Abandon House! How to Survive a Home Repair Fiasco

What do you do when the pirates are quiet, the castaways are safe, and Christmas is finally over? You open the mailbag.In this special bonus holiday episode of Abandon House! Kenny and Shari Rudolph answer listener questions sent in from around the world - letters to the Rudolphs, if you will - reflecting on love, loss, creativity, homeownership…and how a home repair disaster became a three-book series, a podcast, and even a theme song.Kenny, Shari, and their producer, Jess Schmidt, discuss:How Kenny and Shari managed stress, grief, and chaos as a couple - and why they still insist Abandon House! is a love storyThe losses, professional upheaval, and pandemic pressures that unfolded alongside the home repair disasterWhy revisiting the story felt impossible at first - and how distance and time turned the fiasco into perspective (and humor)How a stack of records, absurd emails, and a story that wouldn’t go away became a memoir, then a trilogyThe creative journey behind the Abandon House! theme song The “back catalog” of castle catastrophes you’ve never heard before, including:A biblical swarm of bees living inside the wallsEarthquakes that turned the pool into a wave machineA near-house fire caused by an overheating AC unitWhether the fiasco changed how they feel about homeownership (spoiler: skylights are cancelled)Why self-advocacy, documentation, and the right experts make all the differenceAnd finally…how the story ends (hint: it’s a trilogy for a reason)As Kenny so aptly puts it: “What matters most is how well you walk through the fire.” This episode is about walking through it together - and learning how to laugh once you’re safely on the other side.Coming up next on Abandon House!, Episode 7: Licensed Catastrophists, featuring Terry Adamson of Fenestration Canada.From the Rudolphs to you, dear listener: Happy Holidays, and may your New Year be fiasco-free!Abandon House! is produced by Jess Schmidt: https://www.jessdoespodcasting.com/Our editor is Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/The Abandon House! theme song was produced by Jeff Gerke with music and lyrics, vocals and guitar by Kenny Rudolph: https://abandonhousepod.com/Additional music graciously provided by Eden's Journal:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC28z4W9e04lGdr0GWL-DK2A

After weeks of wrangling with Overlord Surety Bond, Rounders Insurance, and Swizzle Stick Claims Management (yes, all names have been changed to protect the innocent and the incompetent), Kenny and Shari decide to bring in Borg of Clydesdale Construction as their Bigfoot contractor to finish the job. Borg promises superhero-level expertise, industry muscle, and negotiation skills that will free them from the administrative doom-loop they’ve been living in. And to kick things off…Borg no-shows their first meeting.When he finally appears, he brings Chuck - a man who actually seems to know what he’s doing - and Isaac, a one-man Middle Eastern hurricane who bursts onto the scene wielding a moisture meter like a Jedi lightsaber while shouting “Cut the jive!” It is unclear whether they’ve hired salvation, or started a subplot in an action-comedy.But then: a breath of actual expertise.The Rudolphs welcome into studio Nick Svaikauskas, owner of Calgary Custom Concepts, and host of the Constructive Conversations podcast and Nick Svaik Youtube channel. Nick is a Red Seal carpenter, former firefighter, and the contractor’s contractor: a human antidote to every grifter, ghoster, and Google-less “expert” who passed through the Castle. He brings clarity, candor, and deeply practical advice about vetting contractors, spotting red flags, preventing scope creep, and surviving the reno industry’s lack of regulation. A contractor who actually cares? Believe it.Kenny, Shari, and Nick cover:What a Red Seal carpenter actually isHow to spot shady contractors before they disappear (again)The questions you should ask any contractor before you start a project with themWhy scope creep can ruin both homeowners and buildersNick’s recommended Calgary service pricing (a homeowner’s dream) https://calgaryhomeservicesblackbook.com/This podcast is the official companion to the book series of the same name Abandon House: How to Survive a Home Repair Fiasco. Book 1 is available wherever you buy books, and at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Abandon-House-Survive-Repair-Fiasco/dp/B0FJYRFYKTNext time: Sledgehammers are swung, prices are pulled out of thin air (and then raised…and then raised again…) as work finally gets underway to FIX THAT WINDOW! But will the repair actually get completed before someone walks away? And who will crack first: Borg, or the Rudolphs?Abandon House! is produced by Jess Schmidt: https://www.jessdoespodcasting.com/Our editor is Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/The Abandon House! theme song was produced by Jeff Gerke with music and lyrics, vocals and guitar by Kenny Rudolph: https://abandonhousepod.com/Additional music graciously provided by Eden's Journal: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC28z4W9e04lGdr0GWL-DK2A

