The Build Show Podcast Top 5 Risk We Take
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Feb 27, 2026 A builder breaks down five major risks in construction and how they start: design and defect liability, especially flat roofs and exterior plumbing. Materials, installation quality, and envelope testing get attention. Financial pitfalls like cash flow and contract clarity are highlighted. Labor reliability, market diversification, and preventing personal burnout are also covered.
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Construction Defect Liability Tops The Risk List
- Construction defect liability is a top existential risk for custom builders and can lead to lawsuits and reputational damage years after completion.
- Matt Risinger illustrates flat roofs, plumbing in exterior walls, and outdoor showers as common design choices that increase long-term defect exposure.
Push Back And Document Client Choices
- Push back on risky design choices and document client decisions when they insist on lower-spec options to shift liability away from your firm.
- Use the best installers and products for flat roofs, add head flashings, consider envelope consultants, and get written client acknowledgement when building under protest.
Jobsite Visit Exposed Plumbing In Exterior Walls
- Matt recounts visiting a risky job with plumbing runs in many exterior walls and an outdoor shower, worrying about freeze damage and long-term leaks.
- He explains how insulation can push pipes toward the cold exterior and how a multi-day freeze could cause widespread failures.