A blunt contractor warning that stays practical when insurance paperwork gets slippery.
Chicks in Construction argues that if a contractor damages something, the contractor should fix it, and it keeps that point front and center with clear force.
Chicks in Construction
Mikki Paradis
42 episodes listed below
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In their own words
You plan your renovation with excitement, trust your contractor, and hope for the best...until things start going sideways. That’s when most homeowners realize they didn’t know what they didn’t know. From permits that were never pulled to “contractors” who ghost after demo day, the construction world can feel like a maze of hidden costs and shady shortcuts. Too many homeowners end up confused, overwhelmed, and out of a lot of money. The Chicks in Construction Podcast is here to change that. Hosted by Mikki Paradis, a licensed general contractor with 20+ years of experience, and Jess Abreu, a homeowne...
As heard by us
Based on 5 episodes we listened to · September 2026
Homeowner renovation disasters become clear, usable lessons about contractor vetting, project costs, insurance coverage, and responsibility for faulty work.
Chicks in Construction turns homeowner horror stories into practical lessons about renovation risk. Miki Paradise and Jessica Abreu work through troubled projects with an animated, conversational rhythm, stopping at the moments when a failed inspection, vague estimate, or poorly…
Why you'd press play
Failed inspection, surprise bill: Miki and Jessica have a loud 'absolutely not' for your contractor.
Press play if you want
- to know what to ask before a low kitchen-renovation bid becomes an expensive surprise
- to hear someone challenge the idea that you should pay for faulty work
Talks about
Best episodes of Chicks in Construction
Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
A loose, funny warning about faulty work and who pays for rework.
Chicks in Construction turns a homeowner horror story into a blunt, practical lesson about contractor damage, failed inspections, and who ends up paying when the work is faulty.
A clear warning that faulty work should not be pushed onto the homeowner.
Chicks in Construction centers a homeowner horror story on a plain point: faulty work should not end up as the homeowner's financial burden. Miki Paradise and Jessica Abreu make that case clearly, arguing that when the general contractor cannot get subcontractor work done right…
A homeowner warning shot that gets sharper when the budget talk starts.
Chicks in Construction opens with loose chatter, a few spicy comments aimed at Mickey, and a clear aim: steer homeowners away from bad practices, bad advice, and the slow-motion mistakes that start with a cheaper Facebook referral.
A shower leak turns DIY plumbing into a cautionary tale.
The Chicks in Construction centers on DIY plumbing, with Maribel Healy of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of the Triangle bringing a pro's take on burst pipes, flooded kitchens, and the kind of repairs that look simple on YouTube.
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Fix It 101Home repair advice without the mystery.
Episodes
- 1
The Cost of Trust: Lessons from Homeowner Nightmares
Hidden gemAbsolutely not.
Apr 14, 2026·58m·4 clips - 2
Navigating Contractor Chaos: Homeowner Horror Stories
Hidden gemFaulty rework is not automatically your bill.
Apr 8, 2026·49m·3 clips - 3
From Digital Designs to Real Defects: Welcome Homes on Trial
The hosts introduce the podcast's mission to educate homeowners about construction and renovation, then share a personal story about pets and children.
Apr 7, 2026·1h 2m - 4
Caught in the Fraud: A Tale of Deception in Construction
The hosts discuss a federal case involving a contractor who left clients with half-built houses and lost savings, then share a personal story about a dog.
Mar 31, 2026·59m - 5
Avoid Scammers with this Homeowner Horror Story
Hidden gemFaulty work is not your bill.
Mar 24, 2026·55m·3 clips - 6
Say Goodbye to Home Warranties
The hosts discuss a homeowner's traumatic experience with a contractor and share personal stories, then introduce themselves and their podcast launch.
Mar 10, 2026·59m - 7
Bathroom Dreams to Nightmares: A Renovation Story
Mar 3, 2026·42m - 8
Imagine Your Home Falling Apart
Feb 24, 2026·1h 2m - 9
Mastering Communication in Construction: Tips from Nicole Fella
Feb 17, 2026·59m - 10
Home Renovation Tips: Avoiding Mistakes and Celebrating Wins
Feb 10, 2026·48m - 11
Built on Lies: A Tale of Homeowner Horror
Feb 3, 2026·48m - 12
Tool Talk: Drill versus Impact Driver
Jan 27, 2026·44m - 13
Kitchen Renovation Disasters: How to Spot Red Flags
Hidden gemFacebook can start the search, but it should not get the final vote.
