Ian Schwandt

Understand the difference between estimating and cost planning, and don't let your sweat equity evaporate into budgeting mistakes.

Learn how discussing a budget with clients and narrowing it before reaching a contract can lead to design decisions that won't change the project's scope.

Listeners write in about EVs, sources of CO, and structural engineering and ask questions about roof insulation, rim joists, and shrinking houses.

Listeners write in about high-performance builds, wall insulation, and EV vans and ask questions about bad building, insulating a lean-to, and minisplit air distribution.

The crew talks about the questions that Ian and FHB get asked most often.

Listeners write in about handyman businesses, NASA’s stuck screws, and leak detectors and ask questions about old houses, sizing beams, and restoring windows.

Ian Schwandt talks about creating accurate budgets and costly construction surprises.

Listeners write in about HVAC design, missing water, and a young builder and ask questions about rotted sills, builders and their comfort zone, and roofing shoes.

The crew talks about the viability and the potential market for a home-maintenance business.

The crew hears from listeners about major additions, common house problems by vintage, and network cables for LED lighting.