The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

Nic and Carson have thoughts on LEDs. Phil asks about self-stick underlayment on Zip System roof sheathing. Buzz wants to add a shade structure over his paver patio. Knot Painter asks about priming new drywall. Mark is trying to lower his home's humidity.

The crew hears from listeners about gas stoves, screw-pile lighthouses, and LEDs. Discussion questions include roots lifting a garage, leaky porch ceilings, and central dehumidifiers.

The crew hears from listeners about WRBs, Brian's porch piers, and hidden costs of construction. Discussion questions include tightening a stone foundation, stucco on straw bales, and low-buck energy upgrades.

The crew hears from listeners about manufactured houses and DIY lighting with LEDs. Discussion questions include unstuck flashing tape, sealing the bottom of new windows, and EV chargers.

The crew hears from listeners about affordable net-zero, roofing underlayment, and garage separation. Discussion questions include fixing trusses, frost-protected foundations, and air-control strategies.

Listeners share thoughts on condensate drains, fake shutters, and silicosis. The crew takes questions on insulating a floor system, converting a former storage building to living space, and how to use LED strip lighting.

In the final episode of Pro Talk, Ian, Andy, and Jude talk about engaging with young adults to foster an interest in the building trades from the perspectives of the contractor and of the apprentice.

The crew hears from listeners about sound attenuation, plumbing, and LED lighting. Discussion questions include high-humidity spaces, best building practices, and garage-door weatherstripping.

Ian and Josh talk about managing risk in the built environment and how Josh's vocation as an insurance adjuster has influenced the design of the home he is building for his family.

Listeners share their thoughts on storm shutters, LED light solutions, ERVs vs. HRVs, and contractor licensing. The crew takes questions on writing good contracts, testing DWV systems, and common problems with modular homes.

Ian talks to John Klabacka of Associated Training Services in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin about training the next generation of crane and heavy-equipment operators, and jobsite safety.

Dan Kolbert shares his thoughts on cordless power tools and batteries. Jeff suggests curbside pickup. Chris shows us a good-looking drop ceiling. Bill is contemplating a roof and insulation upgrade. Evan is considering an attic-to-living-space conversion. Felix asks about pocket screws for framing. Wade wants to know which construction trade shows he should visit.

Ian talks to builder and remodeler Jon Beer about building your own home as a construction professional and how to improve your business by defining processes and developing procedures.

Peel-and-stick membrane, shallow frost-protected foundations, affordable net-zero, scavenged building products, and keeping garage pollutants out of the house.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to Will Gusakov of Goosewing Timberworks about Will's work with Carpenters Without Borders, timber framing, and the solidarity economy.

The editors discuss chimney airtightness, sealing end cuts, dormer additions, damp basements, and starting a construction business in this best-of compilation.

In this ProTalk Podcast Ian continues his talk with business consultants John Lenker and Assaf Arie about how to overcome the challenges associated with growing a construction business.

Gas stoves, tool batteries, material prices, controlling humidity in efficient homes, advanced framing, and ducted heat-pump water heaters.

Ian, John and Assaf discuss the importance of marketing and management training for the success of a construction company.

Ethan has thoughts on climbable railing and code. Ben and James question our conversation about washing machines. Neil needs to make comfy RVs. Ben notices bad shutters. Sam's apartment is too noisy. David shows us how heat pumps work.

In this episode, Ian talks to Madison College carpentry student Jon Moore about changing career paths early in life and how formal education can be applied to the building trades.

Keeping craft alive, FHB and GBA combo memberships, stud-to-top-plate connectors, screen porch conversion, squaring mudsills, kitchen remodels, and moving plumbing.

Ian talks to David about new ways to think about lighting your spaces, when to hire a lighting designer and David gives some basic tips for better lighting in the home.

Jim reminds us to consider a deck's lateral loads. Evan shows us a more airtight garage-door system. Chris and Jeremy share their experience with bath-fan installation. Ted asks about installing lap siding over vertical siding. Jake is contemplating foundation options. James wonders if he really needs an expansion tank.

