Join us as we explore the dynamic world of architectural design trends on this episode of the Your Project Shepherd Podcast. This engaging discussion is led by your host, Curtis Lawson, with three industry-leading experts: Brinn Miracle (Co-Founder of ArchiTangent), Bryce Conner (Owner & Principal at B Ingenious Designs), and David Cox (Founder of Design DCA). As pioneers of creativity and functionality, our guests represent a diverse range of expertise, including corporate, commercial, and both production and custom residential spaces. Their extensive experience and collective knowledge allow us to delve deep into how design trends have evolved and influenced their approach to innovative designing. Homes today have transcended their traditional roles, transforming into multifunctional spaces that cater to the ever-changing needs and lifestyles of modern individuals. They share their insights on the development of these trends and how they creatively address the challenges faced by contemporary living, from exterior forms and mixed materials to flexible floorplans and unique integrations. With the aim of educating our listeners and empowering them for successful custom home build projects, this conversation is an invaluable resource to get informed before you embark on a journey towards creating a home that reflects your unique vision and aspirations. Tune in now to get inspired! 👉 Where to Listen & Subscribe 🎧 Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeartRadio | Stitcher 👉 New Releases every Friday Bonus: Accompanying every episode are show notes with links to guest speakers, transcriptions of the interviews, and other helpful sites mentioned in the podcast. You may find these on our website. 🌐 https://yourprojectshepherd.com/podcasts/ 📧 Email us any of your questions at [email protected] Follow Us: 🌐 https://www.yourprojectshepherd.com/podcasts https://www.instagram.com/yourprojectshepherd https://www.facebook.com/yourprojectshepherd OUR GUESTS: David Cox, Founder of Design DCA https://designdca.com/https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/design-dca-pfvwus-pf~2013383371/__public https://www.facebook.com/designdca/ https://www.instagram.com/designdca/ Brinn Miracle, Co-Founder of ArchiTangent https://www.architangent.com/ https://www.instagram.com/architangent/ https://www.facebook.com/Architangent Email: [email protected] Phone: 281-222-4495 Bryce Conner, Owner and Principal Architect at B Ingenious Designs https://bingeniousdesigns.com/ https://www.instagram.com/b.i.designs/ https://www.facebook.com/bingeniousdesigns/ Email: [email protected] Reach out to your host, Curtis Lawson Principal at Shepherd Construction Advisors Phone: 281.305.8281 Email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ Want to build a custom home? Curtis is the Founder & Principal at Crafted Custom Homes + Renovations ⁠⁠⁠https://craftedhome.com/⁠⁠ Thank you for supporting The Your Project Shepherd Construction Podcast!

Joining us for this special episode are three fantastic designers who are all based here in the Houston area. We have Shannon Vestal back on the podcast for a second time, along with Vyara Johnson and Laura Rickaway. For this panel discussion your host Curtis Lawson is the thorn among the roses and brings his perspective as a builder to the table, while our designers give us their tips, insights and thoughts on what is trending and what to stay away from. From the exterior to the inside of your home, to the smallest details you don't want to miss this episode! Watch all of our VIDEO episodes on our YouTube page: ⁠www.youtube.com/@yourprojectshepherd⁠ For more information visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://yourprojectshepherd.com/podcasts/⁠⁠⁠ OUR GUESTS: Laura Rickaway, Founder of Laura Rickaway Interiors https://www.instagram.com/laurarickawayinteriors/ https://www.laurarickawayinteriors.com/ https://www.facebook.com/laurarickawayinteriors/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-rickaway-asid-ncidq-rid-b0a4a075/ Vyara Johnson, Founder at Aveon Designs https://www.aveondesigns.com/ https://www.facebook.com/people/Aveon-Designs/100054256567996/?paipv=0&eav=Afa_FH8yqH8VwDeTGsOBck071272EBtQ8oJsTXs8Ilj6nRVjNVPD94GSpwpVSsjw6eY&_rdr https://www.instagram.com/aveon.designs/?hl=en https://www.aveondesigns.com/blog Email: [email protected] Shannon Vestal, Interior Designer at Steve Shannon Design https://steveshannondesign.com/ https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/steveshannondesign-com-pfvwus-pf~1350692083/__public https://www.facebook.com/steveshannondesign https://www.instagram.com/steveshannondesign/https://vimeo.com/734427701 Check out Shannon's podcast! Two Designers & a Builder Walk Into a Bar 🎙️ ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-designers-a-builder-walk-into-a-bar/id1532990434⁠ 🎙️ ⁠https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/two-designers-a-builder-walk-i-1457012⁠ Reach out to your host, Curtis Lawson: Principal at Shepherd Construction Advisors Phone: 281.305.8281 Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Want to build a custom home? Curtis is the Founder & Principal at Crafted Custom Homes + Renovations: ⁠⁠https://craftedhome.com/⁠ Thank you for supporting The Your Project Shepherd Construction Podcast!

🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Your Project Shepherd Podcast! Listeners will gain valuable insights into the potential risks associated with exterior wall claddings and how to prevent major problems. In this episode, we are joined again by Rhondalyn Riley (Water Intrusion Specialist/Consultant and owner of Exterior Inspections), to discuss building performance failures that happen due to common issues that arise with stucco, masonry, and other exterior wall claddings. In this conversation we emphasizes the importance of third-party inspections and the potential consequences of neglecting proper maintenance. We talk about the building envelope and the significance of the outer layer in protecting against water damage. We also delve into the significance of establishing strong relationships with subcontractors and teaching them proper construction methods. Discover how external pressures can affect subcontractors' work and learn valuable insights on fostering positive relationships to ensure accurate execution. Finally, we circle back to something we discuss often, which is the concept of "trust but verify" and discuss the role of third-party inspectors in minimizing warranty calls. Join us as we explore the importance of educating workers and homeowners alike, ultimately leading to well-built homes and satisfied customers. ✅🏡 Don't miss out on these valuable construction tips and techniques! TOPICS COVERED: - Exterior home maintenance tips - Flashing and water intrusion - Penetrations and proper flashing - QuickFlash boots for HVAC - Proper flashing for parapet walls - Waterproofing systems for balconies - Stucco failures and maintenance - Stucco termination and drainage - Brick and stone cladding - Brick veneer wall assemblies - Need for inspections! Watch all of our VIDEO episodes on our YouTube page: www.youtube.com/@yourprojectshepherd For more information visit our website: https://yourprojectshepherd.com/podcasts/ Reach out to your host, Curtis Lawson: Principal at Shepherd Construction Advisors Phone: 281.305.8281 Email: [email protected] Want to build a custom home? Curtis is the Founder & Principal at Crafted Custom Homes + Renovations: https://craftedhome.com/ Reach out to Rhondalyn Riley: President at Exterior Inspections, Inchttp://www.exteriorinspections.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhondalyn-riley-9077aa4/ Phone: 281.353.8686 Email: [email protected]

Join host Curtis Lawson as he sits down with Toner Kersting, a Building Performance and Energy Efficiency Expert, to talk about one of the major reasons behind building performance failures. Discover the hidden truth that lies within the building envelope, the crucial barrier between the indoor and outdoor environments. Toner and Curtis delve into the world of custom home building, emphasizing the critical role of carefully designing and maintaining the building envelope. As the complexity of building design increases and energy efficiency takes the spotlight, understanding this concept has never been more vital. Prepare yourself for an engaging discussion filled with captivating stories about the repercussions of taking shortcuts. Learn why cost-cutting decisions without considering the implications can wreak havoc on the functionality of your home. Don't let your custom home aspirations turn into a nightmare – gain the knowledge you need to make informed decisions and build with confidence. Watch all of our VIDEO episodes on our YouTube page: ⁠www.youtube.com/@yourprojectshepherd⁠ For more information visit our website: ⁠https://yourprojectshepherd.com/podcasts/⁠ Reach out to your host, Curtis Lawson: Principal at Shepherd Construction Advisors Phone: 832.212.8134 Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ Want to build a custom home? Curtis is the Founder & Principal at Crafted Custom Homes + Renovations: ⁠https://craftedhome.com/⁠

Allen Griffin joins Curtis Lawson for this building performance failure episode to talk about how to avoid disputes between builders and homeowners, biggest mistakes they see builders making, building science, and more! Allen is the founder and president of Griffin Interests LLC, which owns and operates Construction Claims Experts, Gryphon Builders and Viewpoint Designs. He is a graduate master builder, certified graduate remodeler, certified aging in place specialist with 30 years experience in this industry. This episode embodies the very thing that we aim to achieve with this podcast, which is to protect you from making mistakes that can cost you big time on your custom home build or renovation. Learn how to navigate the challenges of building a custom home and let us guide you to a successful and stress free project. Tune in now!

