Planning a home renovation? Don’t start demolishing walls just yet! Get expert tips for planning a smooth, successful remodeling project in this week's episode with your host, Curtis Lawson , and Houston remodeler Randy White , Owner of Superior Home Renovations. In this info-packed episode, you'll learn: 👷🏻♂️Steps for selecting the right contractor ✅ The #1 thing you should do before starting any renovation project (hint: it sets the direction for everything else!) ✅ How to set a smart/reali...
Oct 27, 2023•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 56
Join host Curtis Lawson on this episode of the Your Project Shepherd Podcast , as he talks about restoring and preserving historic homes and structures with preservation expert Morgan Reinart. Morgan shares his personal journey that led him to historic preservation and restoration, and the joys and challenges involved with the work he does as partner at Old Home Rescue. Together, they explore: Window, door, and wood rot restoration processes to maintain historic integrity Unique challenges of wo...
Oct 20, 2023•55 min•Season 3Ep. 55
In this episode of the Your Project Shepherd podcast , I am joined by environmental consultant, Megan Carson to talk about indoor air quality, mold prevention, and mold remediation. After connecting on Instagram, I was captivated by her mission to raise awareness about the perils of mold and the invaluable support she provides on the platform and through the work she does with Guided Well . So that's why we decided to bring our conversation to this podcast, ensuring you don't miss out on this va...
Oct 13, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 43
Welcome to the Your Project Shepherd Podcast! In this episode, Curtis sits down with Dave Yelovich , the Director of Quality Assurance and Training at First America Homes , to explore the vital role of quality training and ongoing education for builders. Dave's extensive experience over the last three decades, his involvement with the Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA), and his passion for education in the industry, makes him a true authority on this topic. But this episode isn't just f...
Oct 06, 2023•49 min•Season 3Ep. 53
In this episode, Curtis Lawson had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Allison Bailes III , an authority in energy efficiency, accomplished author of "A House Needs to Breathe or Does It? ", and founder of Energy Vanguard. He joins us today to provide his expert insights on how to dehumidify your home and we discuss the common issue of humidity in places like Houston and Atlanta. We offer practical strategies for both builders and homeowners, that will enhance the quality, comfort, energy efficien...
Sep 29, 2023•53 min•Season 3Ep. 52
Join us as we take a close look at one of the key components of successful custom home/renovation projects: the Foundation of a project – Planning! 🎙️ Curtis Lawson had the pleasure of sitting down to chat with Susannah Devine, LEED AP-H and Kathleen Reardon, AIA, the creative minds behind RD Architecture, to uncover their methods to achieving successful projects. 🌟 Our guests shed light on their process, emphasizing how successful design involves a careful orchestration of crucial element...
Sep 22, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 51
This week, we're diving into another installment of our ' Building Performance Failures' series with your hosts Curtis Lawson and Toner Kersting . Joining us today is Slade Sloan , the General Manager of the custom division at Builders FirstSource , to discuss the critical role of Windows and Doors in building performance. Slade has a rich history in the building materials industry and his expertise extends to sales, negotiations, operations, team building, and construction, making him a true au...
Sep 15, 2023•57 min•Season 3Ep. 49
In this episode, we delve into the crucial role of landscaping for homeowners and its impact on your home's performance. Landscaping is often seen merely as an aesthetic endeavor, but these experts are here to enlighten you about its profound impact on your home and how you can ensure it is a positive one. Join Curtis Lawson and Toner Kersting as they sit down with Kyle Cahill , TCLP , Founder + Horticulturalist at Grow & Company for a unique and innovative perspective on approaching landsca...
Sep 08, 2023•54 min•Season 3Ep. 49
Flooring Matters! You may be missing the subtle yet crucial signs of underlying problems in your home that manifest in your flooring. So this week we're diving into the often overlooked topic of flooring for our building performance failures installment. Curtis Lawson and Toner Kersting break down everything you need to know about choosing the right flooring for your project. We cover a lot of area with the different types of flooring options, their pros and cons, and how to ensure a successful ...
Sep 01, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 48
In light of the scorching temperatures outside, we bring you a much-needed conversation about HVAC performance and installation. Joining Curtis Lawson and Toner Kersting for this timely topic is HVAC expert Lee Kurtas ( President at High Performance Home Systems ). Lee's deep expertise in HVAC, spray foam insulation, building science, and legal consulting offers a unique perspective for this educational exchange that you don't want to miss! This light and entertaining conversation is centered ar...
