Building Consensus

The construction decisions Builders face are hard enough, but when you add the challenge of viewing them through the lens of cost accounting it can feel insurmountable. Pioneer Builders owner Bryan Uhler peels back a couple layers on the numbers onion for us. Find Travis & Brandon on the web: Travis’ Build Show Videos: https://buildshownetwork.com/go/travisbrungardt Travis’ Instagram: @catalystbui...

 Defining labor markups, lump sum, and modified cost, plus contracts with Jake Bruton. Find Travis & Brandon on the Web: Travis’ Build Show Videos:  https://buildshownetwork.com/go/travisbrungardt Travis’ Instagram:  @catalystbuilt Travis’ Website:  https://www.catalystbuilt.com/ Brandon’s Instagram:  @bbuildsit Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our newsletter .

We get the big boss man in to discuss what the best part of being the boss is and by comparison- what the worst parts are. The idea that we as business owners get to wake up and decide if we’ll take the week off or spend our day getting rich is pure fantasy. But how bad is it really - and just how great can it be?  Thank you to episode sponsor Huber Engineered Wood . Find Travis & Brandon on the W...

Trying to determine the dumbest things we still do in our industry and what we should be doing instead. From the dangerous things we do resultant from extreme commitment to schedule, with your profitability tied to speed and productivity to offering free bids and fixed pricing based on cost per square foot, this is a quick assessment of bad practices. Find Travis & Brandon on the Web: Travis’ Buil...

Brandon and Travis discuss why their respective firms would choose to self-perform some work with their in-house team versus subcontracting the work to others. Certainly, there’s a place for both, but in a time when there's more work than any of us can handle, why slow down the schedule and limit profitability by self-performing? Find Travis & Brandon on the Web: Travis’ Build Show Videos:  https:...

After a short surprise unboxing to kick things off the guys try to sort what the moments of their careers were that marked the most notable changes in their path forward. The affordable thermal imagers, the ultra-lightweight hand tools, Robertson and Torx tips, and the technology from Blackberry’s and Nextel to tablets carrying today’s cutting edge software. It’s about dentifying the things that a...

The way we share information from builder to architect, builder to tradesperson, and  builder to client can vary widely. What’s the best method, frequency, and application to communicate with your clients, your trade partners and your internal team to keep everyone on the same page? Find Travis & Brandon on the Web Travis’ Build Show Videos: https://buildshownetwork.com/go/travisbrungardt Travis’...

From the time-honored safety squint to site-built ladders, pinning back the guard and all that, this is an honest discussion about the Personal Protective Equipment we choose to use on our projects as well what we see in the field. Where we have been lucky and where we need to dial down the on-site cowboy bravado to increase the probability of retaining digits and eyeballs. Find Travis & Brandon o...

The guys work through their different preconstruction processes and services: defining what path and methods they use leading up to building their projects, and what the outcome can be if you successfully navigate “PRECON" with your clients. Find Travis & Brandon on the Web Travis’ Build Show Videos: https://buildshownetwork.com/go/travisbrungardt Travis’ Instagram: @catalystbuilt Travis’ Website:...

In order to communicate effectively we have to use the same language. You can’t get things done efficiently if we don’t use the same terms for the same things so we discuss what we should call the various tradespeople and processes that make up our day to day operations in building. Find Travis & Brandon on the Web Travis’ Build Show Videos:  https://buildshownetwork.com/go/travisbrungardt Travis’...

Brandon goes from @joneshomesKC to @bbuildsit and explains what drove his decision to fold his company's operations into Aarow Building as he takes on the role of Construction Manager overseeing all operations in Columbia and KC. Working for someone else can be hard after being the boss, but Brandon's gonna give it a go. Find Travis & Brandon on the Web Travis’ Build Show Videos: https://buildshow...

When do you pay a subcontractor, when do you fire them and when do they fire themselves? Jake Bruton joins the BuildConPod to sort out when deposits are appropriate, how they tie payment to scopes of work, and what procedures are best for managing subcontractor relationships on the administrative side. Find Travis & Brandon on the Web Travis’ Build Show Videos:  https://buildshownetwork.com/go/tra...

