We flipped the script and asked dozens of contractors — including our own — what they wish clients would do differently. Their answers revealed common homeowner missteps (some of which we’re guilty of!) and offered practical tips to help renovations run more smoothly, finish faster, and sometimes cost less. We also share how we repurposed our dining table area to work harder, and the big splurge we recently made for the beach house.
You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify — or listen to it below. Use this page to find the links, notes, and photos we referenced. Note: If you’re reading in a feed reader, you may need to click through to the post to see the player.
What’s New
- Above is a photo of the “spa” we ordered for the beach house backyard. Because we can’t install an in-ground plunge pool, we chose a stylish freestanding hot tub — the Jacuzzi J-LX — which felt like the best fit for our space and local rules.
- After recording the episode we reconnected with Sean the contractor and made a new plan. If schedules align, we may have the hot tub delivered by the end of the week — fingers crossed.
- Below is a rough backyard schematic Sherry created in HomeOutside. Many placement decisions are driven by setback rules. For example, we can’t site the shed closer to the neighbor’s property on the left, but we can use that setback area to place a path that provides access and preserves maximum patio space on the right.
What Your Contractor Wishes You Knew
- Sean is a real person — and many listeners asked to meet him, so here’s a photo.
- Below is the GIF/Boomerang we shared showing how rotten the back side of the duplex was before Sean rebuilt it.
- If you’re in the Cape Charles area and need a contractor, Sean and his company QS LLC are local resources worth checking out.
- As promised, you can download the PDF “Things Contractors Wish Homeowners Knew” provided by Alma Homes in Minnesota. It summarizes many of the points contractors mentioned in calls and emails and is a useful checklist for anyone preparing for a renovation.
We’re Digging
rug / dining bench / end chair / similar chandelier / stools / art
- Here’s the dining bench setup we described on the show. We replaced four high-backed chairs with two long, low-profile benches. Because this dining area sits in the path between the kitchen and living room, the benches improve visual flow and make seating more flexible. People already tend to sit on the bench closer to the living room while facing that room, which extends the hangout area and encourages conversation across spaces.
- Below is our bench and a few other bench options Sherry has been loving lately: 1 (ours) / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6.
- The book I mentioned is I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, which we forgot to compare on-air to the Southern Nightmare podcast we recommended in Episode #100 — they have a similar true-crime tone.
- One of the co-author’s sisters is a family friend who was featured on the blog long ago. Her house crash posts are a two-part series from our early days and include the DIY cherry blossom mural she painted in the foyer.
If you want to find items we’ve recommended in past episodes but can’t remember where, check our master list of everything we’ve been digging from previous shows.
Finally, thanks to Annie Selke’s BED101 for sponsoring this episode. They’re running another giveaway just for YHL Podcast listeners — one winner will receive a complete luxury bedding set. Enter at AnnieSelke.com/Giveaway for a chance to win.
Thanks for listening, everyone!
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