Spring 2020 brings rain, leaks, and a new level of chaos to the Rudolph house as Shari and Kenny continue their fight to fix their sinking California castle. In this episode, the couple faces a fresh wave of insurance pirates, robotic adjusters, and legal run-around as COVID restrictions complicate everything. But amid the absurdity, a new hero emerges: they let rip their new lawyer, Rip.Then: a breath of fresh, competent air. The Rudolphs sit down with Zach Ogden, co-founder and lead project manager at HiveMind Construction, a Philadelphia-based construction cooperative known for transparent and ethical practices. Zach brings empathy, insight, and straight talk about contractor bids, bad builds, and what homeowners should be asking before they sign anything. He also shares tales from the trenches - including a renovation disaster that rivals the Rudolph’s endless window leak.Back in California, Kenny and Shari take their lawyer’s advice and begin the hunt for the impossible: a contractor who can fix what Brady Windows destroyed once and for all. Enter: Bigfoot. Or…Borgfoot? His partner Isaac arrives unannounced, waving a moisture meter like a Jedi lightsaber, shouting “Cut the jive!” and issuing the prophetic warning, “Sometimes small jobs become big jobs.”Is Borg the solution? A grifter? A miracle worker? A man addicted to eating takeout out of Styrofoam containers? The signs are unclear.What is clear: the battle isn’t over.Along the way, Kenny, Shari, and Zach discuss:The cascade of insurance adjusters who ran through the CastleCOVID-era construction protocolsLegal wisdom from Rip, the SoCal lawyer of dreams, including where to sniff out the above board contractors in California via the State Licensing Board websiteA deep dive into co-op construction with Zach Ogden of HiveMind ConstructionThe highly dramatic entrance of Borg and Isaac to the CastleAnd the ongoing search for Bigfoot…aka, a contractor who can actually finish the jobThis podcast is the official companion to the book series of the same name Abandon House: How to Survive a Home Repair Fiasco. Book 1 is available wherever you buy books, and at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Abandon-House-Survive-Repair-Fiasco/dp/B0FJYRFYKTNext time: Whether Isaac could see the future, cast some kind of a spell, or had Borg’s number…this small job is indeed about to become much, much bigger.Abandon House! is produced by Jess Schmidt: https://www.jessdoespodcasting.com/Our editor is Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/The Abandoned House theme song was produced by Jeff Gerke with music and lyrics, vocals and guitar by Kenny Rudolph: https://abandonhousepod.com/Additional music graciously provided by Eden's Journal: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC28z4W9e04lGdr0GWL-DK2A

As Kenny and Shari recount their eighth - yes, EIGHTH! - failed repair attempt by Brady Windows, they reveal how frustration, fatigue, and a global pandemic finally pushed them to take back control. From the tyranny of lifetime guarantees to the power shift that comes from saying “You just bought our house!” the Rudolphs dive deep into what happens when good intentions meet bad workmanship - and what it takes to stand up for yourself as a homeowner. We also hear from Karalynn Cromeens, a construction attorney, author, and host of the Quit Getting Screwed podcast who brings legal clarity and practical advice for homeowners and contractors alike to unpack what went wrong, what to look for in a contract, and how to protect yourself from construction nightmares.Along the way, Kenny, Shari, and Karalynn discuss:Making “the machine dance”, aka what it takes to change the pictureThe COVID-19 pandemic’s surreal overlap with the Rudoph’s personal house fiascoHow to get out of a broken contractor relationship and more helpful legal insights from dynamite construction attorney Karalynn CromeensThis podcast is the official companion to the book series of the same name Abandon House: How to Survive a Home Repair Fiasco. Book 1 is available wherever you buy books, and at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Abandon-House-Survive-Repair-Fiasco/dp/B0FJYRFYKTThis episodes features an excerpt from the song "Everybody Wants" by Eden's Journal.Next time: Kenny and Shari hunt for Bigfoot - a new contractor willing to take on the mess Brady left behind - and what “red flags” to watch for before signing your next home repair agreement.Abandon House! is produced by Jess Schmidt: https://www.jessdoespodcasting.com/Our editor is Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/The Abandon House! theme song was produced by Jeff Gerke with music and lyrics, vocals and guitar by Kenny Rudolph: https://abandonhousepod.com/Additional music graciously provided by Eden's Journal: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC28z4W9e04lGdr0GWL-DK2A

