By Matt Risinger
4.8
280280 ratings
The podcast currently has 161 episodes available.
This week, Matt chats with fellow Build Show Expert, Zack Dettmore, about his brand-new Build Original Series “Let’s Renovate A Bathroom.” The series follows Zack through a bathroom renovation, offering practical advice for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts. They discuss balancing tasks homeowners can tackle, such as framing, trim, and using accessible materials like Schluter KERDI-BOARD, with jobs best left to licensed pros, such as complex plumbing and electrical work. The goal is to empower listeners with the confidence to take on manageable projects while ensuring high-quality results.
The featured project is an 8x9 bathroom remodel, blending functionality and timeless design. Zack explains how to maximize space with a freestanding shower, bathtub, toilet, and vanity, while preserving the home’s 1910 charm through subway tiles and hexagonal patterns. His approach prioritizes practical, durable choices, such as using self-leveling compounds for flooring instead of intricate structural adjustments and a curb shower design to simplify waterproofing for DIYers.
Beyond technical advice, Zack frames bathroom renovations as an excellent gateway for mastering construction skills like tiling, carpentry, and drywall. He stresses the importance of craftsmanship, using durable materials, and respecting the home's history.
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Save the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallax, TX: October 16-18, 2025!
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Live from the Rockwool studios, Matt talks with Brian Long to explore the challenges and advancements in the custom home building industry. They emphasize the need for higher standards in construction, including licensing for general contractors and increased education through trade schools. Their conversation highlights strategies to compete against lower-cost builders by focusing on detailed budgets, premium materials, and superior waterproofing, offering long-term value to clients.
Matt and Brian delve into the importance of proper budgeting, explaining how missing line items, such as rain screens or high-end windows, often lead to underestimated costs. They discuss cutting-edge products like Illuma Flash waterproofing systems and Brombal’s Italian-made windows, showcasing how modern innovations enhance durability, efficiency, and aesthetics. In an industry where building science evolves rapidly, these materials are crucial for creating homes that withstand environmental challenges, especially in modern architectural designs with minimal tolerance for error.
Additionally, they underscore the importance of professionalism and client education. Brian shares how he walks clients through construction details, showcasing the craftsmanship and thoughtfulness behind each element. Both Matt and Brian advocate for greater respect for tradespeople, urging builders to pursue continuous learning and excellence in their work.
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Save the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallax, TX: October 16-18, 2025!
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Every builder should explore the benefits of joining the local Home Building Association (HBA). Matt sits down with Taylor Jackson, CEO of HBA Greater Austin; they highlight how HBA membership supports builders and remodelers through networking, advocacy, and educational opportunities.
Membership provides valuable connections at local, state, and national levels. These include access to standardized contracts and exclusive industry events, like monthly builder councils and training certifications in green building and aging-in-place. The HBA also offers critical support in government relations, advocating for policies that help builders. Notably, the HOME Initiative in Austin has enabled more affordable housing by reducing lot size requirements.
Members also benefit from workforce development initiatives, partnering with schools to train the next generation of builders.
Matt strongly recommends HBA membership as an affordable way to gain expertise, make lasting industry connections, and enhance professional credibility. Whether you’re a builder, remodeler, or allied professional, joining the HBA offers invaluable resources to stay competitive in today’s housing market.
If you’re in Austin or will be here for Build Show LIVE, be sure to join us at HBA Chili Fest presented by Discount Fence. Get tickets HERE.
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Matt sits down with Lydia, aka @drywallshorty, to talk about essential tips for bidding drywall projects. The conversation, aimed at builders and contractors, covers drywall specifications, the importance of choosing the right materials, and best practices for achieving high-quality results. Lydia emphasizes the need for early discussions with drywall contractors about drywall thickness (1/2” vs. 5/8”), as this affects both pricing and the quality of the final job, particularly in custom homes. 5/8” drywall is preferred for smoother ceilings and better soundproofing.
Lydia also highlights the significant differences between drywall manufacturers and advises against using cheap materials, which often increase labor costs. The podcast explores the importance of selecting appropriate corner beads (metal, vinyl, or paper-faced) based on framing quality.
They also focus on the different levels of drywall finish, from Level 0 to Level 5, with Level 5 providing a perfectly smooth surface ideal for homes with raking light, dark colors, or high-sheen paints. Lydia stresses that quality drywall work is crucial to a home’s overall appearance and value, as poorly finished drywall can detract from high-end finishes.
The episode wraps up with practical tips, including walking job sites before bidding and requesting samples for texture and corner beads.
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Matt and Steve sit down to talk about the newest installment in the Build Science™ series, Build Science™ 201 . The conversation covers the importance of both Build Science™ 101 & 201 as educational tools for builders, architects, and contractors, emphasizing how these can help improve the understanding and application of advanced building techniques.
