Chicks in Construction

Hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu of Chicks in Construction explain why permits matter and share a Denver homeowner horror story: Kevin and Noelle Collins hired Schwab Builders (run by Avi Schwab and involving his father Sean) for a major remodel of their 1950s bungalow, paying over $250,000 in installments. After demolition, progress stalled, communication turned vague, and they later discove...

Hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu discuss how homeowners can still be scammed by contractors who seem legitimate, stressing that confidence can be a red flag and research is essential. They cover a fraud case in upstate New York (2019–2023) where a couple used multiple similar business names, contracts, and fake references—one was the contractor’s wife—to take large upfront deposits, stall or...

Hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu open with a “chicky chat” recap of Mikki babysitting Jess’s kids, including an Uno-cheating incident and the kids texting their parents throughout the night. They then share a homeowner horror story from Sam in South Carolina, who hired a referred contractor to enclose a patio into a sunroom for $42,000 without getting other quotes or verifying a license. Afte...

Mikki Paradis and co-host Jessica Abreu of Chicks in Construction discuss their growing audience, pushback from trolls, and why homeowners should watch comment sections for shady contractors. They revisit a key rule—don’t pay in full until work is complete—and share a homeowner horror story about John O’Brien of “Traditional Masonry and Construction,” accused of running a door-to-door fraud operat...

On the Chicks in Construction podcast, hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu clarify that locking up a contractor’s tools is technically illegal despite past comments. Mikki shares her 200-pound dog Prime’s costly physical therapy and daily driveway walks. They then cover a Florida homeowner horror story involving a contractor operating under Environmental Kindness LLC (later Fortress Fencing Crew...

Hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu of Chicks in Construction share a North Carolina homeowner horror story: a bathroom gut remodel budgeted at $75,000 went off the rails after hiring “Marcus,” who quoted $15,000 labor and $30,000 materials, claimed a license wasn’t required under $40,000 labor, and urged the homeowner to pull permits. After multiple failed plumbing and waterproofing inspections...

Hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu of The Chicks in Construction discuss a homeowner horror story tied to alleged lawsuits against Welcome Homes, a PropTech startup founded in 2020 by DigitalOcean executives that promised custom homes built in about six months through an online design-and-build platform. Citing a vetted New York Post article, they describe claims of long delays, permit issues,...

Hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu share a personal update about a car crashing through Mikki's fence and guardrail, then dive into a North Texas construction scandal involving Christopher and Raquel Judge of Judge DFW LLC. Marketing themselves on social media as a Chip-and-Joanna-style design-build team, they allegedly offered below-market bids, collected deposits and installment payments, and...

Hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu of The Chicks in Construction share a South Carolina homeowner horror story about a long-saved kitchen remodel that went wrong after hiring a contractor who seemed confident and came recommended. The project suffered from missed schedules, constant add-on invoices, delays that stretched an 8–10 week timeline to nearly six months, and failed electrical inspecti...

Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu break down why home warranties often fail homeowners: denial loopholes, code upgrade exclusions, long delays, and contractors you can’t choose. They share horror stories including a mismatched HVAC replacement that forced costly auxiliary heat and a technician caught going through a homeowner’s underwear drawer. Alternatives include thorough inspections, maintenance...

In this episode of 'Chicks in Construction,' hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu share a gripping homeowner horror story submitted by a listener. The episode details Amanda's journey of being scammed by an unlicensed contractor who left her with a gutted, half-finished bathroom and nearly $90,000 poorer. The hosts discuss the importance of contractor research, recognizing red flags, and the emot...

In this episode of Chicks in Construction, Mikki Paradis and her co-host Jessica Abreu dive into a jaw-dropping homeowner horror story. The hosts discuss the shocking experience of Jake and his family, who moved into their dream home only to discover severe structural issues due to gross negligence by their contractor and the county inspections department. With foundation failures, code violations...

In this episode of 'Chicks and Construction,' host Mikki Paradis, with co-hosts Jessica Abreu and special guest Nicole Fella, jump into the communication challenges that arise in construction projects. The episode highlights the importance of clear communication between homeowners, project managers, and contractors to achieve better outcomes and fewer disputes. Nicole shares her unique experience...