In this 'building performance failure' episode, host Curtis Lawson and co-host Toner Kersting, along with guests Greg Swedberg (2Scale Architects) and Matt Gray (President at Anvil Engineering) delve into the importance of design and engineering coordination. Through their stories of projects that could have gone south real quick, they reveal how communication and collaboration in the early stages of a construction project are essential for effective execution of a project. These seasoned professionals will illustrate how a lack of coordination between architect, engineer, builder, and building performance designer can lead to problems or even failures! Learn how they navigate the unavoidable challenges of building a custom home and gain invaluable insights into how to strengthen the workflow and processes on your project – it’s all hands on deck and these guys are here to GUIDE YOU towards success! ✅

If you're looking for creative and stylish garage solutions for your home, then this is a must watch episode! Aaron Cash (Co-Founder & President of Garage Living) joins this episode to open your eyes to the possibilities what you can do with your garage. We discuss the importance of functionality in garage design and how Garage Living can help improve your garage space and even reduce stress! Your Project Shepherd always focuses on the importance of proper planning and building the right team from the start of your project, and when considering revamping your garage space, or building that custom home of your dreams, getting a professional company on board from the start is key to achieving your goals with a cohesive design, while also ensuring that you stay within your overall budget. Whatever your needs are, Aaron and Curtis have got you covered with all the insights to help you make informed decisions! Tune in to learn more! We recommend you head over to our YouTube channel @yourprojectshepherd since this episode is loaded with footage and images of garage solutions and ideas.

In this final episode of Season 2, Curtis provides a wrap up of the highlights that were discussed over the last 17 episodes of "What Does it Cost?" He gives us some key tips to avoid common mistakes, especially when planning your budget, and the importance of building your team from the start so everyone is on the same page. He also provides the best pre-construction workflow for starting your custom home build, so don’t miss out on this episode and remember to follow us on your favorite podcast platform to be notified of new episodes and stay up-to-date. We will be taking a month break from our regular podcast series but be sure to check out our Youtube and Instagram for bi-weekly videos on all topics of custom home building. We look forward to having you join us again for Season 3!

Join us for this insightful conversation with Ed Earl, the Zen Builder, as we explore why residential construction projects can be so emotional and the role of project management and owner's representation in creating beautiful homes that meet the needs of homeowners. Ed and Curtis share their insights into the challenges that homeowners and builders face during these projects, including stress, and decision-making. They explore the importance of trust in the process and of course discuss the season's theme of costs, including what drives the costs of project management. Don't miss out on this engaging and informative conversation!

Join host Curtis Lawson and experts Dana Hajedemos and Toner Kersting for this episode as they discuss solar panels and battery storage. Discover key considerations in designing a solar power system, including costs, performance optimization, and meeting your home's specific needs. Get practical advice to confidently navigate the decision-making process and make informed choices about harnessing solar energy for your home. Don't miss this informative episode - subscribe now!

In this episode we delve into the costs of working with historic structures and are joined by Toner Kersting (Energy & Sustainability Consultant at Toner Home Matters) and Kevin Dahlstrand (Architect at Dahlstrand Architecture). Historic structures come with unique challenges when it comes to remodeling and can be expensive if not done properly. Curtis, Toner, and Kevin share their insights on how to navigate these challenges without incurring unnecessary costs. They emphasize the importance of proper planning, assembling a skilled team, understanding architectural history, and respecting the original performance standards of these homes. Whether you're a homeowner considering remodeling a historic property or simply curious about preserving the original charm and character of a historic structure, this episode is a must-listen. You'll gain valuable knowledge and practical tips from these seasoned experts, who bring a wealth of experience and insights. Join us now to learn more! Tune in now to be inspired by the possibilities of remodeling historic homes!

