When you invest significant time or money into a project, you’ll sometimes go to odd, creative—and yes, occasionally gross—lengths to protect it. In this episode we cover a range of stories from deer damage and deck-staining trials to the realities of renovating a home that’s more than two hours away. We also share thoughtful advice for anyone planning a new construction home or a large renovation with a professional team: how to find the right builder, what to expect, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to keep expectations realistic.
If you prefer to listen, this episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify, or you can stream it from the original post. Below are the show notes with links, photos, and references we mentioned in the episode.
What’s New: Deer Damage and Deck Staining
- We discovered that deer stripped roughly two-thirds of our ginkgo tree while we were away for a long weekend. They also ate the new growth from our holly trees. You can see the difference in foliage color where the deer could reach: a clear “deer line” separates the paler new growth from the darker, untouched leaves.
- If you’re dealing with deer in your yard, there are many deterrent options available—some surprising. During our small experiment we even came across commercial animal urine products marketed as deer repellents. The product reviews included a few entertaining and candid comments that made us laugh while also pointing out how varied user experiences can be.
Moving to the beach house, we’ve been tackling a side staircase that needed staining. It sits on the sunnier side of the house, which is where our dog Burger prefers to park his buns. After cleaning and prepping the wood (we used an all-in-one wood cleaner after a light pass with the pressure washer), we started staining.
- Our first attempt used a semi-transparent stain—Thompson’s Waterseal in Acorn Brown—but the result didn’t match our expectation. In the morning light the color read differently than the sample and provided more coverage than we wanted, muting the wood grain rather than enhancing it.
- After rethinking our approach, we switched to a clear sealer—Behr DeckPlus Transparent Waterproofing Wood Finish—which deepened the wood tone without drastically changing the color. It still needs another coat, but it’s bringing the staircase to life and preserving the grain, which was our goal.
Building a New Construction Home: Tips and Realities
- We’re grateful for everyone who shared insights about new construction. If you’re thinking about building a custom home, take time to research builders, review portfolios and references, and communicate clearly about your priorities, budget, and timeline.
- Working with a custom builder on a showhouse taught us a lot about decision-making under pressure, scheduling trades, and staying flexible when unexpected issues arise. If you’re managing a build, plan for contingencies, budget a realistic buffer, and decide upfront where you’ll take compromise and where you won’t.
- Sourcing vintage or secondhand elements—like a diamond-paned door we tracked down for a duplex—can add unique character to a new build, but it requires patience and sometimes serendipity. We encourage people to incorporate reclaimed or vintage pieces when they can, but expect the search to take time.
- If you’re building, prioritize finding a team whose communication style and problem-solving approach match yours. Look for a builder and designer who listen and who have documented experience delivering similar projects.
- Ask lots of questions about warranties, change-order procedures, and how selections are managed. The smoother the administrative process, the fewer surprises you’ll encounter.
- Finally, keep your expectations reasonable: even well-managed custom builds have hiccups. Patience and clear priorities will keep the project moving in the right direction.
We’re Digging: Favorites and Finds
- Shorts we love: the Goodfellow & Co Linden shorts from Target are a great budget-friendly option. We’ve had better luck ordering online to find sizes and colors. Note that several similar shorts share the “Linden” name but differ in fabric and fit, so check product details carefully.
- For vintage-home inspiration and renovation eye candy, follow accounts and resources that highlight older homes, restoration projects, and creative reuse. They’re great for ideas and motivation when planning renovations or new builds.
If you want to review recommendations we’ve shared in previous episodes, we keep a master list of “things we’re digging” that collects our favorite products and resources from past show notes.
Thanks also to our sponsor, You Need A Budget (YNAB). If you’re budgeting for a renovation or a build, a dedicated budgeting tool can help you track costs and stay on course.
Thanks for reading and listening. If you have tips or experiences building a new home, dealing with deer in your yard, or staining exterior wood, we’d love to hear them on Facebook or Instagram.
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