We flipped the script and asked dozens of contractors — including our own team — what they wish clients would do differently. Their answers revealed common pet peeves (we admit we’re guilty of some) and offered practical tips for making renovations smoother, faster, and less expensive. In this episode we also show how we reinvented our dining table setup to work harder for everyday life and share 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. Listen below or use this page to find any links, notes, or 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
- We ordered a freestanding spa for the beach house backyard. Because local regulations prohibit in-ground installations, we chose a classy, above-ground option that looks intentional and polished: the Jacuzzi J-LX collection.
- After recording, we finalized a plan with Sean, our contractor, and may have delivery as early as the end of the week. Fingers crossed!
- Sherry sketched a rough backyard plan in the HomeOutside app. The layout is driven largely by setback rules — for example, the shed must sit back from the neighbor’s boundary, so we’re using that side to create a path that preserves the largest possible patio area.
What Your Contractor Wishes You Knew
We asked contractors across many trades what homeowners could do to make projects run more smoothly. Highlights include clear communication, realistic timelines, understanding permit constraints, and respecting the contractor’s expertise when choices need to be made on site. We also had Sean on the show — he’s a real person with a lot of practical experience—and many listeners asked for a visual, so here you go.
We shared a clip previously showing how rotten the back of the duplex was before reconstruction. If you’re local to the Cape Charles area and need a contractor, Sean’s company is QS LLC; his website has more details.
Alma Homes in Minnesota provided a concise PDF, “Things Contractors Wish Homeowners Knew,” which summarizes many of the points contractors raised on the show. It’s a useful reference if you’re planning work and want to avoid common pitfalls.
We’re Digging
One simple change in our dining area made a big difference: we replaced four high-backed chairs with two long, low-profile benches. Because the dining space also serves as the passage between the kitchen and living room, the benches improve visual flow, make seating more flexible, and extend the hangout area — people naturally sit facing the living room from the bench, which creates extra casual seating without crowding the space.
rug / dining bench / end chair / chandelier / stools / art
- The bench we picked creates a lighter visual line across the room while increasing flexible seating. People often perch on the bench facing the living room, which expands the social footprint of the space without rearranging furniture.
- Below are the bench options Sherry has been eyeing, including the one we bought and several similar styles for inspiration.
One book I mentioned on the show is I’ll Be Gone in the Dark. It has a similar investigative tone to the Southern Nightmare podcast we referenced back in Episode #100. Fun aside: one of the co-author’s sisters is a family friend who we featured early in the blog; you can still find her two-part House Crashing post that includes the DIY cherry blossom mural she created for her foyer.
If you’re searching for something we’ve highlighted in earlier episodes, we maintain a master list of everything we’ve been digging across past shows.
Finally, thanks to Annie Selke’s BED101 for sponsoring this episode. They’re running an exclusive giveaway for YHL Podcast listeners — one listener will win a complete “Load It On” luxury bedding set. Enter at AnnieSelke.com/Giveaway for your chance to win.
Thanks for listening, and for supporting thoughtful, practical conversations about homes, renovations, and everyday improvements.
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