Two Designers & A Builder Walk Into A Bar
by 2d1bbar
Have you ever heard that having a custom home designed and built is a nightmare, that it's too time consuming, you'll go way over budget and it's just not worth it ? All of those can certainly be true UNLESS you put the right team together! Join Steve Iltis, Custom Home Designer, Shannon Vestal, Interior Designer and Steve Rudin, Custom Home Builder as they take you through a step by step process that is proven to work! You can get your dream home designed and built while enjoying the process from day one until the day you pop the champagne and toast to making many happy memories for years to come!
Episodes
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#88 ICF, What is that?
For those of you that geek out on types of construction, engineering, and building materials this episode is for you! On this episode you're going to learn what an ICF home is, why it's becomming more popular and all the beneficial properties it provides. We welcomed Dave Phelps, owner of ICF…
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#87 Age is just a number!
Yes, that is true, however we do age and with that, mobility declines, vision becomes weaker, and soon it all goes to hell in a handbasket! On this episode we are going to talk about aging in place! That means staying put where you are whether it's a condo, single family home, townhouse or...
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#86 Permit Purgatory?
If you are building a new home or remodeling your existing one, most cities throughout the country require building permits. If you are one of the lucky ones building in rural areas or in a county that only requires a few permits then just smile and enjoy life while listening to this episode!!...
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#85 Golf Anyone?
Ever had a tee time scheduled and mother nature has other plans? No worries!! Play that round of golf in your simulator room! The bonus? You can play Pebble Beach, Pacific Dunes, Whistling Straits and more right from the comfort of your home. Golf simulators have seen tremendous advances in the...
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#84 Change Orders
When it comes to building a custom home, just remember, this is a prototype! It's never been built before! With that being said, the inevitible will happen and that's what we call a change order. This isn't always a bad thing and those two words more often get a bad wrap! Today the three of us...
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#83 In Complete Control!
No, this isn't a "self help" episode and you are on the correct podcast! Today it's all about controlling your lighting, tv's, speakers, and ceiling fans! Find out how to provide adequate hallway and step lighting during the night that is motion activated! What about figuring out what type of...
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#82 Plumbing Fixtures & Cabinet Hardware
No custom home build or major remodeling project is possible without plumbing fixtures, bathtubs, toilets, sinks, door hardware and cabinet hardware! The overwhelming feeling you get when your builder gives you this list of items and tells you to go make selections for each of them is almost...
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#81 Countertop Confusion! Help!
Keeping up with design trends is one thing but then you have to figure out the materials that you're suppposed to be using! Countertops is one of the selections I get asked most about. What should I use? What's the difference between quartz, quartzite, marble, granite, porcelain and this new...
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#80 I need a builder!
We've touched on this subject in a previous episode however, we are hearing that word on the streets is people are still wondering the best way to go about this. Today we put Rudin on the hot seat to share with us the different approaches you can take in gathering a list of builders to talk to…
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#79 Is It Waterproof?
It will be if Johnston Waterproofing is on the job! On this episode we are joined by Jeremy Johnston, owner of Johnston Waterproofing. He's going to share with us all the ways to keep water out of your house! This is not only your doors and windows, but includes balconies and much more. Find out...
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#78 I don't always slam my door..........
But when I do it's because the window was open!!!!! Let me start by saying that our two guests today will definitely be back! Slade Sloan, GM of the custom window division at Builders First Source and Lance LeBlanc, a window nerd and expert on large doors (he said it, not me), builder sales rep…
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#77 She Calls It "The Heart & Soul"........
I call it "The Fluff"! She'll kill me for saying that but y'all know I often say what I want!! We welcome to the show, Vyara Noeva Johnson, Interior Designer and owner of Aveon Designs. I like to call her my friend and officemate! Vyara shares with us her love for not only Interior Design but...
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#76 Mirror Mirror On The Wall.......
Did your mother ever tell you that breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck? Did you love the movie Cinderella and her glass slipper? If you have or haven't you'll want to turn up the volume and enjoy this episode where we discuss mirrors and all things glass for a custom home or remodel....
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#75 Showcase Home Update
Lot's to share with our listeners about the status of the SteveShannonDesign showcase home in Canyon Lake!! Contact us at [email protected] and let us know what you want to learn about!
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#74 Deep Dive into Flooring!
I decided that after getting so many questions about the pros and cons of engineered wood floors, solid wood and luxury vinyl plank I would ask a pro to provide the answers. On this episode we take a deep dive into these various types of flooring so you as the consumer can decide which is the…
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#73 We blew a fuse!
Betcha can't guess what this episode is about? It's going to shock you! It's a hot topic these days! It's going to amp you up! There is going to be a surge of information provided! It might even jolt you out of your seat! Watt the hell you ask? Switch to the play button to hear the output!...
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#72 Want A Green Thumb?
