Episode 1980
Construction Conundrum: Is the Hammer About to Drop?
The latest mid-week update from Eric G dives headfirst into the world of construction, and let me tell you, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. We're talking about a noticeable slowdown in the construction industry, with contractors and subcontractors hitting the brakes harder than a kid on a bike going downhill. Is a construction crash on the horizon? Eric doesn't think so, but he does believe the market is taking a breather as folks hold their wallets tight, waiting to see how tariffs and interest rates will play out. He also spills the tea on HVAC systems, suggesting that if your system is older than five years, now's the time to consider a maintenance agreement. And if you've got some DIY projects in mind, now could be the perfect moment to tackle those big decks and fences while contractors are twiddling their thumbs.
Switching gears, Eric revisits a construction site right down the street, where he’s been keeping a close eye on a multi-million dollar home. Spoiler alert: the building science—or lack thereof—being employed is enough to make any home improvement enthusiast cringe. With Tyvek house wrap being improperly installed and flexible flashing placed in all the wrong spots, it’s a recipe for disaster. Eric's got a knack for spotting these construction faux pas, and he’s not shy about pointing them out. He emphasizes how crucial it is for homeowners to know what’s going on behind the walls of their new homes, especially when shortcuts like these could lead to long-term damage. He wraps up with a call to action for listeners to stay informed and vigilant, ensuring they don’t fall victim to shoddy construction practices.
Lastly, we dive into the whirlwind world of smart home technology, where things can get outdated faster than you can say “upgrade.” Eric highlights the frustration many face when their once cutting-edge gadgets become obsolete. Remember that fancy smart thermostat you bought? It might just be time for an upgrade if it's not playing nice anymore. He encourages listeners to keep an eye on their tech and be proactive about replacements, especially when companies decide to cut support for older models. So, whether you’re a DIY warrior or just trying to keep your tech in check, Eric's got the insights you need to navigate the ever-changing landscape of home improvement and construction.
Tune in for a show filled with valuable nuggets of wisdom and a sprinkle of humor—because who said home improvement couldn’t be fun?
Takeaways:
- The construction industry is experiencing a significant slowdown, causing many projects to pause or halt entirely.
- Smart home technology can become outdated surprisingly fast, often in just a few years.
- Poor building practices, like improper installation of Tyvek, are being used in high-end home constructions, leading to potential long-term problems.
- Contractors are worried about product shortages due to tariffs and reduced overseas orders; now might be the time to start your project.
- Homeowners should consider maintenance agreements for HVAC systems over five years old to avoid costly replacements.
- Upgrading outdated smart home devices is crucial, as they often become unsupported and may not function properly after a few years.
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Monument Grills
- Tyvek
- Carrier
- Nest
- Ring
The construction industry is hitting the brakes hard, and it’s a wild ride we’re on! Eric G dives into the slowdown of everything construction-related, from contractors to remodeling, and muses whether we’re teetering on the edge of a construction crash. Spoiler alert: the house prices aren’t going anywhere, but the anxiety is palpable as folks wait to see how tariffs and interest rates play out. Plus, we’re taking a peek at that multi-million dollar home being built down the street, where some seriously questionable building practices are raising eyebrows. And don’t even get me started on how fast smart home tech becomes yesterday's news—if your gadgets are starting to act like they’re from the Stone Age, it might be time for an upgrade! So, grab a comfy seat, and let’s dig in!
To get your questions answered by Eric G give us a call in the studio at 833-239-4144 24/7 and Eric G will get back to you and answer your question and you might end up in a future episode of Around the House.
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Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.
Mentioned in this episode:
Monument Grill Omni-Pro Eminence Series 405
Eminence 405 enhances grilling efficiency with a smart App-synced full-color LED touch panel, a durable quality finish, and an upgraded heating system. Its sleek, modern ClearView® lid design represents the perfect blend of elegance and expert-level performance. To find out more visit: https://monumentgrills.com/collections/omni-eminence-series/products/eminence-405
Transcript
Foreign.
Speaker B:The House with Eric G.
Speaker B:Your go to source for everything home improvement.
Speaker B:Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or just looking to make your space shine, Eric G.
Speaker B:Is here to guide you through the latest tips, tricks and trends.
Speaker B:So grab your toolbox, put on your thinking cap, and let's get to work right here on around the House with.
Speaker A:Eric G.
Speaker A:Welcome to the Round the House show, the next generation of home improvement.
Speaker A:I'm Eric G.
Speaker A:Thanks for joining me today.
Speaker A:This hour is brought to you by our friends at Monument Grills.
Speaker A:If you want to check out the coolest barbecue grills on a budget, this is that stuff that you could go into the home center and get.