What begins as a long-awaited home repair turns into a comedy of errors, a masterclass in patience, and a crash course in the perils of “lifetime guarantees.” In this chapter of the Rudolphs’ ongoing home-repair odyssey, Kenny and Shari finally hire a contractor to fix their leaky sky wall (Halleluja! It has a name!!) What follows: multiple failed repair attempts, shattered windows, leaking warranties, and an ever-expanding cast of contractors - each with their own excuses and a new kind of goo. Along the way, life keeps rolling (sometimes literally), from mountain-bike collisions to big career moves and family health scares. Plus, insurance expert Mike Connolly of ClaimsPro Canada offers a sharp, enlightening look at how insurance systems really work North of the border - along with what homeowners should know before disaster strikes, and how to advocate for yourself when the fine print gets slippery.Along the way, Kenny, Shari, and Mike discuss:The “Lifetime Guarantee” Trap: When a company’s promise of perfection turns into years of callbacks and excuses.The Power of Documentation: Why keeping records, photos, and notes matters when repairs go wrong.Insurance Wisdom: Guest expert Mike Connolly of ClaimsPro Canada explains how claims, adjusters, and contractor networks differ in Canada vs. the U.S.—and how to protect yourself as a policyholder.This podcast is the official companion to the book series of the same name Abandon House: How to Survive a Home Repair Fiasco. Book 1 is available wherever you buy books, and at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Abandon-House-Survive-Repair-Fiasco/dp/B0FJYRFYKTNext time: Foreshadowing disaster, this chapter closes just in time for the holidays…and strange whispers of a new virus making news overseas…surely that won’t be a problem, right?Abandon House! is produced by Jess Schmidt: https://www.jessdoespodcasting.com/Our editor is Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/The Abandon House! theme song was produced by Jeff Gerke with music and lyrics, vocals and guitar by Kenny Rudolph: https://abandonhousepod.com/Additional music graciously provided by Eden's Journal: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC28z4W9e04lGdr0GWL-DK2A

After their first storm damage claim turned into a comedy of leaks - combatted only by our heroes’ bravery and their pots-and-pan ballet - Kenny and Shari finally receive their insurance settlement check for just over $4,000. Relief is short-lived, though, as they realize the payout is meaningless if they don’t have a contractor to actually do the work…and that the cheque might not be enough.Enter Doug Quinn, an insurance-industry-insider turned consumer advocate, who joins the show to explain what really happens when a claim gets adjusted, why so many homeowners end up underpaid, and how to fight back. Doug’s story of losing his own home in Superstorm Sandy reveals the darker side of an industry built on trust - and the critical role of public adjusters, self-advocacy, and persistence. His advice gives homeowners a playbook for pushing back when the numbers don’t add up.Along the way, Kenny and Shari share (with Doug’s help):How insurance claims really get handled behind the scenesThe difference between private and public adjustersPractical steps for homeowners to self-advocate after a denied or low claimThe emotional toll of home repair limbo…and the moment grief changes everythingThe beginnings of what would become the Brady Windows sagaEven the smallest leak can expose how fragile the promise of protection really is - and how important it is to understand your rights before disaster strikes.Find the links discussed in this episode here:American Policyholder Association websiteAPA How to Self Advocate in an Insurance Dispute resourceUnited Survivors Disaster ReliefBonus content: See photos of the real pots and pans ballet and other images from the fiasco at abandonedhousepod.comThis podcast is the official companion to the book series of the same name Abandon House: How to Survive a Home Repair Fiasco. Book 1 is available wherever you buy books, and at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Abandon-House-Survive-Repair-Fiasco/dp/B0FJYRFYKTNext time: The search for someone - anyone - to fix the dreaded “what-are-those-called?” skywall windows begins. Two bids in, the insurance estimate is STILL a joke…so the Rudolphs fight back, appeal the decision, and actually win.Abandon House! is produced by Jess Schmidt: https://www.jessdoespodcasting.com/Our editor is Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/The Abandon House! theme song was produced by Jeff Gerke with music and lyrics, vocals and guitar by Kenny Rudolph: https://abandonhousepod.com/Additional music graciously provided by Eden's Journal: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC28z4W9e04lGdr0GWL-DK2A

