Modern Craftsman

After nearly a decade of podcasting, Nick and Tyler hit record on a candid, unscripted conversation about burnout, direction, and the deeper purpose behind The Modern Craftsman. This episode pulls back the curtain on their evolving goals, the emotional toll of running a business, and the pressures of staying relevant in a saturated market. From questioning what growth really means to re-centering the show on meaningful conversations—not metrics—this is a raw, honest reset that long-time listeners won’t want to miss. Show Notes:  Pause and Reflection on the Podcast (0:00) Sponsor Acknowledgements and Podcast Content (1:59) Evaluating Podcast Content and Guest Selection (4:38) Exploring Broader Topics and Guest Insights (18:30) Balancing Personal and Professional Growth (20:47) Navigating Emotional and Business Challenges (24:34) Engaging with Listeners and Future Directions (1:04:36) Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

In this episode, Tyler talks about the disconnect between what builders show in an estimate and what clients truly need to understand. He dives deep into why leading with transparency, breaking down the budget, and walking clients through each line item creates trust, protects your margins, and actually helps win more jobs. By shifting from defending your price to explaining your value, you transform how clients perceive your worth—and how your business operates. Show Notes:  Transparency in Pricing and Client Trust (0:00) Differences in Contractor Approaches (3:47) Value Proposition and Client Education (6:12) Justifying Costs and Building Trust (9:05) Protecting Margins and Meeting Client Needs (14:20) Client Education and Value Engineering (24:11) Community Support and Personal Reflections (29:17) Video Version: https://youtu.be/p6b262PIv6Q   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Velux Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media  

Tyler and Nick talk about the importance of formal subcontractor agreements—why you need them, how they protect all parties, and the hard lessons that led them to overhaul their systems. From handshake deals gone wrong to building trust through transparent work orders, this episode gives you the tools to avoid costly mistakes and elevate your professionalism. Whether you're a GC, a sub, or somewhere in between, if you’re managing teams and trades, this one’s for you. Show Notes:  Subcontractor Engagement and Agreements (0:00) Sponsor Announcements and Product Promotions (1:52) Personal Stories and Boat Ownership (5:45) Subcontractor Vetting and Agreement Implementation (30:02) Pre-Construction and Subcontractor Strategies (48:44) Course Updates and Additional Resources (1:09:52) Video Version: https://youtu.be/ZTcQvwaPKuQ   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Velux Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media  

In this episode, Tyler talks about the hidden costs of chasing large, complex jobs and why scaling back changed the game for his business. He shares how finding the right project size gave him better profit margins, more control, and a healthier work-life balance.  Show Notes:  Understanding Ideal Project Size and Scope (0:00) The Power of Networking and Social Aspects (1:58) The Importance of Ideal Project Fit (5:45) Strategies for Profitable Project Management (10:10) Balancing Client Needs and Business Goals (20:44) Final Thoughts and Recommendations (25:31) Video Version: https://youtu.be/CLk9P4N_WiU   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Velux Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media  

Nick shares the story of a $200,000 mistake that could have been avoided with one clause in his contract. This episode unpacks the real cost of labor — from hidden overhead and labor burden to inefficient pricing strategies — and shows how even experienced builders can leave money on the table. Nick and Tyler break down how they calculate true labor costs, the ripple effect of inaccurate billing, and why it's time to rethink how you estimate, price, and protect your work. Sign up for the newsletter: https://www.moderncraftsman.co/ Show Notes:  Contractors Coalition Summit Recap and Labor Burden Introduction (0:00) Sponsorship Announcements and CCS Event Highlights (1:12) Labor Burden Calculator and Financial Lessons (12:46) Practical Advice for Calculating Labor Burden (24:33) Overtime and Labor Burden Considerations (53:27) Conclusion and Call to Action (56:22) Video Version: https://youtu.be/KpyjTvAlXgw Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Velux Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media  

