancements in digital tools. They discuss the integration of digital modeling, like 3D Revit, into construction workflows. This technology allows builders to optimize projects by reducing waste, detecting conflicts, and improving operational efficiency. Justin shares insights on how digital twins and home configurators can streamline the building proc...
Oct 11, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 155
Matt is joined by Scott Reynolds, co-founder and CEO of UpCodes, a company that helps builders, architects, tradespeople, and more navigate the complex space of building codes. Their conversation centers around how technology can streamline and improve the building process, with a focus on integrating building codes and standards into digital tools. Scott discusses his company's efforts to create a digital platform that captures industry knowledge and makes it easily accessible to builders and d...
Oct 04, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 154
Live from the ROCKWOOL Studio, Matt is joined by fellow Build Show Expert, CJ Nielsen to talk smart electrical systems. They cover key topics, including future-proofing a home’s electrical systems, the benefits of an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) for better indoor air quality, and smart panels like the Span system for efficient energy management. CJ emphasizes the importance of setting up temporary infrastructure on job sites and highlights how to effectively future-proof homes by using moder...
Sep 27, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 153
Matt and Steve are back again this week in the ROCKWOOL studio to dive deep into advanced tech integration at The Risinger Build, focusing on future-proofing homes. Matt recounts a past mistake of installing obsolete iPad jacks, highlighting the critical need for adaptable systems to avoid expensive retrofits. Matt and Steve also explore practical tech solutions like Sonos systems for home audio and their installation experiences, along with the energy-saving use of heat-generating devices in HV...
Sep 20, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 152
Steve joins Matt live in the ROCKWOOL studio to explore cost-effective strategies for building high-performance homes. They discuss common misconceptions about homebuilding costs, particularly the misleading reliance on "cost per square foot." Additionally, they emphasize prioritizing quality over size, suggesting that a well-built smaller home can provide better long-term value. Using Steve’s Multigenerational Home on a Budget project as an example, they discuss key decisions include using UPVC...
Sep 13, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 151
After a brief summer break, The Build Show Podcast is back! Matt talks to Danny from Breakthrough Academy about key strategies for contractors and businesses to thrive in a slower economic market. They focus on lead generation and marketing optimization, offering actionable advice to maintain a steady flow of leads even in uncertain times. Danny highlights the importance of tracking lead sources and calculating return on investment (ROI) to focus marketing efforts on high-performing channels. He...
Sep 06, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 150
Bryan & Tim Uhler, second-generation builders and business-owners, return to The Build Show Podcast. Matt and the Uhlers discuss the future of the construction industry, emphasizing technological advancements and sustainability. Matt, Bryan, and Tim consider the impact of 3D printing in construction; both Bryan and Tim are skeptical about its widespread adoption due to site-specific challenges and aesthetic preferences. They advocate for traditional wood framing, noting its sustainability an...
Jul 26, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 149
Join Matt and Breakthrough Academy (BTA) co-founder Igor Trninic in a conversation about financial management and the consequences of being financially disorganized in the construction industry. BTA is not only part of The Build Show Expert team, but also a company that helps contractors streamline their operations and achieve financial stability. They delve into three main consequences of poor financial management: having to let go of valuable employees due to financial instability, being surpr...
Jul 19, 2024•45 min•Season 4Ep. 148
Matt dives into speculative building and budgeting with Tim and Bryan Uhler of Pioneer Builders. Pioneer Builders, founded in 1978 by Tim and Bryan's parents, has built a reputation for efficient and high-quality speculative homes in Seattle, Washington. The Uhler brothers explain that speculative building involves constructing homes without a committed buyer, which requires smart land purchases and thorough feasibility studies to ensure profitability. The Uhlers emphasize the importance of buyi...
