Beers With Contractors

In this unique episode of Beers with Contractors, Will delve into the significance of establishing robust business processes, particularly within the home service industry. He introduces the “Five Core Summits” which are essential for scaling any business: Vision, Processes, People, Finance, and Leadership. The discussion spotlights “Working Genius,” a framework by Patrick Lencioni, which categori...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, host Will engages in a detailed discussion with Curt Kempton, the creator of ResponsiBid, to explore how contractors can enhance their bidding process to maximize client value. Curt emphasizes the importance of rapid communication, understanding client needs beyond their immediate requests, and offering multi-tiered solutions. The conversation delves into...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Terry and Will sit down with Jim Parker, the owner of Jim's Plumbing Now, about the secrets behind scaling a plumbing business. Jim shares his top three pieces of advice for plumbing contractors looking to expand: utilizing dispatch software, joining networking groups, and establishing an office space. Jim also discusses the transition from work...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Terry and Will sit down with Duane Deason, the Founder and President of The Efficacy Group and author of “Operationally Svelte”. Duane shares his expert insights on cost management and efficiency improvements. Duane also delves into common profit leaks in companies, the impact of a company's culture on cost control, and effective strategies for...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Will and Terry welcome back Christian Olson from Footprint Capital. They dive into the future of the home services industry, predictions for 2026, and the impact of technology like AI on business operations. Christian shares valuable advice for small to mid-sized companies considering private equity and mergers, emphasizing the importance of underst...

In this Q&A episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Will and Drake discuss critical aspects of growing a home services business. They address key management hires, the importance of standardizing sales processes, and the pitfalls and advantages of performance pay systems. The discussion also delves into effective vendor relationships, the significance of pricing strategies, and the impact of...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Terry and Will sit down with Justin Wright from Southwest Drywall. They discuss common misconceptions about the drywall trade and highlight the breadth of work involved, including framing, exterior facades, and acoustical solutions. Justin shares insights on the latest innovations in the industry, such as peel-and-stick FRP and energy-efficient acou...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, Terry welcomes Zach Simmons, founder and owner of Stronghold Construction, for an in-depth conversation about the construction industry. They discuss the disconnect young professionals face when entering the field, the importance of hiring problem solvers rather than just construction professionals, and the challenges small to mid-sized contractors encoun...

In this milestone 100th episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Will, Terry, and Drake reflect on their journey, sharing memorable moments, challenging guest experiences, and the evolution of their podcast. They discuss favorite episodes and the unexpected technical difficulties that have plagued them. Amidst the laughs and reminiscing, the hosts provide insights into the world of trade professio...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, host Will Blake shares insights into planning for the year 2026, drawing from his experience running a $13 million-a-year installation company. He emphasizes the importance of focusing not just on top-line revenue but also on the actual installed revenue. Listeners are guided through a detailed process of setting and achieving revenue targets, breaking do...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, the hosts welcome Clay Lawrence, founder of Review Harvest, to discuss the world of online reputation management for contractors. They explore the development and implementation of Review Harvest, a software designed to help home service companies efficiently manage and increase their online reviews. Clay shares insights into the importance of Google revi...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, Will welcomes Scott Llewellyn from Foundation Rescue Supply to discuss the unique and comprehensive approach his company takes to support their customers. The conversation dives into Scott's operational background, the success and growth of Kent Companies, and the importance of empathy in sales. Scott shares insights on the company's consignment program,...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Will, Terry and Drake dive into the implications of a significant legislative bill on contractors, analyzing how it will either benefit or challenge them. Topics discussed include the necessity of submitting bonds for projects, the benefits and complications of tax deductions like 100% bonus depreciation for qualified property, and issues tied to re...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Terry and Will engage with Tim Jordan, the president and co-founder of Service Catalyst, a peer-to-peer mentorship community for service business owners. Tim shares his entrepreneurial journey, including buying his first business at 21, growing it to a larger operation, and the challenges faced along the way. The conversation delves into the philoso...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Will and Terry sit down with Eric Daffern, an attorney specializing in construction law, to explore the intricacies of managing risk and legal pitfalls in the contracting business. Throughout this engaging conversation, Eric shares insights into essential legal practices for contractors, including establishing a robust team of professionals, meticul...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Will and Terry discuss the intricacies of home service financing with Jerrod Butler, the Senior Vice President of Partnerships for GreenSky Finance. The conversation covers the importance of standardization in financing, when to introduce financing to customers, and the different loan products offered by GreenSky. Jerrod shares his insights on how f...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Terry and Will welcome Michael Matalone, creator of the XP3 Talent System and author of 'Hire Train Retain.' They discuss the essentials of building a strong team culture, the significance of creating an effective hiring process, and the importance of employee engagement and retention in the contracting industry. Matone shares insights from...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, Will and Terry tackle a series of listener-submitted questions spanning a variety of crucial topics. They provide advice on handling an old sales team resistant to change, updating and managing employee SOPs, and implementing effective inventory tracking systems. The discussion also covers the intricacies of converting subcontractors to W2 employees and b...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Will and Terry reconnect with Jeff Gabelsberg, the owner of Jolly Goat Garage Doors. Jeff shares his compelling journey from starting out as a garage door helper to transforming his company through strategic rebranding and innovative growth tactics. The discussion dives deep into effective branding, rebranding challenges, and the importance of cultu...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, host Will and co-host Terry welcome Aaron Kinas, a seasoned concrete contractor turned innovator. Aaron discusses his revolutionary software, Crete Quote, designed to streamline the estimating and quoting process for contractors. The conversation delves into the time-consuming nature of free estimates, the benefits of pre-qualifying leads, and how Crete Q...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Will and Drake welcome Sean Hudson, a senior territory manager with Simpson Strong-Tie. Sean, who has been with Simpson for 23 years, shares his extensive industry knowledge and insights on various topics including the company's innovative practices, huge role in the construction market, and corporate philosophy. The episode highlights Simpson S...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Will and Terry discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on marketing and lead generation within the contracting industry. They are joined by Shane Evans from Agency Apps, who shares insights into how AI can reduce cost per acquisition by up to 60% and the benefits of implementing voice AI for improved customer interactions....

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, Will discusses the top five objections that home service contractors often face and introduces the CRIS method (Clarify, Rephrase, Isolate, Satisfy) for effectively closing sales. Will emphasizes the importance of understanding homeowners' concerns and treating them with dignity. He provides detailed role-playing examples for handling objections related t...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Will and Terry discuss the complexities and benefits of captive insurance with seasoned insurance executive Rich Hess from Plexus Group. The conversation unpacks how small businesses and contractors can navigate rising insurance costs, explores the concept of captive insurance, and provides practical advice on making informed decisions. Rich shares...

In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Will and Drake discuss a curated list of the top 10 innovative tech products revolutionizing the construction industry. From AI-driven tools like Rilla AI and Elevenlabs to cutting-edge hardware like Hilti's exoskeleton and digital measuring device, Moasure, the episode covers various gadgets and software aimed at making business operations smoo...