In this episode, Tyler talks about why he stopped marking up subcontractor quotes and started charging a dedicated management fee instead. He shares how this shift helped him finally make money managing subs, offering a blueprint for small contractors to treat their time with the value it deserves. Show Notes:  Managing Subcontractors: The Secret to Profitability (0:00) The Evolution of Subcontractor Management Fees (2:16) The Importance of a Separate Management Fee (5:36) Examples of Markup and Management Fee Calculations (8:27) Justifying Higher Prices to Clients (15:53) The Role of Marketing and Sales in Small Contracting (16:11) The Future of Small Contracting (23:55)   Video Version: https://youtu.be/xCrmi-5-hn8   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Velux Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media  

In this episode, Nick and Tyler talk to Jamie Gasparovic about what it really means to lead a business — not just through craft, but through communication. Jamie opens up about the emotional stress that comes from reactive jobs, and how she transformed her process to build clarity and trust from day one. It’s a conversation about setting expectations, building systems that actually support your team, and learning to lead by design — not by default. Show Notes:  Introduction and Background of Jamie Gasparovic (0:00) Sponsorships and Personal Anecdotes (2:41) Pronunciation and Initial Conversation with Jamie (7:01) Business Operations and Client Management (14:56) Identity-Driven Design and Client Discovery (34:37) Challenges and Opportunities in the Design Industry (59:44) Business Evolution and Initial Challenges (1:07:21) Transitioning to Independent Work (1:11:17) Hiring the First Employee (1:14:39) Impact of Hiring on Business Operations (1:17:33) Pricing Strategies and Client Expectations (1:22:08) Managing Project Profitability (1:28:21) Future Plans and Business Growth (1:34:47) Personal Insights and Final Thoughts (1:36:50)   Video Version: https://youtu.be/Y0Anev8O7ws   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Velux Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media  

In this episode, Tyler talks about the real cost of underpricing your time — not just in money, but in missed opportunities. He shares how his mindset has shifted over the years and why learning to protect your schedule is one of the most valuable skills you can develop in the trades. Show Notes:  Understanding the Value of Time (0:00) The Hustle Rate and Overhead Calculations (4:37) Transitioning from Hustle Rate to Business Owner Mentality (12:47) Capturing Invisible Work and Adjusting Pricing (16:38) Implementing Subcontracting and Management Fees (30:16) Opportunity Cost and Business Growth (32:19) Conclusion and Next Steps (35:23) Video Version: https://youtu.be/n5AOoWtXvsw   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Velux Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media  

In this episode, Nick and Tyler talk about the value of growing a construction business at a pace that aligns with your long-term vision — not just your short-term ambition. They reflect on the mistakes and lessons from pursuing aggressive scaling and why they’ve chosen to focus on sustainability, control, and craftsmanship. If you’ve ever felt pressure to grow faster than feels right, this conversation is a breath of fresh air.   Show Notes:  Prioritizing Business Growth and Personal Success (0:00) Promoting Modern Craftsman Workshops and Sponsors (1:35) Hairline Concerns and Professional Appearance (4:49) Balancing Work and Personal Life (9:46) Understanding Business Profitability (30:57) Investing in Efficiency and Equipment (41:15) Delegating Tasks and Overcoming Guilt (56:22) Preparing for Upcoming Events and Workshops (1:07:40) Video Version:  https://youtu.be/bSpOWQniJW0   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Velux Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media  

In this episode, Tyler responds to a listener question about clients offering to pay in cash — and why that might not be the win it seems like. He breaks down the risks, the optics, and the long-term damage that “under the table” work can do to both your business and your reputation. Show Notes:  Cash Offers and Business Legitimacy (0:00) The Risks of Cash Transactions (6:46) Protecting the Business and Clients (18:14) The Role of Proper Documentation (26:32) Workshop & Coaching (29:12) Video Version: https://youtu.be/2KvQW-MUr_E   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Velux Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media