Modern Craftsman

Custom building gets messy fast when every project starts from a blank page. Mike Romanowicz talks through Den, prefab housing, better lead qualification, and what builders can learn from a product-based approach to pricing, systems, and client expectations. Den Outdoors: https://denoutdoors.com Sign up for the Modern Craftsman Community: 👉🏻  MC Community Sign-up Sign up for the newsletter:  New...

Most people talk about AI like it's just there to save time, write faster, or build better systems. This episode gets into the quieter side of it: using AI to organize your thoughts, cut down the mental noise, and get clearer before the day runs you over. Sign up for the Modern Craftsman Community: 👉🏻 MC Community Sign-up Sign up for the newsletter:  Newsletter Sign-up Video Version: https://you...

AI is not just for writing nicer emails or cranking out generic captions. This episode gets into how builders can use AI, construction software, agents, and connected tools to clean up admin, qualify leads, track money, improve communication, and make the business side less of a mess. Morgan: https://construction2style.com Sign up for the Modern Craftsman Community: 👉🏻 MC Community Sign-up Sign...

Working in a family business comes with a lot of pressure, especially when your last name already means something in the industry. Michael Holmes talks through the Holmes legacy, finding his own lane, taking risks, and what it looks like to build something that actually feels like his own. Sign up for the Modern Craftsman Community: 👉🏻  MC Community Sign-up Sign up for the newsletter:  Newslette...

This Midweek is about what happens when life forces you to step back and ask what all the work is actually for. Tyler talks about loss, family, and building a business that creates enough freedom to be present for the parts of life you don't get back. Sign up for the Modern Craftsman Community: 👉🏻 MC Community Sign-up Sign up for the newsletter:  Newsletter Sign-up Video Version: https://youtu.b...

After 400 episodes, the conversation shifts toward what Modern Craftsman should become next. This episode gets into why the show is moving away from surface-level interviews, what kind of guests and stories they want to bring in, and how deeper conversations can create more value than another round of standard industry talk. Sign up for the Modern Craftsman Community: 👉🏻 MC Community Sign-up Sig...

Too many builders are working harder every year without really knowing which jobs are making money and which ones are just eating time. This episode is about using your tax return and a few basic numbers to get clear on what's working, what's not, and where to tighten things up. Sign up for the Modern Craftsman Community: 👉🏻 MC Community Sign-up Sign up for the newsletter:  Newsletter Sign-up Sh...

Tyler breaks down the line between being helpful and giving away work you should be paid for. This one is about protecting your time, charging for the planning, and stopping the habit of solving the hardest part of the job for free. Sign up for the Modern Craftsman Community: 👉🏻  MC Community Sign-up Sign up for the newsletter:  Newsletter Sign-up Show Notes:  0:33 Stop Giving It Away 8:02 Helpf...

Nick and Tyler look back on the early years of running their businesses and talk through the mistakes, blind spots, and lessons that shaped how they work today. From underpricing and freebies to confidence, process, and figuring things out without a playbook, this episode is a straight conversation about what starting out really looks like. Sign up for the Modern Craftsman Community: 👉🏻  MC Comm...

Tyler talks about messy lead flow, weak intake systems, and skipping steps in your process are quietly draining small construction businesses. This one is all about building a better funnel, protecting your time, and qualifying clients before they cost you money. Sign up for the Modern Craftsman Community: 👉🏻  MC Community Sign-up Sign up for the newsletter:  Newsletter Sign-up Show Notes:  2:19...

Tyler recaps JLC Live and breaks down how builders can get a lot more out of trade shows by showing up with a plan. From vendor relationships and networking to partnerships, credibility, and content opportunities, this episode is all about turning a trade show into something that actually helps your business. Sign up for the Modern Craftsman Community: 👉🏻  MC Community Sign-up Sign up for the ne...

Tyler breaks down why so many builders hit a point where the business is growing but life is not getting any easier. This episode is all about the systems behind a real company, from finances and lead generation to pre-con, production, and team structure. Sign up for the Modern Craftsman Community: 👉🏻 MC Community Sign-up Sign up for the newsletter:  Newsletter Sign-up Show Notes:  00:00 Why the...

Sign up for the Modern Craftsman Community: 👉🏻 MC Community Sign-up Nick and Tyler get into why so much residential construction still relies on old habits instead of better systems. From Superior Walls and panelized assemblies to CLT, trusses, and prefab mechanicals, this episode is all about building smarter, reducing labor strain, and solving problems with process instead of brute force. Sign...

