The Craft of Custom

The Invisible Work: The elements that separate a good build from a great one

Nearly 50-70% of a custom home's budget goes to work you'll never see: foundations, framing, plumbing, electrical, insulation, and all the systems that determine how your home actually performs.  In this episode, Paul breaks down why these invisible investments matter more than most people realize and where to prioritize your money for long-term comfort, efficiency, and durability.  This conversation shines a light on the hidden work that separates a good build from a great one. Listen to learn:  * The breakdown of the home-building budget on visible vs. invisible work  * Why invisible systems can be some of the most important investments a homeowner can make  * What Paul would focus on first with the behind-the-scenes upgrades in his own home  * All the many moving parts and pieces that go into building a custom home  * And more  Connect with LR3 Development Email: paul@lr3development.com Phone: 603.320.0337 Instagram: Instagram.com/LR3Development [https://www.instagram.com/lr3development/] Website: www.LR3Development.com [https://lr3development.com/] About Host, Paul LaRoche, Owner & Founder of LR3 Development, LLC Architecture and design are in Paul’s DNA. When Paul was a young man, he had the opportunity to learn about the trades from firsthand experience and watch the process for himself. He learned about building, design, and construction. He developed an impeccable appreciation for style, decor, and quality. Inspired by his family, he attended Boston Architectural College, where his professional training began. After working for other firms for years, Paul wanted more autonomy in the building process to better provide the quality and innovative solutions he believed in. After 20+ years in the construction industry, he opened LR3 in 2020 and never looked back! A true industry leader, Paul’s created luxury markets where others have said it couldn’t be done. His work has won multiple awards, including the “Home of the Year” for the State of New Hampshire.  About Cohost, Emily Aborn, Copywriter & Podcaster Emily Aborn is a Small Business Copywriter, Content Marketing Consultant, and Podcast Host of Small Business Casual. She’s been an entrepreneur for over a decade, with experience running brick-and-mortar and online businesses. Emily works with Paul as a cohost, project copywriter, and other write-ups (like this one) that Paul would procrastinate on without her help.   Visit Emily's website at emilyaborn.com [https://emilyaborn.com/] to learn more and connect!

The Local Advantage: Why Building with Someone Who Knows the Area Matters

Not all builders are created equal, and local expertise matters more than you might think.  In this episode, Paul breaks down why working with someone who truly knows the Monadnock Region translates to a better build.  From understanding New Hampshire's specific climate challenges and soil conditions to navigating local building codes with ease, regional knowledge shows up in ways that directly impact quality, timeline, and long-term performance. We also discuss how a network of trusted local collaborators and subcontractors makes projects run more smoothly. Plus, the critical details that come from years of building in this exact landscape.  If you've ever wondered whether "local" is just a nice-to-have or a genuine advantage, give this episode a listen.  Inside the Episode:  * NH's specific climate and weather patterns that influence the home build  * Critical details like building codes and local regulations that add up fast for a smoother process  * How a network of reliable local subcontractors and suppliers impacts quality and timeline  * The regional materials that give the build a sense of place and a unique aesthetic  * Why local matters and the tangible benefits to the homeowner  * And more!  Connect with LR3 Development Email: paul@lr3development.com Phone: 603.320.0337 Instagram: Instagram.com/LR3Development [https://www.instagram.com/lr3development/] Website: www.LR3Development.com [https://lr3development.com/] About Host, Paul LaRoche, Owner & Founder of LR3 Development, LLC Architecture and design are in Paul’s DNA. When Paul was a young man, he had the opportunity to learn about the trades from firsthand experience and watch the process for himself. He learned about building, design, and construction. He developed an impeccable appreciation for style, decor, and quality. Inspired by his family, he attended Boston Architectural College, where his professional training began. After working for other firms for years, Paul wanted more autonomy in the building process to better provide the quality and innovative solutions he believed in. After 20+ years in the construction industry, he opened LR3 in 2020 and never looked back! A true industry leader, Paul’s created luxury markets where others have said it couldn’t be done. His work has won multiple awards, including the “Home of the Year” for the State of New Hampshire.  About Cohost, Emily Aborn, Copywriter & Podcaster Emily Aborn is a Small Business Copywriter, Content Marketing Consultant, and Podcast Host of Small Business Casual. She’s been an entrepreneur for over a decade, with experience running brick-and-mortar and online businesses. Emily works with Paul as a cohost, project copywriter, and other write-ups (like this one) that Paul would procrastinate on without her help.   Visit Emily's website at emilyaborn.com [https://emilyaborn.com/] to learn more and connect!

