The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber

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!

Consistency is key to building customer trust and loyalty. The hosts dive into how even minor changes can lead customers to question a business's reliability. They discuss the evolving communication styles of Generation Z and how businesses must adapt to meet their expectations. Real-world examples highlight the impact of maintaining high standards on client perceptions, from clean vehicles to timely follow-ups. Ultimately, they emphasize that sticking to proven processes is crucial for long-term success.

Most contractors are crushing it for 90% of the job, then they blow everything in the final 10%. You nail the work, cash the check, and think you're done. WRONG. You just fumbled at the goal line and killed your shot at referrals, reviews, and repeat clients. Tom breaks down the brutal truth: how you finish determines whether you're hunting for your next job or turning clients away because you're booked solid.⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] – Why finishing strong matters more than ever[00:28] – Chaos creates complacency (and costs you money)[00:47] – How the final 10% of the job shapes your reputation[01:00] – The death of trust: silence during the job[01:30] – What to say in daily client updates[02:10] – Pre-close walkthroughs and scheduling final reviews[02:41] – The 24–48 hour punch list rule[03:04] – The 3x walkthrough system: crew, PM, client[03:26] – The power of thank you cards and review asks[03:56] – Review script: asking without being awkward[04:28] – Strong finishes = strong reviews and easier sales[05:05] – Why your work alone isn’t enough—it’s about how they feel[05:46] – Want help? Check out the 5 Steps to 5 Stars program[06:03] – Final reminder: don’t coast—systemize your closeout=========================================⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tired of being the "cheap option" in your market? Learn the customer experience secrets that let you charge premium prices while competitors scramble for scraps. This is the same system that took one contractor from massive debt to $5.5M—and it works in any market: https://thecontractorfight.com/5-stars/=========================================💰 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

In this episode of the Contractor Fight Sales Podcast, hosts Tim and Derek dive deep into the shifting landscape of how customers buy and what contractors must do to adapt. Drawing from real-world conversations within the Battleground group, they explore how to respond when potential clients hesitate on big projects and how crucial it is to anticipate market changes before it's too late.Tim and Derek emphasize the importance of being proactive, investing in your sales skills, and surrounding yourself with people who push you forward. They challenge contractors to take responsibility, stop blaming external factors, and take decisive steps to build a resilient, profitable business.In this episode, Tim and Derek discuss:How buyer behavior is changing and what contractors need to do to stay aheadThe power of empathy in sales conversations and helping clients work through hesitationWhy waiting for jobs to fall into your lap no longer works—and what to do insteadThe importance of building a maintenance department for long-term business sustainabilityHow joining a community like Battleground accelerates your growth through shared experiences and accountabilityThe truth about selling out of desperation and how to avoid itWhy investing in coaching is one of the smartest moves you can make for your businessThe reality check: the problem is not the economy or the competition—it’s youLinks 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

Contractors submitted their marketing for a no-holds-barred roast, and Tom brought in WAR ROOM Coach Micah Miller to join the fun. Together, they deliver straight-shooting critiques of websites, logos, calls to action, and more. If your marketing sucks, this episode will show you why and how to fix it. Learn what truly converts, the power of storytelling, and how to make your digital presence work harder for your business.In this episode Tom and Micah discuss:[00:25] Introduction of Micah Miller and his social media-driven marketing success[01:53] Micah's minimal ad spend strategy and massive content ROI[03:00] The $3-a-day Facebook ad that skyrocketed video views[03:30] Micah’s $6M sales projection with under 2% marketing spend[04:08] Beginning of the marketing roast: First Edition Remodeling website[04:49] Issues with wordy websites and poor call-to-action strategies[06:17] Importance of a responsive website and Google rankings[07:19] Website goals: Build trust and engagement to convert leads[09:10] Using dynamic headlines and emotionally engaging copy[10:41] The power of project recaps: Before, during, after photos and videos[12:11] Micah’s use of storytelling and transparency to weed out poor-fit leads[14:20] How project recaps prequalify leads and improve sales efficiency[15:29] Critique of blog strategy: One post isn’t enough[16:12] How to write helpful, FAQ-driven blog content vs salesy pitches[18:26] Feedback on the About page: Be human, tell your story[20:54] Use personal and origin stories to build connection and relatability[22:15] Making the quote calculator more interactive with video walkthroughs[23:07] The debate: Should you gate content behind contact info?[24:10] Website roast #2: Deck by Design and logo readability issues[25:52] Calls to action should be specific and action-oriented[26:19] The value of project recaps over basic galleries[27:25] Critiquing blog titles and content relevance to homeowners[29:24] Combine 3D modeling with process explanations for better clarity[30:37] Explain project decisions in terms of design, budget, and permits[31:04] Website roast #3: True Quality Homes and mobile responsiveness issues[32:36] Too much text, not enough visuals under services[33:24] Flip the copy to focus on the client’s experience, not the contractor[35:40] Lack of personal touch and identity on the About page[36:13] Missing team photos and social links reduce connection and credibility[37:12] Missed opportunities with social media content and before/after transformations[38:07] Preview of part two: Truck wraps, yard signs, and ego vs value-driven marketingLinks from the episode:Micah’s example project recaps: https://www.easton-outdoors.com/ourwork/=============================================================================================🧰 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 PodcastsSpotify

