Built to Scale: Timely advice for scaling your construction biz!

Your construction business runs on contracts. So what happens when you start reviewing them with AI — and cut your lawyer out of the loop? Mason Brady sits down with Skyler Stuckey, Chief Innovation Officer at Gray Reed, a 160-attorney Texas law firm. Skyler isn't a technologist — he's a 15-year practicing attorney who taught himself AI, made the business case to his board, and now leads t...

What’s the difference between a controller and a CFO, andwhich one does your construction business actually need?   In this solo episode, Mason Brady, breaks downthe controller vs. CFO debate in plain terms for construction business owners. He covers what a controller actually does (and what they shouldn’t be doing),how senior controllers can begin taking on CFO-level duties, and why thedifference...

Is your construction business actually ready to harness AI, or are you just chasing the next shiny tool? Mason Brady sits down with Ryan Seifert, CEO of Teric Technology, to cut through the hype and give construction owners a practical AI roadmap, from data infrastructure and ERP strategy to change management, security, and finding quick wins. Links & Resources Brady CFO — Fractional CFO Servi...

What are the real downsides of ESOPs that construction business owners rarely hear about? In this episode, Mason Brady and John Bencosme flip the script from Part 1 and dive deep into the cons of ESOPs — covering upfront costs and administrative burden, the financial reporting and valuation requirements that catch owners off guard, the legal and integrity risks that come with having employee share...

What's the smartest exit strategy for construction business owners who don't want to sell to private equity? In this episode, Mason Brady and John Bencosme cover the tax advantages of ESOPs for construction business owners, including how a 100% S-Corp ESOP can eliminate federal income tax, how to defer capital gains through installment structures, the difference between seller financing an...

Is your construction business exposed to state and local tax liabilities you don’t even know about? Mason Brady sat down with Robin Klinghagen, Managing Director at Andersen, a 30-year state and local tax veteran, to break down exactly what construction business owners need to understand about tax compliance — especially if they’re operating in multiple states or thinking about expanding. Topics W...

Are AI and automation the answer to your construction team challenges? Mason Brady sat down with Kendall Pouland, founder of Build Better Ways and construction operations consultant with over 20 years in the industry, to break down exactly how to build the systems, SOPs, and talent strategies that let your construction business execute at a high level without you being in the middle of everything....

You’re making money. But is your construction business actually building wealth? The truth is, most construction business owners have 70% to 80% of their wealth tied up in their business with no real plan for what happens when they can’t or don’t want to run it anymore. Mason Brady sat down with Jason Lee, vice president and wealth advisor at Exponent Prosperity Accelerator Advisors in Houston, to...

Your software vendor promises a smooth implementation. So why do so many construction companies end up with a $70K mistake and a team ready to quit? In this episode of Built to Scale, Mason is joined by Bryan Burkholder, founder of Cadence and a specialist in ERP implementation and change management for construction and lower middle market businesses. Bryan breaks down why so many technology imple...

Should your construction company pursue government contracts or avoid them altogether? In this episode of Built to Scale, Mason Brady sits down with Karla Talisee, government contracting specialist and founder of So She Builds, to break down how construction companies can successfully enter public works without damaging cash flow, compliance, or profitability. Topics We Cover (0:00) – Why construc...

What has to change before a construction business can scale without breaking? In this episode of Built to Scale , Mason Brady sits down with Jerry Aliberti, executive coach and operations consultant at Pro-Accel, to break down what actually fails when construction businesses try to grow. They explore why scaling exposes leadership gaps, weak planning, misaligned roles, and breakdowns between estim...

Should contractors expand into real estate development or can it put their core business at risk? In this episode of Built to Scale, Mason Brady and Rachel Glock break down when it actually makes sense for contractors looking to get their feet wet in real estate development. They explore the cash management, financing risks, and liquidity requirements that contractors often underestimate, along wi...

When was the last time you finished a job and actually knew if you made money? Many construction owners rely on cash in the bank or billing activity to judge performance.  The problem? Cash flow does not equal profit. In this episode, Mason Brady sits down with Rachel Glock, construction finance expert and fractional CFO of Brady CFO, to explain why cash basis accounting often hides real job profi...

Are your construction KPIs actually driving better decisions or just filling dashboards? In this episode of Built to Scale, Mason Brady sits down with Ted Turner, a leadership coach with 40 years of experience in construction operations from the jobsite to the C-suite. Ted shares what truly matters when it comes to KPIs and metrics in the construction industry and how to use data as a tool for lea...

In this episode of Built to Scale, host Mason Brady talks with Christopher Daugherty of Ryan LLC, a global corporate tax firm, about how contractors, developers, and construction businesses can save money through property tax appeals and exemptions. Chris explains how Texas’s unique tax system works, why property taxes are so high, and how business owners can ensure they’re paying only what’s fair...

Could your construction or engineering firm be sitting on massive tax savings without even realizing it? In this eye-opening episode, Mason Brady is joined by Layton Johns and Jacob Wood from Capstan Tax to break down the major changes to R&D tax credits in the wake of the "Big Beautiful Bill." Learn how construction, engineering, and design-build firms can now reclaim massive deduct...

Are you leaving bigger projects on the table because of bonding limits? In this Built to Scale episode, Mason Brady sits down with Chris Kolkhorst, Surety & Bonding leader at Higginbotham, to demystify bonding for construction companies. They break down the three types of bonds, how underwriters actually view your financials, and the smart moves you can make today to protect your bonding capac...

In this Built to Scale episode, Mason Brady and Layton Johns break down how the updated 2025 tax law changes the game for Opportunity Zones. They reveal where to build, how to invest smartly, and why rural zones now offer even greater tax advantages. Topics we cover: 00:00 – What are Opportunity Zones and how they’ve evolved in the 2025 tax bill 01:55 – How capital gains deferral works and what’s...

In this post-bill breakdown episode of Built to Scale , Mason Brady and Layton Johns dive deep into the implications of the newly signed tax law, with a sharp focus on bonus depreciation. They walk through real-world examples, explain how contractors can use the law to strategically grow, and caution against common pitfalls. Topics we cover: 00:00 – Why bonus depreciation is back at 100% and what...

How will Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill reshape construction, manufacturing, and your business strategy? In this episode, Mason Brady and Layton Johns unpack “Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill”, a massive tax reform initiative with sweeping implications for the construction and manufacturing industries. With the bill poised to pass around July 4th, this episode explores how it could transform financial plann...

In this episode, Mason Brady and Layton Johns discuss how construction owners can incentivize their team, implement the right metrics, and build a culture that protects margins. From project manager accountability to smarter job tracking, this is your roadmap to long-term profitability.00:00 – You can’t stop profit fade alone01:10 – How to align your team around profitability03:31 – Metrics that r...

In this episode, Mason Brady and Layton Johns break down how construction business owners should respond to today's volatile economic climate. From whether to pre-purchase materials to how to handle equipment costs and protect cash flow, this is the guidance you need to lead with confidence (not fear).00:00 – Should you buy now or wait?02:30 – How to lead through economic uncertainty04:51 – Th...

Is your construction business recession-ready? In this episode, Mason Brady and Layton Johns break down what construction companies can do right now to prepare for economic downturns: from diversifying job types to securing credit lines before you need them. Learn how to protect your margins, maintain cash flow, and position your company to thrive no matter what the economy throws at you.00:00 – I...

In this episode of Built to Scale , Mason Brady and Layton Johns tackle profit fade: when projected profits quietly disappear. They explain how poor reporting, mismanaged labor, and overlooked change orders create hidden losses. Learn how to catch the warning signs early and correct course. This is essential listening for any construction business owner serious about protecting margins.