In this episode of Home: The Second Story, we sit down with Paul and Rebecca Sinopoli to unpack the lessons they learned from designing and building their custom, multi-generational home in Dayton, Ohio. Together, we revisit the full journey — from the first spark of an idea to the reality of moving into a house that balances contemporary design with practical living for three generations, on a hill, under one roof.

We begin by hearing how Paul’s military background and Rebecca’s desire to put down roots shaped their decision to build new rather than renovate. A key driver for the project was creating a duplex-style setup that would allow Rebecca’s mother to live independently but close by — an arrangement that offered privacy while bringing family together. Early on, they purchased a lot on a steep hill, a decision that would add significant complexity and cost down the line.

Working with Sheri, they quickly realized that siting the house to capture sunsets meant embracing engineering challenges. Paul’s desire for a contemporary, trimless interior added more layers of detail. We discuss how the hill required extensive retaining walls, careful grading, and a heated switchback driveway to make winter life manageable.

A major theme throughout the conversation is the unexpected cost overruns and scope changes. Paul and Rebecca share candidly how budget expectations ballooned from an initial $850,000 to over $2 million, driven by hill work, custom design choices, and ambitious finishes. They reflect on the importance of staying closely aligned on budget tracking and the reality that early design decisions lock in costs that are hard to change later.

Paul’s deep involvement as an owner-builder brought benefits and frustrations. We talk through how switching general contractors multiple times impacted momentum, and how Paul’s hands-on work sometimes clashed with trades expecting a traditional GC-led site. Rebecca highlights moments where trusting outside “experts” — like an aggressive lighting vendor — added costly complexity she would avoid next time. In hindsight, they would stick closer to the architect’s lighting plan and question lavish upsells.

We also dig into the emotional side of the build. Both share how living in a 95% finished home tested their patience, but the tradeoff was getting the unique spaces they envisioned. They offer advice to future homeowners: consult an architect early, bring in an interior designer for finishing details, and keep an open line of communication with each other to monitor costs and expectations.

Closing out, we reflect on the unique joys and headaches of building a fully custom home on a challenging site. Despite budget shocks and unfinished trim, the Sinopolis stand by their choice to create a space that truly fits their family. Their story is a clear reminder that every decision — from picking a plot to final paint — shapes not just a house, but how life is lived within it.

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Learn about our hosts:

Taylor: TPD Architecture and Design: https://tpdarchitect.com

Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com

SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com

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