Home: The Second Story

Projects Without General Contractors

A homeowner asked Marilyn whether she could act as the general contractor on a project. We use that question to explain what a general contractor does and what happens wh

Resale, Change Orders, and Designing for Real Life (Mailbag 5)

We answer three homeowner questions that come up often during design and construction: how to handle change orders, how to design a house around real life, and how much r

Who Owns Your Architect's Design?

A homeowner does not need a finished plan before calling an architect. In this snack-sized episode of Home: The Second Story, we start with a Springhouse Architects clien

The Cost of Not Speaking Up During a Build

In this episode of Home: The Second Story, Sheri Scott and Marilyn Moedinger talk with Jenn, a homeowner in Farmersville, Ohio, who built a custom home on 10 acres near D

Built-Ins: Design, Costs, and Fun Ideas

Built-ins are one of the most loved parts of a custom home, and for good reason. They are furniture, cabinetry, shelving, storage, and architectural features that become

The Kitchen Was Perfect. The Process Wasn't.

Homeowner Beth joins us with her designer Linda to talk about a kitchen renovation that turned out beautifully, even though the process was far more difficult than expect

Non-Traditional Construction: Things to Consider

Sometimes, a homeowner wants to use a construction method that is not common in their area. This could mean SIP construction, ICF, modular, masonry, post and beam, or ano

Save Costs, Hire Right and Move Out During Construction (Mailbag)

In this mailbag episode of Home: The Second Story, we answer three common questions about residential construction and renovation. We start with what happens when homeown

How To: Find a Builder for Your Project

How do I find a builder? In this snack size episode of Home: The Second Story, we start by making one thing clear. Clients do not need to come to an architect with a buil

Simplifying Home Technology with Caleb Fetter of RMS

In this episode of Home: The Second Story, Sheri Scott and Marilyn Moedinger talk with Caleb Fetter, President and Managing Partner at RMS in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. RMS

Navigating Uncertainty in Home Projects

In this snack-sized episode of Home: The Second Story, we talk about uncertainty and how much of it shows up when homeowners are deciding whether to renovate, build new,

One Year of Interviews: Best Advice, Biggest Lessons

In this one-year anniversary episode of Home: The Second Story, we look back at what the podcast has taught us about homeowners, custom projects, and the conversations pe

Mailbag 3: Builder Interviews, Bid Comparisons, and Pricing Sets

In our third mailbag episode, we answer three listener questions about hiring a builder, comparing bids, and knowing when plans are detailed enough for pricing. The first

Trendy vs Timeless Residential Architecture (Snack Sized Episode)

In this snack-sized episode of Home: The Second Story, we talk about the difference between trendy and timeless design, and why that question comes up so often for homeow

How To: Shop for Windows for a Custom Home or Renovation

In this episode of Home: The Second Story, we welcome Craig Hyson and Nick Blessing from Pella Windows & Doors of Cincinnati. This conversation is for homeowners who are

How To: Battle Decison Fatigue (Snack Sized Episode)

We talk about decision fatigue in home renovation and custom building, and why it catches so many homeowners off guard. The core issue is mental exhaustion. People alread

Brooklyn Gut Renovation: What Patrick Wishes He Knew Before Starting

We talk with Patrick Paul about a Brooklyn gut renovation that began as something much smaller and turned into a much bigger project. Patrick bought a two-family home in

What To Say When Things Start Going Wrong (Snack Sized Episode)

In this snack-sized episode, we lay out three simple phrases that help when a construction project starts to feel tense or disorganized. The focus is not on winning an ar

Building a Multi-Generational Forever Home

In this episode, we talk with John and Lauren Katzman about building their custom multi-generational home in Powell, Ohio, just north of Columbus. Their project was a new

HVAC Basics and Design Impacts (Snack Sized Episode)

Today we focus on why HVAC design matters far earlier in a project than most homeowners expect. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning shape more than temperature. Th