The Cost Codes Show

In this episode of The Cost Code Show, Ryan Gilmore sits down with Robbie Reynolds, VP of Business Development at Billd, to unpack one of the biggest challenges trade contractors face: cash flow. Robbie explains why subcontractors often end up acting as the bank on construction projects, how long payment cycles create pressure on growth, and what contractors can do to build a smarter capital strat...

Prevailing wage work can be incredibly profitable… Until one “small” payroll mistake turns into a massive compliance problem. In this episode of The Cost Codes Show, host Ryan Gilmore sits down with Jack Biltis, President and Co-founder of eBacon , to unpack what trade contractors really need to know about certified payroll, prevailing wage compliance, and fringe calculations. Jack shares what he’...

Key takeaways Most contractors haven’t outgrown QuickBooks, they’ve outgrown a poor setup. Misconfigured cost codes, wrong QuickBooks versions, and misuse of classes or chart of accounts are the real culprits behind bad job costing. Moving to a mid-tier construction ERP can be a step backward. While platforms like Sage or Foundation offer strong job costing, they often sacrifice usability, integra...

In this episode of The Cost Code Show, Ryan Gilmore sits down with Mike Oscar, Director of Government Relations for the American Subcontractors Association (ASA), to unpack what is really at stake for subcontractors in 2025 and 2026. Mike breaks down how ASA is fighting on Capitol Hill to protect subs on issues like prompt payment, change order reform, tax policy, and workforce development, transl...

Advising through uncertainty in construction—that’s the focus of this conversation with Deb Defer, Director of CAS Consulting at Woodard. Deb shares the playbook she’s refined across decades in and around construction: from defining CAS the right way, to month-end rhythms that keep owners confident, to the specific numbers that actually move the needle on jobs and margins. We cover early-warning s...

In this episode of The Cost Codes Show, we sit down with Construction Yeti founder and owner’s rep, Matt Graves. Drawing on his experience as a subcontractor PM and now as an adviser to trade contractors, Matt lays out practical systems, like simple rituals, clear roles, and tighter field-to-office communication, that help crews deliver profitably without drowning in paperwork or dashboards. What...

In this episode of The Cost Code Show, we sit down with Coltivar founder and construction profitability expert, Steve Coughran. With experience as a contractor, a CFO, and now as a strategic consultant, Steve unpacks why “knowing your numbers” is the foundation of building a profitable, resilient construction business. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why “knowing your numbers” is the key to run...

In this episode of The Cost Codes Show, Knowify CEO and co-founder Marc Visent joins Knowify Head of Content, Ryan Gilmore, to unpack what it really means to lead like a CEO in the construction industry. From his unique journey from law to software, Marc shares valuable lessons on leadership, hiring, transparency, and balancing vision with day-to-day execution. Whether you're growing a team or mod...

In this episode of The Cost Codes Show, Knowify CEO and co-founder Marc Visent joins Knowify Head of Content, Ryan Gilmore, to unpack what it really means to lead like a CEO in the construction industry. From his unique journey from law to software, Marc shares valuable lessons on leadership, hiring, transparency, and balancing vision with day-to-day execution. Whether you're growing a team or mod...