The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

Patrick talks to Justin Czok, an electrical engineer who helped develop cordless power tools for Milwaukee about cordless power tools, tool batteries, and how engineers see the world.

The crew hears about extra time for DIY and minivans for work before taking questions about boosting the comfort and efficiency of Cape houses and fixing a spalling foundation.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, FHB contributor Ian Schwandt talks to Steve Inch, Director of Build at TriVistaUSA, about working on homes in the nation's capital, managing teams, and working with in-house designers.

The crew hear from listeners about good construction screws and Chicago building codes before taking questions about improving a row house and fixing tile substrates.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to structural engineer Stephen MacDougall about building collapses, how engineers are made, and what engineers look for when house shopping.

The crew hears about carbon and workwear for women before taking questions about repairing asphalt felt, vent terminations, and demolition by neglect.

Ian and Phillip discuss technical college programs in carpentry and architecture, learning on the job, and why you should give a career in the building trades a chance.

The crew hear from listeners about cold-weather gear and smart watches before taking questions about warming a cold house, using galvanized fasteners with aluminum flashing, and siding over board sheathing.

FHB Contributor Ian Schwandt and Scott Fridrych, Director of Construction at LivCo in Chicago, discuss how a remodeling company can provide a higher level of customer service to their clients and how managing a remodeling company compares to production home building.

The crew hear from listeners about codes and tube skylights, before taking questions about significantly-sloped decks, masonry-filled stud bays and installing skylights in a cathedral ceiling.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, FHB contributor Ian Schwandt talks to Victoria Downing, president of Remodeler's Advantage, about understanding business financials and the importance of learning from your peers.

The crew answers questions about affordable new-house builds, AI in construction, and trade school education. Brendan shows us a house where all the framing is visible on cold mornings. Justin explains power tool batteries. Doug Horgan has thoughts on fireplace doors and roofs.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, FHB Contributor Ian Schwandt talks to Candice Rania, Design Department Manager at Leff Design Build, about moving into management roles, using the EOS model, and managing creative people.

The crew hear from listeners about DIY foam outsulation and chemical sensitivity before taking questions about digital shower valves, wonky concrete floors, and insulating stem walls.

In this Pro-Talk podcast FHB contributor Ian Schwandt talks to Heather Thompson and Mark Pollard, Owners of Juniper Design Build, about working on an island, high performance building and the design build process.

The crew hear from listeners about insulation and getting kids into trade work before taking questions on bad rehabs, poor enforcement of airtightness rules and what's the best low-slope roof.

Patrick and Tyler talk about common construction defects, what contractors can do to prevent defect lawsuits, and what's going on with the Millennium Tower.

The crew hear from listeners about radon, termites and home workshops, before taking questions about finding a good designer, insulating paint, and fan-supplied fireplaces.

FHB Contributor Ian Schwandt talks to Chris Magwood, Director of Research at Builders for Climate Action, about tools for measuring the embodied carbon of building materials and how to build using carbon-storing materials.

The crew hears about indoor-air quality and reclaiming flooring before taking questions about stair stringers, mudsill details, and building a concrete dome.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, FHB contributor Ian Schwandt talks to lead carpenter Antonio Lama about being a lead carpenter with an economics degree, becoming interested in high-performance building, and career opportunities for tradespeople.

Listen and laugh as the crew navigate the trials and tribulations of residential building, design, and remodeling in some of our favorite clips from episodes 155 to 200.

Fine Homebuilding Contributor Ian Schwandt talks to carpentry-program graduate Leah Stargardter about the Madison College Remodeling Carpentry Program, working in urban environments, and construction workforce diversity.

The crew hears from listeners about tilt-turn windows and roof sheathing before taking listener questions about trusses, rigid insulation on the roof, and spray foam.

Patrick talks to Spencer Pope of Bradford White, water-heater manufacturer, about making your water heater last longer, the breakdown of how Americans heat domestic hot water, and the strange calls that come into customer service.

Mike, Ian, and Patrick hear from a listener about patience versus experience, before taking questions about tall windows, insulating stone foundations, and holding up cast-iron waste and vent stacks.

Patrick talks to Steve Rogers, president of The Energy Conservatory, about the tools of building science, what it's like to have a niche business, and the integration of building science into HVAC work.