Aug 25, 2023•55 min•Season 3Ep. 47
Curtis Lawson is joined by Mike England (VP at Energy Ogre) to discuss the best way to save money on your electricity bill if you live in Texas . We are going to educate you, the homeowners, about a service that can help you save big! Energy Ogre is a pioneering managed residential electricity platform that guides homeowners through the complex energy market, ensuring the best electricity plan is chosen. We explore how Energy Ogre helps consumers find the best electricity plan to maximize saving...
Aug 18, 2023•39 min•Season 3Ep. 46
In this Building Technologies installment of the Your Project Shepherd Construction Podcast, Curtis Lawson and Toner Kersting , are joined by Bradly Hirdes and Jeff Ehrich to discuss alternative wall assemblies, focusing on ICF and 3D printing - where tradition meets innovation. These four delve into the benefits of exploring diverse construction methods beyond the traditional timber framing approach, underlining the significance of alternative approaches in elevating energy efficiency and cost-...
Aug 11, 2023•55 min•Season 3Ep. 44
Join host Curtis Lawson and co-host Toner Kersting , alongside special guest Gordon Fox, President at Fox Residential Services Group, as they shed light on the crucial role of home inspections and common issues uncovered, from roof to foundation. In the construction industry, there is a prevailing perception that home inspectors are seen as adversaries by builders, often leading to intentional avoidance of inspections in order to evade accountability, but this perception must be dispelled, and a...
Aug 04, 2023•49 min•Season 3Ep. 43
In this candid and relatable discussion, Curtis Lawson, Toner Kersting and special guest, Robert Coreale , explore the critical topic of building performance failures and roofing failures. They get into the nitty gritty and the importance of using appropriate products and following correct procedures to prevent issues and failures from arising. Robert Coreale , Owner & President of Tile Roofs of Texas , shares his expert insights and unique perspective through real-world experiences from the...
Jul 28, 2023•51 min•Season 3Ep. 43
Join hosts Curtis Lawson and Toner Kersting with special guest Shadrick Wall , Co-Founder and COO of First Defense Insulation , in our latest episode. We explore the critical role of insulation in the building envelope and debunk foam insulation misconceptions. Discover how structural deficiencies are often due to misapplication, not the foam itself. We shed light on the foam industry's misinformation and stress considering existing homes' complexity when using foam insulation—factors like cooki...
Jul 21, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 42
Join us as we explore the dynamic world of architectural design trends on this episode of the Your Project Shepherd Podcast. This engaging discussion is led by your host, Curtis Lawson, with three industry-leading experts: Brinn Miracle ( Co-Founder of ArchiTangent ), Bryce Conner ( Owner & Principal at B Ingenious Designs ), and David Cox ( Founder of Design DCA ). As pioneers of creativity and functionality, our guests represent a diverse range of expertise, including corporate, commercial...
Jul 14, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 41
Joining us for this special episode are three fantastic designers who are all based here in the Houston area. We have Shannon Vestal back on the podcast for a second time, along with Vyara Johnson and Laura Rickaway. For this panel discussion your host Curtis Lawson is the thorn among the roses and brings his perspective as a builder to the table, while our designers give us their tips, insights and thoughts on what is trending and what to stay away from. From the exterior to the inside of your ...
Jul 07, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Season 3Ep. 40
🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Your Project Shepherd Podcast ! Listeners will gain valuable insights into the potential risks associated with exterior wall claddings and how to prevent major problems. In this episode, we are joined again by Rhondalyn Riley ( Water Intrusion Specialist/Consultant and owner of Exterior Inspections ), to discuss building performance failures that happen due to common issues that arise with stucco, masonry, and other exterior wall claddings. In this conversatio...
Jun 30, 2023•53 min•Season 3Ep. 38
Join host Curtis Lawson as he sits down with Toner Kersting , a Building Performance and Energy Efficiency Expert , to talk about one of the major reasons behind building performance failures. Discover the hidden truth that lies within the building envelope, the crucial barrier between the indoor and outdoor environments. Toner and Curtis delve into the world of custom home building, emphasizing the critical role of carefully designing and maintaining the building envelope. As the complexity of ...
Jun 23, 2023•51 min•Season 3Ep. 38
Allen Griffin joins Curtis Lawson for this building performance failure episode to talk about how to avoid disputes between builders and homeowners, biggest mistakes they see builders making, building science, and more! Allen is the founder and president of Griffin Interests LLC, which owns and operates Construction Claims Experts, Gryphon Builders and Viewpoint Designs. He is a graduate master builder, certified graduate remodeler, certified aging in place specialist with 30 years experience in...
