Hammer & Grind : Built For Contractors

Discover how Andrew Nuhfer scaled AKN Interiors from craftsman to CEO, sharing leadership and remodeling sales training strategies tailored for contractors. In this episode, Brad and Andrew talk about: The importance of investing in a professional website and marketing The benefits of having an in-house purchasing manager Strategies for managing multiple projects simultaneously The significance of...

Master contractor time management with our essential tips for business owners. Learn how to optimize your schedule, prioritize important tasks, and enhance your daily productivity for sustained business success. In this episode, Brad talks about: Focusing on high-value tasks, not just doing more. Understand your Value Per Hour (VPH) to prioritize tasks effectively. Use time blocking to group simil...

Hiring the right people is key to success in construction. Tune in for expert advice on avoiding common hiring mistakes and improving your contractor hiring process with actionable construction hiring tips. In this episode, Brad and Paul talk about: The importance of having a recruiting budget and hiring proactively The myths surrounding hiring and how to overcome them The significance of behavior...

Discover 5 essential contractor sales training tips that can transform your remodeling business. From mastering sales techniques to closing more deals, this episode is packed with actionable advice to boost your sales performance and grow your contracting business. Perfect for contractors seeking proven sales tips. In this episode, Brad talks about: Why shifting from “selling” to becoming a truste...

You start with a plan and a lot of passion. But when things don’t go as expected, one lesson hits fast keeping overhead low can make or break your business. In this episode, Brad and Chris talk about: Turning a side hustle into a full-time landscaping business Costly mistakes and lessons learned along the way Why low overhead is key to staying profitable Simple marketing that actually brings in wo...

A lot of contractors still believe that if they do great work, the jobs will just come. But in today’s market, that mindset can quietly hold your business back. In this episode, Brad talk about: The importance of marketing and visibility for your business Why relying solely on word-of-mouth referrals can hinder your growth The key elements of effective branding and how to create a recognizable pre...

Public work in contracting opens the door to a wide range of opportunities, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. While many contractors assume federal jobs are the ultimate goal, there’s often more accessible, and practical opportunities closer to home. In this episode, Daniella and Brad talked about: Daniella's family history in flooring and the transition from retail to commercial w...

More tools. More systems. More problems. If your business feels heavier instead of better, this episode will make you rethink what “improvement” actually means. In this episode, Brad challenges that idea and shares a different approach: The misconception of needing more estimates vs. optimizing the sales process The dangers of hiring unnecessary staff to solve inefficiencies Identifying and addres...

Starting a business usually begins with excitement and big dreams. You imagine the freedom, the success, and the satisfaction of building something that’s truly your own. It’s easy to feel unstoppable in the beginning, but every entrepreneur eventually hits a different phase of the journey. In this episode, Brad talks about: Realities of starting and owning a construction business. Overview of the...

Most builders are obsessed with getting more leads. More calls. More estimates. More “opportunities.” But here’s the hard truth: more leads don’t automatically build a better business. If you’re tired of running estimates for people who were never a good fit to begin with, this episode will help you rethink what growth should really look like. In this episode, Brad and Rick talk about: The evoluti...

How many decisions have you already made today? In the contracting world, it never stops — hiring, scheduling, change orders, client questions, pricing adjustments. By the end of the day, your brain feels fried. And that mental exhaustion? It’s not weakness, it’s decision fatigue. In this episode, Brad talks about: Understanding why we make poor decisions later in the day. Definition of Decision F...

It's simple to become distracted by what other people are doing, particularly in competitive fields like building and remodeling. Flashy marketing, new advertisements, and cheaper prices can quickly grab your attention. If you’ve ever felt distracted by what the “other guy” is charging or promoting, this conversation will help you refocus on what truly matters. In this episode, Brad and Kyle talke...

What if the real reason your projects are behind, over budget, and full of tension isn’t a labor shortage, but a leadership and planning problem? In this episode, Brad and Mark Story talk about: Discussion on the shortage of tradespeople for large projects, particularly data centers and semiconductor plants. Mark explains how CCS helps project teams with planning, scheduling, and coaching to impro...