Tim and Derek dissect the common traps contractors fall into while scaling their businesses too quickly. They share insights from their own journeys, stressing the importance of understanding overhead costs and knowing your numbers. The conversation highlights the trade-offs between operating solo and building a team. Listeners are encouraged to create solid business plans, implement smart scheduling, and hire judiciously to enhance efficiency. Real-life examples illustrate how strategic planning can transform a chaotic operation into a well-oiled machine.

Tanner Mullen, a successful painting contractor and founder of DripJobs CRM, shares his inspiring transformation from the restaurant industry to establishing a million-dollar painting business. He reveals powerful sales strategies and the crucial role of effective follow-up. Tanner discusses the ins and outs of leveraging Facebook ads, emphasizing storytelling to build trust with clients. Additionally, he highlights his innovative CRM designed for contractors and offers a limited-time deal for listeners interested in boosting their business efficiency.

In this episode of The Contractor Fight Sales Podcast, Tim and Derek dive deep into the importance of having tough, clear conversations with clients — before the shovel ever hits the dirt. From buried wires to dead irrigation systems, they share real-world stories where contracts and communication saved the day. Learn how preparation, confidence, and transparency can keep your jobs profitable and your clients happy.In this episode Tim and Derek discuss:The importance of having a thorough, well-written contract that protects your business when the unexpected happensHow to confidently address unforeseen issues, like hitting buried electrical lines, using contract clauses and change ordersWhy practicing difficult conversations and setting clear expectations upfront with clients leads to smoother jobsHow “sliding the check back” helps you address all potential issues before accepting a depositThe value of brutal kindness: over-communicating risks, delays, and possible disruptions to build client trustUsing humor and transparency to ease clients into uncomfortable truths about the construction processWhy discussing estimated start dates, HOA approvals, and who handles what is key to avoiding miscommunicationThe benefit of making clients feel “safe” throughout the chaos of a construction projectReal examples of how practicing and refining communication has made sales smoother and more efficient=================================🛡️ 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

Hiring more people doesn’t automatically fix the chaos in your contracting business—in fact, it can make things worse if you're not leading properly. In this no-BS solo episode, Tom breaks down why hiring alone won’t save your business and how poor leadership is often the real issue. Drawing from his own hard-earned experiences, Tom lays out a practical framework for transforming from a chaotic boss to a true leader that empowers a high-performing team.In this episode, Tom discusses:[00:20] Why hiring without leadership multiplies chaos, not solves it[01:00] The real mistake contractors make: hiring hostages, not help[01:40] How a lack of systems and accountability creates a hypocritical culture[02:12] Why your team's underperformance is a reflection of your leadership[03:01] The difference between successful teams and chaotic ones: leadership[03:11] Extreme ownership and its impact on team performance[03:35] Introduction to the Sales Accelerator and how it can help pack your pipeline[04:21] The real solution: Leading—not just hiring—frees you up[04:50] The importance of roleplaying and ongoing training beyond sales[05:03] Why weekly operations meetings are crucial for group accountability[05:41] Creating clear daily plans and expectations for your team[06:18] Stop expecting results without giving your team clarity and a target[06:27] Most times, you don’t need better people—just better leadership[06:48] The importance of tightening operations before scaling[07:10] Final thoughts on growing your business with intentional leadershipLinks from the episode:SALES ACCELERATOR isn't about fancy marketing tricks or expensive ad campaigns.It's about systems that work:- Lead generation without big ad spend- Sales processes that close deals- Accountability to actually implement- Live coaching from someone who's been there6 weeks. Real results. No BS.👉 https://thecontractorfight.com/morejobs== Rate the Podcast ==Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review.Apple PodcastsSpotify