In this episode of The Chicks in Construction, hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu discuss crucial red flags, do's and don'ts in the construction industry. Inspired by a serendipitous airplane chat, Mikki shares insights from a fellow passenger who had a positive experience building a dream home. The discussion emphasizes the importance of doing extensive research, hiring an independent interior...

The Shocking Tale of a $300k Dream Home Scam | Chicks in Construction In this episode of The Chicks in Construction, hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu dive into a devastating homeowner horror story in North Carolina where a homeowner's dream home project turned into a nightmare. After paying over $300,000, the homeowner was left with an unfinished lot and no house, due to a series of events in...

Welcome back to the Chicks in Construction! In this episode, hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu kickstart their tool talk series - aiming to save you from buying unnecessary tools and helping you choose the ones that deserve a spot in your truck. They delve deep into the differences between power drills and impact drivers, offer tips for proper drywall anchoring, and share humorous anecdotes fr...

Kitchen Renovation Nightmare: Avoid These Costly Mistakes Welcome back to Chicks In Construction! In this episode, we dive into a gut-wrenching homeowner horror story involving a kitchen renovation gone terribly wrong. Hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu discuss the dire consequences of hiring a contractor without checking licenses and permits, the importance of having a detailed contract, and w...

In this week's episode, Mikki and Jess dive into a homeowner's renovation journey that started with a dream of a cozy screened-in porch but quickly turned into an emotional rollercoaster. From weather delays to unexpected structural fixes, learn valuable tips on how to manage a small renovation project, understand the importance of permits, and handle change orders. If you're planning a home impro...

Builder of the Year Disaster: Homeowner Horror Story In this episode of Chicks in Construction, hosts Mikki Paradis and Jessica Abreu dive into a startling homeowner horror story involving an award-winning 'Builder of the Year' who quickly turns into the 'Bumbler of the Decade.' From demolished heirloom gardens to an open house during a storm, the mishaps are beyond what any homeowner should endur...

In this episode of 'Chicks in Construction,' hosts Mickey Paradise and Jessica welcome Maribel Healy from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of the Triangle. They delve into various DIY plumbing disasters, common homeowner mistakes, and the importance of professional plumbing maintenance. From flooded kitchens to malfunctioning faucets, Maribel shares valuable tips on what homeowners should and shouldn't...

Have you ever fallen in love with a house only to fall out of love with its kitchen? Tune into this episode of The Chicks in Construction as hosts Mikki and Jess sit down with Chelsea Combs, owner of Green Hill General Contracting, to discuss transformative renovations that can turn any house into your dream home. Learn about renovation loans, realistic budgets, and avoiding construction chaos. Ch...

Welcome back to the Chicks in Construction Podcast! In this episode, hosts Mikki  and Jess dive into the world of bathroom renovations with special guest Nicole Fella, an experienced interior designer and licensed general contractor from North Carolina. Together, they explore essential pre-demolition steps, worthwhile splurges, and achieving a spa-like bathroom on a budget. They also discuss the i...

In this episode of Chicks in Construction, hosts Miki  & Jess share a spine-chilling story about a homeowner's kitchen renovation gone horribly wrong. Tackling issues from disappearing contractors to hazardous electrical work, they discuss the importance of hiring licensed contractors, securing permits, and getting inspections. Miki also delves into her upcoming travels, the challenges of fami...

Welcome to another episode of Chicks in Construction! This episode goes deep into the transformative power of home organization. Joined by special guests Maria Butler of Clearly Organized and custom closet designer Sarah Tiani, the discussion highlights the benefits of hiring professional organizers. The hosts share personal stories, including Mickey’s journey through multiple organizers and the i...

Welcome back to another episode of Chicks in Construction! In this episode, hosts Mikki and Jess dive into smart renovation decisions with their guest expert, Lisa Houtman from Houtman Home Realty and Heights Construction. Learn how to avoid common homeowner pitfalls and get insider tips on making renovations that actually add value to your home. From spotting red flags in real estate advice to un...