In this episode, host Curtis Lawson discusses the importance of third-party inspections in ensuring successful home builds and is joined by industry experts Rhondalyn Riley (President at Exterior Inspections, Inc) and Reece Scott (President at BEC Engineers & Consultants). Learn about the costs, benefits, and best practices of third-party inspections in today's construction industry. From understanding different materials to evaluating building performance, discover how third-party inspections contribute to project success. Don't miss out on this valuable episode to save time, money, and headaches in your home building journey. Tune in now to learn from the experts!

In this episode of Your Project Shepherd Podcast, host Curtis Lawson sits down with Karalynn Cromeens (Owner & Managing Partner of The Cromeens Law Firm) to discuss the differences and costs in litigation, mediation, and arbitration. She shares valuable insights on how to avoid expensive problems on your custom home build project and how to navigate issues that can lead to construction disputes. Her podcast, Quit Getting Screwed is another great resource for homeowners, contractors and subcontractors so be sure to check out her show too. Don't let construction disputes take a toll on your emotions, time, and wallet. Tune in now to learn more!

Join us for a conversation between Curtis Lawson and Elliott Owen, Business Development Manager at Hogue Landscape Services, as they delve into the world of landscaping costs and design. Discover the secrets to successful budgeting for landscaping as part of the overall project budget, and learn why involving a landscape designer early on in the project can save you from costly mistakes in the long run. Gain valuable insights on cost drivers, trending features, and tips for creating a cohesive and stunning home design. Don't miss out on this must-watch episode! Hit play now and elevate your landscape design game!

Join Curtis and Eric as they continue their conversation about the costs and importance of home maintenance, with a focus on the fall and winter seasons. Discover the advantages of having a well-maintained home, from avoiding costly repairs to ensuring health and safety for your family. Learn why hiring a company like Goodsmith to handle these tasks can be more cost effective than hiring multiple companies on as needed basis. Staying on top of these checklist items will make your life less stressful and save you money! Home maintenance is a vital part of long-term execution, and your guides are here to offer you plenty of valuable insights, tips & tricks for DIY's, to help you optimize your home care strategy. Tune in now and ensure your home performs at it's peak and stays happy and healthy! why hiring a company like Good Smith to handle these tasks can be more cost-effective than hiring multiple companies. Home maintenance is a vital part of long-term execution, and Curtis and Eric provide valuable insights to help you optimize your home's maintenance strategy. Tune in now and

Your home is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make, but neglecting regular maintenance can lead to costly repairs down the road. In this episode of Your Project Shepherd, Curtis Lawson is joined once again by Erich Kleine, Co-Founder at Goodsmith Home Care and Repair, to dive deeper into the importance of home maintenance, including the costs associated with it. From retail costs to DIY options and professional services, Curtis and Erich discuss the various ways you can maintain your home and stay on budget. Plus, they share Erich's Spring and Summer checklists of must-do's to keep your home performing at its best. Whether you're a seasoned homeowner or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable information to help you take care of your home. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes, where Curtis and Erich will cover Winter and Fall checklists and provide a cost analysis breakdown. Don't wait until it's too late - tune in now to ensure your home stays in top shape!

Jay R. Shimpf (Founder & CEO of Authenticus Inc) joins Curtis on this episode of the Your Project Shepherd Podcast to discuss the importance of visual clarity with your design and how you can save money in the long run with proper planning and visualization before starting your home build. They talk about using 2D and 3D modeling services before building and the ability to see and walk through a projected plan in Authenticus studio, at the current job site under construction, or at the future job site. Jay emphasizes how this is critical to ensure that customers are able to authenticate what they are thinking and what is being designed and built. Be sure to tune in to the video version of this podcast to see the visuals from our visit to their studio and to see for yourself what is possible!