Jan 20, 2026·56m·4 clips - 14
Dream Porch Fantasy - Homeowner Horror Story
Jan 13, 2026·51m - 15
Builder of the Year or Disaster of the Decade? A Homeowner's Horror Story
Jan 6, 2026·55m - 16
DIY Plumbing Disasters & Home Plumbing Tips - With Maribel Healy
Hidden gemMiki Paradise and Jessica Abreu bring in Maribel Healy of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of the Triangle.
Nov 4, 2025·1h 6m·4 clips - 17
Transform Your Dream Home: Expert Tips on Renovations with Chelsea Combs
Oct 28, 2025·44m - 18
Mastering Bathroom Renovations with Expert Nicole Fella
Oct 21, 2025·50m - 19
Kitchen Renovation Nightmare
Oct 14, 2025·55m - 20
Expert Tips and Real-Life Stories of Home Organizers
Oct 7, 2025·1h - 21
Real Estate & Renovation: Insider Tips from Industry Expert - Lisa Houtman
Sep 30, 2025·57m - 22
Fridge Scaping & DIY Disasters
Sep 23, 2025·47m - 23
Decoding Construction Gibberish: Terms You Never Knew You Needed!
Sep 16, 2025·52m - 24
Bathroom DIY Disaster: Snowballing into a $26K Nightmare!
Sep 9, 2025·53m - 25
Building Your Dream Home: Insights from a General Contractor | Allison King
Sep 2, 2025·1h 5m - 26
We Bustin' 12 Common Construction Myths
Aug 26, 2025·57m - 27
Nightmare Renovation in North Raleigh: Importance of Licensed Contractors & Permits
Aug 19, 2025·52m - 28
Nightmare Renovation in North Raleigh: Importance of Licensed Contractors & Permits
Aug 19, 2025·52m - 29
The Four-Week Bathroom Project That Took Four Months
Aug 12, 2025·43m - 30
How to Spot a Real Painter vs. Someone Who Just Bought a Paintbrush
Aug 5, 2025·1h 4m - 31
Reasonable vs. Unreasonable Renovation Expectations
Jul 29, 2025·1h 2m - 32
Insurance Claims Decoded with Public Adjuster Nicolle Bochenski
Host Miki Paradise introduces public adjuster Nicole Benchowski to explain the role of public adjusters in construction and insurance claims.
Jul 22, 2025·46m - 33
Top Renovation Budget Tips to Avoid Costly Surprises
Jul 15, 2025·1h 13m - 34
The Facebook Roofer Who Ghosted and Left Them Soaked
Jul 8, 2025·46m - 35
The Mold Scare Tactics Homeowners Fall For with Danyelle Holland
Host Miki Paradise interviews mold remediation expert Danielle Holland about when homeowners need professional mold remediation and how to navigate construction challenges.
Jul 1, 2025·45m - 36
The $2,000-a-Hole Window Myth with Ashley Selzer
Host Miki Paradise interviews Ashley Seltzer, owner of Wallaby Windows, about window replacement and the importance of hiring licensed contractors.
Jun 24, 2025·1h 30m - 37
The Kitchen Reno That Spiraled to $75,000
Jun 17, 2025·46m - 38
Raising the Roof: Professionalism Over Profit with Bailey Shey Morris
Host Mickey Paradise interviews roofer Bailey Shea Morris about her journey into the roofing industry and shares insider knowledge for homeowners.
Jun 10, 2025·40m - 39
The Realtor Was Also the Seller’s Agent And It All Went Downhill from There
Jun 3, 2025·43m - 40
The Permit You Didn’t Pull (and Why It Will Cost You)
May 27, 2025·31m - 41
Welcome to The Chicks in Construction
May 20, 2025·10m - 42
How a Bad General Contractor Turned a Mold Mess into a Disaster
May 20, 2025·45m