Under Construction: Renovating A Home, Redeeming An Industry

Home renovations can be an exciting time and can transform your home into the dream space you've always wanted. Yet, behind every successful renovation project lies the complex, and sometimes daunting, process of getting building permits. These permits not only ensure that your project adheres to local codes and regulations, but they also protect both the homeowner and contractor from potential le...

What does it really take to build a better life from the ground up? Diego, one of our lead siding foremen, knows exactly what it takes. In this episode, Diego shares his inspiring story of growing up in a small town in Guatemala to come to America all on his own and becoming a trusted leader on our siding team.   Diego opens up about starting work at the young age of 11 years old, shining shoes to...

Today, we chat with AJ Trampe and Mike Baum from 4 Brothers Contracting—and yep, we know what you might be thinking: "Wait, aren't they your competition?" And you'd be right! But here's the thing—we truly believe there's plenty of room for everyone when you lead with integrity.     AJ and Mike share how 4 Brothers Contracting came to life and how they've stayed grounded in their core values—like h...

Something that we pride ourselves on here at Big Fish is how much we care not only about our customers but also our team, and our next guest is proof of that. In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Schwind, one of our talented carpenters who has been with us for about 2 years. Aaron opens up about his life working in the trades, his passion for working with his hands, and how he ended up at Big F...

Did you hear that we have a docuseries coming out all about Big Fish Contracting?! In this episode, we sit down with Grant and Taylor, the minds behind Switchback Cinema, who helped us turn our vision into a reality. These two filmmakers have an incredible journey, starting from meeting in film school to launching their own production company.      We brought them on to help us create a docuseries...

You asked, we delivered! So many of you have been wanting to hear from Wayne VanOoyen, and we're excited to have him on the podcast to share his journey of 30 years of being in the carpentry industry. From being self-taught to tackling everything from backyard decks to commercial builds, we cover it all.   Wayne shares how the industry has evolved over the years, the challenges of working on addit...

One of the things we love most about this podcast is connecting with you, the listener. So today, we are answering some of your most burning questions straight from our DMs! We've got everything covered: from our favorite project we've worked on recently (spoiler alert: it's my own home renovation) to the dream clients and projects that really get us excited and motivated.     But that's not all!...

Garage doors are one of the most important investments you can make when it comes to home renovations and can even boost the value of your home! So, to learn more about garage doors, we have Joe and Chad Lindmark from Hartland Overhead Door. We talk about their journey in the family business that was founded by their dad in 1986. Joe and Chad grew up in the business and eventually took over in 200...

2024 was a great year for Big Fish and for us personally! We wrapped up a major home remodel, hosted a company holiday party in the newly finished space, and found new ways to market the business.    During this episode, we reflect on how our team has grown stronger, the steps we're taking to improve communication with homeowners, and why staying connected to the community is so important to us. W...

Happy 2025! It's hard to believe it's been about a year since we decided to launch this podcast, and we couldn't be more grateful for your support and tuning in each week. In this episode, we reflect on the journey so far and why we started this show in the first place: to clear up the misinformation in the construction industry and help build stronger trust with our clients.    We also reminisce...

Winter is here and if you haven't prepared your home for the challenges it can bring, then it's time to start now. In this episode, we break down the necessary steps to make your home ready for the winter, including cleaning your roof and gutters, making sure your downspouts are clear, and preparing for potential ice damming. We also go over the importance of detaching your garden hoses, checking...

Are high energy bills and comfort issues leaving you frustrated with your home? In this episode, we are joined by Steve Kooi and Keith Terry of Wisconsin Home Improvement. They share their best tips to maximize home energy efficiency and reduce those energy bills.   During the discussion, they explain why proper insulation and air sealing are game changers for reducing bills and boosting comfort a...