In this episode, Curtis Lawson and Randall Duncan (President of Data Smart and Duncan Security) discuss the evolution of home technology in the last 20 years, with buyers now expecting more connectivity and smart home features. Randall shares his 23 years of experience in the Houston market and talks about the importance of integrators being called in early in the design process, the cost drivers in home automation, surge protection and much more! With advancements in product and technology over the last few decades, it is now more accessible and affordable for people of all budgets. Learn how to make sure your project succeeds by tuning in!

Danny Rigg (Architect & Founding Principal of Rigg Studio) joins Curtis Lawson for a discussion about the architecture costs for a custom home build or renovation. They talk about how to find the right architect and how investing in good design can save you money in the long run. The conversation centers around understanding how architects arrive at fees and what drives their costs. The experience and expertise of this builder and architect will offer insight into the value of good design and the benefits of a holistic approach to building projects, as well as the process behind creating successful and cost-effective projects. Subscribe to our channel to continue learning from industry experts and to ensure you are well-informed before starting your project!

Are you a homeowner looking to learn more about the costs associated with interior design services for your new home or renovation project? Curtis Lawson sits down with Tiffany Edwards, Owner & Principal Designer of Edwards Interiors and Designs, to discuss the costs of interior design, the design process, the questions homeowners should ask when interviewing designers for their projects, and much more. Don't miss out on this informative and insightful episode!

Two builders sit down to hash out the reality of what it costs to do a custom kitchen renovation in your home.    Curtis Lawson and Dan Bawden (President & CEO of Legal Eagle Contractors, Co.) discuss the cost drivers, hidden costs, what's going to increase your costs on a renovation and how to avoid common mistakes, and last but not least, how to find the right builder for your dream home renovation. We will guide you on the right way to do things and how to get started!

As we continue in the "What Does it Cost?" theme of Season 2, we get into the bathroom portion of the home remodels. Curtis Lawson and Kelly Kirk (Owner & President of Greymark Construction Company) discuss the costs associated with bathroom renovations, why it is easier to upgrade and renovate your bathroom if you are already doing another renovation project in your home, why the cost per squre foot in such a small space is more expensive than expected, and how to find the right team for your project.  Tune in to learn more!

What does it cost to add an outdoor living space to your home? Maybe you want to add a pool, and to do some pool or landscape design and want to educate yourself on what to expect?  Tune in to this episode as we will guide you on what you need to know before getting started! Daniel Slate, Managing Partner of Water's Edge Outdoor Living, joins Curtis Lawson to discuss the cost drivers for these additions on your custom home, the features to avoid given the climate in Houston, the easy upgrades, and things to consider when planning your spaces!

Two builders and an architect get together to discuss what does it cost for custom whole-home renovations and additions.     Today are guests Jeremy McFarland and Matt Sneller, who were both featured in Season 1, and they are back now to get into costs when dealing with custom home renovations.  The importance of a good team is key and these guys get into all the hidden costs that people may overlook when doing home renovations. Join us on this episode to learn more about what to look for in your team players, what really goes into that new home addition you've been dreaming about and lots more!

We dive into the topic of WHAT DOES IT COST to build a custom home build or a custom home remodel. Can you really quantify what the costs are with a project?  Joining Curtis Lawson to kick off this first episode of Season 2 is Owner of ALBARRAN | Architecture + Construction, Franco Albarran. Tune in to learn a little more about the custom home build process and the costs that drive the architecture part of the project and gain insight into what to expect.

Thank you so much for joining us on our journey with the story of Season 1 and all of our interviews.  Toner and Curtis discuss the story that we covered in Season 1, their favorite episodes, what they think are the big take-aways, and dive into the questions from our followers and friends, and give their feedback and answers.  We want to ensure that you have the tools and knowledge for success on your venture. Or, maybe you are just curious about the process or want to learn a little more about what a designer's role is, or the building performance expert, the structural engineer. Whether you are a home owner, an architect, a builder, a designer or a contractor, these episodes are all aimed at going into what truly goes into a custom home build. We hope that if you have not tuned in before this episode, that you go back and check out our previous episodes, in order, so that you may learn more about what goes into the custom home building process and how to avoid common mistakes.  Please email us any questions and we will respond promptly and probably address it in our next Q&A episode.  Thanks you again!

