Building Margin

This is Part 4 of Steve Coughran’s book Building Margin. Steve shows contractors how to reclaim financial margin by focusing on free cash flow over paper profit—calculating gross margin and break-even revenue, using the four profit levers (pricing, COGS, overhead, volume), and tracking simple efficiency metrics (LTGP:CAC, ROL, ROIC) to stop leaks and price with confidence.LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth Most leaders build strategies focused on growth—but forget the one thing that actually sustains it: capital. In this episode, Steve reveals the two most common reasons strategies fail, and why execution alone won't save you. You’ll learn why most plans fall flat, how to avoid the "growth kills cash" trap, and the missing financial link that can make or break your entire company. This isn’t about frameworks on a whiteboard—it’s about making real choices, backed by numbers, to build a business that actually creates value (not just more stress). 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. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth What does it take to be a truly strategic CFO in today’s construction industry? In this episode, Steve sits down with Brad Collins, CFO of Barrett Industries—a regional construction leader and part of global infrastructure giant Colas. They dive deep into how finance leaders can drive real business value beyond spreadsheets, why strategic alignment across teams matters, and what CFOs can do to shift from being number crunchers to strategic partners. Brad shares insights on regional autonomy, KPI execution, operational efficiency, and the true ROI of financial leadership—plus, what he wishes he knew five years ago. If you're building a finance team or leading a P&L, this one’s packed with practical, hard-won advice. 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. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth Most business owners say they have a strategy. But is it actually creating value? Or is it just a poster on the wall? In this episode, Steve breaks down the 3 types of companies when it comes to strategy—and how most end up stuck in the middle, grinding hard without getting ahead. You'll learn how to test whether your strategy is really working using one critical metric. Plus, he shares the one simple question to ask your team today that will instantly reveal if your strategy is clear, or just noise. If you want to grow your business and increase profit, this is the clarity you’ve been missing. 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. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

In this insightful conversation, Jeff Calabro, President of SDI Services, shares his journey of scaling a construction business post-acquisition by Solv Energy. He discusses the challenges of attracting skilled workers and the need for effective leadership in navigating market fluctuations. Jeff highlights the significance of empathy in the workplace and emphasizes financial preparedness for stability. He also provides strategies to avoid burnout and sustainably grow a business without sacrificing profit or control. A must-listen for contractors seeking balance!

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.

Discover why many construction companies can generate millions in revenue yet still face financial droughts. Learn about the critical differences between profit and cash flow and how net profit can be misleading. Steve reveals the hidden costs that can drain your cash and emphasizes the importance of understanding working capital. Equip yourself with financial benchmarks to safeguard your margins and alleviate payroll stress. This insight is essential for contractors looking to avoid common financial traps.

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth 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. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

Explore the hidden financial gap that plagues many businesses, where profit looks good but cash flow tells a different story. Delve into the crucial differences between profit and cash flow, especially in the construction and landscape industries. Learn why focusing on cash flow management is essential for financial stability. A practical cash flow blueprint is also shared to help business owners navigate these challenges and secure their growth.

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth 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. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com