BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
That crawlspace story hits home. I’ve seen so many projects where folks try to cut corners on the “boring” stuff—insulation, vapor barriers, sealing up those weird little gaps behind tubs or under stairs. It’s always tempting to put the budget toward the things you can see, like tile or fancy fixtures, but honestly, it’s the stuff you never notice that ends up making the biggest difference in comfort.
I remember walking through a renovation a few years back where the previous owner had just jammed fiberglass batts around every pipe and called it a day. Looked fine at first glance, but come January, you could practically track the cold air with your hand. We ended up pulling everything out and doing a proper job with closed-cell spray foam. Not cheap, but the difference was night and day—no more frozen pipes, and the floors actually felt warm for once.
One thing I’d add: air sealing is just as important as insulation. People always think about R-values, but if you’ve got a bunch of leaks around outlets or plumbing penetrations, all that insulation isn’t doing much. I’ve started using those little foam gaskets behind outlet covers—cheap fix, but it helps.
Funny thing is, most of this stuff gets covered up and forgotten about once the drywall goes up. But if you ever have to open a wall again (and let’s be honest, it happens), you’ll thank yourself for not skimping on the basics. If I had to start over? I’d spend less time worrying about what color grout to use and more time making sure there’s no draft sneaking in behind my shower.
It’s not glamorous work, but man... it pays off every single winter.
BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
It’s always tempting to put the budget toward the things you can see, like tile or fancy fixtures, but honestly, it’s the stuff you never notice that ends up making the biggest difference in comfort.
Couldn’t agree more. The “invisible” work is what makes a house feel solid year after year. I’ve seen folks regret skipping air sealing or proper subfloor prep way more than any paint color choice. It’s not flashy, but it’s what keeps your toes warm and your pipes from bursting. You nailed it—prioritize the bones, and everything else just works better.
BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
I learned this the hard way during my last renovation. I got caught up in picking out lighting and countertops, thinking those were the “big” decisions. Meanwhile, I let the contractor talk me into skipping a proper vapor barrier to save a bit upfront. Fast forward two winters, and I’m dealing with cold floors and a musty smell in the basement... not exactly what you want after spending all that money.
If I had to do it again, I’d definitely put more of my budget toward insulation, sealing, and making sure the foundation is rock solid. It’s not glamorous, but honestly, you can always swap out fixtures down the road. Fixing structural stuff later? That’s a whole different headache—and way more expensive. Funny how the things you never see end up being what you appreciate most when you’re living there day to day.
BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
That’s a tough lesson, and honestly, it’s one I see way too often. People get fixated on the visible stuff—tile patterns, cabinet pulls, all the things you can show off to friends. Meanwhile, the “boring” bits like vapor barriers just get brushed aside until something goes wrong. The problem is, fixing those mistakes after the fact isn’t just expensive, it can mean tearing out everything you just paid for.
I’ll admit, I’ve had clients push back when I recommend spending more on things like sub-slab insulation or advanced waterproofing systems. They look at me like I’m trying to upsell them. But a good building envelope is what keeps everything else in good shape over time. It’s not glamorous, but it’s what makes a house comfortable and healthy.
Curious if you had any warning signs before the musty smell showed up? Sometimes folks notice little things—drafts near the baseboards, condensation on windows, or even minor cracks—but they don’t connect the dots until there’s a bigger problem. I’ve seen people chalk up musty smells to “just an old house” when really it’s a sign of moisture intrusion that could have been addressed during construction.
If you had to prioritize one thing for your next project—let’s say budget was tight—would you go all in on insulation, or focus more on drainage and waterproofing around the foundation? Personally, I’d lean toward drainage first. If water gets in, no amount of insulation will make up for it. But I know some folks are more concerned about energy bills and comfort than potential water issues.
It’s always a balancing act. The stuff behind the walls doesn’t get much attention when everything’s working right... but as soon as something fails, it suddenly becomes all you can think about.
BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
If you had to prioritize one thing for your next project—let’s say budget was tight—would you go all in on insulation, or focus more on drainage and waterproofing around the foundation? Personally, I’d lean toward drainage first.
Funny thing, I’ve seen plenty of sites where folks obsessed over drainage and still ended up with problems because they skimped on insulation. Maybe it’s just the kind of land I deal with—clay soils, lots of freeze/thaw. Once had a project where we did textbook-perfect perimeter drains, but the slab was like an icebox in winter. Owners complained for years. If I had to pick, I’d actually put my money on under-slab insulation before anything else. Water’s a menace, sure, but cold and moisture together? That’s a recipe for misery. Sometimes you gotta hedge your bets and split the budget, even if it means dialing back on the fancy finishes.
