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- [00:00]
A
Hello.
- [00:00]
B
Welcome to Dear Alice. We have a really exciting episode for you today. We interviewed Aaron Stetzer, a Houston based home builder, and we talk about a lot of things.
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C
Yeah, we talk about her insight on relationships with the architects and builders and
- [00:16]
D
God, I'll say her standards, like what she holds herself and her team to
- [00:20]
C
and her process and how every single detail counts and her commitment to perfection.
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B
Guys, let's get into it.
- [00:27]
C
So, hey Aaron, welcome to the podcast. And where do we find you today? Are you in home base in Houston or.
- [00:32]
A
Yes, home base in Houston. Yes.
- [00:35]
D
Love it.
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C
So we heard this crazy stat. We learned that only about 4.3 of builders in the United States are women. And that's according to the national association of Home Builders. So between that and then you being a D1 basketball player, I feel like your tenacity is off the charts. Who help you build that? Where does that come from, that tenacity and confidence?
- [00:55]
A
4.2%. You can literally schedule your entire day around your family. I. That's what I've done my entire career. So that it's kind of surprising to me that it's a little secret. So way more women need to get into this.
- [01:12]
C
Yeah. Especially because I feel like women are better multitaskers usually. And I being a builder, you have to be so organized and just be able to think of 10 things at once that should just be a thing
- [01:24]
D
from that in addition to just communication. So any of you women listeners out there that you're at all have an itch to be a builder, this field's built for you. Like as far as communication, that's what you're so good at. As far as not gatekeeping and the more information we share. The best builders that I like, we've ever worked with are the ones that
- [01:40]
A
talk and are curious and want to learn. Like you mentioned the Instagram thing. And I'll have to say 80 to 90% of what I've ever learned in this construction world is from designers like you guys. And architects, literally. And trades. Yeah, more women definitely need to hop into this. And I think if there's maybe an intimidation factor there. When I was in college, I was a finance major. I knew nothing and in fact, I worked in corporate America for a little bit, knew nothing about construction. It was just pure excitement. And this is really cool. And everybody around me is good at answering questions so we can learn. So definitely more women. We need more women. And I will say too, in terms of multitasking and you know, if there's a genetic thing there, but I would think there would be. Just because women have babies and everything bubbles up at one time and you, like, literally are built that way. I think as a female.
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C
Yeah.
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A
Not that men aren't. I think it's just that's the way women are built. We're putting out a lot of fires.
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D
Yeah.
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C
And kind of touching on your depth of knowledge. I pride myself on kind of knowing as much as I can about as many different topics. Following your Instagram is insane. You're so inspiring. Just everything you know and how you're able to, like, kind of play chess in the building game. You think steps ahead and how the finished product is going to operate, especially when considering, you know, X, Y and Z. Follow, follow. Aaron. It's Aaron Stetzer Homes. So at Aaron Setzer Homes on Instagram. Is that right?
- [03:13]
A
Yes.
- [03:13]
C
Yep.
- [03:14]
A
You got it.
- [03:15]
D
Yeah.
- [03:15]
B
So, Aaron, are you exclusively building in the Houston area?
- [03:19]
A
So our primary business is in Houston, Texas, but we also consult on projects as homeowner reps. Those projects are sprinkled throughout the country, and that's a different role where we come in and we try to help put the right team together based on the client's goals and the project goals. There are a few that we're building as the builder, but the key there is we partner up with a project manager that's local, that's probably been around for 20 years, understands the culture, the teams, the budgets, deeply rooted in the construction in that community.
- [03:58]
D
That's amazing.
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B
That is amazing.
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D
I've never heard of anybody doing that. Like, you're like a brokerage.
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B
Yeah.
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D
For building.
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A
I feel like we make everything up. Literally. Like, people are like, what do you do? I'm like, I don't know. We'll figure it out today. Like, this is what they need.
- [04:11]
B
We always say, we'll build. We build it while we fly it.
- [04:14]
C
Yeah.
- [04:14]
A
Yes.
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B
Yes.
- [04:16]
D
You kind of have to, though.
- [04:17]
B
So I have a question, and I think this will be good for anybody that's going to be building in the future, or I would say any designers that are working on a project. What do you think? How soon should you get started with a builder or a designer before you break ground? Somebody wants to build in, let's just say, the Houston area. You're going to be the builder. How, How. How much time will you spend together before. Before you break ground?
- [04:39]
A
There are a couple different components here. If anyone comes to us, like, as the builder, we immediately say, hey, thanks for talking. Let's try to figure out who your architect and designer are. That's the immediate response because the mapping and the vision and the energy needs to be created in that home, in the vision. And that's typically not with the builder. The builder is the. Here's the project. These are the goals. Like Corey said, put the chess pieces together and figure out how to map this thing out. That's part one. Part two is if they were to say, hey, when should we hire our architect or designer? And it could be designer first, then architect, could be architect, then designer right away. As soon as you can put that team together, then the next entry could be builder, then the next entry could be landscape architect and consultants. I think the hesitation from clients is there's really no book or formula out there that really gives you the go to recipe. And so you really depend heavily on designers work, architects work, builders work.
