On today's episode of The Contractor Commute, we’re diving into a critical question: "What should I charge vs. what can I charge?" Whether you’re a new contractor figuring out your pricing strategy or a seasoned pro looking to increase your value, this conversation is for you. We’ll explore how to evaluate your worth, adjust for market conditions, …

What sets Brad Leavitt, and AFT Construction, apart in the construction and contracting world? We dive deep into his journey—exploring how he built his business from the ground up, the valuable lessons he’s learned along the way, and how he leads his team with vision and purpose. Check out what Brad and his team can do! AFT Construction | Luxury Cu…

Dan Parish is the Founder and CEO of Millworks by Design, a premier carpentry firm just outside Los Angeles. We’re excited to have Dan join us for this episode, where he’ll share how he's developed a unique approach to training the next generation of carpenters and craftsmen. In this conversation, we’ll dive into key topics such as: Building a trai…

If you don’t know what you’re doing with your business before you hire an office manager, you’re not going to know what to do afterward. Be cautious about hiring for an ill-defined position when your processes might be what are running you dry! This episode will help you break down if you need to hire an office manager or if you need to work on you…

Creating new habits within your team demands commitment, a clear strategy, and a compelling incentive. To gain buy-in, you'll often need to effectively "sell" the benefits of these changes. In this episode, Ben and Kinsey dive into practical steps for building new habits and cementing your team's participation. By fostering a culture of positive ha…

Customers can purposefully and unknowingly take advantage of you if you let them! In this episode, Ben and Kinsey talk about the subtle ways that you frame your business to ensure you aren't being cheated whether that is how you talk about getting work, negotiating price, or moving around your schedule. Take ownership of your business and walk tall…

Designers can help elevate your work to new heights, or they can be another bump in the road. Ben and Kinsey talk about working with designers, how to foster a healthy relationship, and the pros and cons that can come with it. Like any professional relationship, there is a lot you can do to help it succeed. If you haven't worked with a designer, th…

Take the time to learn "why" your business could end up broke and take the practical lessons from this episode to ensure it doesn't happen! Ben and Kinsey cover items like invoicing on time, getting paid for the work that you do, taking inventory, asset management, and more! Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Con…

Being broke is overwhelming, whether it's in your personal life or your business. In this episode, Ben and Kinsey talk about how to ensure you know your worth, even if your bank account is empty. This is the first part of a two-part series where we look at how being broke is often a sign of bigger issues—issues that you have control over! We'll dis…

Ben started his construction business after growing up in the industry. He learned quite a bit over his years running his own business and wanted to share some of the best (and worst) lessons that he has to share. This episode hopefully acts as a shortcut to save you some pain as you navigate owning and operating a small construction business. Stay…

Standing out in the construction industry means becoming a hero to both your team and your customers. In this episode, Ben and Kinsey continue our project management mini-series by exploring the critical role of effective communication and showcasing various tools to improve your communication skills. Whether you rely on software, a whiteboard, or …

Imagine a world where you’re consistently beating the schedule, you’re under budget, your team functions like a well-oiled machine. They’re efficient, they’re energized, they’re happy. You are meeting deadlines. You’re a hero to your customers. You're making money. You’re achieving your goals and dreams. This doesn't have to be hypothetical and it …

With this episode, we're starting a new miniseries on Project Management in Construction. Today's episode covers processes and the impact they can have on you and your business. Processes can impact these four areas: -Customer Experience -Financial Health -Employee Satisfaction -Job Consistency Listen to the episode to learn how! Stay connected wit…

On this episode of The Contractor Commute, we're joined by Will Worsham to explore the essential steps in legally structuring your business for success, from startup to handling challenges. We delve into the costs involved in legal work, key considerations for business owners, and common pitfalls to steer clear of. Tune in as we guide you through t…

What do you need to make sure your business is set up well? In this episode, we look at what legal steps you need to take to ensure your business's legitimacy, safety, and future! 9 things you need to do: Create your entity Get insured Get licensed Open a bank account Set up accounting software Set up payroll provider (if you have employees) Busine…

For every yes you give, in business and in life, you're saying no to something else. This episode dives into learning when and how to say no to customers, to projects, and even when to say no to your team. Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew: Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estima…

