Building Margin

The Cash Flow Blueprint every business owner wishes they had sooner: coltivar.com/cashflow Steve sits down with special guest Jeff Calabro, President of SDI Services—a solar and drilling subcontractor recently acquired by Solv Energy. Jeff shares the raw truth about scaling a construction business without losing margin, control, or your mind. From building a team that actually shows up, to pricing jobs right, to staying lean during rapid growth—this episode is packed with lessons from someone who’s been in the trenches. If you're a contractor chasing revenue but feeling the squeeze on profit, Jeff's story will hit home. Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. www.coltivar.com

A contractor shares a jaw-dropping moment that transformed his business strategy forever. After a humiliating client meeting, he realized the importance of branding and pricing in standing out. The discussion delves into how rebranding and targeting the right market led to a much-needed reinvention. Listeners learn about essential cash flow management strategies and the crisis stages that contractors face. This insightful journey emphasizes not just improving work quality but also maximizing profits.

The Cash Flow Blueprint every contractor wishes they had sooner: coltivar.com/cashflow You can do $10M, $50M, or even $100M in revenue and still be broke. That’s the brutal truth behind many construction companies today. In this episode, Steve breaks down the critical difference between profit and cash flow—and why net profit on your income statement can lie. You’ll learn why even “profitable” businesses go bankrupt, how working capital and CapEx quietly drain your cash, and the financial benchmarks every contractor should know. Whether you’re trying to get a grip on your numbers, protect your margins, or stop stressing about payroll, this episode will help you avoid the most dangerous financial traps in construction. Disclaimer:  The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. www.coltivar.com

The Cash Flow Blueprint every contractor wishes they had sooner: coltivar.com/cashflow Most contractors think a 30% markup means a 30% margin. It doesn’t, and that mistake could be costing you tens of thousands of dollars every year. In this episode, Steve shares the simple pricing math most builders and trades miss and how it wrecks your margins without you even knowing. If your jobs look good in the field but leave you wondering where the money went, this one’s for you. Because getting your pricing wrong doesn’t just hurt profit, it creates a ripple effect across the entire business. Don’t let a math mistake drain your cash flow. Disclaimer:  The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.  This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. www.coltivar.com

The Cash Flow Blueprint every contractor wishes they had sooner: coltivar.com/cashflow Your profit looks great. So why does your bank account feel like it’s bleeding? In this episode, Steve breaks down the hidden financial gap that’s quietly wrecking good businesses. If you’ve ever wondered how you can show a healthy margin on paper but still struggle to make payroll or invest in growth, you’re not imagining it. This is the hard truth most owners miss. Disclaimer:  The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.  This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. www.coltivar.com

The Cash Flow Blueprint every contractor wishes they had sooner: coltivar.com/cashflow Watch the estimating series now: youtube.com/@building-margin Tired of guessing where the money went after every job? In this episode of Building Margin, learn why most contractors’ job costing reports are always off and how to fix it. You'll learn how poor labor tracking, unassigned costs, and broken feedback loops between estimating and accounting distort your numbers. Discover how to align your estimating and job costing systems to finally get accurate margins, bid with confidence, and stop losing money in the dark. Perfect for construction business owners, estimators, and project managers who want real financial clarity on every job. Book your free strategy call: coltivar.com/schedule-your-call Disclaimer:  The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.  This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. www.coltivar.com

The Cash Flow Blueprint every contractor wishes they had sooner: coltivar.com/cashflow See where you stand in our industry benchmarks: coltivar.com/benchmarks Most contractors think they’re making money until the bank account says otherwise. In this episode, Steve breaks down the dangerous gap between revenue, profit, and actual cash flow. He reveals the three costly mistakes killing contractor businesses: gut-based decision-making, flawed estimating, and confusing deposits for real revenue. You’ll also learn how to use financial dashboards, track the right KPIs, and finally understand what your numbers are really telling you. Book your free strategy call: coltivar.com/schedule-your-call Disclaimer:  The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.  This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.www.coltivar.com

The Cash Flow Blueprint every contractor wishes they had sooner: coltivar.com/cashflow Check out our tools & calculators: coltivar.com/tools Free training for construction owners: coltivar.com/construction-series You can be profitable on every job, and still run out of cash. The difference between contractors who thrive and those who go bust often comes down to one overlooked metric: throughput. It’s not just about how much profit you earn, but how fast you earn it. Steve breaks down what throughput really means, how to calculate it, and why it’s the key to making smarter bids, improving crew efficiency, and avoiding the cash crunch that sinks so many businesses. With real stories and practical steps, you’ll learn how to spot low-throughput jobs before they drain your resources—and how to focus on the projects that drive profit fast. Book your free strategy call: coltivar.com/schedule-your-call Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.www.coltivar.com

The Cash Flow Blueprint every contractor wishes they had sooner: coltivar.com/cashflow Too many contractors think they have a strategy when all they really have is a to-do list. In this episode of Building Margin, Steve explains the critical difference between strategy and planning and why getting it wrong can keep your business stuck, or worse, lead it straight to failure. Steve walks through the real framework behind strategic clarity, including how to define your biggest constraint, how to align your financial goals with real-world actions, and why buzzwords like “mission” and “SWOT” won’t cut it. You’ll also hear how he uses the scientific method to help construction companies actually execute strategy and see results. If your team’s chasing random initiatives without solving what’s really holding you back, this episode is your roadmap to doing it right. Disclaimer:  The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.www.coltivar.com

The Cash Flow Blueprint every contractor wishes they had sooner: coltivar.com/cashflow In this episode, Steve dives into one of the most misunderstood topics in construction finance: revenue recognition. Just because the money hits your bank account doesn’t mean you’ve earned it, and messing this up could lead to chaotic books, cash flow surprises, and even bankruptcy-level mistakes. Steve breaks down the five key rules every contractor must follow when it comes to recognizing revenue, even if you’re not a “numbers person.” From deposits to change orders to percentage-of-completion billing, he walks you through what matters, why it matters, and how to fix your process before it bites you later. If your income statement swings like a rollercoaster—or you’ve ever looked at your profit one month and thought, “That can’t be right”—this episode is for you. Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.  This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. www.coltivar.com