Chicks in Construction
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 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 Aper, a homeowner turned construction content creator, this show breaks down real renovation horror stories and teaches you how to protect your time, money, and home.
This isn’t just another DIY podcast or contractor interview show. Mikki and Jess pull back the curtain on what really goes wrong in home projects, translating industry talk into plain English and giving you practical steps to avoid common (and costly) mistakes.
After building a multimillion-dollar drywall business and helping countless homeowners recover from construction nightmares, Mikki is on a mission to make sure you go into your next project informed, not blindsided. And Jess brings the perspective of someone who’s been in your shoes and now knows exactly what questions to ask.
Want to renovate smarter and spot red flags before they wreck your project? Hit follow and get ready for real talk, expert advice, and stories that will make you say, “Thank God I listened to this first.”
Submit Your Construction Horror Story: https://chicksinconstruction.com/
Chicks in Construction
The Kitchen Reno That Spiraled to $75,000
Sophie thought she was just getting new countertops. Maybe a fresh coat of paint and a few lights. Her budget? A smart, clear $25,000. But one contractor’s suggestions, plus a string of “unexpected” upgrades, turned her kitchen refresh into a financial nightmare. What started as small updates ballooned into a gut job. By the end, she’d taken out two loans just to stay afloat.
Mikki and Jess walk through every red flag Sophie missed and the pressure tactics that turned a reasonable project into a runaway train. From disappearing crews to contracts that never appeared, they break down what should have happened and how to keep control when the costs keep climbing in this listener-submitted horror story.
Inside the Homeowner Horror Story:
- The “better layout” that triggered $20,000 in plumbing and electrical changes
- Why no one told her the truth about code upgrades until it was too late
- What to do when the budget starts slipping and the work is still unfinished
- The mistake that left strangers showing up without warning
- How to protect your money and timeline before signing anything
If your contractor keeps “suggesting” upgrades, this story is your sign to slow down, ask questions, and get everything in writing.
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Submit your homeowner horror story:
www.chicksinconstruction.com
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