Welcome to &#39;The Dueck Builders Podcast,&#39; the ultimate guide for anyone looking to build better homes in Winnipeg. Whether you’re planning your dream home or simply curious about the art of sustainable, energy-efficient living, this podcast offers expert insights and engaging conversations.We’ll start by breaking down our unique processes and contracts in a clear, approachable way—because transparency is the foundation of every great project. Then, join us for in-depth discussions with our trusted trades as we explore what it takes to build truly custom homes.At Dueck Builders, we’re committed to relationships, excellence, and constant improvement. This podcast is your front-row seat to the culture, craftsmanship, and innovation behind every project. Let’s build something extraordinary together.

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We sit down with founder and visionary Cal Dueck to talk about what prompted him to start a custom home building business. We talk through early days, formative principles and where he hopes the future takes the company.

Dueck's Origin Story

We sit down with founder and visionary Cal Dueck to talk about what prompted him to start a custom home building business. We talk through early days, formative principles and where he hopes the future takes the company.

Episode 1 - Cal Dueck Introduces Dueck Builders

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Thanks for following along this far! We finally have our first podcast with us actually voicing the whole thing! We talk about Hydraloop (grey water recycling), favourite plumbers, radon, and what it is like running a contracting business in Winnipeg, MB.Let us know what you think!

Episode 7 - In the Flesh with FloPro

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Selections can feel like a never-ending checklist… until you understand the order, the why, and the trade-offs. In this episode, Josh sits down with Heather Barry, Project Coordinator at Dueck Builders, to unpack what really happens behind the scenes of the selections process — and how homeowners can stay excited instead of overwhelmed.You’ll hear how early decisions (like windows, cabinetry, flooring, and plumbing) ripple into later choices, why lead times matter long before there’s even a hole in the ground, and how a phased selections approach keeps the build moving without rushing homeowners into regret.Heather also shares the human side: why one person in a couple is often “visual” and the other isn’t, when decision fatigue tends to hit, how to recover from Pinterest overload, and why honest feedback makes everything smoother. If you want a home that looks cohesive, stays on schedule, and feels like you, this one is a must-listen.

Heather Barry on confident decisions, fewer regrets, and a smoother custom build.

How to make confident home selections—without decision fatigue—using a phased, schedule-friendly process.

Episode 2 - Dueck Builders' Selection Process

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This is an AI generated review of our construction standards. Understanding our expectations of your finished product will help the project handover run smoothly. We can adjust these standards, but we need to talk through that early on.

Setting Your Expectations for Finished Product

Episode 3 - Construction Standards

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Cal takes over the host chair to interview Josh about how the Dueck Builder&#39;s Construction Budget and Design Phases work. This is the part of the project where your budget is refined by the designs you come up with together with the Dueck Builder&#39;s team.

Dueck Builders' Construction Budget

Cal takes over the host chair to interview Josh about how the Dueck Builder&#39;s Construction Budget and Design Phases work. This is the part of the project where your budget is refined by the designs you come up with together with the Dueck Builder&#39;s team.

Episode 4 - Construction Budget Proposal and Design

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This is an AI generated podcast explaining our design process. It walks through what to expect and how you can best be prepared for the process, what it will look like and some of the questions you&#39;ll be asked.

Explaining the Design Process

Episode 5 - Dueck's Design Process

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In this episode, we sit down with Tara Smith, General Manager and co-owner of Mr. Furnace / Furnasman New Homes, for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about leadership, trades, and what it really means to “do it right.”Tara shares her journey from handing out brochures at home shows as a kid to leading one of Manitoba’s most established HVAC companies. With decades of experience across accounting, HR, operations, and national board leadership, she brings a rare people-first perspective to an industry that often doesn’t get much attention—until something stops working.We talk about:<ul><li>What homeowners actually want (hint: it’s not bigger equipment, it’s comfort)</li><li>Common HVAC myths, placement mistakes, and indoor air quality blind spots</li><li>What’s changing fastest in HVAC, from heat pumps to refrigerant regulations</li><li>Why “dangerously educated” customers are becoming more common</li><li>The realities of running a multi-generational family business—and the rules that make it work</li><li>Why trades need young people (and women) more than ever</li><li>Tara’s message to women entering a male-dominated industry: stop assimilating, start owning your strengths</li><li>Leadership lessons from coaching kids, serving on national boards, and fixing mistakes the right way</li></ul>This episode is both practical and personal—full of real-world insights for homeowners, builders, and anyone interested in leadership, trades, or building a business that puts people first.Whether you’re planning a new build, running a family business, or just curious how your home actually works, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

