This week on All About Home Construction, Terry and Randy discuss how small contractors can successfully compete with larger construction companies. From providing personalized customer service and building strong relationships with homeowners to leveraging local knowledge of mountain terrain, weather, and building challenges, small businesses often have advantages that big firms simply can't match.

We'll explore the niche services many large companies overlook, the power of word-of-mouth referrals in small communities, and how today's technology helps level the playing field. Whether you're a contractor looking to grow your business or a homeowner deciding who to hire for your next project, this episode offers valuable insights into why local contractors continue to thrive.

Tune in as we highlight the strengths of small construction businesses and discuss how reputation, expertise, and community connections remain some of the most powerful tools in the industry. #SmallBusinessSaturday #ConstructionBusiness #LocalContractors #AllAboutHomeConstruction #BuildingTheHighCountry

This week on All About Home Construction, we're answering listener questions from around the High Country and beyond. We cover practical landscaping tips, including drainage solutions, planting around foundations, and choosing the right mulch. We also discuss ladder safety, common mistakes homeowners make when working at heights, and how to stay safe while tackling projects around the house.

In addition, we answer several DIY plumbing questions, talk about routine home inspections, and share what tool every homeowner should have in their toolbox. Whether you're maintaining your property, planning a weekend project, or just looking to learn something new, this episode is packed with useful information for homeowners and DIYers alike.

Tune in Saturday mornings at 8 AM on WATA, or catch the podcast anytime on Spotify and YouTube.

This week on All About Home Construction, we're digging into the bones of a building—its framing. We discuss how builders determine the right size lumber to use, how span tables are used to safely size joists and beams, and why understanding load calculations is critical for any construction project. We also break down the difference between live loads

Join us as we explore the importance of proper framing, why span tables matter, common mistakes builders make, and how building codes help ensure safe and durable structures.

This week on All About Home Construction, we take a step back in time and explore the lost trades that helped build Appalachia. From hand-hewn log cabins and stone chimneys to blacksmith shops, sawmills and mountain communities depended on practical skills and hard work to survive.

Carpenter ants might look harmless, but they can be a warning sign of hidden trouble inside your home. In this episode of All About Home Construction, we dig into carpenter ant damage, how to spot the early signs, and why they’re often tied to moisture problems rather than just “bugs in the house.”

We talk about what carpenter ants actually do to wood, how to tell them apart from termites, and where homeowners in Western North Carolina are most likely to find damage—crawl spaces, window sills, roof leaks, and damp framing areas.

We also break down real-world treatment options: what sprays can and can’t do, when borax or boric acid baits might help, and why simply killing the ants you see isn’t enough to solve the problem. Most importantly, we cover the big picture—fixing moisture issues so they don’t come back.

If you’ve ever seen large black ants inside your home or noticed sawdust-like debris around trim or baseboards, this is an episode you’ll want to hear.

On this episode of the podcast, we talked all about saw blades — from choosing the right blade for the job to knowing when it’s time to sharpen or replace one. We discussed the differences between cheap and premium blades, tooth counts for 10-inch blades, and how the number of teeth affects the quality and speed of a cut.

We also covered blade sharpening tips, common mistakes that can damage blades, signs of dull blades, and safety tips for using saws in the shop or on the jobsite. Whether you’re a homeowner making weekend projects or a contractor using saws every day, this episode is packed with practical information to help you get cleaner cuts, longer blade life, and better performance from your tools.

Catch the show live Saturday mornings at 8am on WATA and subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode of “All About Home Construction.”

Randy's grandkid hanging out on the show today! We have a local celeberity!

On this week’s episode of All About Home Construction, we dig into landscaping—what works, what doesn’t, and what homeowners need to know before starting their next project.

We talked about one of the most important (and often overlooked) parts of landscaping: drainage—how to move water away from your home and prevent costly damage down the road. We also covered the proper use of mulch, when and where to use it, and how it helps protect your soil and plants.

Plus, we got into landscape timbers, retaining walls, grading, and other key elements that can make or break your yard. Whether you're tackling a DIY project or hiring it out, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you do it right the first time.