The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber

Contractors often shy away from money talk, but this discussion emphasizes its importance for profitability. Learn how transparent pricing can streamline sales and build trust with clients. The hosts tackle common cash flow challenges and highlight effective strategies like upfront payments. They also explore how to shift the taboo mindset around money to foster healthy financial habits, breaking generational cycles of anxiety. Get ready to rethink your approach to pricing and enhance client relationships!

Today on the show, Tom sits down with Ben and Amy Wright — Nashville-based contractors who went from touring musicians making $40K a year to running a thriving construction company doing over $655,000 YTD.They talk about:The shift from “broke band mindset” to building real wealthHow The Contractor Fight helped them kill bad money habitsWhat it takes to run a business and a marriage without burning outWhy keeping your “pack light” matters if you want to growThe role of faith, mindset, and community in scaling a contracting businessThis is a raw, behind-the-scenes look at what it means to fight for your future as a contractor and a couple.🔗 Listen, share, and leave a review to help more contractors find the show.============================================================☎️ Ben & Amy went from broke musicians making $40K a year… to contractors pulling over $655K and building a real future.👉 Their turning point? Joining BATTLEGROUND. That’s where they got the plan, the accountability, and the kick in the ass they needed to stop living in survival mode and start running a business that actually works.If you’re sick of grinding it out month after month with nothing to show for it, book a free 15-minute Growth Call. We’ll show you how BATTLEGROUND can help you kill the broke mindset and finally get ahead.→ Book your call here: https://go.thecontractorfight.com/15min-free-call============================================================== Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review. Apple Podcasts Spotify

Contractors often face a seasonal slowdown, and it's crucial to remember that it's just a normal cycle, not a sign of failure. The discussion highlights why hearing 'no' can be part of the journey and emphasizes the importance of pre-qualifying leads to save time. Perseverance is key, and slow periods can be utilized for skill sharpening and family time. The speakers underscore that rejection is common but manageable with the right mindset, so stay focused and trust the process for future successes.

Most contractors are wasting thousands on marketing that doesn’t make them a dime. Why? Because they don’t track their Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC).In this episode, Tom breaks down:- The formula to calculate your CAC- Why “busy but broke” means your CAC is too high- The fastest ways to lower CAC (speed-to-lead, better targeting, sales process fixes)- How to know which lead sources to double down onChapters:00:00 – If you don’t know your CAC, you’re not running a business02:00 – Why tracking CAC shows if your marketing actually works05:20 – Math breakdown: $5K ad spend → 10 jobs09:30 – Signs your CAC is too high15:40 – How discounts kill your profits20:15 – Tips to lower CAC (speed-to-lead, tracking, targeting, reviews, sales process)28:00 – Why you’re winging it if you don’t know your CAC============================================================☎️ Sick of spinning your wheels and wondering where the money’s going? If your business is already over $200K, you don’t need another “tip”, you need a plan. Book a 15-minute Growth Call with our team and we’ll cut the bullsh*t, look at where you’re bleeding, and show you what’s possible when you take control.→ Book your call here: https://go.thecontractorfight.com/15min-free-call============================================================== Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review. Apple Podcasts Spotify

Tim and Derek tackle the discomfort that comes with being a contractor. They reveal how tech frustrations mirror bigger business challenges and stress that embracing discomfort is crucial for growth. From overcoming fears in sales to navigating relationship dynamics during personal growth, they emphasize the importance of communication and support from partners. The conversation highlights that stagnation often stems from too much comfort, and that real breakthroughs are found on the other side of uncomfortable moments.

In this episode of The Contractor Fight, Tom breaks down real contractor truck wraps submitted by fighters just like you. He exposes the good, the bad, and the downright embarrassing mistakes contractors make when they slap their name on a vehicle.You’ll hear:Why your truck is a moving billboard (and how most of you waste it)Tom’s 5-point checklist for evaluating a wrap designReal-life examples of what works and what fails at 60mphHow your wrap, website, and branding must all connect👉 Want to stop looking like an amateur and start standing out as the premium contractor in your market? This episode will show you where you’re blowing it.📌 Chapters0:26 Why Truck Wraps Matter0:55 Two Trucks, Big Impact1:21 My Biggest Regret on Truck Wraps1:52 The 5-Point Truck Wrap Checklist2:20 Example #1: Cheyenne Home Services5:08 Example #2: Legacy Fence7:58 Example #3: Maine Outdoor Spaces10:15 Example #4: Hernandez Essence Renovations15:29 Example #5: Superior Ponds18:25 Why Branding Must Match Your Quality of Work19:16 Rebranding Success Stories19:43 The $4/Day Marketing Investment That Works============================================================☎️ Sick of spinning your wheels and wondering where the money’s going? If your business is already over $200K, you don’t need another “tip”, you need a plan. Book a 15-minute Growth Call with our team and we’ll cut the bullsh*t, look at where you’re bleeding, and show you what’s possible when you take control.→ Book your call here: https://go.thecontractorfight.com/15min-free-call============================================================== Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review. Apple Podcasts Spotify

