A homeowner does not need a finished plan before calling an architect. In this snack-sized episode of Home: The Second Story, we start with a Springhouse Architects client who knew they wanted to change their home but could not yet say what problem they were trying to solve. We walked through the house with them, learned how their family uses it, and developed a master plan.

After considering several ideas and pricing different options, the clients chose a porch addition. It would give them outdoor space and change the front of the house without committing to a larger renovation. That decision took months. Once they were ready to move ahead, though, they wanted drawings quickly. Our schedule put the work about six weeks out, so they found someone who could do it in two. We agreed to release the porch design.

That outcome raises two useful points. First, the time spent considering a larger renovation was still valuable. The clients could move forward knowing they had examined the alternatives and chosen what made sense for their home and budget. Those decisions affect daily life and finances, so it is reasonable to give them time. At the same time, an architect may be working on other projects by the time a client is ready for the next step.

Second, changing professionals after design work begins calls for a direct conversation. We explain that clients hire an architect for services, while drawings are generally provided for use on a specific project under the terms of their agreement. Paying for the work does not automatically mean receiving the CAD files or the right to take a design elsewhere. In this case, the client asked, and we found a solution that worked for both sides. Other arrangements should be discussed with the architect before anyone uses the work.

The best time to ask how drawings, files, and design rights will be handled is at the start of a project. A good architect can also help you work through the bigger question: what should you build in the first place? If you have a question, a topic idea, or an interest in joining us as a guest, we would love to hear from you.

(00:00) Intro
(00:29) A renovation plan becomes a porch addition
(03:40) Why another professional took on the drawings
(04:10) When to bring an architect into the conversation
(05:32) The value of considering your options
(06:14) Why major home decisions take time
(08:00) Taking an architect’s design elsewhere
(09:35) What clients receive when they hire an architect
(12:40) Custom designs and reusable details
(13:36) Discussing design rights up front

Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us! admin@htsspodcast.com

Learn about our hosts:

Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com

SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Home: The Second Story, Sheri Scott and Marilyn Moedinger talk with Jenn, a homeowner in Farmersville, Ohio, who built a custom home on 10 acres near Dayton. Jenn’s project moved quickly. The build took about eight months, and the whole process from plans to move-in was about 10 months.

Jenn had a unique perspective because she works for Sheri at Springhouse Architects. She did not go through the full architecture process in the usual way. Looking back, she says she would have paid for the full experience. She saw firsthand how much architects help clients think through details, communicate with builders, and avoid problems before they happen.

One of Jenn’s biggest lessons was that she should have written down the specific things she wanted before design began. She had ideas in her head, but the speed of the project and the stress of decisions made some of them easy to forget. The biggest example was her primary suite. She wanted the bathroom, closet, and laundry to work together in a more efficient layout. She remembered this early enough to change it, but she did not speak up because she felt guilty asking for more help from people who were giving her discounts or favors.

This became a major theme of the conversation. Working with friends or professional contacts can be helpful, but it can also make the relationship harder to manage. Jenn says she would have defined the relationship earlier. When discussing the project, she would want the roles to be client and architect or client and builder. Then they could return to being friends outside of that process.

Jenn also talks about making selections herself, including tile, cabinets, lighting, and custom wood countertops made from trees cut down on their property. The countertops became one of her favorite parts of the house, though there was a stressful moment when the island was installed without the seating overhang she had planned. The woodworker was able to fix it, but Sheri points out that full architectural services could have caught that issue through shop drawings before installation.

The episode also covers the end of the build. Jenn’s project stayed close to budget except for additions they chose, but the schedule became stressful. She and her family were renting, had to move belongings around, and eventually needed the builder to finish quickly so they would not be without a place to live. Sheri and Marilyn use that story to stress how important it is to ask builders how their projects finish, not just how they start.

(00:00) Intro
(01:20) Working With an Architect You Know
(04:25) What Jenn Would Do Differently
(06:56) The Primary Suite Regret
(10:27) How Discounts and Friendships Changed the Process
(13:07) Defining the Client Relationship Early
(15:51) Making Selections Without Full Services
(20:34) The Island Overhang Mistake
(23:16) How Full Services Could Have Helped
(24:18) The Value of a Third Party Advocate
(27:20) Budget, Schedule, and the End of the Build
(32:19) Why Project Closeout Matters
(34:46) Jenn’s Favorite Part of the House
(36:30) Sheri and Marilyn’s Recap

Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us! admin@htsspodcast.com

Learn about our hosts:

Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com

SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Built-ins are one of the most loved parts of a custom home, and for good reason. They are furniture, cabinetry, shelving, storage, and architectural features that become part of the house itself. Kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities count, but when most people talk about built-ins, they mean the fun pieces: bookcases, mudroom storage, pantry systems, bars, room dividers, fireplace walls, hidden doors, and custom storage moments.

