LivLive Ep. 0000032 - Noor Boyle

From Client to Industry Insider: Renovating Your Own Home While Working in Building ProductsIn this episode of LivLive, Dave sits down with Noor Boyle from James Hardie, who brings a unique dual perspective to the conversation: she works inside the building products industry and she was once a LivCo client herself.See Noor's family's Western Springs house here!**** Also credit to Kevin Harris, AIA on the "Funk Chart"Noor shares the story behind her family’s major home renovation in Western Springs, Illinois, including how they decided to remodel instead of move, the rigorous process she used to evaluate contractors, and what it’s really like to experience a full home addition from the homeowner side.Because Noor works in the building products world, the conversation also dives into the intersection between manufacturers, builders, architects, and homeowners—and why collaboration between those groups matters more than most people realize.Dave and Noor explore how homeowners evaluate remodeling partners, how the renovation process feels from the client’s side of the table, and how the building industry can better support both homeowners and contractors.It’s a great conversation about trust, design decisions, industry relationships, and what happens when the professional world of construction meets the personal world of home.• How Noor evaluated over a dozen remodeling companies before choosing a design-build partner• Why many homeowners ultimately choose to renovate instead of move• What it feels like for a homeowner when their house is “blown up and expanded” during a major remodel• The advantages and tradeoffs between architect-builder vs. design-build approaches• How building product manufacturers like James Hardie interact with builders and designers• Why collaboration between manufacturers, contractors, and homeowners leads to better projects• Lessons Noor learned going through a renovation as both a client and an industry professional00:00 – IntroductionDave introduces Noor Boyle from James Hardie and explains the unique crossover of having both a building-products professional and former LivCo client on the show.05:00 – Why Renovate Instead of MoveNoor explains how her family outgrew their home during COVID and how they ultimately decided to renovate instead of relocating.10:00 – Interviewing 12 Remodeling CompaniesA deep dive into Noor’s rigorous selection process and how homeowners evaluate architects, builders, and design-build firms.15:00 – Choosing a Design-Build TeamWhy the design-build model made sense for Noor’s project and how LivCo approached the renovation.20:00 – Renovating While Working in the IndustryNoor shares the perspective of working for a major building-products company while also experiencing a renovation personally.25:00 – Lessons from the Homeowner SideKey takeaways from living through construction, communication expectations, and what makes the renovation experience successful.30:00 – Builders, Manufacturers, and CollaborationHow companies like James Hardie support builders and why relationships across the construction ecosystem matter.35:00 – Final ThoughtsReflections on the renovation, industry relationships, and advice for homeowners considering a major remodel.