Some have them and some don't! Would you like to have one? In this episode we are joined by Kaitlin Stein from Moss Landscaping. Kaitlin is a graduate of Texas A&M, WHOOP, with a degree in Landscape Design. Her knowledge of all things plants is going to guide you through the process of designing...
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#71 Better Call the Plumber!
You don't want to build a home without plumbing but what's the most efficient and low maintenance way to do it? Meet Brian & Wendi Lincoln, owners of Linc Plumbing. Brian and Wendi help us understand the difference between pvc, cpvc, pex and more! Contact Linc: 832-623-6965 or...
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#70 Showcase Home Introduction
Movin' on up! Well, to the hill country. SteveShannonDesign has officially begun construction on our showcase home. While we will remain in Houston, we decided to expand and what better place to do that than Canyon Lake! This will be our office space but more importantly a place to bring our...
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#69 IBS 2023!!
This year all three of us attended the International Builders Show!! On this episode we share what we saw in the way of new products, products being developed and what we can expect to see in the building and design world in 2023! Want to get in touch with us? [email protected] or you can reach…
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#68 Interior Designer 2.0
We often talk about the importance of hiring an Interior Designer at the beginning of your project and the importance of having one involved in your project. In case we missed some things in "Why do I need an Interior Designer" we thought a 2.0 version was in order. We want to hear from our...
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#67 Seriously? Cabinets Again?
How many cabinet episodes can there possibly be you ask? Well, there are more than just one way to design and build cabinets for your custom home or remodel. On this episode we are joined by Randall McCaw, owner of McCaw Cabinetry. For more than 15 years Randall and his amazing team have been...
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#66 More about cabinets!
One of the bigger ticket line items in a custom home budget is cabinets. What is the difference between manufactured cabinets versus cabinets built on the jobsite? Is there a price difference? Quality? Lead time? Warranty? Styles? Finishes? Nicole Herger with Cabinets and Designs joins us for a...
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#65 See It Before You Build It!
Yep, that's right! Want to avoid change orders, the costs that go along with those and a delay in building your beautiful custom home? Enter Authenticus! Their 3,600 sq. ft. studio allows you to see your plan displayed in 2D, to scale, including elevations! How about seeing it in 3D and color?…
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#64 What species is THAT?
Species of Trees! In this episode we dive deep into the influence building has on native trees and how best to protect and preserve them. Joining us is Brad Trentham, a Certified Arborist and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified with Bartlett Tree Experts. Since 1907 Bartlett has been providing...
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#63 Another Round Please!
One of our first episodes was with Rysse Goldfarb, owner of Mommy Mixology. During the pandemic we met up with Rysse but had to record on the patio! We loved hanging out with her, learning about cocktails and such so we decided to re-visit. In the comfort of her home and her quaint little bar we...
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#62 Fire! Sprinkle it Out!
It's probably the biggest fear for homeowners, FIRE!! There is always the plan for smoke detectors but they only alert you of the fire. Think about having a sprinkler system in your home that is triggered by the heat of the fire and puts the fire out before it spreads! On this episode we are…
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#61 Hot Boxes and Big Balls
What on earth does this have to do with custom homes? I've got your attention now so tune in! Our guests today are Katy Dudley and Irie Brooks from The Ark Cast Stone. For 28 years The Ark has been providing our city with the highest quality, custom made, cast stone products. From fireplace...
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#60 House Skeleton
I couldn't resist making that the title to this episode on framing since it's so close to Halloween. If the skeleton is not engineered correctly and installed correctly then it really doesn't matter what you build around it. We welcome back one of our favorite guests, Matt Gray with Anvil...
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#59 Ch Ch Ch Changes....
You know the song! Well, changes do happen so in this episode we'll dive into what those changes could be and how to address them. Remember, you are building a prototype! No one is perfect and we all make mistakes. It's how you and the team handle them that makes the difference! Contact us! We'd...
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#58 Energy Ogre
If you're like me you dread that time of year when you need to start shopping for the best electricity rate. It not only takes a lot of time but is overwhelming. Why not have someone else do that work for you! Joining us to discuss this process and more is Mike England, founder of Energy Ogre.…
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#56 Capture the Sun!
Solar Power!! It's been around for a long time but these days it seems we are starting to depend on it more and more. The question is how do I incorporate it in my home to make it worthwhile and what will it cost me? Joining us on this episode is Dennis Hart with Generator Industries…
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#55 I get an Allowance?
How much is my allowance going to be? That's what we talk about on this episode! This is such an important conversation to have with your builder or contractor. Establishing these should actually begin in the design phase! Tune in to hear why.......... Is there a topic you'd like us to cover?…
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#54 Never lose power! Generators!
Those of us in Texas especially on the gulf know what it's like to lose power! Sometimes it's not just an hour or two from a severe rain storm but from a hurricane that knocks it out for days or even weeks! Generator! Generator! Generator! Joining us on this episode is Dennis Hart with Generator...