A good built-in solves more than one problem. Sometimes it hides structure, a chase, or a mechanical need. Other times it turns an awkward space into something useful. In older homes, tight townhouses, and renovations where adding square footage is not possible, built-ins can make every inch work harder. Storage can be hidden in plain sight, so board games, extra blankets, shoes, bathroom supplies, and pantry items all have a place without cluttering the room.

Custom built-ins are especially helpful when they are designed around the way people actually live. A mudroom drop zone can include a place for mail and a shredder. A narrow wall can become a shallow can pantry. Eaves can become dressers. A hallway can be lined with closets. A finished basement closet can be sized around storage tubs instead of default dimensions. These details are small, but they make the home easier to use every day.

Built-ins can also add flexibility. One small apartment used a single custom wall to hold a Murphy bed, dining chair storage, folding screens, a laptop station, a printer, and hidden HVAC. That one built-in allowed the space to work as a guest room, office, dining room, and party space. It was not cheap, but it made the apartment live much larger than its square footage.

The episode also looks at cost. Built-ins are often one of the first things cut from a project because they can be done later, but they often do not get added later. Some built-ins need to be planned early, especially pocket gates, hidden doors, fireplace walls, or anything built into framing. Others can be discovered during construction, especially in renovations, when an odd leftover space becomes ski storage, a cubby, or a secret kid fort.

The main point is that built-ins should support real life. They can be simple or elaborate. They can be made by a cabinet shop or built on site by a finish carpenter. They can serve kids, pets, storage, work, entertaining, or daily routines. With thoughtful planning, built-ins make a house feel more personal, more useful, and more fun.

(00:00) Intro
(01:10) Built-ins as part of the architecture
(02:22) Functional built-ins for pantries and mudrooms
(03:45) Storage in plain sight
(05:51) Built-ins that replace furniture
(06:27) Cost and why built-ins get cut
(09:51) Hallway closets and hidden storage
(10:30) Custom dimensions for real storage needs
(12:51) Kid forts, pet storage, and secret compartments
(15:00) Simple built-ins versus custom cabinetry
(16:47) Planning ahead for built-ins
(18:04) Custom projects and discoveries during construction
(19:48) Built-ins as creative design moments
(20:30) Personal details that support daily life

Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us! admin@htsspodcast.com

Learn about our hosts:

Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com

SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sometimes, a homeowner wants to use a construction method that is not common in their area. This could mean SIP construction, ICF, modular, masonry, post and beam, or another system outside of standard stick framing. The point is not to compare every building technology or decide which one is best. The real issue is how to know whether a different construction type makes sense for your project.

The first step is building the right team. Most residential construction in the United States is stick framing, so anything outside of that requires more care. The builder needs direct experience with the system. Otherwise, the homeowner may end up paying for the builder’s learning curve, or worse, paying for panic pricing because the builder does not know what problems may come up. The architect or designer should also understand the system, but they can often bring in a consultant, structural engineer, or experienced partner. For the builder, hands-on experience matters even more.

It also helps to bring the builder in early. When a builder knows the construction system, they can work with the architect during pre-construction and help solve details before the permit set is complete. That collaboration helps avoid surprises later. It is a red flag when someone does not want the architect and builder talking early.

A non-traditional system can also raise questions at the building department. The code is often written around standard stick framing, especially in residential construction. That means the team may need to explain how the project meets the code through a different method. This is often called an alternate compliance path. It can mean more drawings, more explanation, and more early conversations with officials.

Cost and energy performance need to be studied early. Many homeowners ask about SIP or ICF because they want better energy performance. That can be a good goal, but the financial return is not always simple. In some places, like Massachusetts, strict energy codes make high-performance construction more normal. In other places, like Ohio, the code environment may be different. Climate, local code, construction norms, storms, snow, earthquakes, and other factors all matter.

The main takeaway is to know your priorities before choosing an alternative construction method. If the goal is lower energy bills, run the numbers early. If the goal is stewardship, durability, comfort, or a specific construction value, name that clearly. Homeowners do not need to arrive with the answer. They need to bring their goals, questions, and priorities so the right team can help them make a smart decision.

(00:00) Intro
(00:14) Considering a different construction technology
(01:29) Why the right team matters
(03:30) The risk of learning curves and panic pricing
(03:55) Why designers need system knowledge too
(05:20) Partnering with experienced consultants
(06:01) Builder experience matters most
(07:33) Building department red flags
(08:29) Talking with officials before permit submission
(12:29) SIP and ICF questions around energy savings
(14:23) How Massachusetts and Ohio differ on energy codes
(16:02) Rethinking return on investment
(18:14) Know your real priorities
(20:36) How a HERS rater can help

Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us! admin@htsspodcast.com

Learn about our hosts:

Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com

SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How do I find a builder? In this snack size episode of Home: The Second Story, we start by making one thing clear. Clients do not need to come to an architect with a builder already picked out. Some people arrive with a builder in hand. Others come with no names at all. Both are fine. A good architect helps guide that decision and can share builders who have done strong work on similar projects. We also clarify that architects do not build the house, and we do not have financial partnerships with builders. The goal is to help clients find the right fit for their project.