Jul 12, 2024•24 min•Season 4Ep. 147
Steven Shafer, co-founder of Jobsite Codes, joins Matt in studio to discuss innovative jobsite organization. Matt confesses his lack of organizational skills and introduces Steven's digital solution, which uses QR codes to replace traditional three-ring binders for construction documents. Jobsite Codes simplifies document access with QR codes, eliminating the need for apps or logins. This user-friendly system is especially beneficial for trade workers. The digital platform ensures the most curre...
Jul 05, 2024•23 min•Season 4Ep. 146
The moment you’ve all been waiting for is finally here… registration for Build Show LIVE is open now! Matt is joined by Mark Wille to bring you an insider’s guide to all thing’s Build Show LIVE. Taking place in Austin, TX from November 7-9, 2024, Build Show LIVE promises to be the premier trade show for the building industry. The event will feature a unique blend of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and exclusive tours. There’s an option for everyone… Expo Tickets: With acccess to ...
Jun 28, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 145
On this episode of The Build Show Podcast , Matt discusses the importance of ventilation with expert Corbett Lunsford, who you may know from his PBS Series Home Diagnosis . They explore the critical role ventilation plays in maintaining healthy indoor air quality and Corbett shares insights into designing effective HVAC systems. The conversation emphasizes the importance of air circulation, pollution capture, and filtration in residential buildings. They highlight the advantages of using Energy ...
Jun 21, 2024•39 min•Season 4Ep. 144
Matt and fellow Build Show Expert Allyson Anderson discuss the BuildHer Executive Retreat, a new initiative focused on the therapeutic benefits of networking for women in construction. They underscore the value of shared experiences and learning opportunities among builders. They delve into the complexities of managing multiple construction projects, stressing the delicate balance between quality and business demands. Allyson shares her personal challenges, from handling intricate client relatio...
Jun 14, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 143
Build Show Expert Steve Baczek joins Matt to discuss the most recent Build Original Series, Multigenerational Home on a Budget. Initially, the discussion highlights how remodeling projects reveal past construction flaws, emphasizing the need for proper techniques to avoid future issues. Experts like Energy Vanguard are praised for their precise HVAC system designs, which ensure air tightness and energy efficiency, avoiding the costly mistakes of oversizing equipment. Matt & Steve encourage b...
Jun 07, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 142
Are you loving the Building Consensus Podcast? Be sure to follow the Building Consensus Podcast's feed on Spotify or Apple Podcasts ! There are two additional episodes already live on the new Building Consensus feed, and new episodes will be released bi-weekly. Or, you can watch Building Consensus on thebuildshow.com. Travis and Brandon jump into a discussion on building permits and energy regulations in Kansas City, Missouri. They delve into the complexities of meeting energy code requirements,...
Jun 06, 2024•24 min•Season 4Ep. 141
This week, Matt is joined by building performance expert, Randy Williams. Their discussion centers on building science and energy efficiency in home construction, emphasizing the importance of blower door tests to identify air leaks and improve insulation. Matt and Randy highlight practical advice for homeowners and builders, including conducting energy audits and mid-build tests to enhance building performance. They also touch on the costs and training required for energy auditing, with recomme...
May 31, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 140
In this episode, Travis and Brandon discuss complexities of inducing change within a business environment, particularly concerning team members' mindset and behavior. They share personal experiences, expressing frustration at the difficulty of fostering lasting change despite efforts to train and support individuals. The conversation revolves around whether inherent character traits can truly be altered and if sustained transformation is achievable. While they acknowledge instances of progress, ...
May 30, 2024•26 min•Season 4Ep. 139
This week on The Build Show Podcast, Matt welcomes fellow Build Show Expert, Jake Bruton, to discuss Build Original Series What Should I Use? hosted by Jake. A second-generation builder, Jake offers insights into the building process, such as choosing materials and following building codes. Both Matt and Jake emphasize the importance of understanding and referencing the latest building codes, industry standards, and manufacturer instructions to ensure compliance and quality in construction proje...