- [05:44]
D
Yeah, you should write that book.
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C
Yeah, definitely.
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D
As far as a game plan for
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B
our firm, we used to say we would love to get started at least six months before they break ground. There's just so much you've really got to know that design and also for you to have right accurate bids to. To have to have all of the materials dialed in those cabinetry drawings. It's funny that people think they can break ground and then make the selections once it's framed and they understand it or something. So even if people aren't per se using a designer or something like that, you're. If you do wait until the home's framed, you're really only able to choose from what's in stock. And probably what's in stock is going to be. They're bestsellers which are kind of like phoned in finishes and not anything really special or spectacular. So you're really just kind of forfeiting the game almost. If you're waiting until a home is framed to make decisions.
- [06:37]
A
I would say 100%.
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C
Yeah, I would say that's probably where like regret comes into. You're like, oh, I was like under the gun to make that decision. I wish I would have had more time to make a better one. I guess the more Runway you can give yourself, the better it's going to turn out and the less regret you're going to have.
- [06:51]
A
And the level of complexity of the project requires iterations of making sure it works, talking to the builder and the architect, like so many iterations. And that does take time and it takes people huddling up.
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D
Six months at a minimum. It's often a lot longer. But I think that there is like a sweet spot depending on the client. You're probably really good at reading people, the complexity of their personalities, if they're a fast decision maker, if they're going to get paralyzed by time, because some clients, if they have too much time to sit on it, it changes 10 times. So as far as just like, overall trust of the team, kind of getting all the players together.
- [07:27]
A
Yeah. You actually bring up a really good point that each team member, architect, designer, builder, has a special relationship with the client. And. And it's different. A lot of times. We'll note, you know, you'll notice something or we'll notice something, but I'm not the right person to actually influence or provide information to then be able to move forward.
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D
Yeah.
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A
And so so many of these meetings would be like, this is what I notice. This is what we need. Could y' all talk to them about this? And sometimes it's boom. This is what needs to happen. And everybody agrees it's interesting. In home building and in construction, there's this feeling like, oh, I can easily figure this out. And it's kind of the norm, a little casual about it, but it's just the opposite. There's extreme professionalism. The meetings that you're trying to present something in, in a design form, there's a vision and. And there's a process to close the loop on that vision. And it may take a few stops, and it may take one stop. It's a disservice to the client. And so that's why it requires so much time in advance to work through it.
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C
Yep.
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B
If you're about to build, really, you've got to spend that time before the build begins to get there and close those loops so that you can just be really exc. About the build.
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D
Because otherwise you do compromise. There's a lot of compromise that happens, be it budget, be it time, be it something. So I think that that's really good for clients to know. You owe it to yourself. This is such a massive investment to give yourself the time and knowledge to understand what it would cost and then
- [09:02]
A
you can back it up.
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D
But, like, what would your ideal cost? And then kind of back it up versus not realizing it to its full potential if you're gonna do it.
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A
Yes. And that budget is global.
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B
It's.
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A
It's not just construction. Right. It's furniture, lighting, landscaping, wall coverings, drapery. So there's a global. There's storage of. Of furniture. All of that is a global conversation that just needs to be had up front so that maybe my role is not to eat into what wants to be protected, which is the furniture budget. And I need to be responsible and say, I'm aware of. Of the budgets here, but we need to be mindful if this is a budget that you want to preserve in furnishing, we need to really think about this other. Do you really want high gloss in this room? Do you want to really want to add $25,000 to this room?
- [09:57]
D
I do love that you talked about protecting each other's lane. And when you have a good team, they're protecting each other's lane.
- [10:02]
C
Yeah.
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D
On behalf of the client. That's a responsible client. Yeah, I love that.
- [10:07]
C
I think one of the best skills a builder can have is knowing how to have those hard conversations, because I feel like they're at every step of the build process. In your experience, what have you found works the best to have, you know, hard conversations or be direct with clients?
- [10:22]
A
What I've learned is they. They want options. Let's just say we're having a team meeting and one of our project managers is running through move in. Timing of move in, because that's the biggest one. When are we moving in? And then there's the client saying, I don't care what you guys think. I'm moving in that D. I think it happens on every project.
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D
Yep.
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A
And the key there is to present. Okay. If that is the case, this is the risk. This is what we're looking at. And I want to walk you through that. So we're all on the same understanding. We're still going to be putting hardware in some of the rooms. The carpet will be installed later. We probably can't show up until nine. You know, the kids are off to. Want to get them to school. You have a routine, but we need to leave by three because you don't want a bunch of people in the house with your kids. There's a whole thing that needs to be talked about. That's option one, Then there's option two, Then there's option three, and that goes across the board every. Even. Even on the lighter conversation. So we do want to be direct,
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C
but through options, you're basically just painting the picture for them in each option. Like, this is. If you choose this, this is what life is going to look like. Or.
