Business for Builders Podcast

Send us Fan Mail <p>Just like baking, there are certain ingredients that must go into a general contracting business to get it "just right"...</p> <p>Today Max offers 5 ingredients to ensure your contracting business isn't only SET UP for success, but that it will maintain performance and constantly improve as time goes on.</p> <p>If you're curious...

Send us Fan Mail <p>As you increase the size of your business, as you generate more revenue, as you acquire more employees and more clients... it's inevitable that your mental space will be challenged!</p> <p>In today's episode, Max offers 9 principles to control and maintain a high-performance building company, all while enhancing your mental strength and capacity as a...

Send us Fan Mail <p>While many builders are taught how to be craftsmen, very few are taught how to run a successful, profitable building company...</p> <p>In today's episode, Max covers 13 important keys to unlock the utmost potential of your business, and YOU as a leader.</p> <p>General contractors - are you ready to be an operational ninja?</p> <p>I...

Send us Fan Mail <p>We are joined in the studio with Smith & Sons Nanaimo Owner & General Contractor, Joey Hansen. Today we talk about franchising in construction, the power of brand and systemization, and the incredible comradery that Joey has experienced since joining forces with Smithy's... All that mixed with a few laughs along the way!</p> <p>If you're curi...

Send us Fan Mail <p>Ever wonder what it takes to set up a contracting business?</p> <p>In today's episode, Max covers 11 important steps you need to take care of to ensure that your contracting business takes off the ground smoothly.</p> <p>Designing your business system may be hard, but it will pay you back going forward because you will have a system that will...

Send us Fan Mail <p>General Contractors! How much thought have you put into your building contracts?</p> <p>Shockingly, we continue to see some independent contractors working without contracts in their business... which puts them at risk of not being paid, dealing with difficult clients, and unforeseen circumstances that could hurt their business.</p> <p>Today, Max c...

Send us Fan Mail <p>General contractors! Do you feel like you work endlessly yet struggle to generate profit in your contracting business?</p> <p>Do you understand why you're business isn't growing?</p> <p>In today's episode, Max chats about a few crucial aspects of business that are tied directly to your profit (or lack thereof). We cover:</p> &l...

Send us Fan Mail <p>One aspect that's commonly overlooked in growing a high-performing business is your ability to COMMUNICATE!</p> <p>In today's episode, Max talks about the importance of systemizing communication throughout all aspects of your business - specifically your communication with clients. This starts with demonstrating a high level of EMPATHY... find out wh...

Send us Fan Mail <p>The construction game is full of challenges, especially when it comes to your ability to manage. Today we invite you to ask yourself, do you know your capacity?</p> <p>Max chats about the importance of educating yourself, being self-aware, and understanding your limitations when it comes to your business. If we're not anticipating the challenges that are...

Send us Fan Mail <p>In today's episode, we are joined in the studio by our newest franchisee, Guchlu Dogan, who just completed his week of initial training at Smith & Sons.</p>  <p>Guchlu tells us about his experience in construction, what led him to join forces with Smith & Sons, and how franchising in construction became the ideal choice for him to advance his cont...

Send us Fan Mail <p>How many hats are you wearing in your construction business?</p> <p>If you're a builder, you know that we try and do everything ourselves! But what happens when the referrals keep climbing and you start making commitments you can't deliver on?</p>  <p>In today's episode, Max talks about the importance of being a good talent scout and...

Send us Fan Mail <p>All too often we see general contractors get caught up with the pressures of a business to the point they start to lose hold of what's most important... themselves! We are here to inform you that you are in fact, NOT A ROBOT.</p> <p>In today's episode, Max highlights some of the pressures that contractors face when running a business and offers insig...

Send us Fan Mail <p>As builders, it's easy to fall in love with making clients happy! However, you can find yourself sliding into always trying to please people and saying yes to every job...</p> <p>Today, Max explains how it's okay to use the words NO and WAITLIST. We do not sell in accordance with the client's buying system - they buy in accordance with our selli...