May 24, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 138
Building Consensus Episode 102: The majority of new home built in America this year will be constructed as speculative projects by a wide margin. Profit margins on custom homes tend to be more substantial while spec builders rely on higher speed, lower costs and greater volume to make the smaller margins more profitable. While both our hosts are known for pursuing high performance and extreme durability through building science, they differ greatly on whether or not it makes sense to build spec ...
May 23, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 137
Guess who’s back for part two? If you guessed Erika Bonfanti, then you’re right! Erika returns to continue lively conversation with Matt. This week, they discuss the pros and cons of various building materials, expressing a preference for non-conventional wood structural houses despite acknowledging the benefits of concrete and block for thermal performance. Matt and Erika delve into the effectiveness of 3D printed concrete enclosures, stressing the importance of proper sealing and weatherproofi...
May 17, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 136
Introducing “Building Consensus,” a brand-new podcast series from Build Show Expert Travis Brungardt and fellow Kansas City Builder Brandon Jones. From controversy to consensus, this podcast addresses fundamental building issues as well as building science nuance through discussions with industry experts. With each episode Travis and Brandon will seek to arrive at a common understanding, despite their dissimilar approaches or opposing views that reflect their unique experiences. It’s a pursuit o...
May 16, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 135
Matt dives into the intricacies of exterior enclosures with Erika Bonfanti, Associate Principle at Austin-based Engineering Consulting firm Acton Partners. They touch on Erica's specialized role in construction investigation and consulting and reflect on their mutual Pittsburgh roots. From detailing the challenges in construction projects to emphasizing the need for educational client approaches, they cover it all. The discussion expands to past experiences with exterior insulation and finish sy...
May 10, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 134
Matt takes the podcast outdoors (only metaphorically) to delve into landscaping with Sara Bendrick, a top California-based contractor. Together, they explore the vital link between builders and landscapers, trends like drought-tolerant lawns, and the rise of battery-powered tools. Matt and Sara focus on the shift towards reducing traditional lawns in favor of drought-tolerant alternatives, concerns about the environmental impact of artificial turf, and emerging trends in landscaping technology, ...
May 03, 2024•43 min•Season 4Ep. 133
This week’s episode of The Build Show Podcast features a dynamic conversation between Matt and marketing expert David Meerman Scott, whose influence shaped Matt's career. Matt recalls learning invaluable marketing tips from David early on, which he implemented and launched what eventually became The Build Show. They discuss the importance of aligning marketing with consumer behavior, emphasizing the power of content creation. David dives into the connection between neuroscience and fandom, highl...
Apr 26, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 132
This week’s episode is extra special because it accompanies the launch of Build Original Series The Risinger Build . Matt sits down with his business partner and co-builder Tim Hill and in-house architect Chelsea Scharbach to talk about, you guessed it, The Risinger Build . For the first time ever, Matt and The Build Show are going to document a full build from foundation to finishes. Not only are they taking viewers along on this journey, Matt, Tim, and Chelsea are determined to create a top-no...
Apr 19, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 131
This week on The Build Show Podcast, Matt delves into the intricacies of water delivery in homes with the “Hot Water Expert” Gary Klein, focusing on plumbing systems and hot water efficiency. Gary discusses minimizing water waste and optimizing hot water delivery, covering various strategies like circulation loops and on-demand pumps. They also tackle outdated plumbing codes and advocate for modernization to reflect water-saving fixtures and smaller pipe diameters. Matt and Gary emphasize the ne...
Apr 12, 2024•48 min•Season 4Ep. 130
This week on The Build Show Podcast, Matt revisits the reason he grew so passionate about building science: mold. Guest Cristina Greenfield recounts her family's ordeal with mold and its impact on their health, shedding light on the need for awareness and preventive measures. They delve into the specifics of mold proliferation, emphasizing the role of HVAC systems and proper insulation. Cristina underscores the importance of education and proactive measures in maintaining a healthy home environm...
Apr 05, 2024•47 min•Season 4Ep. 129
