Modern Craftsman
Modern Craftsman
The Modern Craftsman is a podcast for builders who think beyond the jobsite. Hosted by Nick Schiffer and Tyler Grace, this show explores what it takes to build a better business, a stronger team, and a more sustainable career in the trades.
Each episode features real conversations about leadership, project management, client communication, team culture, mental resilience, and long-term success in construction. Whether you’re a carpenter scaling your company, a remodeler refining your process, or a builder navigating burnout, you’ll find insight, support, and hard-earned lessons from those who’ve lived it.
Each episode features real conversations about leadership, project management, client communication, team culture, mental resilience, and long-term success in construction. Whether you’re a carpenter scaling your company, a remodeler refining your process, or a builder navigating burnout, you’ll find insight, support, and hard-earned lessons from those who’ve lived it.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 9, 2024 • 27min
Endweek with Nick: Sharing Construction Knowledge
Nick Schiffer discusses how he began documenting his construction business through video in 2015 and how he continued to learn from other builders and share his successes and failures. Construction Company Handbook The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Podcast Produced By: Motif Media Modern Craftsman Merch: 2 Pencils Stone Paper Notebook Tyler's Top Blogs: How I Started My Business Books that Build Site Protection Principles My Preconstruction Process: Part 1 Becoming Proficient in Multiple Trades
Feb 8, 2024 • 36min
Midweek with Tyler: Architect Referral Gone Awry
Tyler discusses his frustration with being left out of a renovation project for returning customers after referring them to an architect, and shares lessons learned about remaining involved throughout the entire design and referral process. The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Tyler Grace Podcast Produced By: Motif Media Tyler's Top Blogs: How I Started My Business Books that Build Site Protection Principles My Preconstruction Process: Part 1 Becoming Proficient in Multiple Trades Modern Craftsman Merch: 2 Pencils Stone Paper Notebook
Feb 5, 2024 • 1h 27min
#298 Balancing Health, Family and a Construction Business
Building a legacy in the construction industry — Nick and Tyler discuss balancing their diets, family responsibilities, and businesses while creating a support system for other contractors. Modern Craftsman Partnerships Andersen Windows Buildertrend The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Tyler Grace Podcast Produced By: Motif Media Tyler's Top Blogs: How I Started My Business Books that Build Site Protection Principles My Preconstruction Process: Part 1 Becoming Proficient in Multiple Trades Modern Craftsman Merch: 2 Pencils Stone Paper Notebook Top Epiosdes of 2023: 244 Aron Jones 247 Michael Conneely 248 Jason Hibbs 250 Ken Decost 253 Rens Hayes 255 Mark D. Williams 260 Travis Brungardt & Joe Cook 259 Chris Murray 262 Kevin O'connor 274 Bryan Uhler 280 Jeff Sweenor 279 Mike Guertin 282 Jeremy Kassel 276 Josh Salinger
Feb 2, 2024 • 21min
Endweek with Nick: Hiring and Retaining Talent as a Builder
Nick Schiffer discusses strategies for hiring and retaining talent as a builder, including implementing thorough job descriptions, formal performance improvement plans, and an extensive employee handbook to clearly outline expectations, goals, policies and benefits in order to align employees with the goals of the business and provide accountability for performance. Construction Company Handbook The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Podcast Produced By: Motif Media Modern Craftsman Merch: 2 Pencils Stone Paper Notebook Tyler's Top Blogs: How I Started My Business Books that Build Site Protection Principles My Preconstruction Process: Part 1 Becoming Proficient in Multiple Trades
Feb 1, 2024 • 35min
Midweek with Tyler: The Need for Change
Tyler Grace reflects on his desire for change and a simpler lifestyle as he struggles with the fast pace of modern life, and considers relocating to find more balance and fulfillment. SPONSORED BY: Featuring: Andersen Windows & Doors If you have a project in New Jersey or New York, Kuiken Brothers is the premier partner of Andersen Windows & Doors. Showrooms, Service, Millwork Expertise like no other. Experience the Kuiken Brothers Difference. Kuiken Brothers’ Classical Moulding Looking to take those windows to the next level? Surround them with Kuiken Brothers’ Classical Moulding. 90+ historically inspired poplar moulding profiles. Milled from poplar, shipping jobsite direct, nationwide. The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Tyler Grace Podcast Produced By: Motif Media Tyler's Top Blogs: How I Started My Business Books that Build Site Protection Principles My Preconstruction Process: Part 1 Becoming Proficient in Multiple Trades Modern Craftsman Merch: 2 Pencils Stone Paper Notebook