In this ProTalk Podcast, Ian talks to Adrianna Gretz, residential project manager at LEFF Design Build, about the similarities and differences between commercial and residential project management.

Improving the electric grid, tool batteries, making your own windows, value-engineering a new build, cellulose insulation, and contractor licensing.

In this ProTalk Podcast, Ian talks to contractor and educator Joe Garvilla about his experiences as an educator and builder, and the positive side of regulating contractors.

Soul-bashing work, spray-foam problems, floors for front-loading washers, attaching decks to cantilevered joists, and vented crawlspaces.

Patrick talks to Jeremy Hess, project manager for C&Z Construction, about insurance work; installing helical piles on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska; and the time it takes to build your own house.

Andy says beer helps keep craft alive. Evan suggests getting a good respirator. Adam and Hlynur are familiar with Icelandic heat pumps. Mark asks how to redo his flat roof. Pete needs a better irrigation timer. Will wants new windows.

Patrick talks to Jeremy Hess, project manager for C&Z Construction, about insurance work; installing helical piles on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska; and the time it takes to build your own house.

Induction cooking, battery pack adapters, HVAC in the attic, bath fans, exterior trim, health benefits of fireplaces, and basement air- and water-management.

Ian, Tyson, and Andrew discuss how Milwaukee Tool is pushing the limits of cordless tools by designing and engineering batteries, motors, and onboard electronics that work together as a system.

Row homes, wealthy clients, quiet walls, garage-door airtightness, rotted balconies, and foundation improvements.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to custom home builder Jared Gossett about the economics of custom building, construction media, and using a systems-based approach to achieve success as a builder.

Adhesive roof underlayments, air-sealing band joists, brick veneer, Patrick's rants, problem concrete, cabin foundation options, and challenging construction work.

In this Pro-Talk podcast Ian talks to George Hodges-Fulton of Pinnacle Business Guides about business operating systems, developing a leadership team within construction companies, and teaching business skills to tradespeople.

Universal batteries, gas light fixtures, caulking wood siding, opening up walls, and plaster repairs.

Ian talks to builder Dan Kolbert, one of the authors of the Pretty Good House book, about how all builders, regardless of their business size, can incorporate energy-saving, low-carbon building techniques into their systems.

Doug says to stick to basics in bath fixtures. Kyle prefers induction cooking. Jim makes the case for central heating and cooling equipment. Kurt wants to improve his bungalow crawlspace. Andrew found weird subflooring in his house. Justin is considering making his own windows.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to Keith Ouimette, HVAC operations manager at Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning, about the future of residential mechanical systems, choosing the right system and contractor, and training mechanical tradespeople.

The crew hears about tool batteries and Canadian air barriers and answers questions about working in high-end neighborhoods, electric fireplace and brick veneer.

Patrick talks to Zachary Kuegler, an expert in water supply and distribution, about updating municipal water systems, the bad things that can be in your water, and what it takes to be a civil engineer.

The crew talks about hydronic floors, old-house features, underdeck living space, insulation, brick fireblocking, and problem basement floors.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Evan Bache Wiig, a mold-assessment consultant, about construction in Dallas, Texas, why buildings have mold problems, and the tools required by a mold-assessment consultant.

The crew talks about concrete used in renewable energy, designing your own home, lasers for low spaces, and drying behind tile.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to Keegan McAuliffe, Owner and Director of Good Things at Capra Home Concepts in Naples, Idaho about building your own home, working in a booming but remote area and high-performance building on a budget.

Patrick and Andrew talk with builder Jon Beer and the president of Duration Molding and Millwork products, Keith Coleman, about the great learning opportunities at JLC Live and all the cool stuff on the Expo Floor.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to architect Marcos Santa Ana about Passive House, the benefits of having a team with diverse backgrounds, and producing well-designed homes.

Ben says to check your library for Taunton titles. Jonathan shows us how U.S. homes are heated. Marc likes linoleum. Paul wants universal tool batteries. Roger wonders about insulating a steel-frame building. Andrew asks about safely doing high work. Kevin is building carriage doors for his shop.