We talk about the difference between a good builder and the right builder. A builder may be excellent, but still not suited to a specific project, budget, location, or client. Custom homes, renovations, production builds, and spec homes all require different processes and different kinds of teams. That fit matters more than a polished website or a big social media presence.

For owners looking on their own, we walk through practical ways to find names. Social media can help, especially when builders show work that looks similar to what the owner wants. But a strong online presence does not always mean strong execution. Driving through neighborhoods can also be useful. Active job sites reveal a lot. A clean, organized site says something about how the builder works. Friends, neighbors, neighborhood groups, and private messages can also be valuable sources, especially when people are willing to talk honestly about the process.

We also talk about builder open houses, model homes, and Parade of Homes events. These can be helpful because they let owners see finished work and meet the builder in person. But they can also move too fast. A beautiful model home is not the same as a custom process, and owners should not sign with someone before checking references and understanding what kind of work that builder really does.

Once there is a list of possible builders, the next step is to narrow it down. Owners should ask whether the builder’s services match the project. They should notice whether calls are returned, whether the builder has a clear process, and whether the first conversation feels honest. A salesperson is not a problem, but the goal should be connection, not just closing a deal. If every answer is yes, that can be a warning sign. The best builders know when a project is not the right fit.

The main takeaway is simple. Finding a builder takes networking, research, and honest conversations. Or, an owner can start with an architect who has already done much of that vetting and can help build the right team from the beginning.

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:00:40) - How clients find builders

(00:02:34) - The architect's role in builder selection

(00:06:18) - Finding a builder without an architect

(00:08:04) - Neighborhood research and asking friends

(00:10:02) - Builder open houses and model homes

(00:13:14) - Evaluating your shortlist

(00:16:18) - First contact and communication style

(00:20:12) - Checking references and final vetting

(00:23:13) - Outro

Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us! admin@htsspodcast.com

Learn about our hosts:

Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com

SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Home: The Second Story, Sheri Scott and Marilyn Moedinger talk with Caleb Fetter, President and Managing Partner at RMS in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. RMS is an electrical services provider, lighting specifier, and technology integration company. As Caleb puts it, they are “not just the AV guys.”

Caleb explains why electrical, lighting, and technology planning need to happen much earlier in a custom home or renovation project than many homeowners expect. He says the ideal time is usually after schematic design, as the project moves into design development. That is when the architect, builder, client, and technology team can talk through goals, budget, finish level, and how the home will actually be used.

A major theme of the conversation is that good technology should make a home easier to live in, not more complicated. Caleb pushes back on the idea that smart home systems mean too many apps, touchscreens, or voice commands. When done well, technology can simplify daily life with carefully planned buttons, lighting scenes, wired infrastructure, and systems that are tailored to the homeowner’s routines.

We talk about lighting design, LED technology, and why cheap or default choices are not always the best choices. Caleb explains that better lighting does not always mean a dramatically higher budget. Sometimes it means bringing the right people in early, asking better questions, and giving electricians or lighting professionals enough time to make thoughtful recommendations.

For homeowners who are not building luxury homes, Caleb’s advice is still clear: find professionals who listen to your goals, understand the quality of experience you want, and are not just trying to sell gadgets or win the job with the cheapest bid. He also explains why “wireless” homes still need wiring, especially for internet infrastructure, security cameras, doorbells, generators, and other connected systems.

Sheri and Marilyn close the episode by reflecting on how important it is for homeowners to advocate for what they want. Technology, lighting, and integration affect daily life in a home. Planning them early can prevent frustration later and create a better experience from design through move-in and beyond.

(00:00) Intro

(00:39) What RMS does: electrical, lighting, and technology integration

(04:10) Why the end of schematic design is the right time to start

(06:34) Budgeting early for lighting and technology

(08:22) Homes are more complex than they used to be

(10:17) The myth that technology makes a home harder to use

(12:13) Why RMS avoids the phrase “smart home”

(13:55) Why architects and builders need specialty experts

(16:49) RMS’s role in lighting design

(19:20) How RMS connects design with field implementation

(24:16) Advice for homeowners outside the luxury market

(28:05) The future of LED lighting, connected devices, and AI

(39:03) Caleb’s favorite part of helping homeowners

(42:42) Recap

(53:35) Summer vacation announcement

Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us! admin@htsspodcast.com

Learn about our hosts:

Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com

SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.