Just as we thought that Brian and Heather’s home troubles were over, they discover that they have structural damage! Although they have their owner's representative to guide them through correcting the problems, it is another huge cost and lesson learned.  What led to this? Was it the builder's fault? Or could this have been the result of something done by the homeowners themselves? Tune in to find out! Joining us to discuss a very important aspect of the construction process is Insurance Broker, Tye Justice, of Hotchkiss Insurance. Insurance should be part of the planning process and plays an important role in the success of a project as the long term protection plan for everyone. Tye and Curtis get into the details of residential construction insurance, builder’s risk, types of coverages, liabilities and more.

Brian and Heather are realizing that although getting a home maintenance person out to their home is an important step in keeping up their new home, they may have structural issues with their home! How could this have happened? Is the worst not over yet? Joining Curtis on the podcast this week is Erich Kleine, co-founder of Goodsmith Home Care and Repair. They talk about the oversights by new home owners that may very well void their warranties, and simple things which seem to be unimportant, but may become huge problems if not remedied. Tune in to find out what happens and how to ensure that you properly maintain your home.

As the story of Brian and Heather continues, they encounter more problems with their home - this time with MOLD! How will they deal with this issue?   We talk with Owner & Partner of Alair Custom Homes Houston, Chris Bolio, about building here in the gulf region, builder's warranties, having a strong relationship with your client, and much more. There is only one way to ensure a certain outcome in construction and that is to validate every detail before you ever commit to a construction agreement.   Tune in to find out!

Now that Brian and Heather have realized their project will fail if they don’t get the proper guidance, they decide to hire an owner’s representative to step in, and hopefully turn things around. Is this turning point for them? Is it the light at the end of the tunnel?   Tune in to find out!   Curtis and Steven Deutser, Owner & President of Park Lane Builders, dive into the importance of developing processes and managing punch lists, home maintenance, utilizing a construction management software, and much more. These two builders aim to educate consumers on the importance of looking at their home as an ecosystem: one that works together symbiotically to create a healthy, durable, and efficient structure.

Now that Heather has had her baby and the couple finds themselves even busier than before, it would be nice for the project stress to lessen. Unfortunately, more problems in the build project are coming to light, and it is causing strain for them. The designer connects the couple with their true guide and shepherd in hopes he can turn the project around. Will they hire the owner’s representative? Will they pull through to finish this project? Tune in to find out! We speak with architect, Bradly Hirdes, Founding Principal of Ordinary Architecture Practice, regarding the problems on this project, the complexity of building in today’s times, the team approach, and innovative house technologies that are coming into the building industry. We hope you join us again to learn more about the custom build process and let us guide you to a successful project. 

Our story characters decide to hire an interior designer to help with the overwhelming number of selections and options for their custom home. Even though this good decision makes things less stressful, it brings to light a lot more issues with their builders’ “standard” installs. Once again, costs are going up, in vain. What other surprises will they encounter in this episode? We talk with a designer, Shannon Vestal, about the various reasons why the designer should also be on board with the project from the start. Conversations between the builder and the interior designer really supports keeping project costs managed. A team approach is highlighted as the best way to succeed in your project, and having the right people, that understand your vision, is key.

Although Brian and Heather’s home-build is showing apparent progress, they are feeling loads of stress from the mistakes that keep surfacing on the project. The problems on site are not only becoming costly, but dangerous for the family now. The home is a living organism and for it to function properly, there is a lot more than just following plans, to have a successful project. Toner and Curtis discuss building performance and the consequences of short-cuts which are commonly done because builders and home-owners are making cost-cutting decisions without discussing the implications of those choices on functionality of the home. Will this project fail? Tune in to find out!

Brian and Heather start recognizing that their builder isn't as experienced as they hoped he would be, and it is becoming a big problem for their project. There have been some pretty big oversights in regard to design and engineering plans and materials choices.  Furthermore, their cost-plus contract is turning out to be not only bad for them, but also for the builder – costing big bucks for all. Will they be able to get through this project?    We talk with Karl Breckon, CEO of BEC Engineers and Consultants, LLC, about many of the issues with the young couple's home, and how their builder’s poor decisions on cutting quality, are causing more trouble than necessary. Getting the engineer involved from the start is key, as they play an essential role in designing and implementing complicated building plans, and ensuring the home is going to be structurally sound. Finding a good builder, choosing the quality materials, and taking a team approach are all vital to a successful outcome.