Speaker A:But you can order these online from them or direct from moneymcrills.com and you can get a ridiculously smart barbecue that's gonna help your barbecue game.
Speaker A:Check out the new omniseries MN grills@moneymcreels.com this is our Tom midweek update.
Speaker A:This is that show that we do on a Wednesday.
Speaker A:That we do Wednesday morning.
Speaker A:It is recorded.
Speaker A:So you get the latest information out there.
Speaker A:And I wanted to talk about a couple things today, so this might be a little bit longer.
Speaker A:One of them is I am seeing a drastic slowdown in everything with contractors, subcontractors, building, remodeling, repairs, all of it.
Speaker A:I am seeing things coming to a halt out there right now.
Speaker A:Are we coming into a construction crash?
Speaker A:I don't believe that there's going to be a crash with, with our house prices, I don't think that's coming anywhere near.
Speaker A:But have people tapped the brakes so hard right now waiting to see how the shoe drops with tariffs, interest rates and everything else.
Speaker A:Have we hit the brakes on that creating a space for you to maybe get your project done?
Speaker A:I've been talking to a lot of different people out there from contractors, remodeling contractors, H.
Speaker A:VAC plumbing, electrical professionals, all of them out there.
Speaker A:And they are very concerned with where things are at now.
Speaker A:We're seeing a few things right now.
Speaker A:We're seeing made in America products out there that have been competing with overseas products.
Speaker A:A lot of companies getting their orders in early to make sure that they have their shelves stocked full in case we have product shortages, which unless something changes is going to happen here in probably the next two weeks, we start to see that, you know, we've got inventory in the US We've been burning through that.
Speaker A:Not a lot's been coming in.
Speaker A:Not a lot of companies have been ordering stuff from China because they're worried about paying those tariffs.
Speaker A:So you're seeing these kind of things.
Speaker A:Are we in a spot where everyone gets nervous?
Speaker A:I think we are.
Speaker A:I think we are seeing that now.
Speaker A:Let's talk about H Vac.
Speaker A: energy changes they made for: Speaker A:So things are more expensive.
Speaker A:We've changed the refrigerant.
Speaker A:So a lot of people out there going, I don't know if I need to spend 20, $25,000 on a new system, can I fix mine for a while?
Speaker A:So right now would be a great time as a homeowner to take a look and see, get that maintenance agreement.
Speaker A:If you've got a system that's five years or older, maybe getting that service agreement would be smart to make sure you've got things dialed back in that would be huge.
Speaker A:So the next one might be time to get some of those other projects going.
Speaker A:If contractors are slow, I think the people that have money are doing the big decks, the big fences.
Speaker A:A lot of people are tackling these as DIY projects that might have hired that out a couple years ago.
Speaker A:So we'll have to see how that plays out.
Speaker A:But keep an eye on this.
Speaker A:This could be something that really hurts.
Speaker A:New home construction, remodeling.
Speaker A:And this might be that time where about every decade we get people that come through and kitchen and bathrooms get lost, Cabinet companies get lost.
Speaker A:The manufacturers of products that were building stuff primarily for new home construction.
Speaker A:That's one of those things you go, oh, speaking of new home construction, a little update on something I talked about a few weeks ago.
Speaker A:Builder putting a house down the street here.
Speaker A:We talked about it, I think, a couple weeks ago, where we had Tyvek on the house wrap not being put on.
Speaker A:Following their best practices.
Speaker A:No flexible flashing down before the window.
Speaker A:They put the flexible flashing over the.
Speaker A:Over the trim on the window.
Speaker A:Basically the nailing flange that's only sticking to the Tyvek, which is a problem because once water gets behind the Tyvek, you have a freeway going right into the structure.
Speaker A:So that's a really bad idea.
Speaker A:Now I think they're putting up some kind of a rain screen.
Speaker A:So they have the Tyvek wrapped around and taped off.
Speaker A:And now what they're doing is they're putting battens up on the wall to create what looks like a rain screen effect, except there's just Tyvek there, so I won't call that the waterproof membrane.
Speaker A:I have torn so many walls off where the Tyvek has degraded so what they're doing is they're putting siding up, they put battens up.
Speaker A:So, you know, one by fours up.
Speaker A:The problem is when they nail those one by fours up, there's nothing sealing around those because the Tyvek is just like paper.
Speaker A:When that nail goes through, it doesn't sit there and create that.
Speaker A:Now create that seal around the nail.
Speaker A:So if water gets behind this, which it will in my climate, that siding is going to rot from the OSB out, from the sheathing out.
Speaker A:It's gonna be a problem.
Speaker A:So I hate seeing that with people buying brand new homes and seeing that less than optimal construction technique.
Speaker A:This sighting company to me is taking the cheap way out and that's a huge issue.
Speaker A:I'll get some pictures up here on social media and show you what I'm talking about.
