BUILD BETTER HOMES

Show Notes This episode dives into the real problem behind house plans and how the industry typically operates. Topics Covered Why Most House Plans Aren’t Build-Ready Plans are often not code-compliant Missing structural engineering Not adapted to site-specific conditions The Fragmented Process Multiple vendors (designers, engineers, consultants) Long timelines just to coordinate services Increase...

In this episode, Royal and John take a deep dive into fire-rated assemblies and how they apply across different types of residential construction. From single-family homes to multifamily and townhomes, understanding the differences between fire-rated systems is essential for both safety and project execution. Topics Covered Rated Walls (Single-Family Homes) Garage-to-living space separation Under-...

In this technical episode, Royal dives into how structural engineers analyze and resolve loads in residential construction and why different engineers may produce different structural designs for the same home. We highly advise viewers to also watch the episode on YouTube.   The discussion begins with the core principles of structural engineering which are determining loads and resolving loads usi...

In this episode, Royal and Shaun Carpentier explore the world of insurance restoration , breaking down how it differs from traditional construction and why understanding both sides is critical for long-term success in the industry. Shaun shares his journey from carpet cleaning into full-scale restoration, offering insight into how the industry operates behind the scenes especially during high-pres...

In this episode, Royal and John step away from purely technical construction topics to discuss federal housing policies that may influence the future of home affordability in the United States. While the podcast typically focuses on engineering and building science, the regulatory environment surrounding construction plays a major role in how homes are built and how much they cost. Topics Covered ...

IBS 2026 Recap–Innovation, Engineering, and What’s Next in Residential Construction In this episode, Royal and John recap their experience at the 2026 International Builders Show (IBS) in Orlando and break down the innovations, trends, and structural advancements shaping the future of homebuilding. With over 87,000 attendees and more than 2,000 exhibitors across 1.15 million square feet of exhibit...

In this episode of Build Better Homes , Royal Mortier and John O’Shea break down 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) updates that are actively impacting projects in 2026 .   While the code cycle is labeled 2024, many jurisdictions are adopting and enforcing these changes now, making their real-world implications more relevant than ever. Royal and John focus on the updates that actually affec...

In this solo episode of Build Better Homes , Royal Mortier introduces a new recurring segment called Technical Topics , focused on engineering-related changes that directly affect residential construction.   This first Technical Topics episode breaks down a major hardware shift many builders and designers are already encountering in the field: Simpson’s transition from the HDU hold-down series to...

In this episode of Build Better Homes , Royal Mortier and John O’Shea dive into manufactured, modular, and panelized construction and clear up the confusion around what these terms actually mean. They break down the key differences between manufactured homes, panelized wall systems, modular construction, and pre-cut framing packages, while sharing real-world examples from residential, multifamily,...

In this episode of Build Better Homes , co-hosts Royal Mortier and John O’Shea kick off the year by diving into how home design is shifting in 2026, away from surface-level aesthetics and toward long-term livability, flexibility, and real-world use .   Drawing from decades of experience across production, custom, and high-performance residential construction, Royal and John unpack how economic pre...

In this solo episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast , Royal Mortier dives into one of the most timely and misunderstood topics in residential development: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Accessory Commercial Units (ACUs), and Live-Work Units . Royal breaks down where these concepts came from, why they’re gaining traction across the U.S., and how they’re being used as practical tools to address...

In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast , Royal Mortier sits down with PJ Riley , a real estate investor who has quietly built a successful business buying and selling vacant land across the U.S. PJ shares his unconventional path into real estate, starting with almost no money, no formal background in land development, and a willingness to learn by doing. From buying $550 quarter-acre pa...

In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast , Royal is joined once again by building envelope expert Nate McIntyre for one of the most comprehensive building-science deep dives of the season. Nate shares 25+ years of experience diagnosing failures, reviewing assemblies, and consulting for architects, engineers, contractors, and developers. Together, he and Royal unpack the real reasons build...

In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast , Royal sits down with Jeff Chisum , one of the nation’s top STR financing experts, to break down the real strategies behind acquiring, scaling, and protecting short-term rental investments. Jeff shares his personal journey, from getting into the mortgage industry during the 2008 crash to becoming a top 1% loan originator and STR financing speciali...

Show Notes In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast , Royal Mortier and John O’Shea introduce PLIRIS Forensics , a new division focused on investigating building failures, supporting litigation, and helping the industry prevent costly mistakes before they happen. Drawing from real cases and decades of combined experience, they break down what construction forensics actually is and what it...

In this episode of Build Better Homes, Royal and John sit down with ICF expert Robert Klob , a designer with over 40 years of experience in residential and commercial construction. Robert specializes exclusively in insulated concrete form (ICF) home design and has reviewed, designed, or consulted on hundreds of projects across the country.   We dive into everything homeowners, builders, and design...

In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast , hosts Royal Mortier and John O’Shea sit down with Nate McIntyre , Building Envelope Specialist and founder of CS Forensics , to break down how air, water, and material compatibility affect the long-term performance of homes and buildings. Nate shares two decades of experience in construction forensics , uncovering how small oversights like improp...

Every home starts with an idea, a concept, a sketch, or even a vision that lives in your head. But turning that into a set of buildable, permit-ready plans requires the right process and the right team.   In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast , hosts Royal Mortier and John O’Shea walk through the complete journey of designing and planning a home, from initial concept to final permit ap...

In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast , hosts Royal Mortier and John O’Shea explore the world of wood construction , from its long-standing reliability to the modern innovations shaping how we design and build homes today. Royal shares insights from the engineering side while John offers a builder’s perspective, creating a balanced discussion around value engineering , how to optimize...

In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast , hosts Royal Mortier and John O’Shea explore the growing adoption of Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction and what it means for the future of homebuilding. They break down how ICF systems stack up against traditional wood framing, where the technology shines, and the lessons learned from years of hands-on experience in the field. From energy...

In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast , Royal Mortier and John O’Shea explore the world’s most enduring building material — wood — and how it continues to evolve with technology, energy codes, and modern construction methods. From conventional stick framing to advanced engineered systems, they unpack the science, sustainability, and design principles behind how homes are actually built...

How Robots Are Revolutionizing Homebuilding | Brent Wadas of BotBuilt AI isn’t replacing builders, it’s changing how we build smarter, safer, and faster. In this episode of Build Better Homes , Royal Mortier sits down with Brent Wadas , founder of BotBuilt , to talk about how robotics, automation, and AI are transforming the way homes are framed and constructed. Brent shares how his team reuses in...

In the first episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast , host Royal Mortier (Founder of PLIRIS) and co-host John O’Shea (Chief Operating Officer of PLIRIS) share their personal journeys through the construction industry, from sweeping floors and working concrete crews as teenagers, to leading teams that manage complex residential and commercial builds. Royal discusses how his early work in concret...