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We appreciate any and all feedback so feel free to send a text.
A winter of ice and slush tested our patience and our process. We walked through how a near-ready slab slipped by three days and triggered a two-week delay, what happens when independent haulers call it for safety, and how to rebuild a critical path without losing client trust or crew momentum. Then we took that energy to Orlando with a plan: get sharper on building science, get smarter about lighting, and meet the right people with intention.
We’ve been overwhelmed by big shows before. That’s why we arrive with targets—specific classes, must-see products, and scheduled meetups that move our work forward. We dig into why windows are not just a look but a performance system, breaking down Fibrex vs vinyl in real terms: expansion, finish, energy ratings, and long-term serviceability. We balance ambition with budget, showing where to invest once—air sealing, insulation, window performance—and how to future-proof for later upgrades like ERVs, heat pumps, or smarter controls without tearing the house apart.
Debates on spray foam and manifold plumbing pop up too. Rather than choose a camp, we share practical pros and cons and how to guide clients toward the next best option when the “perfect” choice is out of reach. On our own specs, we talk about the line between raising standards and overbuilding, and how field pivots—relocating a return, carving a linen, protecting sightlines—turn a plan into a home that feels considered. Through it all, networking remains our force multiplier: show up as yourself, share your vision, and look for culture fits with vendors, subs, and peers who value craftsmanship and clarity.
If you’re heading to the International Builders’ Show, come say hello. Subscribe, share this episode with a builder friend, and leave a review with your top must-see session—what’s your focus this year?
Support the show
Carolyn can be found on LinkedIn at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-mcmahon-937b89158
Joshua can be found on LinkedIn at:
www.linkedin.com/in/joshuamcmahon15
Email for feedback, questions, complaints, etc:
[email protected]
Daily Journal: https://amzn.to/41p9aKE
By Joshua & Carolyn McMahon5
22 ratings
We appreciate any and all feedback so feel free to send a text.
A winter of ice and slush tested our patience and our process. We walked through how a near-ready slab slipped by three days and triggered a two-week delay, what happens when independent haulers call it for safety, and how to rebuild a critical path without losing client trust or crew momentum. Then we took that energy to Orlando with a plan: get sharper on building science, get smarter about lighting, and meet the right people with intention.
We’ve been overwhelmed by big shows before. That’s why we arrive with targets—specific classes, must-see products, and scheduled meetups that move our work forward. We dig into why windows are not just a look but a performance system, breaking down Fibrex vs vinyl in real terms: expansion, finish, energy ratings, and long-term serviceability. We balance ambition with budget, showing where to invest once—air sealing, insulation, window performance—and how to future-proof for later upgrades like ERVs, heat pumps, or smarter controls without tearing the house apart.
Debates on spray foam and manifold plumbing pop up too. Rather than choose a camp, we share practical pros and cons and how to guide clients toward the next best option when the “perfect” choice is out of reach. On our own specs, we talk about the line between raising standards and overbuilding, and how field pivots—relocating a return, carving a linen, protecting sightlines—turn a plan into a home that feels considered. Through it all, networking remains our force multiplier: show up as yourself, share your vision, and look for culture fits with vendors, subs, and peers who value craftsmanship and clarity.
If you’re heading to the International Builders’ Show, come say hello. Subscribe, share this episode with a builder friend, and leave a review with your top must-see session—what’s your focus this year?
Support the show
Carolyn can be found on LinkedIn at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-mcmahon-937b89158
Joshua can be found on LinkedIn at:
www.linkedin.com/in/joshuamcmahon15
Email for feedback, questions, complaints, etc:
[email protected]
Daily Journal: https://amzn.to/41p9aKE