A candid conversation with Tara Smith on family business, HVAC myths, industry change, and why you don’t need to “fit the mold” to lead

In this episode, we sit down with Tara Smith, General Manager and co-owner of Mr. Furnace / Furnasman New Homes, for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about leadership, trades, and what it really means to “do it right.”
Tara shares her journey from handing out brochures at home shows as a kid to leading one of Manitoba’s most established HVAC companies. With decades of experience across accounting, HR, operations, and national board leadership, she brings a rare people-first perspective to an industry that often doesn’t get much attention—until something stops working.
We talk about:

What homeowners actually want (hint: it’s not bigger equipment, it’s comfort)
Common HVAC myths, placement mistakes, and indoor air quality blind spots
What’s changing fastest in HVAC, from heat pumps to refrigerant regulations
Why “dangerously educated” customers are becoming more common
The realities of running a multi-generational family business—and the rules that make it work
Why trades need young people (and women) more than ever
Tara’s message to women entering a male-dominated industry: stop assimilating, start owning your strengths
Leadership lessons from coaching kids, serving on national boards, and fixing mistakes the right way

This episode is both practical and personal—full of real-world insights for homeowners, builders, and anyone interested in leadership, trades, or building a business that puts people first.
Whether you’re planning a new build, running a family business, or just curious how your home actually works, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Episode 6 - Tara Smith from Mr. Furnace

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We had the privilege of sitting down with Al Dueck, founder of Duxton Windows &amp; Doors, for a wide-ranging conversation about Winnipeg’s history, manufacturing challenges, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.Proud reflections on Winnipeg, unique opportunities of building high-performance windows on the prairies; Al shares stories that connect local innovation with global impact. His passion for leadership and commitment to creating energy-efficient solutions shines through, making this a must-listen for anyone interested in business, design, or sustainable building practices.Favourite bit: Al challenges company leaders to think of their talent as teammates, not employees.

Winnipeg Window Wisdom

We had the privilege of sitting down with Al Dueck, founder of Duxton Windows &amp; Doors, for a wide-ranging conversation about Winnipeg’s history, manufacturing challenges, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.

Proud reflections on Winnipeg, unique opportunities of building high-performance windows on the prairies; Al shares stories that connect local innovation with global impact. His passion for leadership and commitment to creating energy-efficient solutions shines through, making this a must-listen for anyone interested in business, design, or sustainable building practices.

Favourite bit: Al challenges company leaders to think of their talent as teammates, not employees.

Episode 8 - Double Dueck, Al Dueck from Duxton talks windows, entrepreneurship and more.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/10/15/16/bb5e0c65-5f00-4c39-a139-46b5503ce185_dueck_podcast_2_-_kiras_v.1.m4a

We got the chance to sit down with our engineer and talk through some fun new engineering problems, what makes a good engineer, and how engineering can make a difference to your project. We also talked blowing up astronauts and a zip line across the Red River?!

Engineering and Astronauts

We got the chance to sit down with our engineer and talk through some fun new engineering problems, what makes a good engineer, and how engineering can make a difference to your project. We also talked blowing up astronauts and a zip line across the Red River?!

Episode 9 - Blowing up Astronauts with Kiras

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/1/16/15/23502ff9-a546-4ab9-a13c-21982a6938a4_dueck_podcast_3_-_cantera.m4a

You’re probably not Sidney Crosby — and that’s good news. We sit down with Ben Dueck from Cantera and break down why leadership isn’t reserved for the naturally gifted, why fixing weaknesses is overrated, and how focusing on strengths can make you a better leader, parent, and human.

But maybe you could be Adam Lowry.

You’re probably not Sidney Crosby — and that’s good news. This episode breaks down why leadership isn’t reserved for the naturally gifted, why fixing weaknesses is overrated, and how focusing on strengths can make you a better leader, parent, and human.

Episode 10 - Ben Dueck - You’re Not Sidney Crosby — And That’s Okay

All things custom home building in Winnipeg, Manitoba!

Welcome to 'The Dueck Builders Podcast,' the ultimate guide for anyone looking to build better homes in Winnipeg. Whether you’re planning your dream home or simply curious about the art of sustainable, energy-efficient living, this podcast offers expert insights and engaging conversations.

We’ll start by breaking down our unique processes and contracts in a clear, approachable way—because transparency is the foundation of every great project. Then, join us for in-depth discussions with our trusted trades as we explore what it takes to build truly custom homes.

At Dueck Builders, we’re committed to relationships, excellence, and constant improvement. This podcast is your front-row seat to the culture, craftsmanship, and innovation behind every project. Let’s build something extraordinary together.