Dustin Kunkel
Father of two and solar-panel business worker who lost his Altadena home in the Eaton Fire and discusses his experience finding a contractor and rebuilding.
Best podcasts with Dustin Kunkel
Ranked by the Snipd community
Jan 6, 2026 • 7min
Finding a contractor one year after California's wildfires
Dustin Kunkel, a father of two and solar-panel business worker, shares his personal journey after losing his home in the Eaton Fire. He discusses the daunting task of interviewing 30 contractors to find the right fit for rebuilding. Kunkel reveals the stark reality of contractor enthusiasm that often fizzled out and the bitter economics of bids that have risen sharply post-fire. He also highlights the current market disparities affecting rebuilding projects in Los Angeles County, painting a vivid picture of resilience amid recovery.
Jan 6, 2026 • 7min
Finding a contractor one year after California's wildfires
Dustin Kunkel, a father and solar-panel business worker, shares his harrowing experience of losing his home in the Eaton Fire and the challenging journey to find a reliable contractor among dozens. He reveals the frustrations of interviewing 30 contractors and the rising costs of rebuilding, noting how bids soared to nearly $450 per square foot. Joining him, economist Lauren Seidel Baker discusses how rising construction costs and income disparities are shaping the housing market, emphasizing the divide between lower- and higher-income households.