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A
And I think what happens during, you know, the middle, everyone's excited in the beginning. Then there's the middle. You know, the painters are painting. It's taking forever. And people are just. They're tired. Right. Like, you're working super decisions with them, and they're just tired. I'll bet anyone Listening. Who's on a project can literally identify when people are exhausted, they're cooked. And that's the time the team needs to recognize it and elevate this so that they do have energy to make decisions, to get to the closing line.
- [12:01]
C
This is the question that everyone wants to know. And it's, you know, really the hardest. Nail that nail down. It's because it's a moving topic, but in your area and demographic, what's, like, price per square foot? Like, what's your range that you're in currently?
- [12:13]
A
Well, so Houston's a huge, like, 6 million people or something. Whoa.
- [12:18]
B
I did not know it was that crazy.
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D
It's like, it is Texas big, y'. All.
- [12:24]
B
Just Houston.
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A
My gosh. So. And Houston expands, you know, you know, an hour outside of the city. So we'll see homes at 150 a square foot, you know, basic homes, you know, to $3,000 a square foot, generally. And we'll see small jewel boxes that will be, you know, two or $3,000 a square foot, or we'll see small homes at 150 a square foot. And it's very, very confusing for people here because you hear this huge range, and it's like, why? Like, I don't get that. And so the. So that's a really important conversation to explain. There are different types of construction. There's production home building, you know, where they build neighborhoods. And then there's semi custom, move a few walls, then there's custom, Then there's luxury. Superwoman, Superman luxury. Right. And so there are these tiers that people. It's. It's a good idea to just share what's involved in each of those types of builds. At David Weekly Homes, when I started there, in house designers, you get three selections. Builder just schedules and goes. Everybody's lined up.
- [13:35]
C
Some of my biggest problem with builders and real estate agents is that a lot of times they try to compare apples to oranges. It's all fruit we're talking about. But really, though, they're different. And, you know, a lot of the message that especially real estate agents, I'm not talking about on anyone, but give is just like, oh, yeah, this is. This home, like you said, is $150 a square foot. Well, that doesn't mean you can get everything that you want within $150 a square foot. And it's really doing a disservice to the people that are looking into building and because at that point, you start realizing everything you can't have if you're trying to, you know, put your wishes in $150 a square foot box. You know, it just becomes like, here, look at everything that you. That you can't put in your home at that point. And that's, like, very discouraging, insulting. Yeah, it really is, for sure.
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A
Yeah. So how do you handle that when. Let's just say there's a nice budget, but they still feel like they're not getting what they want? How do you handle that?
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B
We're kind of going through that right now in a. In a Park City home, and it's a remodel. It does seem like it should be a nice budget. But as you know, since COVID what would be a nice budget and what the numbers are today is like, funny money. The prices are just so crazy. And so if you haven't been building a home in the last five years or so, then you think your nice budget is a nice budget. It's a hard conversation to say, well, you know what, Maybe we won't do all the things that you want to do, but here's what we can do with the budget. And I like what you're saying about options, because then people feel like they have great choices to make rather than just saying, you've come up short. You know, that. That never feels good to be able to. To say you can't do everything you want. I think being able to provide more, just being able to provide options of what they can do with their budget is good, but it is probably disapp them that they can't have everything they want on this beautiful second home. So, yeah, we're navigating that with them right now. And I love your advice of giving options. I think that feels really good.
- [15:32]
A
Yeah.
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C
And probably communication, right?
- [15:35]
B
Just like communication. And I think we talked about this a little bit when we spoke to you once before, just about how some of those harder conversations are just best just to talk on the phone and not just share it in an email, but to really sort through it. And you can really feel tone and concern and care, and you can tell that they're trying to get curious and come up with. With a plan and ways. And it's not. You have to have the answer right in the moment. It's just that you say, okay, let me go back to the drawing board now and think about some more solutions, you know, to. To make this work within the budget.
- [16:07]
A
You know, we've probably had many rounds of that, but when we think back, like 10 years ago, it was kind of a scary conversation to Have.
- [16:14]
B
Yeah.
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A
Right.
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B
Yeah.
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A
And so the way I'd be interested to see how you guys have worked through that, the way that I ended up having to work through it was two ways. One, with. With five kids and a husband, I literally don't have time.
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D
Yeah.
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A
So it has to be like, there's
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B
that sense of urgency.
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A
Right. Like, it just. We just gotta hit it.
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B
Yeah.
