The Construction Leading Edge Podcast

EPISODE 356: Have you ever felt like your business was running you instead of the other way around? That's exactly how today's guest felt for a long time. In this week's episode, I sit down with Nate Mielke, owner of Skäpar Design Build, to talk about how his challenges–a lawsuit and a knee injury–forced him to rethink his approach to running a construction business. With over 25 years of experience under his name, Nate shares how mentorship helped him make the transition from a hands-on worker to a business owner running a successful operation. He explains how developing systems and outsourcing pre-construction tasks enabled him to focus on what he does best–client relationships and strategic thinking. Plus, he dives deep into the importance of making all decisions upfront before starting the project, hiring tips for building the right team, why customer experience is more important than the final product and more. Want to step back from the day-to-day grind and put on your CEO hat? Tune in now! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Nate Mielke of Skäpar Design Build (03:47) How Nate started his business after being laid off (06:01) Transitioning from a one-man show to subcontracting (07:44) Key factors to consider when outsourcing your pre-construction (15:35) How to avoid the JETS trap (18:44) Nate's three-phase construction process (21:25) The worst part about doing free estimates (24:55) Why customer experience is more important than the final product (29:07) The Operation Dignity International (33:49) Construction business challenges that Nate had to face (40:59) How a pre-construction process helps you to sell (43:47) Most impactful changes SYCB made to his business (48:42) What life and business have been now for Nate (51:44) The CEO Alliance (54:21) Additional Resources: - Join the Construction Leading Edge community HERE - Join our FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE or tap the "APPLY NOW" button on our website Other Links Mentioned in the Episode - Follow Skäpar Design Build HERE - Visit Operation Dignity International HERE - Check out JL Freelance for more information HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 355: How hard could it be running a construction business with your brother? Meet Sam and Jake Holman, founder and owners of Project Nine Property Group, a UK based construction company specializing in high-end remodels, extensions, and renovations. In this episode, Sam and Jake share their journey from struggling entrepreneurs to running a profitable, systematized construction company. They delve into strategies for running a family-owned business, the challenges they were facing, the game-changing results they've experienced after joining our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program, and more. Are you curious to know more about tips on running a family business? Let's jump right in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Sam and Jake Holman of Project Nine Property Group (03:45) The reasons behind their entrepreneurial jump (09:03) One thing they'd do differently in starting a business (15:32) Knowledge gaps in running a construction business (20:00) Advice for multi-generational family-owned businesses (24:04) Business challenges that Sam and Jake were facing (31:59) What it looks like to be in constant firefighting mode (35:00) Biggest lessons learned from the SYCB program (38:34) Benefits and results of joining the SYCB program (46:31) The CEO Alliance: what it's all about (57:05) Rapid-fire questions (1:00:49) Additional Resources: - Join the Construction Leading Edge online community HERE - Join our FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE or tap the "APPLY NOW" button on our website Keep up with Project Nine Property Group's Works - Follow Project Nine on Instagram HERE - Check out their website for more information HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 354: Are you tired of constantly putting out fires in your construction business? Does it feel like you're always one step behind? In this episode of the Construction Leading Edge podcast, I sit down with Brad Haubert, a home building industry expert since 1993. Brad takes us through his journey from running a family-owned home building business to consulting for builders across North America. His mission? To help builders avoid costly mistakes that can lead to business failure. We'll explore the crucial role of pre-construction planning, why having systems and processes in place is a game-changer, and how the "Just Enough To Start" or the JETS trap can sabotage your projects. Plus, we'll look into the future of home building, including the impact of AI and off-site construction. Don't miss this episode–tune in now! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Brad Haubert (02:33) Why some home building companies don't grow (05:21) The crucial role of pre-construction planning (07:47) Why people do just enough to get started (13:01) Avoid saying you don't have time (17:19) Common mistakes home builders make (20:05) What kind of builder are you? (24:23) Getting your team on board with new tech or processes (33:43) Key questions to ask to uncover the root cause of a problem (37:03) Importance of understanding the financials of a business (42:13) Future of the home building industry (44:36) Who is MarkSystems software for? (48:44) Rapid-fire questions (51:09) Additional Resources: - Join our FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE - Or send a text message to 877-755-2410 with the word "APPLY" Keep up with Brad Haubert - Connect with Brad on LinkedIn HERE - Visit Brad's construction software company, ECI Solutions HERE – Learn more about home building