Since Travis and Brandon can’t agree on the proper way to waterproof the showers in their builds they sought an arbitrator. Jake Bruton joins the discussion to settle whether it’s Schluter or GoBoard, Hardie/Durock and Red Guard or whatever. It’s a Shower Waterproofing Systems Throw Down from guys who probably need showers. Find Travis & Brandon on the Web Travis’ Build Show Videos: https://builds...

Lucky number 13? Maybe not...you may have noticed this is Part 1 of TOOLS. Our audio flip-flopped, so check out Episode 113 for Part 2. There's an awful lot of brand loyalty for tools in the trades and there are good reasons for that, but there’s also some ridiculous “team” mentality at play there. This episode considers what tools are the best choice and why someone might choose one over the othe...

Lucky number 13? Maybe not...you may have noticed this is Part 2 of our conversation about tools. Our audio flip-flopped, so check out Episode 114 for Part 1. TOOLS! Having already parsed the cordless tools offerings based on their features and various applications, the guys dive into what hand tools they carry in their bags. Starting with the bags themselves the guys go through their preferred ha...

Special guests Nick Schiffer and Tyler Grace continue the conversation with Brandon and Travis they began on the Modern Craftsmen podcast in this episode, but with a specific question in mind. When does it make sense to staff up, grow your company or even start another business to serve the demand you’re seeing in the market? Or does it make sense to let those demands be served by others while own...

Working for clients with whom you have an existing personal relationship can be more complicated since there’s more at stake beyond the build. When the way the project is going can effect the personal relationships of your spouse or your kids, you have to factor that into the risk beyond that of a regular construction project. Would we be better off avoiding this risk altogether, or is it our resp...

Is there value in sharing detailed schedule with clients? How much is it worth to them? When we assign realistic costs to the time spent implementing, updating and maintaining software based solutions for schedule and budget tracking we find clients less interested in covering that amount, despite their desire for constant updates and access. Is it better to commit the time and money to a software...

What do you subcontract and what do you self perform? Can your subs complete things with the same result your crew would deliver? When building we are faced with a decision as to what work we will subcontract and what we’ll handle in-house. Some of these choices are simple (excavation, paint, etc.) but others are more nuanced, but the real trouble begins when we start talking about reaching one hu...

History going back to the ancient Egyptians suggests that the Master Builders of that time weren’t just overseers but also designed and constructed things with their own hands. In todays residential build process things are way more specialized, so the guys discuss what it takes to be a builder these days and how each of them measure up. Spoiler: neither is willing to claim the title of “Master” d...

Ever wonder how to keep up with the latest in the construction industry? What are the best resources for continuing education? We chat about the benefits of tailoring training to individual learning preferences, whether through videos, reading, peer support, in-person learning, and more. We also explore the importance of industry events, symposiums, and local networking for ongoing professional de...

Travis and Brandon explore the idea of focusing on bigger projects to boost profits and streamline operations. They discuss the benefits of having dedicated teams for single projects, like specializing in hardwoods, which could cut down on headaches and increase revenue. Despite acknowledging the potential upsides, they also weigh the challenges of shifting their business model and express reserva...

Travis and Brandon discuss architectural plans for construction projects. They stress the importance of clear, comprehensive plans to avoid costly mistakes and ensure smooth execution. From foundation dimensions to roof construction details, they emphasize the need for precision in documentation to meet client expectations and facilitate effective communication between stakeholders. Despite differ...

Travis and Brandon jump into a discussion on building permits and energy regulations in Kansas City, Missouri. They delve into the complexities of meeting energy code requirements, particularly regarding insulation standards and their impact on construction costs and affordability. Exploring the trade-offs between upfront costs and long-term benefits of energy-efficient housing, they emphasize the...

In this episode, Travis and Brandon discuss complexities of inducing change within a business environment, particularly concerning team members' mindset and behavior. They share personal experiences, expressing frustration at the difficulty of fostering lasting change despite efforts to train and support individuals. The conversation revolves around whether inherent character traits can truly be a...