Ian, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about holey sheathing and making the most of an existing home, before taking questions on wall stack-ups, drilling holes in concrete foundations, and HVAC systems in a mixed climate.

Patrick talks to Ryan Colker, Vice President of Innovation at the International Code Council, about off-site construction as a way to address multiple societal and industry challenges including affordability, resilience, and workforce availability.

In this live recording from the last day of the show, Patrick, Andrew, Nathan Shirai, and Andy Steele talk about what they learned at the first Southeast Building Science Symposium and the challenges of building in the southeast.

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Schluter sales rep Chris Hossler about how to achieve a high-quality tile installation and why so many building-products companies do such a poor job of training and support for their products.

The crew hear from listeners about winterizing foundations and lazy additions before taking questions about air-sealing band joists, sheathing tape, and good windows at a reasonable price.

Patrick talks to Charlie Stewart, a contractor in Altamont, N.Y., about what it's like to work on old houses, sacrifices to please good customers, and renovating Charlie's historic home.

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about stopping sound between floors and the world's worst drywall finishing, before taking questions about leaving small parts of homes standing, insulating inaccessible attic spaces, and leaving felt underlayment exposed.

Patrick talks to Cesar Gonzalez, store manager at 84 Lumber, about the lumber business, building-material customers, and what it's like to run a busy lumberyard.

Andrew, Mike Guertin and Patrick hear from listeners about lead times for windows, the right grout for the job, and being an owner-builder, before taking questions about plugging the vents in a low-slope roof, the condition of sheathing after multiple reroofs, and how to contain costs for new builds.

Patrick talks to Marianne Cusato about the things we're getting right and wrong with current American architecture and why people who already have a home should worry about affordable housing.

Andrew, Patrick, Travis Brungardt, and Joe Cook share what they've learned and discuss why you should go to one of this year's remaining Building Science Symposiums in Chattanooga or Austin, before taking questions from attendees about things they heard or learned at the show.

Patrick talks to Karalynn Cromeens, an attorney who specializes in work for construction firms, about the importance of good contracts, the new bargaining power of subcontractors, and the value of trusting your gut.

Patrick talks to Karalynn Cromeens, an attorney who specializes in work for construction firms, about the importance of good contracts, the new bargaining power of subcontractors, and the value of trusting your gut.

Ian, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about salvaged wood flooring, going all-electric, and protecting a foundation during a prolonged build before taking questions about energy improvements for an old Victorian, fixing shaky walls from slamming doors, and sealing holes left by roofing nails.

Patrick, Dave and Mark talk about the evolution of structural fasteners, how fasteners are tested to ensure they work as intended, and common mistakes when using them.

Andrew, Ian and Patrick hear from listeners about radon and excavation contracting before taking questions about fixing the floor in an Eisenhower-era bathroom, vapor control for a small shop in Manitoba, and water pouring from this home's electrical service entrance.

Patrick talks to Dave Cooper, a construction-media content creator and YouTube presenter who advocates for panelized and modular construction methods, about the advantages of off-site construction and ways it can speed the building process and help solve the affordability crisis.

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about porch conversions, sawing your own lumber, and pandemic remodeling before taking listener questions about noticeable settlement, multihead minisplits, and repairing a stone foundation.

Patrick and Tara talk about how contractors can better track their financials, what bookkeeping information they should be able to produce in a few keystrokes, and what to do when your business has you feeling overwhelmed.

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about building your own house and the cost of electrical work, before taking questions about above-garage living spaces, using paper-faced insulation behind siding, and leveling a sawn-lumber floor system.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to epoxy floor finish contractor Kevin Smith about decorative epoxy floor finishes and a lifetime spent working on houses.

A part time gig as a bookkeeper at an insulation company lead to a passion for building science and eventually, becoming the owner of Insulation Unlimited in Chattanooga, TN. Nathan Shirai is passionate about using insulation to help buildings perform better, and he's also a founder of Chattanooga's BS and Beer chapter. Head to bsandbeerkc.org to register for the Southeast Building Science Symposium, October 12-13, at The Bode, in beautiful downtown Chattanooga, TN. And keep up with Nathan on Instagram @insulation_unlimited.

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about one- vs. two-story builds and thermodynamics before taking questions about detailing garage-separation walls, building a new house in stages, and the risks of a root cellar with radon.