Are you curious about who is behind all of the marketing here at Big Fish? Meet Amber Gerdes, our marketing director – and Erik's daughter! In this episode, Amber shares her professional journey, from studying marketing in college to starting Big Fish's Instagram account, and even launching her own business, Salt & Light Social Media.   Amber opens up about how she balances work and motherhood, he...

We are more than 20 episodes into this podcast and reflecting on the journey - from the initial anxieties to the joy of sharing stories and insights with our listeners and learning about our team on a deeper level.    Together, we revisit the goals we set at the beginning of the year and share our progress, lessons, and memorable moments. Tanya opens up about her journey with running, reading, and...

We are all human, so we think it's important to share a very human element that comes inside of Big Fish Contracting, and that's making mistakes. We strive for perfection, but we live in an imperfect world, and perfection is rarely achieved. However, we never lessen the standard here just because it can't be attained.    We're diving into some of the mistakes we've made, including installing the w...

Ever wondered what it takes to keep a roofing project running smoothly? We sit down with Josh Gillingham, the lead expediter for Big Fish Contracting's roofing crews. Josh shares his journey from working in various industrial sectors to joining our team.    He discusses his crucial role in coordinating daily operations, ensuring efficient use of resources, and maintaining communication with homeow...

Whether you're a homeowner or contractor, understanding roofing materials and warranties is crucial for long-lasting protection and value. In this episode, we're joined by Mark Lorenz, our trusted CertainTeed rep, to shed light on the top industry practices and products.   We delve into important topics such as sustainability, the importance of proper installation, and the benefits of extended war...

When you give us a call here at Big Fish Contracting, the friendly voice you hear is the lovely Tanya Weltzin. And since she is the voice of Big Fish, I thought it would be fun for our listeners to get to know her a bit better. Tanya dives into her background as a dancer and yoga instructor and the unexpected transition into the construction industry. She shares how her upbringing around construct...

Please join us as we welcome Kelsey, our new project manager on her very first day at Big Fish Contracting. Kelsey brings a wealth of knowledge in home design and sales, and a ton of experience in her family's business. During our conversation, Kelsey shares some of her goals, including building relationships, learning project management, and tackling new challenges like getting on roofs! We also...

There is so much ground to cover on hail damage that we decided to make this a 2-part episode. In this continuation, we delve into the steps homeowners should take after a storm. This includes either calling a contractor for a free assessment or reaching out to your insurance company directly. It's vital to remember that every insurance company has different procedures, so there should always be c...

Are you unsure about how hailstorms can affect your home and the best steps to take if your house gets hit? I don't know about you, but here in Wisconsin, it's been a pretty stormy summer. We've had a lot of rain and hail, so it's crucial to understand hail damage and how to manage it. In this episode, we explore how different sizes of hail can affect your home, outline the steps homeowners should...

Welcome back! Today, we are tackling some of the questions you've asked us about contracting, renovations, roofing, and more. From what's trending to our favorite renovation projects, we are answering it all right here. And if there is a question you have for us, feel free to reach out and we can answer it on the show for you!    In this episode, we cover:  The rest of our summer plans  Colors tha...

Today, we have Chad Whelan, one of our team members who has been with Big Fish Contracting for over a decade. Chad is someone who values building relationships with customers over anything else, making him a huge asset to Big Fish. During the conversation, we discuss Chad's transition from fitness management to working at Big Fish, what a typical day looks like for him, and some of his favorite pr...

If you're curious about what the whole process is like when it comes to remodeling your home, our guest has all of the insights you need. We are joined by Kevin, the sales and remodeling consultant at Big Fish Contracting.   Kevin shares his journey going from law enforcement to transitioning into the construction industry, highlighting his passion for helping homeowners transform their spaces. He...

Back by popular demand, we are welcoming back Paul Unferth, our resident window expert. During our conversation, we dive into the detailed process involved when a customer contacts Big Fish Contracting for window services. From the initial call to the final installation, Paul discusses key steps, common questions, and considerations for homeowners, whether they need new windows or simply an assess...