with Brad HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 353: Running a construction business with your spouse can be quite challenging, but Ashley and Andrea Fleschner of Fleschner Construction have mastered the art of building client trust through their partnership. In this week's episode, Ashley and Andrea reveal the secrets behind the success of Fleschner Construction and how trust has been a cornerstone in their success. They discuss the strategies they've implemented to enhance client communication, streamline operations, and foster trust in their services. Additionally, we talk about the impact of our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program on their business and family life, how the accountability chart and revenue maximizer work, and more. Tune in now to learn how to strengthen your business relationships with clients and partners while working as a couple! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Andrea and Ashley Fleschner of Fleschner Construction (02:45) Ashley's journey from high-tech sales to construction (07:50) Difference between commercial vs. residential design (13:49) Principles in designing hotel lobbies (18:50) Tips for married couples working together (24:59) Keys to building and rebuilding trust with clients (29:49) Impact of the Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program (34:19) Advice for those still giving out free estimates (38:41) Using the accountability chart and revenue maximizer (42:24) Life and business after the SYCB program (46:59) Having a positive community (51:22) Final thoughts (57:11) Additional Resources: - Join our FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE - Or send a text message to 877-755-2410 with the word "APPLY" Check out Fleschner Construction: - Connect with Fleschner Construction on Facebook HERE - Visit their official page for more information HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 352: Do you feel like your business is growing but not necessarily increasing in value? Today's guest learned it the hard way and now shares how he turned it around. Meet Chris Lee, a seasoned construction and technology entrepreneur who started a contracting business in Austin. Revenue was doubling year after year–everything looked perfect for Chris's contracting business. But when it was time for him to sell it, he learned that it was worth far less than he had imagined. In this week's episode, Chris Lee shares the critical steps he took to transform his business, which was later acquired by Procore. He breaks down the biggest lessons he learned in creating a construction tech startup and the common accounting mistakes contractors must avoid. Furthermore, he reveals some of the construction technology trends you need to watch out for, how to get your team on board with new technologies, and more. Tune in now to learn how you can make your construction business not just bigger, but more valuable! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Lessons Chris Lee learned from selling his first business (03:05) Why focus on operational efficiency and profitability (10:59) From founding a construction tech startup to getting acquired (13:39) Important lessons in mergers and acquisitions (17:38) Launching CrewCost–the accounting software for construction (26:16) Why construction should stop using Quickbooks (30:19) Tips for implementing new technology (31:30) The shiny object syndrome (35:50) Trends in construction technology and AI (38:11) Misconceptions in construction business (45:35) Rapid-fire questions (48:40) Episode wrap-up (52:47) Additional Resources: - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE - Or send a text message to 877-755-2410 with the word "APPLY" - Sign up for CrewCost's 30-day FREE trial HERE - Simplify your contracts with Document Crunch HERE - Improve your bookkeeping with Adaptive HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 351: Imagine waking up every morning feeling like you're three hours behind. Your phone is ringing nonstop and you haven't even had your first cup of coffee. Sounds familiar? For over 20 years, this was the daily grind for our guest as a seasoned construction business owner. But everything changed when he joined our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program. In this week's episode, our Director of Customer Success, Leyah Hostetter, interviews Eric Brownson, owner of Sweet Homes of Colorado, a luxury home building company. Today, Eric shares how he transformed his business from a reactive mess to a self-managing contracting business. He discusses how the SYCB program not only helped him streamline his operations but also significantly improved his work-life balance. Want to make your business run seamlessly without you? Tune in now to discover how to set your construction business up for long-term success. Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Eric Brownson (02:26) Challenges before the SYCB program (04:24) The importance of pre-construction (08:55) Most impactful lesson from the SYCB program (13:52) Impact of delegating project management (15:52) Eric's life after joining the SYCB program (17:35) Additional Resources: - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE - Or send a text message to 877-755-2410 with the word "APPLY" Connect with Eric and his team - Check out Sweet Homes of Colorado on Instagram HERE - Visit their official website for more information HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 350: Is it really possible to double your revenue while cutting your work hours in half? Jacob Richmond didn't believe it–until he made it happen. In this week's episode, I interview Jacob Richmond, owner of Richmond Construction, a general contracting company