Is it time for you to hire your first employee? This episode breaks down what to do if you feel like it is time for your business to grow. We'll talk through how to define a role, hiring for projects over long-lasting purpose, and deciding whether you mine for talent or hire it out of the gates. Whether you're on the brink of growth or just explori…

Shawn Van Dyke is joining us for this episode of The Contractor Commute! Shawn wrote Profit First for Contractors and is a business consultant for many in the construction industry. He wants contractors to run successful businesses and level up wherever they can while realizing that they aren't meant to do everything for their business all the time…

This episode is a hands-on approach to marketing that will help you get more customers, build a brand, and establish a reliable business. Whether you are just getting started with your construction business, or you're trying to reinvigorate what you have, this episode is for you! Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and Th…

Everyone who has ever worked in construction or some form of sales has stories of clients that they wish they would have avoided. In this episode, Ben and Kinsey talk about steps you can take to minimize the impact red flag clients can have, and some steps you can take to avoid working for them entirely. Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the res…

Sales and marketing for your company could become a full-time position, but it doesn't need to start out that way! In this episode, Ben and Kinsey talk about key strategies and tangible options that you can start working on today to sell better and start marketing your business. There's more to sales than closing jobs and there is more to marketing…

In this episode of The Contractor Commute, Ben gives some of the backstory behind ConGenius and how that has impacted what he wants his business to do. Estimating construction jobs is an increasingly difficult task, but it can be one that saves your business and livelihood. Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Cont…

With 2023 coming to a close, Ben and Kinsey have a discussion on near-death experiences, New Year's Resolutions, and what is next for The Contractor Commute and ConGenius. Thank you for making the past three dozen+ episodes of this show so fun! We've connected with many contractors trying to make their way and have been able to offer them advice an…

The back office...not quite the place that many production-oriented contractors like finding themselves. It doesn't mean it isn't important and shouldn't be thought about. That's why we're here! Establishing back office processes is vital to the success of your business and your role in leading or working in it. You don't have to do everything imme…

Whether you're up and coming or you've been in for a while, it can feel like the number of true craftsmen is dwindling. To grow yourself as a craftsman and prepare for more to come, here are a few tips that we walk through this episode: - Grow in humility - Practice the right things - Find the best way to learn - Learn a complete process at a time …

There are so many factors in play for business owners. How much time do you have? What skills are at your disposal? Are you prepared to be a leader or hire others? Running a construction business is hard. In this episode, Ben and Kinsey talk about what it takes to make it work and what happens when you can't. You can do it! You've just got to set t…

Ballparking bids is normal. Everyone does it or has done it, but if you want to grow your business or move forward with confidence, you've got to take the time to learn your numbers and the cost of your business. This episode breaks down why we ballpark bids, the thought process of moving beyond them, how to do bids better, and why it matters! Stay…

Brent Hull is a master builder and craftsman. He has a sharp focus on bringing passion to his craft, showcasing how buildings can be a form of artistry, and appreciating the historical nature of buildings and construction forms. If you've ever felt like there was more for you in the construction world, Brent is the guy to light that fire. Stay conn…

Every construction project has to be sold. Sometimes, that comes naturally, other times, it is a hard-fought process. In this episode, Ben and Kinsey combine their experience to talk about the best selling practices for contractors. What thought processes, customer communication, and selling strategies do you need to win? Stay connected with Kinsey…

Ben's brother, Caleb, joins us for a very unique episode! Caleb and Ben worked together for a few years and still have a really good relationship...so how did they do it and should you do it? Working with family in any field could be dangerous, so we cover what to look out for and when to call it quits! Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest…

What do you do when you've submitted an invoice and customers don't want to pay? In this episode, Ben and Kinsey dive into what to tangibly do to help you get paid AND what to do to stop it from happening again. Contracting is hard enough, so make sure you're set up to inform customers and get paid! Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of …

This episode of The Contractor Commute is a special one! Drew makes his final run as our co-host as he and Ben talk about how to grow and improve your construction business. If you're just getting started or have been running your own business for a while now, it's still good to set goals and markers for yourself. We want contractors to win! Stay c…

Insurance isn't usually the most thrilling topic, but it is still massively important to the security and success of your contracting business. We snagged Mr. Insurance for our podcast and he breaks down what insurance you might need, why you need it, and the best practices to save your business in the long run. To get connected with Craig, otherwi…