Tim and Derek dive into a real-world sales story that illustrates the power of connection, emotional intelligence, and proper communication. Tim shares how a routine consultation for pond maintenance turned into an unforgettable sales experience—one that highlights the importance of trust, empathy, and being fully prepared through training.In this episode Tim and Derek discuss:How a simple pond consultation evolved into a deep emotional connection with the clientThe critical moment when trust was lost with the previous contractor—and how Tim seized the opportunityHow understanding and labeling client emotions can open doors in sales conversationsWhy consultation fees and in-person visits matter when diagnosing problems and building relationshipsThe bizarre yet powerful moment the client realized Tim looked just like her late father—and how it sealed the dealThe importance of training, role-playing, and continuously sharpening your sales skillsHow preparation and consistency helped Tim confidently close the deal and land a long-term client=================================🛡️ Join us in BATTLEGROUNDEverything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program. Three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info visit:https://thecontractorfight.com/battleground💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially.Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together!https://thecontractorfight.com/50/🎥 Explore over 1,400 free videos on Contractor Fight TV:https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber💬 Join over 18,000 contractors in the free Facebook group:https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook== Rate the Podcast ==Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review.Apple PodcastsSpotify

Benji Carlson has spent his life building movements in the trades. From the franchise painting world to Breakthrough Academy to now helping lead Leanscaper, an AI-powered platform for landscapers. In this deep-dive with Tom, they tackle the real reasons the trades lost their shine, and what it’s going to take to make them cool again.They talk content, culture, recruiting, money, and what separates struggling contractors from thriving ones. This episode is pure 🔥 for anyone serious about growing a blue-collar business with pride and purpose.👇 CHAPTERS 00:00 - Intro 01:13 - Who is Benji Carlson? 03:00 - Why Startups Are His Sweet Spot 06:00 - Biggest Mistakes Contractors Make With Content 12:00 - The “It’s Not About You” Content Rule 14:30 - What Does It Mean to “Make the Trades Cool Again”? 17:00 - Why the College-First Narrative Failed 20:00 - The Death of Shop Class 23:00 - Being Blue-Collar and Broke Ain’t Cool 28:00 - Why the Trades Are Primed for a Renaissance 30:00 - AI’s Impact on the White-Collar Workforce 32:30 - How Contractors Must Shift Their Culture 35:00 - Using Social Media to Attract Top Talent 39:00 - Leadership vs. Managing: Be the Grandfather 41:00 - Get Young: Benji’s Mindset Shift for Building Culture 43:00 - Branding, Swag & the Piecework Future 46:00 - Rapid Fire: Benji’s Top Advice 53:00 - AI Tools That Are Changing the Game 57:00 - What Every Contractor Should Do This Week 59:00 - What Is LANA? The AI Tool Built for Landscapers 1:00:00 - Final Thoughts + Where to Find Benji Follow Benji Carlson & Leanscaper Website: leanscaper.com Instagram: @leanscaper============================================================🧰 CONTRACTOR BUSINESS SCHOOLIf you’re serious about building a profitable, structured contracting business without the chaos, this is your shot. Get the tools, insights, and mentorship you need to level up—on YOUR time, at YOUR pace.https://contractorbusinessschool.com/============================================================== Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review. Apple Podcasts Spotify

In this episode, Tim and Derek break away from the usual sales-focused content to explore deeper, more personal aspects of life as a contractor. They reflect on the evolving direction of the podcast, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and addressing the challenges that affect both business and personal life. From parenting and emotional triggers to frustrating bank experiences, this episode dives into how life’s realities shape us as leaders and business owners.In this episode, Tim and Derek discuss:Reframing the podcast to encompass more than just sales – diving into life, leadership, and personal growthHow self-perception and emotional baggage, like feelings of abandonment or laziness, impact business performanceThe importance of acknowledging personal struggles and their ripple effect on professional successA powerful story about Tim’s emotional response to his kids' first day of school and the realization of past woundsHow tribe and community, like Battleground, can help contractors feel less aloneTim’s frustrating banking ordeal and how his daughter’s advice changed his approachThe importance of grace – for others and ourselves – in handling mistakes and miscommunicationsRespecting different perspectives and the value of empathy in both business and relationshipsLinks from the episode:=================================🛡️ Join us in BATTLEGROUNDEverything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program. Three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info visit:https://thecontractorfight.com/battleground💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially.Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together!https://thecontractorfight.com/50/🎥 Explore over 1,400 free videos on Contractor Fight TV:https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber💬 Join over 18,000 contractors in the free Facebook group:https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook== Rate the Podcast ==Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review.Apple PodcastsSpotify

Learn how to master sales calls with six powerful phrases that shift the power dynamic in your favor. Discover how to disarm objections and position yourself as a trusted consultant. Uncover what truly matters to clients with insightful questions and future pace the value they'll gain. This fresh approach to sales isn’t just about closing deals; it’s about building partnerships and understanding motivations. Gain confidence and stop sounding desperate—it's time to take control of the conversation!