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The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

Podcast Episode 178: Interview With Home-Building Guru Mike Guertin

Mike and his apprentice Addison Oliveira stop by the Fine Homebuilding studio for a chat with Patrick about getting started in the trades, advancements in construction over the past few decades, job-site safety, and more.

By Patrick McCombe, Mike Guertin, Addison Oliveria

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We are very fortunate this week to have one of our favorite people, Mike Guertin, in town to join in on the podcast. Many of you may know that Mike is one of Fine Homebuilding’s most prolific contributors, and with good reason: he is extremely dedicated to advancing construction methods, and equally determined to share his knowledge and experience with as many people as possible. Among other things, you will hear about how he got his start in home building; what it was like writing articles in the early days of Fine Homebuilding Magazine; and, in an interesting aside, his experience with transplanting rhubarb.

Pre-assembling the deck in Rhode Island
Addison pre-assembling the deck in Rhode Island

Building the deck in the studio
Then building (and Mike testing) the deck in the studio

Mike, you described Addison as your employee. What is it you do Addison?

WACTC Construction Trades program trains students for the growing construction and renovation market.

What brought you guys to the carpentry trade?

Do you guys have handy family members or friends who got you interested in carpentry?

Mike's great grandfather and grandfather
Mike’s great grandfather and grandfather

Mike you’ve been involved with Fine Homebuilding and The Taunton Press for a long time. Do you remember your first article?

Mike the gardener
Mike the gardener

Mike's first Taunton article
Mike’s first Taunton article on rhubarb

Mike’s first Fine Homebuilding article: Squaring and Leveling Mudsills

Squaring and Leveling Mudsills

How did you come to be involved at Taunton? How did you learn about Taunton press?

What’s your worst building-related injury? What’s the worst injury you’ve seen?

What are your favorite tools?

What is your favorite kind of carpentry or homebuilding work? What is your least favorite?

Carol nailing shingles

 

 


Mike Keeping Craft Alive
Mike Keeping Craft Alive

#KeepCraftAlive

 

Support the trades like Mike!

Buy a #KeepCraftAlive hat or t-shirt!

 

 

Follow Mike Guertin on Instagram!


This episode of the podcast is brought to you by Windsor Windows & Doors, Protective Products, LP Outdoor Building Solutions, and Deck Wise

This episode of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast is brought to you by Windsor Windows & Doors. Put your personal touch on your next home construction or renovation project by using Windsor Windows & Doors. Offering a full line of Wood Clad, Cellular PVC and Vinyl Windows and Doors, our products come in a wide variety of colors, finishes and optional accessories that give you the perfect look to match your home’s style. With our quality construction and industry leading warranty, Windsor Windows & Doors are built to last. Get started on your next project by visiting windsorwindows.com and find an authorized Windsor distributor near you.

Also brought to you by Protective Products:
The nation’s oldest, most trusted, direct-to-you supplier of Surface Protection and Dust Control.  From industry-leading Econo Runner, protection for most hard flooring, to Zipwall, the contractor’s choice for building quick containment areas, Protective Products works with you to keep your jobsites protected and your customers happy.  Show that you care about preserving your quality craftsmanship with their full line of Surface Protection and Dust Control Solutions, see it all at ProtectiveProducts.com.

And LP Outdoor Building Products:
Whether you’re looking to add a storage unit or an art studio to your backyard, LP offers beautiful and durable products that can help you turn your shed into a stylish extension of your home. Because at the end of the day, your shed says a lot about who you are. Why not shed it your way? For inspiration and to learn more, visit LPShed.com.

The Fine Homebuilding Podcast is also brought to you by DeckWise:
Does your hardwood deck need a makeover? Bring back the luster of the day it was first installed. Let DeckWise reverse time and erase its dullness to make the wood grains burst with natural beauty again. Start with our Wood Cleaner and Brightener and finish with our eco-friendly water-base formula, WiseCoat, or our low VOC Ipe Oil hardwood finish. Protect and preserve your deck to keep it looking brand new this summer! For more info on these products visit DeckWise.com.

 

We hope you will take advantage of a great offer for our podcast listeners: A special 20% off the discounted rate to subscribe to the Fine Homebuilding print magazine. That link goes to finehomebuilding.com/podoffer.

The show is driven by our listeners, so please subscribe and rate us on iTunes or Google Play, and if you have any questions you would like us to dig into for a future show, shoot an email our way: [email protected]. Also, be sure to follow Mike Guertin, Justin Fink and Fine Homebuilding on Instagram, and “like” the magazine on Facebook. Note that you can watch the show above, or on YouTube at the Fine Homebuilding YouTube Channel.

The Fine Homebuilding Podcast embodies Fine Homebuilding magazine’s commitment to the preservation of craftsmanship and the advancement of home performance in residential construction. The show is an informal but vigorous conversation about the techniques and principles that allow listeners to master their design and building challenges.

 

Other related links

  • All FHB podcast show notes: FineHomebuilding.com/podcast.
  • #KeepCraftAlive T-shirts support scholarships for building trades students. So go order some shirts at KeepCraftAlive.org.
  • The direct link to the online store is here.

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  1. user-7434585 | May 04, 2019 12:40am | #1

    That was indeed great. Thanks for sharing.

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