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A
But then the second part, when I'm really nervous, I'd be like, okay, I'm really nervous to talk to you right now. My voice is gonna be a little weird. I'm a little nervous you're gonna hear that. Could I talk to you about it? They hold the weight, then they literally hold it. Maybe for people who haven't had a lot of those conversations and haven't been trained, like, I say no to my kids 15 times a day, that it's normal, but they may not have had these. So my thought would be just. Just let them know you're nervous about talking about it. You don't always have the right answers, and you need their need to talk through it. How do you guys handle that?
- [17:10]
D
I'm just gonna say, I love that you're all a problem solver at that point. They're trying to help you, you're trying to help them to answer that question. Just in addition to how do we solve for those things when they come to us, what is a nice budget is exactly what you're saying is the options tell you, like, what it would cost to do all the things that you want. We can look at that. Let's understand the team's capabilities. Let's understand who is your builder, who are using for cabinets, who are using for these. I can talk shorthand to them, you know, and then they can do shop drawings and we can work in tandem to reduce hours here or the builder just like, again, be having a really honest conversation. I'm nervous about these numbers a little bit. But let's get on the same page and see what numbers are coming in, you know, in your area or roofing and windows versus, like, this is what I'm seeing. I think when clients see that you. Everybody wants this project to be beautiful. We all want to capture it at the end of the day and see it on a glossy page. There's no doubt about that. We want them to be happy. But the sooner that you can get on the same page with your team, builder, architect, designer, and understand what things maybe are phase one, phase two, phase three, if that's where you need to work or understanding realistic, this is what you want. This is actually what it'll cost. And we'll do our darndest to be responsible with your money. One question I do have for you. In all these different things that you have done in your career, you know, from beginning a spec home to now, what you do as a custom builder, I want to know what lights you up when it comes across your desk, or maybe it has it and you want this project. What are you so excited about when it comes across your desk and you're just like, all right, buckle up.
- [18:37]
A
Okay, we're going in.
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D
Yeah.
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A
So. Okay. So I have this thing in the mornings where I go through. I happen to pray, and I ask a lot of questions, and I'm like, hey, God, what would you. What do you think if we get this project and, you know, we've turned pricing in and what do you think? And you know, I may. I don't get answers till they're. It's time. But one of the questions is, what do you think about doing something? I have. I've. I. There's no way I can predict this, but I'd be so excited if it happened. What could that look like? And I just kind of go through that a lot. And what has happened in the business is things are getting developed in ways I didn't think could be developed, whether it be a certain project or working with a certain person or developing a whole new system for something that's the daily. So to answer your question, what I. I get excited about whatever God throws at me because I know it's. If it's thrown my way and I give it, you know, 150, it's going to be good.
- [19:48]
B
I love when God shows up in our lives. It's co signed.
- [19:51]
A
It is, yes. Yeah, it really is. So there's that belief that early mornings, late nights, tough conversations are good.
- [19:58]
B
They stretch you. And I. It feels like you wouldn't be interested in this, in this calling if you would, if you weren't stretched, because Aaron Stetzer just does hard things.
- [20:08]
C
Yeah.
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D
You deal with them well.
- [20:10]
B
Yeah, you do.
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C
Not alone.
- [20:12]
B
And your Instagram is full of. Of really hard, hard one things.
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D
Division one things.
- [20:18]
B
Yeah. Yeah. You just. You go the extra mile and so you're pointing it out on your Instagram about how you achieved it, what's the right way to do it? And you're like, anybody else would have used a normal hinge, but not Aaron. She's using Harmon hinges. You're going the extra mile on all of it. And that's what Makes your content so great is that you're seeing the right way to do something the hard way, the hard details. And none of it's. You can't phone any of it in. So anyway, it's, that's why it's such a great follow.
- [20:44]
A
Well, thank you.
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C
That kind of goes back to like that tenacity question that I had. You too is I, I think that you just have, you know, obviously like have a faith and that you understand that building is kind of a microcosm, you know, analogy for life. You're going to come, go through a lot of hard things, but they're really there to service you, to get to the best ending possible. So really take a hard situation and let it enrich your outcome. You answered my question. Just from answering other questions about like your tenacity and confidence is that you just, you look at a hard situation, something seemingly impossible, as an opportunity to grow, which is fantastic. One thing about my family is that we're water people. All of our vacations are centered around the beach. And this year we got the new classic stripe resort towel from Cozy Earth. And it's our favorite. It's oversized, 40 inches by 70 inches. It's quick, dry, plush. And like everything else, Cozy Earth has a soft hand. We bought the wave colorway. It has a great classic look and it's a must pack for any beach vacation.
- [21:50]
B
Made from viscose from bamboo, breathable, soft, and built for summer. Head to cozyearth.com and use our code Dear Alice for an exclusive 20% off. That's code Dear Alice for an exclusive 20 percent off. And if you see a post purchase survey mention that you heard about Cozy Earth right here. Aaron, are there any standards that you refuse to compromise on in a build?