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#53 Financing Your New Build
There is always a great deal of excitement in designing and building a custom home but once you know what it's going to cost you must meet with a mortgage broker. Joining us on this episode is Edward Rodgers with Hancock Whitney Bank to answer your questions about the process and the best way to…
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#52 Window Coverings
Everyone wants lots of windows on their home, the bigger the better, until they move in! Yikes!! Privacy!!! Now, how do you accomplish that in the most stylish way without compromising the design of the home? Welcome Terri Harris with Houston Window Fashions! Terri helps us navigate what product…
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#51 Soft Costs?
Definition: Soft costs are indirect expenses related to a construction project but don't actively impact the process. On this episode we will share with you all the examples of soft costs and what you can expect to come "out of pocket" for these. Have an idea for the show? [email protected] Let…
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#50 IBS - Not what you're thinking!
It's the International Builders Show! We took time out from our busy schedule to visit the largest builders show in the world. Keeping up with new products is extremely important when designing and building custom homes. Join us to learn what we learned! There are some great products hitting our...
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#49 Is Your Roof Sexy?
Who would have ever said a roof is sexy!! Well, our guest Andy Kelly with 314 Roofing Solutions did just that in this episode! Andy shares all things roofing with us and the do's and don'ts of different roofing materials as well as the installation. Contact us! [email protected] Steve Rudin -...
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#47 "Survey Says"?
Yep! Let's chat about surveys. We can't design a custom home on your lot without a survey! Find out what these surveys really do say! We welcomed Matt Probstfeld of Probstfeld and Associates to share his 40+ years of knowledge and experience in the surveying business. From title surveys to new...
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#48 State of the Home Building Industry
Whether you listened to the state of the union or not you've most likely heard about the state of the home building industry. We thought it would be helpful to share some of the processes we are implementing to try to stay ahead of the supply chain issues. Price increases on products…
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#46 All About that Base
Foundation Base that is! We can't build a custom home without starting with a foundation. Todays guest, Matt Gray, owner of Anvil Engineering joined us to help us "get into the weeds" about different types of foundations, how to know what kind to use and what you need to get your home plans ready...
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#45 Real Estate
We all know you can't build a custom home without the assistance and guidance of a real estate agent. From helping you find the perfect lot to selling your current home they are a valuable part of the team! We are joined by Leslie Lerner of Leslie Lerner Properties to share her insight and the…
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#44 GHBA and HomeAid Houston
The Greater Houston Builders Association is well known amongst custom home builders, remodelers and vendors in our industry. On this episode we are joined by Aimee Bertrand, Exec. VP and CEO to share some of the benefits of membership and the value they bring to our city. We also welcome Carole...
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#43 Fencing
Who would have thought you could create an almost hour long podcast about fencing? I didn't, but we learned a lot! If it's keeping your dog in your yard, keeping your neighbors dog out or keeping your nosey neighbor from getting in your business everyone needs a fence. On this episode we are…
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#42 Let's Tear It Up!
Got your attention! Now, let's talk Demolition! As much as we would like to keep some of the old cool homes, sometimes there is a need to tear them down and build new. Jim Bulgier, President of JTB Services joins us to share his immense knowledge of this "art". Yes, there is a method to the...
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#41 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
What a fun ride it's been! One year and 41+ episodes later we are still just as excited to continue providing our listeners with valuable information on building a custom home! Join us as we clink our glasses of champagne together and share some great memories of the past year, growing pains,...
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#40 This Little Piggy
Made you listen! So, what did the third little piggy build his house out of? YES! BRICK! On this episode we are joined by Damian Law and Carlos Detering of South Texas Brick and Stone to take a deep dive into brick and stone! The choices of bricks today is immense! Not only color, but shape, and...
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#39 Engineering
Every set of house plans must be engineered before it can be built. What does that mean to you as a homeowner? How do you go about it? How do you find an engineer that does that? How much time does it take? Here to answer those questions is Karl Breckon, founder and CEO of BEC Engineers. With…
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#38 Industry Lingo Part 2
There is so much terminology used in our industry that we decided to share it in two episodes! In Part 2 we discuss more of the interior of the home and the details of the overall design. Be sure to follow and/or subscribe so you never miss an episode! To contact us email [email protected].…
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About this show
Have you ever heard that having a custom home designed and built is a nightmare, that it's too time consuming, you'll go way over budget and it's just not worth it ? All of those can certainly be true UNLESS you put the right team together! Join Steve Iltis, Custom Home Designer, Shannon Vestal, Interior Designer and Steve Rudin, Custom Home Builder as they take you through a step by step process that is proven to work! You can get your dream home designed and built while enjoying the process from day one until the day you pop the champagne and toast to making many happy memories for years to come!
Hosted by
2d1bbar