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 Mold Scare Tactics Homeowners Fall For with Danyelle Holland
Mold feels like a silent menace; one whiff of “You’ll need to gut the house” and your budget evaporates. In this episode, Mikki sits down with Danyelle Holland of Atlantic Corp to expose the fear-based sales pitches that can turn a routine remediation into a five-figure panic.
When a cough, a crawl-space puddle, or a mysterious odor sends you running to Google, you can end up paying for fixes you never needed. Danyelle explains exactly how real pros separate fact from fright, and why the right certifications matter more than any shiny brochure.
Inside the Episode
- Why compressed-air duct cleaning is safer than the “toilet-brush” rotor that can shred flex ducts, and how to verify a tech’s NADCA status
- Sixty percent of your crawl-space air rides straight into the living room, bringing any hidden moisture or mold with it
- The insurance line to check—environmental and pollution liability—that instantly weeds out under-qualified contractors
- When a 25 percent deposit shows good faith and when it is a red flag waiting to happen
- Mold is fixable; panic-fuelled sales tactics thrive on ignorance, so slow down, ask questions, and verify certifications
Resource: Certifications to Look For
- NADCA – National Air Duct Cleaners Association (duct cleaning)
- IICRC – Institute of Inspection Cleaning & Restoration Certification (mold and water remediation)
- NAMP – National Association of Mold Professionals (mold assessment and remediation)
If scare-heavy salespeople are circling, listen first and save your wallet.
Connect with this episode's expert: atlanticmoldexperts.com
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