The Holistic Homes Podcast3 Apr 2024

S1E4: How to Find a Building Contractor and Get them on Board with Building a Healthy Home

How can you have a productive conversation with contractors? A lot of people will shy away from really digging in with their contractors because they get intimidated by all the jargon. But it’s a really important first step to getting that healthy home you dream of!

So today, I’m laying out exactly how you can approach these conversations. We’re even breaking down what it means to define the scope of the project. I’ll be asking questions that can give you an idea of what decisions need to be made before you talk to your contractors.

And how do you find the right contractor for you? Too often, people will just go with who their best friend or neighbor used. But finding the right contractor is a step that shouldn’t be rushed through. So I’ll be taking you through the red flags to watch out for in your search. For example, if you’re renovating your kitchen and you’re being charged a lump sum - that’s cause for concern. What materials are being used? What’s included vs. excluded, etc?

So if you’re nervous because you’re not sure what questions to ask your contractors - this episode is for you. If this episode is helpful for you, spread the word to friends and family who are about to embark on this process too!

Today, we’re chatting about:

Defining the scope of the project
Reverse engineering the budget for your project based on the scope
Why I suggest getting at least three proposals or bids from prospective contractors
Contractor red flags
Why you need to have every communication in writing

Resources Mentioned:

How to Interview a contractor checklist

Connect with me:

Instagram

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Episoder(72)

Why Luxury Home Builds Need More Oversight, Not Less | Ep. 51

When you are planning a luxury home with a substantial budget and a top-tier builder, it is easy to assume you do not need extra quality control. With complex architecture, larger teams, and more movi...

6 Okt 18min

Who Is Actually Checking Your Healthy Home During Construction? | Ep. 50

One critical gap in conventional home construction often gets overlooked: quality control. While your builder focuses on implementation and city inspectors only check minimum code requirements, neith...

29 Sep 21min

The Construction Budget Trap: Allowances | Ep. 49

One word in your construction contract can completely change what you ultimately spend on your home: allowance. An allowance is essentially a placeholder number. And if too many major parts of your p...

15 Sep 13min

The Problem with Spray Foam Insulation | Ep. 48

Few building materials create as much debate as spray foam insulation. It can air seal, insulate, and control vapor extremely well, but it can also create concerns around installation quality, moistu...

8 Sep 23min

How to Avoid Moldy Lumber When Building | Ep. 47

Moldy lumber is one of the most common concerns I hear from homeowners building healthy homes. Some people say mold on framing lumber is harmless, while others want absolutely no visible mold anywhere...

1 Sep 25min

Are Your Architectural Plans Detailed Enough? | Ep. 46

Your architectural plans should do much more than show the layout of your home. If decisions around materials, waterproofing, insulation, mechanical systems, or electrical placement are still being ma...

25 Aug 22min

Greenwashing with Construction and Materials | Ep. 45

Not everything labeled “natural,” “non-toxic,” “recycled,” or “plant-based” is actually a healthier choice for your home. In this episode, I break down how greenwashing shows up in construction and b...

18 Aug 21min

How I Would Build My Own Healthy Home | Ep. 44

Looking to find healthy home building professionals in your neighborhood? Use the Holistic Homes Directory: 🏡🌱 https://holistichomesdirectory.com/ Take your next step in building a healthy home with...

11 Aug 14min