If I Were Building My Own Home Today: Paul's Dream Build

Ever wondered what a luxury custom home builder would build for himself?  In this episode, Paul gets personal and walks through his dream home from the ground up.  He chooses his ideal location, and we give him complete creative freedom to dream, splurge, and skip out on the stuff that doesn't matter!  This isn't just about Paul's dream build, it's a masterclass in values-based design.  Paul reveals:  * The materials, features, and spatial choices that matter most after decades of building for others * Risks he'd take in his own home * How lessons from hundreds of custom builds would shape his own space * What a great custom home process looks like through the eyes of someone who knows it inside and out Connect with LR3 Development Email: paul@lr3development.com Phone: 603.320.0337 Instagram: Instagram.com/LR3Development [https://www.instagram.com/lr3development/] Website: www.LR3Development.com [https://lr3development.com/] About Host, Paul LaRoche, Owner & Founder of LR3 Development, LLC Architecture and design are in Paul’s DNA. When Paul was a young man, he had the opportunity to learn about the trades from firsthand experience and watch the process for himself. He learned about building, design, and construction. He developed an impeccable appreciation for style, decor, and quality. Inspired by his family, he attended Boston Architectural College, where his professional training began. After working for other firms for years, Paul wanted more autonomy in the building process to better provide the quality and innovative solutions he believed in. After 20+ years in the construction industry, he opened LR3 in 2020 and never looked back! A true industry leader, Paul’s created luxury markets where others have said it couldn’t be done. His work has won multiple awards, including the “Home of the Year” for the State of New Hampshire.  About Cohost, Emily Aborn, Copywriter & Podcaster Emily Aborn is a Small Business Copywriter, Content Marketing Consultant, and Podcast Host of Small Business Casual. She’s been an entrepreneur for over a decade, with experience running brick-and-mortar and online businesses. Emily works with Paul as a cohost, project copywriter, and other write-ups (like this one) that Paul would procrastinate on without her help.   Visit Emily's website at emilyaborn.com [https://emilyaborn.com/] to learn more and connect!

We Are Hiring! Help us spread the word and grow the LR3 team!

LR3 Development is growing!  Paul's looking for just the right person to join the team as an experienced Residential Construction Project Manager.  In this episode, Paul shares more about the role, what it entails, and what it takes to succeed in luxury custom home building. We get into why this is more than just a job; it's an invitation to grow your career and be part of a team that stands by quality and refuses to cut corners.  Please help us spread the word by sharing the episode with someone you know who might make a good fit. Think that person might be you? If so, please send your cover letter and resume to Paul@LR3Development.com  Link to Indeed.com Listing:  [https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?cmp=LR3-Development&t=Construction+Project+Manager&jk=0f57e69c1d3961b0&q=project+manager+construction&xpse=SoBC67I3k6q270QHTR0LbzkdCdPP&xfps=c0819677-50a9-4f4e-8dda-c9121ef9118d&xkcb=SoDI67M3k6q55JSC050abzkdCdPP&vjs=3]https://bit.ly/LR3ConstructionPM Connect with LR3 Development Email: paul@lr3development.com Phone: 603.320.0337 Instagram: Instagram.com/LR3Development [https://www.instagram.com/lr3development/] Website: www.LR3Development.com [https://lr3development.com/] About Host, Paul LaRoche, Owner & Founder of LR3 Development, LLC Architecture and design are in Paul’s DNA. When Paul was a young man, he had the opportunity to learn about the trades from firsthand experience and watch the process for himself. He learned about building, design, and construction. He developed an impeccable appreciation for style, decor, and quality. Inspired by his family, he attended Boston Architectural College, where his professional training began. After working for other firms for years, Paul wanted more autonomy in the building process to better provide the quality and innovative solutions he believed in. After 20+ years in the construction industry, he opened LR3 in 2020 and never looked back! A true industry leader, Paul’s created luxury markets where others have said it couldn’t be done. His work has won multiple awards, including the “Home of the Year” for the State of New Hampshire.  About Cohost, Emily Aborn, Copywriter & Podcaster Emily Aborn is a Small Business Copywriter, Content Marketing Consultant, and Podcast Host of Small Business Casual. She’s been an entrepreneur for over a decade, with experience running brick-and-mortar and online businesses. Emily works with Paul as a cohost, project copywriter, and other write-ups (like this one) that Paul would procrastinate on without her help.   Visit Emily's website at emilyaborn.com [https://emilyaborn.com/] to learn more and connect!

Then vs. Now: Building in 2026

The home-building industry has changed a lot in the past twenty years, but some principles have remained tried-and-true.  In this episode, Paul shares from his two decades of construction experience as we take a look at what’s actually different, and what hasn’t changed a bit between then vs. now.  Listen to hear:  * How long Paul has been in the industry, and what it was like when he started, vs. where it is today  * The biggest shift in how home construction has changed over the last two decades  * What clients now LOVE but that didn’t exist or wasn’t available 20 years ago  * How technology has changed the building process and homes themselves  * Which trends have made a resurgence, and which have stood the test of time  * And more!  Connect with LR3 Development Email: paul@lr3development.com Phone: 603.320.0337 Instagram: Instagram.com/LR3Development [https://www.instagram.com/lr3development/] Website: www.LR3Development.com [https://lr3development.com/] About Host, Paul LaRoche, Owner & Founder of LR3 Development, LLC Architecture and design are in Paul’s DNA. When Paul was a young man, he had the opportunity to learn about the trades from firsthand experience and watch the process for himself. He learned about building, design, and construction. He developed an impeccable appreciation for style, decor, and quality. Inspired by his family, he attended Boston Architectural College, where his professional training began. After working for other firms for years, Paul wanted more autonomy in the building process to better provide the quality and innovative solutions he believed in. After 20+ years in the construction industry, he opened LR3 in 2020 and never looked back! A true industry leader, Paul’s created luxury markets where others have said it couldn’t be done. His work has won multiple awards, including the “Home of the Year” for the State of New Hampshire.  About Cohost, Emily Aborn, Copywriter & Podcaster Emily Aborn is a Small Business Copywriter, Content Marketing Consultant, and Podcast Host of Small Business Casual. She’s been an entrepreneur for over a decade, with experience running brick-and-mortar and online businesses. Emily works with Paul as a cohost, project copywriter, and other write-ups (like this one) that Paul would procrastinate on without her help.   Visit Emily's website at emilyaborn.com [https://emilyaborn.com/] to learn more and connect!