Speaker A:But I'm just disappointed seeing companies build stuff that way.
Speaker A:It's absolutely, incredibly wrong to do that level of house and to take that level of shortcut.
Speaker A:There should be a waterproof barrier there, there should be a rain screen.
Speaker A:Siding should go up over the top of that so water gets behind it, gives it a place for the water to go out.
Speaker A:The other thing is when you have that huge wide space in between there, without the rain screen, you've got a better place for rodents, pests to hide behind it because you've got a three quarter inch gap behind it.
Speaker A:And boy, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, spiders, bugs love to get up in there.
Speaker A:At least that rain screen material keeps that from being optimal for them.
Speaker A:Now they could get up in there, but it's a lot harder.
Speaker A:It's a lot harder.
Speaker A:The other one I wanted to talk about today here is home technology and we've been seeing some people online complaining about their home tech not getting serviced.
Speaker A:And I wanted to talk about this for a minute.
Speaker A:With home tech, if you're a DIYer, if you're a contractor, anytime we install home tech that is a third party.
Speaker A:And I'm not talking about putting in like a carrier H vac system, then their smart thermostat that comes with the system gets installed.
Speaker A:I'm talking about your nest thermostat, your ring doorbell, all of those more retail facing products.
Speaker A:There's a time that technology, just like the phones we carry in our hand, there is a time when you get into the smart home space, especially with thermostats and things like that or doorbells, where three, four, five, seven years down the road, it is way outdated and you start to see things not work correctly.
Speaker A:So these are not like your old thermostat you put in.
Speaker A:That was dumb.
Speaker A:And you had to put a couple double AA batteries on it and it kept the time and you were good to go.
Speaker A:No, when we're talking about these smart home things, there is a time you have to replace it.
Speaker A:Like my girlfriend's place right now, she's got a ring doorbell, it works.
Speaker A:All of a sudden it stopped ringing inside.
Speaker A:Probably five year old unit, probably time for an upgrade, maybe even a change of brand.
Speaker A:But you get to that point where it just doesn't work well.
Speaker A:And that's where technology has exceeded the hardware that you put on the wall.
Speaker A:And at some point these companies say that's obsolete.
Speaker A:We are no longer servicing that model.
Speaker A:So take a look online and see what model you have.
Speaker A:Take a look and see what the new model is.
Speaker A:It might be time to upgrade that.
Speaker A:And I've had to do that throughout my home.
Speaker A:I see stuff where I'm like, ooh, this isn't working.
Speaker A:Or even worse, the company that I was testing out, it quit working.
Speaker A:They went out of business.
Speaker A:Their servers are down, it's gone.
Speaker A:So now I have switches or something else that doesn't work.
Speaker A:So keep an eye out on that.
Speaker A:When you have something that is starting to act up, it might be time to upgrade that piece of hardware.
Speaker A:So you're good to go.
Speaker A:So think about those things.
Speaker A:Take a look.
Speaker A:If you're thinking about upgrading to that new system for maybe it's a new smart thermostat.
Speaker A:Be careful of one thing out there.
Speaker A:Many public utilities or utilities are giving away smart thermostats for your home.
Speaker A:Just make sure you're not trading your ability to control it.
Speaker A:Some of these are handing them out going, hey, Here's a brand new 50 or $75 value or even $150 value smart thermostat.
Speaker A:You might want to read the fine print and make sure that you're not giving them the ability on high load days to turn off your AC or turn off your electric heat or at least delay it a little bit or change the temperature.
Speaker A:Get the fine print on that one to make sure you are good before you sign up for quote unquote, reduced price or free.
Speaker A:Many times it's a good deal.
Speaker A:Just understand what the rules are so you're not putting yourself in a position under wondering, wow, why didn't I read that?
Speaker A:It was probably there.
Speaker A:Then you'll feel way better off knowing what the rules are before you get that free thing.
Speaker A:They're using free for some reason or reduced price for some reason.
Speaker A:Usually it's so they can control and better manage their power grid by controlling the high load days.
Speaker A:Nothing wrong with that.
Speaker A:Just understand it before you go in.
Speaker A:All right everybody, we got a great new show coming up this weekend.
Speaker A:I can't wait to share it with you on Friday, maybe even Thursday afternoon on the podcast.
Speaker A:You could check it out there.
Speaker A:I'm Eric G.
Speaker A:Thanks for tuning into around the House.
Speaker A:Make sure you check us out over at the website around the House online dot com.
Speaker A:We'll see you this weekend Mother's Day weekend for a brand new episode.
Speaker A:I'm Eric G.
Speaker A:Thanks for tuning in to around the House.
Speaker A:Have a great rest of the week.
Speaker A:We'll see you then.
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