Profit isn’t just a number on a spreadsheet. It’s what keeps your business alive. Everything feels rushed, tense, and reactive without it. When profit is missing, even good businesses end up in survival mode, constantly scrambling just to keep up. In this episode, Brad talks about: The importance of profit in business and why it’s often misunderstood. Common misconceptions about making money and t...

Running a business today means doing everything at once—clients, admin, follow-ups, and an endless to-do list. It’s exhausting. The truth is, the businesses that win aren’t the ones doing more; they’re the ones willing to change how they operate. In this episode, Brad talks about: Definition of a virtual assistant Signs you need a VA Key responsibilities for a VA Tasks your VA can handle The value...

Every business has its beginnings, and Nicolas Breedlove's began in a little bedroom at his parents' home. Nicolas demonstrates that great businesses don't need big beginnings by sharing the true tale of starting his playground firm from scratch. The connections he made along the road were more important than where he began. It serves as a reminder that trust, consistency, and treating coworkers f...

If you’re still running your business the same way you did five years ago, you’re already behind. Learn how contractors can use technology to save time, reduce chaos, and stop being the bottleneck in their own business. No hype, just real tools and systems that actually make day-to-day work easier and more profitable. In this episode, Brad talks about: Importance of documentation and note-taking t...

For years, contractors were told the same thing: do good work and the jobs will keep coming. But in today’s market, that advice is outdated and in 2026, it’s costing a lot of businesses real opportunities. In this episode, Brad talks about: Why simply doing good work is no longer enough to attract clients. Understanding branding beyond logos and how it shapes client expectations. Why video content...

The majority of entrepreneurs do not face financial difficulties due to their poor mathematical skills. Their beliefs about it force them to struggle. Your "money personality" drives how you handle finances, charge for your work, and think about money. It may be more positive or negative to your company than you realize. In this episode, Brad and Leanne talk about: Introduction to Leanne and her w...

The majority of contractors are falling behind because they continue to operate their businesses in the same manner while everything around them changes, rather than because they are poor at what they do. In this episode, Brad breaks down: Why most contractors undercharge and how to fix your pricing without losing good clients What a real sales process looks like (and why winging it is costing you...

One of the biggest challenges many businesses face, especially in the early stages, is the urge to use a “shotgun” approach to marketing. When you're trying to attract anyone and everyone, it’s easy to spread your budget and efforts too thin. The result? Wasted ad spend, unfocused messaging, and campaigns that miss the mark. In this episode, Brad and Daniel talk about: Daniel Dixon’s journey and t...

Many people believe that being a leader is a fixed attribute that one either has or does not. But the truth is much more complex. In the area of effective leadership, ongoing self-improvement is not simply desirable; it is crucial. In this episode, Brad and Chris talk about: Importance of empowering team members and recognizing their strengths Distinction between leadership and management Key trai...

In today’s fast-paced business world, clarity is everything. As companies grow, so does the complexity of their operations, and without structure, confusion quickly follows. In this episode, Brad and Isaac talked about: The role of an integrator vs. a visionary Importance of hiring and training for business growth The freedom formula for business owners Overcoming the scarcity mindset in hiring Cr...

ADHD impacts millions of people, shaping how they focus, prioritize, and stay productive. For many, it feels like being both the arsonist and the firefighter in their own life, like constantly sparking new ideas while scrambling to put out the flames of unfinished tasks. This nonstop cycle of excitement and overwhelm can leave individuals feeling frustrated or “not enough,” especially when they co...

Collecting subcontractor insurance certificates is one of the most critical responsibilities in the construction industry, yet it’s also one of the most overlooked. Many new contractors underestimate how important this step is, especially when navigating the complex requirements of workers’ compensation, general liability, and specialized coverage. In this episode, Brad talked about: Importance of...