Ian Schwandt

Contributing editor Ian Schwandt is the production manager for TDS Custom Construction in Madison, Wis. After a varied field career spanning commercial construction for the healthcare industry and owning an architectural woodworking shop, Ian returned to residential construction and developed an interest in high-performance building and construction-business finance.

Money Matters for Owner-Builders
Understand the difference between estimating and cost planning, and don't let your sweat equity evaporate into budgeting mistakes.
Budgeting Is Helpful. Estimating, Not So Much.
Learn how discussing a budget with clients and narrowing it before reaching a contract can lead to design decisions that won't change the project's scope.
Podcast 625: Roof Insulation, Band Joists, and Small Houses
Listeners write in about EVs, sources of CO, and structural engineering and ask questions about roof insulation, rim joists, and shrinking houses.
Podcast 620: Witnessing Bad Work, Semi-Conditioned Spaces, and Extra Minisplits
Listeners write in about high-performance builds, wall insulation, and EV vans and ask questions about bad building, insulating a lean-to, and minisplit air distribution.
Podcast 620: Members-only Aftershow — Common Questions
The crew talks about the questions that Ian and FHB get asked most often.
Podcast 619: Old-House Construction, Sizing Lumber Beams, and Window Restoration
Listeners write in about handyman businesses, NASA’s stuck screws, and leak detectors and ask questions about old houses, sizing beams, and restoring windows.
Podcast 619 Members-only Aftershow —Ian’s Tips for Construction Budgets
Ian Schwandt talks about creating accurate budgets and costly construction surprises.
Podcast 614: Structural Lath and Plaster, Coaching your Builder, and Shoes for Roofing
Listeners write in about HVAC design, missing water, and a young builder and ask questions about rotted sills, builders and their comfort zone, and roofing shoes.
Podcast 614: Members-only Aftershow — Home-Maintenance Business
The crew talks about the viability and the potential market for a home-maintenance business.
Podcast 609: Flashing a Metal Building, Energy Retrofits, and Siting a House
The crew hears from listeners about major additions, common house problems by vintage, and network cables for LED lighting.

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Ian Schwandt

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