Mike Holmes and Rick Murdock on How Robots and Modular Homes Are Reshaping Construction

Mike Holmes has spent his career talking about how to “make it right.” In a new Holmes on Homes Podcast episode, he sits down with Rick Murdock, co-founder of Autovol, to explore how robotics and modular homes are rewriting what it means to build efficiently, affordably, and well. Together, they dig into how automation and prefabrication might finally solve one of the biggest challenges of our time: affordable housing. You can hear the full episode here.

Holmes starts the conversation with a blunt question: why can’t we build homes fast enough or cheap enough for the people who need them most? Murdock doesn’t hesitate — the process itself hasn’t kept up with modern technology. Traditional construction still happens mostly on-site, subject to weather, delays, and labor shortages. Modular building flips that model. It moves construction into a factory setting, where homes are built in sections under controlled conditions, then transported and assembled on-site.

The result? Faster timelines, less waste, and tighter quality control. Holmes lights up at that. “So it’s like bringing the precision of manufacturing to homebuilding,” he says. Murdock nods — that’s exactly the idea. Every part of the home, from framing to finishing, can be built in parallel, instead of waiting on-site for each step to finish.

Then comes the real twist: robotics. Murdock explains how Autovol integrates robots into the modular process to handle repetitive or heavy tasks — lifting walls, cutting materials, and assembling components with perfect accuracy. Holmes laughs and says what every builder’s thinking: “So the robots do the grunt work, and the people get to do the smart work.” It’s not about replacing humans; it’s about redefining the job.

That shift, both agree, might be the key to drawing more young people into the trades. The modern job site doesn’t have to mean mud, noise, and backbreaking labor. With robots handling the muscle, humans can focus on problem-solving, technology, and craftsmanship. Holmes points out that younger generations are drawn to tech — they want jobs that feel future-facing. Seeing a robotic arm install a wall with laser precision isn’t just efficient; it’s inspiring.

Murdock explains that robots don’t work alone. Skilled tradespeople still guide and supervise every move. The machines provide consistency and safety, but the human eye and judgment ensure everything aligns perfectly. Holmes loves that partnership — a meeting of precision and intuition. “That’s the future right there,” he says. “Technology that helps the trades, not replaces them.”

As the talk deepens, Holmes pushes for the real-world impact. Modular robotics isn’t just about efficiency — it’s about accessibility. Faster builds mean more housing for people who can’t wait years for new developments. Murdock describes how Autovol’s factories can produce high-quality homes at scale, helping to close the gap between demand and affordability. It’s construction meeting social need head-on.

They also dig into sustainability. Factory environments use materials more efficiently, minimize transport waste, and recycle scrap on-site. Robotics add precision that reduces human error, meaning fewer rebuilds and less waste overall. Holmes ties it back to his lifelong message: “When you build smart, you build green — because doing it right the first time is the most sustainable thing there is.”

What strikes Holmes most is how this approach could redefine the trades entirely. With robotics and modular design leading the way, construction becomes more diverse, more technical, and more appealing to a new wave of workers. Instead of fearing automation, tradespeople can use it to extend their reach and their value. Murdock calls it “building the future workforce while building the future homes.”

The two trade stories about innovation — Holmes recalling the early days of power tools and laser levels, Murdock describing how far automation has come. The parallels are clear. Every major leap in construction started with skepticism and ended with transformation. This is just the next step.

Holmes asks about the learning curve — how hard is it for traditional tradespeople to adapt? Murdock explains that the training isn’t about replacing skills but expanding them. Carpenters learn to work with digital systems. Electricians integrate smart tech. It’s evolution, not disruption. “You still need to know how to build,” he says. “The difference is now you’ve got tools that think with you.”

The episode captures that balance perfectly — human experience guided by intelligent systems. Holmes keeps circling back to that idea of collaboration. For him, progress that respects craftsmanship is progress worth celebrating. And this shift, he says, could finally give the trades the recognition they’ve always deserved: as builders of innovation, not just structures.

By the end of the episode, Holmes sums it up the way only he can: “Innovation isn’t just changing how we build — it’s changing who gets to live in what we build.” It’s practical, hopeful, and unmistakably him — a reminder that technology, when done right, isn’t cold or distant. It’s a tool for humanity.

You can hear the full conversation between Mike Holmes and Rick Murdock — and see how robots and modular design are redefining what “making it right” looks like — on Spotify here. It’s a glimpse of construction’s future, and it’s already happening.