- [22:14]
A
We have a saying. Tell the truth, tell it fast, shovel while the piles are small. We say it all the time. So telling the truth is always number one. And it sounds so crazy to say that at a business level, but it's a good reminder that, you know, I still have their back. I just want the truth.
- [22:31]
B
Because you know what to do with the truth. You don't really know what to do with a lie.
- [22:35]
A
Exactly. You know how to maneuver. That's right. We have systems that are non negotiable. There's a scorecard. Like when you get hired at this company, I show you the scorecard. Here it is. This is what you have to do to be a part of this team for your teammates. If at any point in time you can't do these things, we Gotta talk. So they're very clear about the systems that we have in play. And they're also really good about openly giving feedback to improve the systems. So that would be another standard. We have an intern here this year, he's going to be a senior at Texas A and M. And we were talking yesterday and I'm like, how's it going? And he goes, well, I learned that you have standards. And I was like, really? How did you.
- [23:22]
B
What happened?
- [23:23]
A
He's like, I came in to check on something for Taylor. I, I was supposed to deliver something and put it in the kitchen sink, but I was in a hurry and I left it over there. She made me go back, go pick up the thing, go put it in the sink and send me a video. Yeah, and that, that's a standard. Like if you say you're going to do something, you do it.
- [23:45]
B
That's good.
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C
Yeah, yeah. That's one thing. That's one thing. I wish, like a lot of people, I'm that type of person. I don't, I think I've always just been that way at my core. If I say I'm going to do something, I just go to the end of the earth to do it because I guess my word is my bond type of thing. And I, yeah, I appreciate that in other people. The world needs more of it. Yeah.
- [24:04]
A
And there's a buffer zone too. You have an 8 o' clock meeting and you're running late for whatever reason. Yes, you have to be on time or early, but things happen. The standard is just give them a heads up.
- [24:14]
C
Exactly. The communication.
- [24:16]
A
Right. So we're all. There's the human part here.
- [24:18]
D
I have a question along those lines. When do projects go off track, in your opinion?
- [24:23]
A
So if the team architect, designer, builder and the client are not aligned in any small way or form or shape, that's the honeymoon. It's going to get worse. There are projects where we think we have the team client brings something up and there's an exit by one party. The second part is, at least in the building world, you have to. And I know I'm screaming systems in order to capture information, organize the information, communicate the information, execute on it, and then check the work that is the system of building. And if any of those stops are missed, it becomes a problem for the designers or it becomes a problem for the client and it becomes everybody else's problem. That practice. Just those steps. If, if a builder can do just those steps, you're in the top 1%. Our responsibility is to be helpful, to Designers and architects. If I'm putting weight on you guys, then that's not good.
- [25:25]
B
We had a project go sideways where alignment wasn't in check when the husband wasn't interested in being a part of the project. So the wife was the decision maker on the project. We designed for their life, their experience, their travels. Very, very well renowned architect, extraordinary. This was an extraordinary home. We did the entire design of the home with the wife and then we showed the design to the husband. The architect. The architect did not like it. He wanted this architectural feat more sterile, less storytelling. We were the ones that got pushed eject on from the project. We were eventually fired from the architect and the husband because neither of them were involved in the design process, didn't want to be. But then once the home was completed, which they didn't show any interest in, in the design portion of it, didn't have time for it. So I only say that as a fair warning because a big portion of our audience are interior designers and that listen to this. And so when I'm just saying that was a piece of alignment that we've never experienced before. And we've been at this about 20 years and we've just. I mean, a lot of times a husband's not interested in being a part of every design presentation. He's like, if the wife's happy, I'm happy kind of thing. But that was, that was really scary to experience that on, on something that we've spent years on to experience that. I don't know if you've ever had that where husband's not involved in the design and all of a sudden, right, he comes in and wants to make change orders or doesn't like it once it's on set or I don't know. I do think it's important that they're both aware of what they're building.
- [27:05]
A
I agree. And yes, we've been in that, that situation. I'm laughing because it was interesting. The husband was very involved, but the wife, she was a doctor and they had four, four kids. And she just, just couldn't be involved. And I was like, listen, here's the deal. We all communicate. Like all of this information is going to be sent to you guys and it's your responsibility if I'm on this project to pay attention and if someone's not paying attention. And it got to a point where I ended up saying, we need an exit strategy. This is not working. And it's funny. He just started laughing. It's like, good luck. So he ended up being A they ended up being great clients. We're doing multiple projects for them. And I think even in that case, it's not so much about the design work. It's a much bigger picture on communication. And does anyone really want to be involved in that type of situation?
- [28:01]
C
Kind of shifting subjects here a little bit. We have a series on Dear Alice. It's called Overlook Design Details. And we, you know, go over just overlook design details in a certain space in the home. But what are some spaces or details of a home that you think are often overlooked?
