From controversy to consensus, this podcast addresses fundamental building issues as well as building science nuance through discussions with industry experts.
With each episode we seek to arrive at a common understanding, despite our dissimilar approaches or opposing views that reflect our unique experiences.
It’s a pursuit of that mythical beast “best practice” through some good natured ribbing and spirited debate. Hopefully, we’ll be reaching common ground regardless of the different paths we tread.”
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From controversy to consensus, this podcast addresses fundamental building issues as well as building science nuance through discussions with industry experts.
With each episode we seek to arrive at a common understanding, despite our dissimilar approaches or opposing views that reflect our unique experiences.
It’s a pursuit of that mythical beast “best practice” through some good natured ribbing and spirited debate. Hopefully, we’ll be reaching common ground regardless of the different paths we tread.”
The fellas decide what from 2025 should be left behind and what change they will push for in 2026. From celebrating growth to making some strategic contractions, new materials that worked great or hard lessons learned that will now never be repeated, this is your end of your Building Consensus wrap up.
When our team fails to follow instructions because they think they know better it wastes the time taken to plan the job, time spent to visit the site and lay out the crew as well as the time required for the lead to determine what happened and wether or not the new strategy is acceptable. Is following instructions the most valuable skill or would trade it for someone who knows their stuff?
While it’s frustrating to be mistaken it absolutely maddening to be right when you think “this is going to be a problem”. Finding a way to work with a subcontractor who you knew was going to be a problem seems like an unfair burden to bear but perhaps we have only ourselves to blame.
It may seem so obvious as to not even warrant a discussion, but when considering the challenge of building a new home versus renovating an existing home there’s an awful lot to argue about. High stakes in either case with clients, designers, weather and cash on the line make this one not as simple as you might think.
Many view the Passive House building standard as the pinnacle of high performance building but so often that view gets tied to specific products. While some make it easier than others, the technique is really the key so we discuss that with self-performer Jeremiah Sommer. Wether you certify with PHIUS or just build a Pretty Good House the strategies make all the difference.
It's been a minute since we got together so rather than seek a debate we just tried to connect on what's been going on with our projects, our teams and our lives. We won't solve your problems this week, but we'll let you into ours.
Some jurisdictions have a notoriously tough codes enforcement official and others have almost no oversight. But what about the non-governmental burden of the HOA? Does this “authority” protect the community or drive the cost of housing way beyond what value it adds? This week the fellas are joined by @stephaniebuildsit to learn how a porta potty can cost you $28,000 in Utah.
Don’t let the salesman waste your time! Our suppliers, vendors, and product reps can be an untapped resource if we don’t take a minute to hear what they’ve got going. Especially when the “help me help you” is sincere like Dan Edelman’s commitment has been.
Don’t let the salesman waste your time! Our suppliers, vendors, and product reps can be an untapped resource if we don’t take a minute to hear what they’ve got going. Especially when the “help me help you” is sincere like Dan Edelman’s commitment has been.
The sheer quantity of details and decisions required to build a home can be staggering. Take that number and add 10x for luxury homes since multiple kitchens require multiple cabinet and appliance packages, lighting selections and layouts… That’s why one person can’t run more than a few luxury builds at a time- unless they’re Mike at Greenside Design Build.
When is it critical that we are physically present on site? If our team is good and the plan is clear we ought to be able to set things in motion and watch it run, but since that doesn’t seem to be the reality for most of us let’s define the mandatory moments.
The ability to handle every aspect of the build and coordinating every element is where many of us find our expertise best utilized, what allows us to reach our desired outcome, and frankly it’s where we find our joy. But is that insuring we never realize our potential for profitability?
Did your client hire a person or did they hire a company? When they don’t see the same familiar face on site that “sold” them the job they can get a little unruly so let’s sort it out upfront.
If we try to rush to a solution it reduces the likelihood that it will lead to the best outcome. But where is the fine line where you wasted your time and your clients money looking for needlessly better?
Surely the success of a project must be based on the amazing skill of the builder, or the master craftsmanship displayed by the trades, or even the exceptional architecture and detailed plans. Surely it can't just be as simple as setting clients expectations, can it?
Should you hold a spot in your schedule for a porject that’s still in development? Does it make sense as a business to trust that things will come together to finalize the plan, that the pricing will land on budget and that you will get to proceed - or should you withhold commitments unitl plans are final?
Wrapping up the three part series on successful habits and necessary tools for crew and company, this episode defines what will bring someone to the end of there employment. When is time for correction and what leads to immediate termination?
Continuing the trilogy on dealing with new crew, this discussion clarifies what tools a new hire should plan to provide versus what the company is responsible for having available on site to complete construction at hand.
This is the first panel of the triptych, or Ep.1 of the Trilogy on behaviors, tools and failings of crew members. We begin by identifying seven specific habits that new hires should adopt so they can be successful in their career and valuable members of the operation.
We determined who’s at fault when scope creep occurs on projects but our pal and Flashing Awareness Advocate Aron Jones wanted more. He wanted to discuss another creep - not Brandon, but rather the issue of Schedule Creep. Who’s gonna pay for this delay?
From controversy to consensus, this podcast addresses fundamental building issues as well as building science nuance through discussions with industry experts.
With each episode we seek to arrive at a common understanding, despite our dissimilar approaches or opposing views that reflect our unique experiences.
It’s a pursuit of that mythical beast “best practice” through some good natured ribbing and spirited debate. Hopefully, we’ll be reaching common ground regardless of the different paths we tread.”