Whether your business is large or small, you need to know at what point you can start making money on projects. You have to know your overhead, what you want to pay yourself, and you need to know what the base needs of the project will cost. Material costs are just one aspect. We'll dig into the "why" and "how" in this episode! Stay connected with …

Drew sat down with Mike and learned all about how he runs his business. Mike is a unique business owner in that he has set his business up to thrive with him as the sole source of revenue. He has thought out and planned what he needs to consider himself successful and he has made strides to achieve it without ever needing to hire employees. If you …

On this episode of The Contractor Commute, Drew got the chance to chat with Dan Parish, the founder of Millworks by Design. Dan runs a large construction company out of California and shares the values, decisions, and heart that helped him get to where he is today. Whether you're just starting out or are an industry vet, Dan has some invaluable ins…

When you have confidence in your costs, customers can have confidence in you and your value. Chasing the going rate won't help your business truly succeed. Focus on providing more value, establishing yourself as a reliable and quality business, and earn what you're worth. -Know your numbers that you need to succeed -Present with confidence -Convey …

Drew got the chance to sit down with Joe Everest, a local fencing contractor who owns Ozark Fence. When he isn't running a business, he also operates an online brand called, "The Fence Expert" that you can find on Youtube and Tiktok. Joe is humble, wise, and a really great leader that knows how to make interviews fun. If you want to learn about tak…

Drew and Ben cover a controversial topic in this episode. Adding markup to materials, labor, and more on your construction projects...Is it fair? Whether you make it up in your hourly rate or in your markup percentage, there are business costs that need to be accounted for throughout your various projects. It's fair. Let's talk about why. Stay conn…

Drew had a great time sitting down with Richard McMurray and learning about how he got started, what prompted him to start recording and posting his work, and any advice he had for others like him. Richard is a class-act and a humble guy. We can't wait to keep watching his work on Passion for Craft, Finish Carpentry TV, and DFW Crown Moulding. We'r…

Drew sits down with Jeremiah Lee, a designer, estimator, and overall jack-of-all-trades for his father's company, Rock Solid Renovations. They take the time to talk about client qualifications, how thorough your fixed price estimates have to be, and the type of work you can build up to if you make the right business decisions. If you are at all int…

In this episode of The Contractor Commute, Ben and Drew discuss the benefits of investing and establishing a proposal creation process. Here are just a few! -Sell your business -Showcase your expertise -Keep clients informed Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew: Website: Construction Sales, …

Drew got the chance to sit down with Mark Olson, who owns and operates SWI Fencing and The Successful Contractor. Mark has a passion to lift up the contracting industry with business tips, life stories, and hard lessons that he learned for us and showcases on his Youtube and Tiktok accounts. Mark has valuable insight into how to run a contracting b…

Drew and Ben continue their conversation from the last episode on a five-step winning sales process and how estimates factor into it. The five-step process: Qualify Scope Items and Measurements Estimate Proposal This episode covers steps 4 and 5, which is the estimate creation and the proposal steps. They also take into consideration how you can ap…

Every successful sale should be built around an accurate estimate with excellent customer service. Drew and Ben talk about what a winning sales process looks like and how you can implement it in your construction business. In Part One, they talk about qualifying potential clients, determining project scope, and solidifying items/materials. If you'r…

Drew and Ben take this episode to start off our Building Accurate Estimate series as they talk about what pricing models are available to contractors to use when they are building estimates. Every pricing model has pros and cons, so expect to hear their victories, their defeats, and more stories about each. In this episode, we primarily cover the C…

In this episode of The Contractor Commute, Ben and Drew take some time to discuss how they have handled conflict in the past. If you work with people, especially in construction, you'll run up against conflict. Take some time on your commute to job the site and back to get better equipped for conflict when it rears its head. Stay connected with Kin…

Staying organized on the job site and beyond will help make you a more successful contractor! Drew and Ben talk about how you can get organized in your business, client communication, team building, and site management. You can cover up a disorganized business when it is just you, but you will need to get organized if you ever gain a business partn…

Loyal contractors and team members will help make you and your business more successful. In this episode, Drew and Ben talk through some things that you can do today to start building a reliable team or lean on the one that might be around you already. Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew: W…

Mastering finances is a skill set that every business owner needs. The economy will always have ups and downs, but there are steps that you can take while the economy and your business are thriving that will help set you up for success. In this episode, Drew and Ben discuss ways to prepare yourself and your business to thrive, even in changing mark…