- [28:16]
A
Window coverings, whether they're going to have power supplied or low voltage supplied in location, that's an important one. I think front doors don't get enough attention. Landscaping being a part of the home. I think wood floors say a lot, and I think there are a lot of options, and they really bring the mood to the home. And so sometimes it can be shoved aside. The wood floors, I think special moments. I think every home should have an. Something that has intrinsic value to the
- [28:47]
C
client 100%, or it could just be anybody's home at that.
- [28:50]
A
Yes.
- [28:51]
C
Kind of touching on the power to windows. You know, if you're going to have, like, roller shades or something, I would imagine there are a lot of clients that kind of don't know the process of the build and be like, hey, this is the. This is what we're going to want here. So, like, just make sure that, you know, we're putting power there. What are some ways that, like, you've found to kind of. Are you asking these questions to clients? Are you going to want this? We're going to need to put power here. What's your process in kind of getting to that stuff that's easier to do while the walls are open and not, you know, drywalled and stuff is kind of set in stone, so to speak.
- [29:25]
A
That's one of the number one reasons we want designers in this program before us. Because the ceiling trusses are designed around shade pockets. Like, the structure is literally designed around where you want window coverings. And so that's a big one of why we want to enter after everybody else. We may not do this, but when it goes to engineering, allow for it. You can always cover it up. The shade pocket that's, you know, in the frame. But if it's the other way around, where designers enter late, we're in trouble. Like, we're in trouble. And that's just one small example of really, really, you know, designers and architects inserting and collecting the vision for the house.
- [30:09]
D
What makes A great relationship between our designer. Some specifically asked between a designer and the builder.
- [30:16]
C
From the builder perspective.
- [30:17]
D
The builder perspective, what are things as far as just like you wish designers knew to do that would save them so much heartache? What makes that. That relationship great?
- [30:25]
B
Or if you don't like something that designers do?
- [30:28]
A
Yeah, I always go to what I love, so I'll start there. So I love it when designers have taken the time to know the client and provide allowances that reflect your vision and their vision. While we're putting that budget together. Another one is, you know, when we get to know relationships. There are plenty of things that happen in construction where I'll call a designer and be like, oh, I'm not sure I understood this, and I did this. Could you help me think through how to get there? I. I just need another brain, you know, to help me think through, yes, the vision's gonna happen, but I may need to take a different angle. Also, when. When homes get really complex, there's a way to support each other with the client and just say, listen, we're all teaming up on this. It may work, it may not. But we've had the conversation. Being available a lot of times in construction, we may have a really important question, and we. When we have that relationship and if, you know, you're fun to talk to and I'm fun to talk to, and I, you know, I'm gonna grab the phone and be like, hey, what's up? I have two minutes. Like, what's going on? That saves a week of construction time.
- [31:40]
C
Yeah, yeah.
- [31:41]
A
For the client.
- [31:42]
D
Be fun to talk to.
- [31:43]
C
Yeah.
- [31:45]
A
There's so much to learn from designers. So we'll have a meeting, and I'll hear something. I'm like, I don't understand that, but I don't want to ask in front of everyone, but I'm gonna make a note, and then after the meeting, I'll pull them aside and say, hey, I don't have no idea what you're talking about. Could you teach me? Like, what are you talking about? And then they do. They take the time. Thirty minutes after a meeting, and they don't just say, no, you'll. Don't worry about it. You got it. I'm out of here. The designers that, like, I love working with take the time to teach.
- [32:18]
C
I think that's also beneficial just to kind of. For every person involved in the project to kind of just give a glimpse of their process to the other. That's. That's just gonna create a more successful project where everyone can Kind of see everyone's Lane and who's doing what and how their process is. You know, whenever I'm working with a team at Alice Lane, a lot. Like, I've been in almost every department I've. And so I kind of. Special projects. Yeah, I. I see how, like, Army Knight, remember? Yeah, yeah, exactly. I see kind of like how each department operates, and then I know how I can best service that department when I'm working in it in a different one. Because I've had that glimpse. I would say that's the responsibility of a builder to everyone else and a designer to the builder, the architect, and vice versa. Not. Not only makes everybody's job easier individually, but like I said, a more successful
- [33:07]
A
project feels like really good at the end. Right. Because you nailed it. Like, you. There are plenty of projects. You walk away, you're like, we nailed it.
- [33:14]
C
There's the opposite, too. Where you're like, there's the opposite.
- [33:17]
A
Yeah.
- [33:17]
C
Wow. That was a whirlwind of just fires to put out and problems coming at me every single day. You've probably had both of those and. And probably learned a lot from. From them as well.
- [33:29]
D
At the end of the day, it's a people business. We all love people, and that's what makes a project great.
- [33:33]
C
Yep.
- [33:34]
D
And that's what makes the client come back. Because it was enjoyable.