Send us Fan Mail <p>In today's episode, Max discusses the overall sales and quoting process focusing on how to win big jobs.</p>  <p>Today we talk about 4 main components of quoting bigger projects:</p> <ul> <li>1. Knowing how to properly estimate</li> <li>2. Having a network of designers</li> <li>3. Having an organized RFQ process (...

Send us Fan Mail <p>In today's episode, Max talks about the importance of self-awareness when running a business. A big ego can harm your business and the relationships around you... Therefore as leaders, we must aim to have ego and humility in equal measures! If we do not, then we lose our ability to keep learning and growing.</p>  <p>"I am the wisest man alive, for I...

Send us Fan Mail <p>The construction industry is full of different people and personalities... so as builders, it's important that we are continuously self-aware of our interactions with other humans - both clients and coworkers.</p>  <p>In today's episode, Max discusses the importance of taking accountability, remaining professional, and believing in ourselves. As lead...

Send us Fan Mail <p>Occasionally, you’ll have a subcontractor deliver work that is substandard. In this episode, Max discusses the importance of notification and communication in the back charging process and the connection between the back charge process and the Builder Subcontractor Agreement.</p>  <p>There is a right and wrong way to go about it!</p>  <p>If you&apo...

Send us Fan Mail <p>In today's episode, we answer some recent questions we've received on TikTok about the building game and business in construction.</p> <p>We cover the following:</p> <ul> <li> The best way to price spec home builds </li> <li> Request for Quotes (RFQ) </li> <li> The best building software </li> <li&gt...

Send us Fan Mail <p>Most companies are NOT designed with agility and scalability in mind, so it's no wonder that General Contractors struggle with lack of prioritization, lack of collaboration, and high staff turnovers among other challenges.</p> <p>Today, Max invites you to ask yourself 6 important questions if you want an agile and scalable business. We cover some critical...

Send us Fan Mail <p>Many builders don't do cost tracking because they think they don't have enough time. The truth is when done properly, cost tracking can help you achieve your business goals sooner and in turn, generate more PROFIT.</p> <p>Today we talk about the basics of Cost Tracking, Fixed-Price contracts, getting paid to quote, markup percentages, demonstrating V...

Send us Fan Mail <p>Many people may consider overwhelm as something negative, yet being overwhelmed is a natural bi-product of growing a business... it means your brain is only getting better! Today we talk about overwhelm, procrastination, systemization, and momentum and how they all tie in together in running a business.</p>  <p>If you're curious about the business that we...

Send us Fan Mail <p>In today's episode, Max talks about his journey of developing the Smith & Sons brand in North America. Starting a company is no easy task, and with a lot of fulfillment comes a lot of stress, but the strength of Max's belief in the business has carried him through to where he is now</p>. <p>Today you can expect to laugh, cry, and be motivated in...

Send us Fan Mail <p>Sometimes we fail to learn the importance of developing as a PERSON as it relates to business!</p>  <p>Today, we talk about 4 significant components of leadership and how they relate directly to both your personal and business life. Sometimes we have to take a step back, do some soul searching and reassess so we can grow into the leader that people genuinely e...

Send us Fan Mail <p>Are you still using excel spreadsheets to manage your jobs? If so, you're doing it all wrong!</p> <p>Job management software isn't an option - it is essential for efficiency, accuracy, and profitability within your business.</p>  <p>Today, Max chats about how the right systems can give you leverage in your business. We cover the basics of...

Send us Fan Mail <p>In today's episode, we take a deep dive into the entire sales process, from the initial inquiry right through to close.  We cover:</p> <ul> <li>- Sales scripts</li> <li>- Qualifying and disqualifying clients</li> <li>- Demonstrating VALUE and offering peace of mind</li> <li>- Quantity Takeoff Service (QTS)</li&...