Jun 16, 2023•48 min•Season 3Ep. 37
In this 'building performance failure' episode, host Curtis Lawson and co-host Toner Kersting , along with guests Greg Swedberg (2Scale Architects) and Matt Gray (President at Anvil Engineering) delve into the importance of design and engineering coordination . Through their stories of projects that could have gone south real quick, they reveal how communication and collaboration in the early stages of a construction project are essential for effective execution of a project. These seasoned prof...
Jun 09, 2023•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 36
If you're looking for creative and stylish garage solutions for your home, then this is a must watch episode! Aaron Cash (Co-Founder & President of Garage Living) joins this episode to open your eyes to the possibilities what you can do with your garage. We discuss the importance of functionality in garage design and how Garage Living can help improve your garage space and even reduce stress! Your Project Shepherd always focuses on the importance of proper planning and building the right tea...
Jun 02, 2023•44 min•Season 3Ep. 35
In this final episode of Season 2, Curtis provides a wrap up of the highlights that were discussed over the last 17 episodes of "What Does it Cost?" He gives us some key tips to avoid common mistakes, especially when planning your budget, and the importance of building your team from the start so everyone is on the same page. He also provides the best pre-construction workflow for starting your custom home build, so don’t miss out on this episode and remember to follow us on your favorite podcas...
May 02, 2023•12 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Join us for this insightful conversation with Ed Earl , the Zen Builder, as we explore why residential construction projects can be so emotional and the role of project management and owner's representation in creating beautiful homes that meet the needs of homeowners. Ed and Curtis share their insights into the challenges that homeowners and builders face during these projects, including stress, and decision-making. They explore the importance of trust in the process and of course discuss the s...
Apr 28, 2023•35 min•Season 2Ep. 33
Join host Curtis Lawson and experts Dana Hajedemos and Toner Kersting for this episode as they discuss solar panels and battery storage. Discover key considerations in designing a solar power system, including costs, performance optimization, and meeting your home's specific needs. Get practical advice to confidently navigate the decision-making process and make informed choices about harnessing solar energy for your home. Don't miss this informative episode - subscribe now!...
Apr 25, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 32
In this episode we delve into the costs of working with historic structures and are joined by Toner Kersting (Energy & Sustainability Consultant at Toner Home Matters) and Kevin Dahlstrand (Architect at Dahlstrand Architecture). Historic structures come with unique challenges when it comes to remodeling and can be expensive if not done properly. Curtis, Toner, and Kevin share their insights on how to navigate these challenges without incurring unnecessary costs. They emphasize the importance...
Apr 21, 2023•48 min•Season 2Ep. 31
In this episode, host Curtis Lawson discusses the importance of third-party inspections in ensuring successful home builds and is joined by industry experts Rhondalyn Riley (President at Exterior Inspections, Inc) and Reece Scott (President at BEC Engineers & Consultants). Learn about the costs, benefits, and best practices of third-party inspections in today's construction industry. From understanding different materials to evaluating building performance, discover how third-party inspectio...
Apr 18, 2023•55 min•Season 2Ep. 30
In this episode of Your Project Shepherd Podcast , host Curtis Lawson sits down with Karalynn Cromeens (Owner & Managing Partner of The Cromeens Law Firm) to discuss the differences and costs in litigation, mediation, and arbitration. She shares valuable insights on how to avoid expensive problems on your custom home build project and how to navigate issues that can lead to construction disputes. Her podcast, Quit Getting Screwed is another great resource for homeowners, contractors and subc...
Apr 14, 2023•36 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Join us for a conversation between Curtis Lawson and Elliott Owen, Business Development Manager at Hogue Landscape Services , as they delve into the world of landscaping costs and design. Discover the secrets to successful budgeting for landscaping as part of the overall project budget, and learn why involving a landscape designer early on in the project can save you from costly mistakes in the long run. Gain valuable insights on cost drivers, trending features, and tips for creating a cohesive ...
Apr 11, 2023•29 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Join Curtis and Eric as they continue their conversation about the costs and importance of home maintenance, with a focus on the fall and winter seasons. Discover the advantages of having a well-maintained home, from avoiding costly repairs to ensuring health and safety for your family. Learn why hiring a company like Goodsmith to handle these tasks can be more cost effective than hiring multiple companies on as needed basis. Staying on top of these checklist items will make your life less stres...
Apr 07, 2023•28 min•Season 2Ep. 27