based in Washington specializing in custom homes and large additions. Today, Jacob shares his journey from a labor-intensive role in commercial construction to becoming a strategic business owner who's nearly doubled his revenue while cutting his work hours in half. He recounts how a motorcycle accident and a lack of business systems in his early ventures led him to enroll in our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program. Listen in as Jacob explains how implementing systems and processes allowed him to delegate effectively, focus on strategic growth, and achieve work-life balance. If you're ready to take your business to the next level without sacrificing your personal life, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Let's dive in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Jacob Richmond and his construction journey (02:53) Why Jacob left his business and went back to work (06:01) Starting a construction business during the pandemic (12:39) One piece of advice Jacob regrets ignoring (16:27) Jacob's pivotal moment that led him to enroll in SYCB (19:29) Limiting beliefs that were holding Jacob back (23:07) What it's like inside the SYCB program (24:53) 3 key processes that transformed Jacob's business (27:53) Side effects of implementing systems and processes (33:39) Life and business before and after SYCB (36:50) Tips for effectively implementing systems and processes (44:10) The power of accountability, setting goals, and saying no (48:27) Final set of questions (55:50) Additional Resources: - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE - Or send a text message to 877-755-2410 with the word "APPLY" Connect with Richmond Construction's team - Follow them on Instagram and Facebook - Visit their website for more information HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 349: Are you tired of being chained to your desk, doing estimates, and feeling like your business can't run without you? It's time to ditch the estimator hat once and for all and start putting on your CEO hat! In this week's episode, I'll reveal a five-step process to help you construction business owners transition out of your estimating roles. We'll discuss why transitioning from free estimates to paid pre-construction services is crucial, how this shift can turn your construction business into a profit center, and common mistakes you should avoid. If you're a custom builder, remodeler, general contractor, or trade contractor who wants to get out of estimating and instead work on your business, this episode is packed with value to help you drive your business forward. Let's jump right in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Why do you want to get out of estimating (03:19) Step #1: Solve your head trash (05:26) Step #2: Stop giving out free estimates (13:43) Step #3: Nail the handoff (19:04) Step #4: Design the role of an estimator (24:43) Step #5: Answer the WWIT question (28:24) Final tips (30:49) Additional Resources: - Join our FREE Get Paid for Estimates Masterclass HERE - Download the Get Out of Estimating Playbook HERE - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE - Or send a text message to 877-755-2410 with the word "APPLY" -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

In this engaging discussion, Travis Balcom, owner of TAB Construction LLC, shares his transformative journey from being the bottleneck in his custom home-building business to implementing empowering systems. He reveals how he felt overwhelmed and burnt out during his wife's pregnancy, prompting a shift in his approach. Travis emphasizes the importance of delegation, clear communication, and establishing defined roles within the team. Listeners will learn about effective planning and the benefits of transitioning from reactive to proactive management in construction.

EPISODE 347: Running a construction business is tough. It even gets challenging when you're doing it with your family. However, these two sisters found a way around to turn chaos into order. In this week's episode, I sit down with sisters Ashlee Mejia and Alexis Izquierdo of MDT Inc., a contracting firm based in Southern California and students of our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) Program. They share their journey of transitioning from remodeling to larger-scale projects, using Instagram for marketing, and the crucial role of pre-construction planning. We also dive into the challenges of working with family, their strategies for overcoming these, the impactful changes they've made to their business, and more. Tune in now to learn how you can transform your family-owned construction business into a success! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Ashlee and Alexis from MDT Inc. (02:52) How they got into the construction industry (04:13) From corporate to entrepreneurship (09:34) Common Instagram marketing mistakes (15:28) Effective social media marketing strategies (17:40) Symptoms of lack of business structure (24:26) Dealing with profit bleeds and free estimates (26:51) Challenges in implementing systems and processes (29:25) Benefits of pre-construction planning (30:57) Most impactful changes made in the business (37:22) How MDT Inc. looks now (42:43) Advice for those who are working ON their business (50:14) Life after systematizing their construction business (53:23) Rapid fire questions answered (1:00:58) Final advice (1:03:24) Keep up with Ashlee and Alexis (1:06:06) Additional Resources: - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE - Or send a text message to 877-755-2410 with the word "APPLY" Check out MDT Inc. - Follow MDT Inc. on Instagram HERE - Visit their website HERE for more information -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!