It all started with a drip.In this very first episode of Abandon House: How to Survive a Home Repair Fiasco, Kenny and Shari Rudolph take us back to February 17, 2017 when a rare Southern California storm turns their dream “castle” on a hill into a battleground: against the elements, and a slew of pirate foes in the forms of contractors, crews, and insurance agents. Their leaking kitchen window (or is it a sky light? maybe a sky wall, or an atrium?) was combatted with the first of many renditions of what would come to be known as the “pots and pans ballet”...which they didn’t yet know would mark the beginning of what would become a five-year adventure into the half-a-trillion-dollar industry of home repair and restoration.Along the way, Kenny and Shari share:The shock of discovering that their “invading raindrops” weren’t a one-time problemThe hilariously desperate (and very wet) improvisation of catching leaks with cookwareHow their “castle” became the stage for unexpected chaos and comedyTheir origin story as a couple - from elevator roulette and “non-dates” to long-distance love and finally moving into their fixer-upper togetherThe first frustrating encounters with their insurance company and a surfer-dude adjusterThis episode sets the stage for the saga to come: a mix of comedy, cautionary tales, and hard-earned lessons about the pitfalls of homeownership.Bonus content: See photos of the real pots and pans ballet and other images from the fiasco at abandonedhousepod.comThis podcast is the official companion to the book series of the same name Abandon House: How to Survive a Home Repair Fiasco. Book 1 is available wherever you buy books, and at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Abandon-House-Survive-Repair-Fiasco/dp/B0FJYRFYKTNext time: Kenny and Shari’s spray-and-pray search for a contractor takes them from skylights to shantytowns, while their insurance “solution” falls apart.Abandon House! is produced by Jess Schmidt: https://www.jessdoespodcasting.com/Our editor is Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/The Abandon House! theme song was produced by Jeff Gerke with music and lyrics, vocals and guitar by Kenny Rudolph: https://abandonhousepod.com/Additional music graciously provided by Eden's Journal: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC28z4W9e04lGdr0GWL-DK2A

Welcome to Abandon House! How to Survive a Home Repair Fiasco, where Kenny and Sherry Rudolph share their harrowing five-year journey through the half a trillion dollar home repair industry. A companion to Kenny's 3-part memoir of the same name, this 10-part limited series will bring you practical advice (from more seasoned experts than us, even), laugh-out-loud moments amid the chaos (our first insurance adjuster really did ask us for our fish taco recommendation), and a story that at the end of the day reminds you to hold those you love close (hey, if we can get through this - we can truly get through anything.) Subscribe now for essential do's and don'ts every other week to help you avoid the fate that we met…which left us crying, laughing, and screaming: “ABANDON HOUSE!”Abandon House! is produced by Jess Schmidt: https://www.jessdoespodcasting.com/Our editor is Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/The Abandon House! theme song was produced by Jeff Gerke with music and lyrics, vocals and guitar by Kenny Rudolph: https://abandonhousepod.com/Additional music graciously provided by Eden's Journal: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC28z4W9e04lGdr0GWL-DK2A

Join Kenny and Shari Rudolph as they recount their five-year home repair fiasco, battling insurance bandits, unreliable contractors, and a whole slew of home repair pirates who did their level best to capsize their house - and bring their relationship down with it. Each episode of this 10-part limited series will include essential do's and don'ts from their experiences, expert insights, and exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses into Kenny's 3-part Abandoned House: How to Survive a Home Repair Fiasco book series. Subscribe now to share the tears, laughter, and knowledge dropping onto the feed in fall 2025.