Jan 29, 2024 • 1h 60min
#297 Home Remodeler & Project Manager Chris Meeken
Breaking into the construction industry without experience, Chris Meeken shares the value of processes, recipes, and having the right information to make good decisions. https://blacktiegroupusa.com/ Modern Craftsman Partnerships Andersen Windows Buildertrend The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Tyler Grace Podcast Produced By: Motif Media Tyler's Top Blogs: How I Started My Business Books that Build Site Protection Principles My Preconstruction Process: Part 1 Becoming Proficient in Multiple Trades Modern Craftsman Merch: 2 Pencils Stone Paper Notebook Top Epiosdes of 2023: 244 Aron Jones 247 Michael Conneely 248 Jason Hibbs 250 Ken Decost 253 Rens Hayes 255 Mark D. Williams 260 Travis Brungardt & Joe Cook 259 Chris Murray 262 Kevin O'connor 274 Bryan Uhler 280 Jeff Sweenor 279 Mike Guertin 282 Jeremy Kassel 276 Josh Salinger
Jan 26, 2024 • 15min
Endweek with Nick: Calculating Your True Labor Costs
Calculating true labor cost. Understanding employee hourly burden with payroll taxes, insurance, benefits, vacation, software, vehicle costs. Nick Schiffer offers a spreadsheet template to help contractors capture all labor expenses and set proper billable rates. Labor Burden Calculator The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Podcast Produced By: Motif Media Modern Craftsman Merch: 2 Pencils Stone Paper Notebook Tyler's Top Blogs: How I Started My Business Books that Build Site Protection Principles My Preconstruction Process: Part 1 Becoming Proficient in Multiple Trades
Jan 25, 2024 • 40min
Midweek with Tyler: Slowing Renovation Market
Analyzing the slowing renovation market, Tyler shares how it's affecting his business and builders across the United States. SPONSORED BY: Featuring: Andersen Windows & Doors If you have a project in New Jersey or New York, Kuiken Brothers is the premier partner of Andersen Windows & Doors. Showrooms, Service, Millwork Expertise like no other. Experience the Kuiken Brothers Difference. Kuiken Brothers’ Classical Moulding Looking to take those windows to the next level? Surround them with Kuiken Brothers’ Classical Moulding. 90+ historically inspired poplar moulding profiles. Milled from poplar, shipping jobsite direct, nationwide. The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Tyler Grace Podcast Produced By: Motif Media Tyler's Top Blogs: How I Started My Business Books that Build Site Protection Principles My Preconstruction Process: Part 1 Becoming Proficient in Multiple Trades Modern Craftsman Merch: 2 Pencils Stone Paper Notebook
Jan 22, 2024 • 1h 45min
#296 HVAC services with Rachel Sylvain
Mordern Craftsman Partnerships Andersen Windows Buildertrend The Episode: Rachel Sylvain, CEO of AGS HVAC services, talks about implementing new systems and software to increase efficiency and profits while providing better benefits and training for employees. Rachel also explains the importance of planning and coordination between trades to ensure HVAC systems are properly designed and installed for new construction projects. AGS HVAC Services The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Tyler Grace Podcast Produced By: Motif Media Tyler's Top Blogs: How I Started My Business Books that Build Site Protection Principles My Preconstruction Process: Part 1 Becoming Proficient in Multiple Trades Modern Craftsman Merch: 2 Pencils Stone Paper Notebook Top Epiosdes of 2023: 244 Aron Jones 247 Michael Conneely 248 Jason Hibbs 250 Ken Decost 253 Rens Hayes 255 Mark D. Williams 260 Travis Brungardt & Joe Cook 259 Chris Murray 262 Kevin O'connor 274 Bryan Uhler 280 Jeff Sweenor 279 Mike Guertin 282 Jeremy Kassel 276 Josh Salinger
Jan 19, 2024 • 21min
Endweek with Nick: Cost Cutting Ambitious Construction Projects
Nick Schiffer kicks off his solo podcast Endweek. Sharing how he hopes to simplify processes and cut costs on projects to build high-quality homes for clients on tighter budgets through strategies like off-site construction. The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Podcast Produced By: Motif Media Modern Craftsman Merch: 2 Pencils Stone Paper Notebook Tyler's Top Blogs: How I Started My Business Books that Build Site Protection Principles My Preconstruction Process: Part 1 Becoming Proficient in Multiple Trades