- [33:39]
A
Yes. And what you're saying is just not a known fact for clients. Like, it's just because their. Their head is in their future life in this home with their. Whoever there is in this home. Yeah, it's not in the team. No, we know that, but they don't know that.
- [33:59]
D
All right, Aaron, we're gonna do a lightning round of questions. Are you ready? Are you ready? Okay, let's do this. Okay. Modern or traditional?
- [34:08]
A
That changes. I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go traditional.
- [34:11]
D
Most overrated feature in new builds right now.
- [34:14]
A
Painting over stone. Painting over brick.
- [34:18]
B
Can I ask a non lightning round question in the middle?
- [34:21]
D
Let's go. Let's go.
- [34:22]
B
Okay, here's how. This is really risky for me to say out loud. We can cut this. How do you feel about the nanowall, the big Fleetwood doors that open up because you live in a very hot and humid place? We live in a very hot and dry place. There's very, very few days when the outside temperature is the same as the inside temperature. Who's using those things? Is that an overrated feature? I think it might. I mean, I think the light. Having a lot of natural light is awesome. I just Think that that party trick might not be good in every single demographic.
- [34:57]
A
Totally agree.
- [34:58]
B
But people think it's so trick. Like they just have to do it. And you're like, you're never gonna use
- [35:03]
D
it during the snowstorm. That's not going to be cool.
- [35:05]
A
You're gonna show your.
- [35:06]
B
Yes. And you're going to open a little bit of it and then you're going to close it. But you're never actually gonna fully open up the house.
- [35:12]
A
That's a good one. Yes.
- [35:14]
B
Okay. I just wanted to. I just wanted to see if it's just me or if anybody or if the builder thinks that too.
- [35:20]
A
Totally with you. And they're expensive. They're not cheap.
- [35:22]
B
So expensive. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Sorry. Back to the lightning round.
- [35:25]
D
Okay. First thing you notice when you walk into a home.
- [35:28]
A
How solid it is.
- [35:29]
D
Or.
- [35:29]
A
Or like you can pick up on the feeling of it.
- [35:33]
C
I feel like there are small cues. Let's say you're like going in through the front door. The handset. If it's cheap feeling. That's my first impression of the entire home.
- [35:42]
D
We presume everything is going to be wiggly.
- [35:44]
C
Yeah.
- [35:45]
B
Combined with the handset.
- [35:46]
C
Yes, exactly.
- [35:47]
B
Yeah. The sound it makes on the closes. Yeah. The sound of the floors when you walk on them.
- [35:51]
C
Yeah.
- [35:52]
A
Yes.
- [35:52]
B
The lighting.
- [35:53]
C
That's why I hate lvp because the way it sounds, people like, oh, like you can't scratch that stuff. It's like. Yeah, but you gotta walk on it.
- [36:00]
D
Back to lightning. Okay. Who makes the best window?
- [36:03]
A
We work a lot with Marvin.
- [36:05]
B
I agree.
- [36:05]
D
I love Marvin's. My favorite too. Yes. Concur. Who makes the best appliance?
- [36:10]
A
Wolf Sub Zero has been great.
- [36:12]
D
One mistake clients make before construction starts.
- [36:14]
A
Being too casual and not expecting hiccups.
- [36:19]
C
Oh, yeah. I'd say happy. Yeah.
- [36:21]
B
100 expecting hiccups. That's crazy.
- [36:26]
D
Okay.
- [36:27]
C
Amen to that, though.
- [36:28]
D
I know. Okay. Hardest room in the house to get. Right.
- [36:31]
A
I do think kitchens can be complicated. Just because appliances change. You need them up front. 1. An oven might have a water line that needs to go into a drain and that's not common. So kitchens are tough.
- [36:44]
B
Can I take it out of the lightning round for a second?
- [36:47]
C
Here we go.
- [36:47]
D
Okay.
- [36:48]
B
I want to just have a confessional here that I feel like the space that we're both in of building luxury homes or super luxury homes, as you said. I think one of the things that often isn't right is there becomes a lot of bloat in the house. I think sometimes architecturally. Scale of great rooms or living rooms are too grand and the amount of furniture that's needed, like multiple groupings just to fill it up. I just don't think people are really going to use those rooms because they feel lobbies or they just don't know what to do. And it feels like people are missing. So then you feel lonely if you're the only one in the room because you're surrounded by so many groupings. I think it's the architect that's drawing the spaces. And maybe the homeowner doesn't have the foresight or hasn't built a home like this before. So they don't know that. They don't want that because they haven't experienced the grandeur of a space that feels so intimidating until it's built. We've had some people come and say, gosh, I wish There was a 3D tool that we could walk through our home before. Physically project the house in a great big warehouse so that they can experience the scale of rooms. You're like, that would be a great idea because I'll bet you a lot of these people with the amount of bloat there is, I wonder if they'd still want those spaces having lived in them. But I don't know if you know that until you've experienced it. But I don't know if you've had that in your work where you feel like the bloat is. I don't know, maybe they're surprised after the house is done and they're moved in that it's just so big. Or maybe that's exciting. But then the reality of it hits once they've experienced a few Christmases in that room, that it's pretty big. I don't know.
