The Builder Nuggets Podcast

When building a company, there are so many priorities and often, not enough trained people to delegate to. Today, our guest covers the best practices surrounding building a team, retaining that team, and preparing for what's coming next. Sky Kolade, co-founder of The Association of Professional Builders, joins us as we talk culture, cowboys, and the upcoming industry reset. Show highlights include...

Any business owner in this industry has struggled to build a good team, to scale, or to step away from the daily grind. Today, a familiar voice joins us to share his personal struggles through his seemingly meteoric rise through the ranks as a young builder. Nick Schiffer of NS Builders breaks down where he's chosen to invest, the pushback he's received, and how he's choosing to focus his energies...

Across the industry the consumer mindset has shifted immensely around remodeling and our guest today has lived through it all. Mark Richardson, author of How Fit Is Your Business, joins us to share his journey of helping set the standard for professional remodeling and his views on where the industry is headed. Today we tackle why bigger isn't always better, avoiding potholes, and changing the com...

Building a business and building a business that's attractive to future buyers are two different things - but they don't have to be. Today's guest, Mark Herrmann, walks us through the process of finding and retaining a quality business broker who can help you prepare for the transition out of business ownership. He tackles the mistakes and misconceptions that many entrepreneurs make when trying to...

Rewarding is the word often used to describe a career in the residential construction industry. Today's guest once struggled to love her job until she transitioned to a career as a home builder. Now a founder and CEO of Garman Homes, Alaina Money-Garman joins us to share how she worked her way through the ranks and helped build a company she can be proud of. Her company's values and their communit...

Maybe you haven't yet invested in a business coach, but it's been on your mind. Today we invite back a familiar voice, James Pagano, to coach our listeners through some tough times. If you've been struggling to keep up with competitors, feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to get it all done, and have been wondering why you wanted to be a business owner in the first place - you're not al...

Accessory dwelling units have been taking certain markets by storm, and as more zoning is rewritten, they could very well be the wave of the future. Today's guests are familiar voices. Gregg Cantor and Rachel Walker from Murray Lampert join us to share how they were first introduced to building custom ADUs, and how they've quickly grown to be over 40% of their business. In this episode, we tackle...

Businesses are meant to be profitable as a measure of success. Today we shine a light on the less celebrated achievement of builders and remodelers using their businesses to help their communities - and the feeling of empowerment their team members can feel by being involved. Our guest is Justin Thompson, a regional partner with Alair Homes, who shares all the ways he builds his team up and uses h...

An experienced builder might feel equipped to recognize if a wall is load-bearing, but the true expert who can provide you with a detailed analysis of what it will take to remove that wall to provide an open-concept design would be a structural engineer. Our guest today is Marcel Papineau, owner of IDE Structural Engineers, who has joined us to share the process of becoming a licensed engineer, sc...

What did you picture in your head when you first thought of being a business owner? Affording a new truck? Endless vacations? It probably wasn't administrative paperwork, putting out constant fires, or the difficulty of finding good employees. Today our guest is Cody Byrd, owner of Alair Homes Hickory, who shares his personal story of learning how to build a business he could let go of. By putting...

Building a network of like-minded people can seem daunting. There are so many different ways to make connections: attending trade shows, using social media platforms, or following referrals. Today's guest joins us to discuss building a dedicated platform that makes connecting with others in the construction industry easier. Jeremy Owens is the 3rd generation in his family involved in the remodelin...

Building out the systems and processes in your business that facilitate a good experience for your clients is integral to a successful and sustainable company. Today's guests have not only built these but want to share exactly what they've done to better engage their customers. Rachel Walker and Gregg Cantor join us to elaborate on their customer strategy, their team culture, and the journey their...

The current climate in the building industry is likely to make many business owners feel risk averse. Today, hosts Duane and Dave take on the topic of risk management. How can entrepreneurs approach decisions that involve risk with confidence? How can risk be measured and planned for? If you've felt fear regarding business decisions either from lack of understanding or lack of support from peers,...

The building process incorporates many different types of designers, engineers and architects. On the cutting edge, implementing new technology into custom homes is a Technology Designer. These professionals can help shape the experience of living in that home in a myriad of ways. Our guest today has been doing this work for over a decade. Dan Ross joins us to define the challenges of incorporatin...

The process of recruiting and retaining employees has rapidly changed in our post-pandemic economy. Today we invite back a seasoned guest to dive deep into the steps you should take to develop a process that puts your company ahead of the rest. Scott Beebe returns to tell us how to define your company culture, when to talk about money, and why onboarding and preparation for the role are even more...

The intersection of design, architecture, and affordability is where today's guest likes to work. Seth Hart joins us to dive into some of the industry's most challenging hurdles and shares his insight into how they might be overcome. His work with DTJ design has given him a unique perspective into community planning and the trends in one of the nation's hottest housing markets - Denver. Join us as...

The term building science was born in the 80s, and today high-performance homes and energy efficiency are buzzwords used throughout the custom home building industry. Building science is the understanding of air, heat, and moisture flow. It's been a journey to improve insulation and build tighter houses. Today, our guest shares his vast knowledge regarding energy efficiency and innovation. Gord Co...

Technology can be difficult to keep up with. The rate of change is incredible, and training can sometimes fall to the bottom of the priority list. Our guest explains the rewards a business can see by investing in this training. Dr. Joe Burgett joins us today to peel back the curtain on a technology most of us have barely scratched the surface of using – drones. More than just picture taking device...

A home builder is often worried about efficiency and timeline, not design. That's why it's so important to involve an architect in your home-building process. Our guest today is an architectural designer that approaches the process with the eye of an artist. Tony Frazier of Frazier Home Design was inspired by modern architects to build the type of homes that make you stop and stare. To reach that...

The school of hard knocks is a training program many in this industry are familiar with. Our guest today is no different. Will King, owner of High Cotton Homes, shares his journey from fireman turned contractor turned business owner and how he transitioned into a lifestyle that fit his family's needs. The need for more flexibility in his schedule gave him the push he needed to change everything -...

Investing in your business is not as common as you'd think. If you're an avid listener of this show, you're actually in the top 10% of business owners who are looking to improve themselves, their team, and their businesses. Today we invite Dr. Sabrina Starling to join us. A phenomenal coach, author, and psychologist, she helps draw back the curtain on the problems that plague builders and remodele...

Reframing the concept of what it means to be a builder or a tradesperson has been difficult over the years. There are many common misconceptions, and the job of industry leaders is to challenge those misconceptions and shed light on the truth. Graeme Bell joins us today to share his take on changing perceptions through tackling culture shifts, providing educational opportunities, and constructing...

If you are looking to attract the top talent, systematize your processes across the board, and expand your business, chances are you're here to find out. Custom home building and remodeling can be very personal, and maybe you've never considered the idea that you should be building a business that could be sold - but our guest today is here to explain why this is exactly what you should be doing....

Making smart investments is the most important action any business owner can take. Enter our guest, Cindy Cipriani, who uses her background in psychology and grief counseling to emphasize mental health and wellbeing in her remodeling company, Cipriani Remodeling Solutions. Shifting business decisions and implementing avenues for employees to grow and evolve can prove how meaningful these team memb...

Company culture is the key that can separate your business from the competition. A positive company culture can align teams, retain talent, and support employees beyond the hours they spend at work. Today, Curt Janzen joins us to share the methods he's used to build a company culture that stands apart. With help from mentors and learning his blind spots, he's helped create a vision for his company...