The builder that Brian and Heather have contracted, has pulled a free contract template off the internet and they all signed quickly before having it reviewed by an attorney.  None of them understand the process enough to anticipate that there will be consequences to this hasty move… How do you think this will pan out for all parties involved? Karalynn and Curtis talk about construction contracts and the risks that you may be entering into if your contract is poorly written and non-specific to your project.  They also go through all the things that are often overlooked but must be included to protect everyone, lien laws, costs associated with litigation, and much more. Arbitration and lawsuits can be avoided if you go into a project with a well-defined contract – join us to educate yourself.

Our story characters, Brian and Heather, have made yet another wrong turn in their adventure with their “false” guides who simply are not knowledgeable enough in the Custom home build process. They face problems with the bank for unknowingly violating the terms of their agreement and possible foreclosure – they are defeated it seems! We talk with Mortgage Loan Consultant, Jamie Wolf at First United Mortgage Group, to discuss what you must be aware of before starting to finance your custom home build. We delve into the wrong choices the couple has made and the right way to approach a project. We delve into the different options for construction and renovation loans,  the importance of full disclosure to your lender, and other necessary factors when financing your project.  Thanks for tuning in to Your Project Shepherd Podcast!

We aimed to create fictional characters in our story based on our "train wreck" project, to highlight how a custom home build project can go south, real quick, if the people involved are not all communicating efficiently with one another, as process and building the right team are key to a successful project.  Curtis clears the air about any possible misrepresentation of design professionals that may have been spoken about, in previous or future episodes, that may seem to illustrate their roles, rather than their level of expertise, as the negative aspect in our story. Thanks for tuning in once again!

Now that Brian and Heather have their future home designs they move forward with choosing a builder for their project.  Rather than choosing someone based on custom home expertise, they focus on finding someone that provided a free estimate and the lowest bid. Will things improve for them or will they be stuck with another costly consequence on their hands? We speak with owner of Sneller Custom Homes, Matt Sneller, about the factors to consider when choosing a builder, the importance of having a project development process in place, and how essential it is for all the key players to be involved from the start.  We unpack all of the couple's choices in our story and the problems that transpired as a result. Selecting a builder is not simply about selecting the builder that gives you the "best" rate with a free estimate. It is about finding a builder that has earned your trust and acts as an advocate for you, to achieve the best possible outcome within the scope of a well-planned budget.

In our ongoing story, Brian and Heather are starting to face the harsh reality that their decisions with buying online plans, that were not designed for their lot, is costing them a huge chunk of their savings.  They now face the option of either selling the home they purchased and giving up, or hiring an architect to redesign the plans and move forward with their increasingly expensive home build.  Getting the necessary permits has proven to be a task that Heather is overwhelmed by and the couple realizes they need guidance.  Joining Curtis are Bryson White and Garrett Delano, of Arc Three Studio, to discuss some of the situations this couple is facing and what really goes into the planning process of a custom home-build.  They discuss how to go about getting plans for your lot, who to bring on board at the start of the project, and how to communicate effectively so that everyone has a clear vision of what the project will entail.  Can Brian and Heather get their act together before they deplete all of their funds? Tune in to find out!

Heather struggles to get permits and sort out the issues without proper guidance.  The couple becomes increasingly frustrated with the obstacles and wonder if maybe they are in over their heads. Curtis and Jeremy discuss the importance of building your team right from the beginning of the project. Getting a team assembled to coordinate all the elements is key to having a successful project because it is a collaborative process that requires proper planning. Will Brian and Heather be able to handle all the "stops" on their project? Stay tuned to find out!

Brian and Heather discover that the neighborhood deed restrictions are going to bring their plans to an abrupt halt, and start feeling the consequences of their decisions, both financially and with their plans for demolition.   We talk with Realtor, Susan Brock regarding the importance of having someone to guide you during site selection and that there are a lot more elements to choosing a site than meets the eye.     How will this couple deal with all the issues that begin arising?   Stay tuned to find out!