- [38:24]
A
Yes. And. And it wants to feel its home. And I agree with you completely. Some people are like, whoa, why do we have 12 foot ceilings? Like on the whole first floor? This is nuts. And nine foot doors or 10 foot doors, what's going on?
- [38:38]
B
Yeah.
- [38:39]
A
There is a company in Houston, though, it's the name of it is Authenticus, where you can 3D walk the home. And the floor plan, you know, has a snapshot on the floor and we have lots of those meetings. And I'll tell you that some rooms have to get bigger because there wasn't enough room for furniture, like a living room or a family room. Some areas get a lot smaller. And it's because of exactly what you just mentioned. People need a chance to work through the space.
- [39:08]
B
Yeah, yeah. But.
- [39:09]
A
But I am seeing a trend with architects where it is becoming, you know, more. More furniture, walls, cozier spaces, more courtyard type homes.
- [39:20]
B
Yeah. You know. Yeah. That's lovely.
- [39:22]
D
If you weren't a builder, what would you be doing right now? Aaron Stetzer.
- [39:25]
A
Definitely a surgeon.
- [39:26]
D
I'd want you to be my surgeon.
- [39:28]
A
Yeah, right.
- [39:29]
C
I would trust you. Yeah. 100%.
- [39:32]
D
Put all the things right back where they needed to be. Okay. All right.
- [39:35]
A
Thank you.
- [39:36]
B
And okay, last question that we ask everybody that comes on is, how do you define luxury?
- [39:41]
A
You know, the first word that came to my head and I did not. I did not know this was coming. Safe. Let's say it's a client who can literally build whatever they want, but maybe it's new money. They didn't grow up like that. They just. It feels off. And so, like, once people get to their safe zone, then the house can come to life.
- [40:00]
B
I feel like there's, like, an honesty, you know, that can come out and they can really feel comfortable being able to say that this is. This is what they want and. And be honest about it. Not just because they'll look impressive or, you know, people. People will admire them or, you know, think how successful they are, but that they're really doing it for their own honest reasons of what home feels like for them. That's the best answer. That was so good.
- [40:27]
D
That's really great, Aaron.
- [40:29]
B
Ladies and gentlemen, Aaron Stetzer. Give her a follow on Instagram. How great is she?
- [40:34]
C
Aaron, you're the best, I feel. Yeah.
- [40:37]
D
I want you to build my house.
- [40:38]
B
Yeah, guys, you build a house.
- [40:42]
C
Seriously.
- [40:43]
A
Like I said, next time you come to Houston, I'm going to track you guys down.
- [40:46]
D
We're definitely getting together.
- [40:47]
B
Thank you so much for coming on today. We've loved having your. Your mind, your wit, your wisdom, power of prayer, all the things. You're just so wise. And we just will continue to follow and fangirl you.
- [40:58]
A
And thank you for everything you're doing for the design community and builders and clients and homeowners. And, you know, I would say you have a real take on things also, you know, you say it how it is.
- [41:10]
D
Thank you.
- [41:11]
B
Yeah.
- [41:11]
A
Yep.
- [41:11]
B
Yeah.
- [41:12]
A
So thank you.
- [41:13]
D
No reason to gatekeep.
- [41:14]
A
Yeah. Thank you so much for the opportunity to really get to know you.
- [41:18]
B
Oh, that was so great.
- [41:19]
C
Aaron is a unicorn in her field. Yes. Top shelf.
- [41:24]
B
I hope you guys enjoyed that as much as we did. It could have gone on for three hours and it wouldn't have been enough time, but she's so great. I wanted to let you guys know if you're loving the podcast, Be sure and click Click Follow on your favorite listening platform. And while you're there, leave us a review. If you don't mind, we love reading those at the beginning of all of our Dear Alice meetings. It's like fuel in our tank and we really do read every single one of those. And if you don't mind, share the episode with a friend. If you think that they would love Dear Alice, we'd be so grateful. We want to grow the show to be number one worldwide.
- [41:56]
D
We love doing this and love hearing your voice. So please, please share.
- [41:59]
B
If you have any episode ideas, please send those to Dear Alice alicelanehome.com We feel like we've talked about all the interior design things, but then when your comments come in or questions like, oh, we missed that one. So we often will write whole episodes around your comments or your questions. So send those in to Dear Alice alisonehome.com We'd love to hear from you. Be sure to follow us on Instagram at Alison Interiors for the interior design side, remodels, new builds, and then the Alice Lane home side is where we're creating our own product, doing launches. A lot of fun there. You won't want to miss that. Thanks so much for tuning in you guys. We'll catch you next time.