All About Home Construction

This week on All About Home Construction , we're taking a special break from construction to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. Join us as we explore the founding of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the documents that shaped our nation. We'll also look back at some of the defining moments that have transformed America over the past 250 years...

Summer is here, and that means higher electric bills and increased water usage—but it doesn't have to! This week on All About Home Construction , Terry and Randy share practical, money-saving tips to help homeowners stay cool without breaking the bank. Learn how your thermostat settings can impact your monthly energy bill, why a ceiling fan doesn't actually cool a room, and the simple main...

This week on All About Home Construction , Terry and Randy discuss how small contractors can successfully compete with larger construction companies. From providing personalized customer service and building strong relationships with homeowners to leveraging local knowledge of mountain terrain, weather, and building challenges, small businesses often have advantages that big firms simply can't...

This week on All About Home Construction , we're answering listener questions from around the High Country and beyond. We cover practical landscaping tips, including drainage solutions, planting around foundations, and choosing the right mulch. We also discuss ladder safety, common mistakes homeowners make when working at heights, and how to stay safe while tackling projects around the house....

This week on All About Home Construction , we're digging into the bones of a building—its framing. We discuss how builders determine the right size lumber to use, how span tables are used to safely size joists and beams, and why understanding load calculations is critical for any construction project. We also break down the difference between live loads Join us as we explore the importance of...

This week on All About Home Construction , we take a step back in time and explore the lost trades that helped build Appalachia. From hand-hewn log cabins and stone chimneys to blacksmith shops, sawmills and mountain communities depended on practical skills and hard work to survive.

Carpenter ants might look harmless, but they can be a warning sign of hidden trouble inside your home. In this episode of All About Home Construction , we dig into carpenter ant damage, how to spot the early signs, and why they’re often tied to moisture problems rather than just “bugs in the house.” We talk about what carpenter ants actually do to wood, how to tell them apart from termites, and wh...

On this episode of the podcast, we talked all about saw blades — from choosing the right blade for the job to knowing when it’s time to sharpen or replace one. We discussed the differences between cheap and premium blades, tooth counts for 10-inch blades, and how the number of teeth affects the quality and speed of a cut. We also covered blade sharpening tips, common mistakes that can damage blade...

Randy's grandkid hanging out on the show today! We have a local celeberity!

On this week’s episode of All About Home Construction , we dig into landscaping—what works, what doesn’t, and what homeowners need to know before starting their next project. We talked about one of the most important (and often overlooked) parts of landscaping: drainage—how to move water away from your home and prevent costly damage down the road. We also covered the proper use of mulch, when and...

This week on All About Home Construction , we’re digging into the business side of building that can make—or break—a contractor. We start with the basics of protection: why general liability and workers comp aren’t optional if you want to stay in business and protect what you’ve worked hard to build. Then we get into one of the biggest mistakes small contractors make—handshake deals—and why a soli...

Scams aren’t just something that happen to “other people”—they’re happening every day right here in North Carolina, and they’re getting more convincing than ever. On this week’s episode of All About Home Construction , we step outside the jobsite and into the digital world to talk about the scams that are costing Americans billions—and hitting close to home. From fake bank texts and phone calls to...

On this week’s episode of All About Home Construction, we dig into one of the most important — and often overlooked — parts of any structure: footers and foundations. Whether you're building a house, deck, porch, or addition, everything starts with a solid base. We explain what footers do, why they must be wider than foundation walls, and how they spread the weight of a structure into the soil...

Your questions, answered! On today’s episode of All About Home Construction , we tackle more homeowner concerns—from heating and cooling to water heaters and simple electrical tips. We cover: Why your heat pump blows cool air in the winter (it’s not broken!) Can you install a mini-split yourself in North Carolina? How to set your thermostat to save money without sacrificing comfort What causes low...

Here’s a show description written in your normal, conversational radio style for All About Home Construction : Welcome Home: A 2nd Grader’s View of the New Valle Crucis School This week on All About Home Construction , we got a very special perspective on one of the biggest building projects in Watauga County — the new Valle Crucis School. Instead of talking with architects or contractors, we hear...

On this week’s episode, we answered a fresh round of listener home-improvement questions covering some of the most common issues homeowners face. We talked about how to tell if your attic insulation is doing its job, simple fixes for a dripping faucet, and why certain rooms stay colder than the rest of the house. We also discussed how often HVAC systems should be serviced, whether you can safely i...

Solar power is one of the most talked-about home upgrades—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. On this episode of All About Home Construction , we break down some of the most common myths surrounding residential and land-based solar systems and separate fact from fiction. We discuss whether “free solar” really exists, the truth about leasing land for solar farms, and why not every roof or...

You’ve probably seen the headlines lately: “It’s cheaper to rent than to own.” But is that really the full story? On this episode of All About Home Construction , we break down what those articles are actually measuring — and what they leave out. We’ll talk about why homeownership can cost more month-to-month right now, who is still buying homes despite higher rates, and why so many younger adults...

What will separate successful construction companies from those that struggle in 2026? It’s not just the jobs they win—it’s how they adapt. On this episode of All About Home Construction , we break down what construction businesses must do right now to stay competitive in 2026. Using real workforce data, we look at why younger workers are slowly entering the trades, what they expect from employers...

Batteries are becoming just as important to our homes and buildings as wiring, plumbing, and insulation—but most people only hear about lithium-ion. On today’s episode of All About Home Construction , we take a practical look at where battery technology is headed and what it means for homeowners, builders, and the power grid . We start with the basics—what batteries actually do—then explore new an...

This week on All About Home Construction , we shine a spotlight on the growing impact of women across the construction industry — from the job site to the drafting table. We talk about how women in the trades are helping address the skilled labor shortage and raising the bar for professionalism, safety, and communication. You’ll hear why more women are choosing careers in electrical and plumbing ,...

🎙️ On this week’s episode of All About Home Construction, we’re diving into the growing world of smart home technology and how it can make everyday living easier, safer, and more efficient. From smart thermostats and lighting to video doorbells, security devices, and voice assistants—we break down what these gadgets actually do and why so many homeowners are making the switch. We’ll talk about the...

On this week’s episode of All About Home Construction , we’re helping you get your home guest-ready just in time for the holidays! From simple maintenance tasks to one-day improvement projects, we cover everything you can do to make your home warmer, safer, and more comfortable for visiting friends and family. We walk through every part of the house—inside and out—with fast, budget-friendly projec...

This week on All About Home Construction , we’re talking about keeping your deck looking great and lasting longer! James from Appalachian Pressure Washing and Staining joins us to share expert tips on cleaning and maintaining outdoor wood. We dig into the details of modern pressure-treated lumber , what chemicals are used in today’s safer formulations, and how to properly re-treat and seal your de...

This week on All About Home Construction , we’re talking about one of the biggest hidden troublemakers in your home — flashing . It’s those thin metal or rubber barriers that keep water out of your roof, windows, and walls… but when they fail, leaks and rot aren’t far behind! Join us as we break down the most common flashing problems , from improper installation and corrosion to cracked sealants a...