They reflect on their experience in the field, sharing how they've learned over the years by educating themselves and seeking guidance from mentors, such as Joe Lstiburek, a building science expert. Steve, for instance, worked closely with Joe at Building Science Corporation, where he gained deep insight into construction techniques, especially concerning water mitigation, flashing, and the control of building layers.
Matt and Steve discuss how Build Science series provides quizzes and certificates to validate knowledge, making it a valuable tool for training teams.
Overall, they stress lifelong learning in the building profession, the importance of understanding building science, and the value of sharing knowledge within the construction community.
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Matt welcomes Justin Pratt from Builders’ FirstSource to delve into the future of construction operations, focusing on how builders can adapt to advancements in digital tools. They discuss the integration of digital modeling, like 3D Revit, into construction workflows. This technology allows builders to optimize projects by reducing waste, detecting conflicts, and improving operational efficiency. Justin shares insights on how digital twins and home configurators can streamline the building process, offering tools that integrate structural, architectural, and trades components seamlessly.
Builders FirstSource has innovative solutions that cater to both custom and mid-level builders, ensuring smoother project management from pre-construction to completion. The discussion also covers the rise of digital home configuration experiences for customers, enabling you to visualize future homes much like you can configure a car online.
For builders, these tools not only improve operational efficiency but also enhance customer satisfaction by providing accurate visual representations, reducing on-site problems, and cutting costs. Matt and Justin emphasize the value of embracing digital transformation in the construction industry, positioning builders to be future-ready by 2035.
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Matt is joined by Scott Reynolds, co-founder and CEO of UpCodes, a company that helps builders, architects, tradespeople, and more navigate the complex space of building codes. Their conversation centers around how technology can streamline and improve the building process, with a focus on integrating building codes and standards into digital tools. Scott discusses his company's efforts to create a digital platform that captures industry knowledge and makes it easily accessible to builders and designers, ensuring compliance and improving decision-making during construction. He emphasizes the importance of documenting conversations and decisions for future reference, especially with the rise of remote work. Scott also touches on future developments like expanding product catalogs and closing the gap between building requirements and practical installations.
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Live from the ROCKWOOL Studio, Matt is joined by fellow Build Show Expert, CJ Nielsen to talk smart electrical systems. They cover key topics, including future-proofing a home’s electrical systems, the benefits of an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) for better indoor air quality, and smart panels like the Span system for efficient energy management.
CJ emphasizes the importance of setting up temporary infrastructure on job sites and highlights how to effectively future-proof homes by using modern electrical solutions such as low-voltage DC systems and spider boxes for temporary power.
They also showcase Vosker trail cameras for jobsite security, and Matt shares insights on the installation of smart solutions for energy-efficient homes.
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Matt and Steve are back again this week in the ROCKWOOL studio to dive deep into advanced tech integration at The Risinger Build, focusing on future-proofing homes. Matt recounts a past mistake of installing obsolete iPad jacks, highlighting the critical need for adaptable systems to avoid expensive retrofits.
Matt and Steve also explore practical tech solutions like Sonos systems for home audio and their installation experiences, along with the energy-saving use of heat-generating devices in HVAC systems. The discussion extends to advancements in building materials and practices, such as the use of Rheia duct systems, which offer enhanced airflow control and customization. They also touch on air leakage reduction, emphasizing the importance of precision and teamwork in achieving high-performance homes.
Both highlight the ongoing improvements in building science, crediting both technological advancements and collaborative efforts across trades.
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Steve joins Matt live in the ROCKWOOL studio to explore cost-effective strategies for building high-performance homes. They discuss common misconceptions about homebuilding costs, particularly the misleading reliance on "cost per square foot." Additionally, they emphasize prioritizing quality over size, suggesting that a well-built smaller home can provide better long-term value.
Using Steve’s Multigenerational Home on a Budget project as an example, they discuss key decisions include using UPVC triple-glazed windows, which improve insulation and reduce HVAC costs, and Bosch HVAC systems to provide efficient heating and cooling. The house also uses Huber’s ZIP R9 insulation for air-tightness, eliminating the need for costly closed-cell foam. The design keeps materials simple yet durable, opting for more affordable features like modest kitchen cabinets and a basic ERV system while maintaining good indoor air quality.
Steve highlights the cultural differences in homebuilding, particularly in Europe, where permanent features like windows are prioritized over easily replaceable items like countertops. Matt & Steve’s discussion can serve as a guide for those looking to build smarter, energy-efficient homes on a budget without sacrificing long-term performance.
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The podcast currently has 161 episodes available.
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