Tyler talks about why boundaries are one of the best things you can put in place for your business and your clients. From communication and change orders to timelines and lead intake, this episode is all about setting clear expectations early so the whole job runs smoother. Show Notes:  00:00 Boundaries Without Sounding Like a Jerk 02:26 Set the Tone Early 04:47 Why Builders Avoid Boundaries 07:06...

Tyler breaks down why clients ghost builders and why the real issue usually isn't the lead, it's the process. He gets into clearer next steps, tighter follow-up, and how to stop leaving the door wide open for bad-fit clients to waste your time. Get our Discovery Call Script:  https://modern-craftsman.kit.com/discovery Sign up for the newsletter: https://modern-craftsman.kit.com/1cc009f591 Show Not...

Sign up for the Modern Craftsman Community 👉🏻 https://modern-craftsman.kit.com/b41e44fc86 There's been a lot of talk and a lot of questions about 45 White Oak, so Nick finally lays out what the project really is. They get into the strategy behind it, the pressure that comes with it, and why this build means more than just another house. Sign up for the newsletter: https://modern-craftsman.kit.co...

Download the Lead Intake Template 👉🏻 https://modern-craftsman.kit.com/8583940465 Tyler breaks down how your P&L, salaries, and company structure should determine the kind of work you go after, not just what happens to come in. If your margins feel off, the problem may not be your effort, it may be that you're selling the wrong jobs for the business you've built.  Sign up for the newsletter: http...

Tyler breaks down two consulting calls, one where the money works but the lifestyle doesn't, and one where the numbers will never pencil. The fix isn't always more leads or more hustle, it's getting ruthless about overhead, efficiency, and the work you take on. Show Notes:  2:12 Orlando Recap 3:20 Two Hard Truths 12:10 Fix the Inputs 18:51 Know Your Numbers 25:50 Work Less, Keep More Video Version...

Most guys say they are referral-based, but they are still letting random leads waste their week. This one is all about what an ideal referral actually looks like and how to shape expectations, messaging, and follow-up so you get more of the right clients. Show Notes:  0:00 Expectations First 8:43 Orlando Recap 10:37 Tyler's Build Stuff 12:47 "Slip the Truck" 15:22 What Makes a Good Referral 19:41...

Tyler breaks down how to protect your time from the very first inquiry without sounding defensive or arrogant. The goal is simple: give value up front, but stop donating real consulting work to people who are still shopping. Show Notes:  00:00 Free work becomes the expectation 00:20 Why this starts at the first inquiry 05:50 Stop consulting for free 08:50 How to set boundaries without sounding rud...

Most leads sound "good" until you start pulling on the threads. Nick and Tyler roleplay four common inquiry types and show how to spot risk early, protect your time, and decide whether it's pre-con, a small feasibility study, or a hard pass. Show Notes:  00:00 Cold open 00:31 Why decision makers matter 01:54 Sponsor: Anderson 05:30 Sponsor: Harness Workwear 09:13 Feasibility vs pre-con 09:35 Lead...

Tyler walks through his real lead intake process, using simple hurdles and a tight email script to qualify (or disqualify) clients without burning hours on tire kickers. He covers the red flags, the questions that actually tell the truth, and how he tees up pre-con, plus a quick heads-up on the IBS meetup details. Show Notes:  00:00 Qualifying Win 00:14 Intro & IBS Plans 05:00 Funnel Thinking 05:3...

A packed inbox can still mean you're doing it wrong if you don't have filters that protect your time and your margins. Nick and Tyler break down how to define your ideal client, build real hurdles into your intake, and stop making fear-based decisions that drag your business backwards. Show Notes:  00:00 Intro & surprise dog 01:00 Busy inbox, bad pipeline 07:00 Quality leads vs volume 18:00 Stop c...

Tyler walks through a real porch lead and shows how he plants price reality early, without backing himself into a corner or playing the lowball game. It's a straight look at using pre-con, setting a baseline (not a cap), and staying confident when a client's budget and the real world don't match up. Show Notes: 00:00 Systems, confidence 00:16 Money talk up front 03:46 Ballparks + porch lead 10:39...

Money talks go sideways when you dodge the hard numbers, over-explain, or anchor too low just to "get the job." Nick and Tyler break down how to lead with value and process, set a baseline early, and keep financial touchpoints steady so surprises don't blow up trust. Show Notes: 00:00:00 General contractors money talk 00:04:31 The $25K toilet problem 00:06:21 Confidence comes from numbers 00:09:26...