In this episode of Chicks in Construction, Mikki and Jessica sit down with licensed general contractor and real estate investor Erika Zimandy of Hilltop GC for an honest conversation about what homeowners really need to know before hiring a contractor. Erika shares her journey from public health into real estate investing and construction, offering a unique perspective from both sides of the renovation world — as both a homeowner/investor and a licensed GC. Together, they unpack contractor red flags, remodeling horror stories, pricing differences between bids, realistic timelines, deposits, permits, inspections, and the biggest myths HGTV has taught homeowners. The episode also dives into the controversial topic of contractors charging homeowners for failed inspections, whether homeowners should buy their own materials, and what upgrades actually provide the best return on investment. If you’re planning a remodel or simply want to avoid expensive construction mistakes, this episode is packed with practical advice and real talk from women working in the construction industry.

00:00 – Introduction to Erika Salgado-Zemandi from Hilltop GC
02:00 – Facebook contractor stories & homeowner horror stories
05:00 – Erika’s background in masonry, public health & real estate investing
07:00 – Starting Hilltop GC and becoming a licensed general contractor
09:00 – How homeowners can identify trustworthy contractors
10:30 – Why contractors using “big construction words” can be a red flag
12:00 – Green flags homeowners should look for when hiring a GC
14:00 – License lending and why it’s dangerous
15:00 – Biggest contractor red flags & overpromising timelines
16:00 – How many contractor bids homeowners should get
17:00 – Why contractor quotes can vary wildly in price
20:00 – Insurance, taxes & overhead: what homeowners forget about pricing
21:00 – Hidden remodeling surprises behind walls
22:00 – The controversial topic of charging homeowners for failed inspections
24:00 – What happens when homeowners request non-code-compliant work
27:00 – Realistic timelines for kitchens, bathrooms & additions
30:00 – Contractor deposits and payment schedules explained
34:00 – Should homeowners buy their own materials?
38:00 – Best remodeling upgrades for return on investment
40:00 – Kitchen upgrades buyers notice immediately
41:00 – Bathroom trends: tubs vs. giant showers
43:00 – What homeowners overspend on during remodels
47:00 – Craziest requests Erika has received as a contractor
49:00 – Biggest HGTV myths homeowners still believe
52:00 – The truth about staged HGTV renovations and furniture reveals