The Contractor Commute

Is it time for you to hire your first employee?  This episode breaks down what to do if you feel like it is time for your business to grow. We'll talk through how to define a role, hiring for projects over long-lasting purpose, and deciding whether you mine for talent or hire it out of the gates. Whether you're on the brink of growth or just exploring your options, this episode provides...

Shawn Van Dyke is joining us for this episode of The Contractor Commute! Shawn wrote Profit First for Contractors and is a business consultant for many in the construction industry. He wants contractors to run successful businesses and level up wherever they can while realizing that they aren't meant to do everything for their business all the time. Shawn has some great advice to get you star...

This episode is a hands-on approach to marketing that will help you get more customers, build a brand, and establish a reliable business. Whether you are just getting started with your construction business, or you're trying to reinvigorate what you have, this episode is for you! Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of The Contractor Commute crew: Website for Estimating and Takeoff S...

Everyone who has ever worked in construction or some form of sales has stories of clients that they wish they would have avoided.  In this episode, Ben and Kinsey talk about steps you can take to minimize the impact red flag clients can have, and some steps you can take to avoid working for them entirely. Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of The Contractor Commute crew: Website for Est...

Sales and marketing for your company could become a full-time position, but it doesn't need to start out that way!  In this episode, Ben and Kinsey talk about key strategies and tangible options that you can start working on today to sell better and start marketing your business.  There's more to sales than closing jobs and there is more to marketing than putting out ads. Let's dive...

In this episode of The Contractor Commute, Ben gives some of the backstory behind ConGenius and how that has impacted what he wants his business to do.  Estimating construction jobs is an increasingly difficult task, but it can be one that saves your business and livelihood. Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of The Contractor Commute crew: Website for Estimating and Takeoff Software: C...

With 2023 coming to a close, Ben and Kinsey have a discussion on near-death experiences, New Year's Resolutions, and what is next for The Contractor Commute and ConGenius. Thank you for making the past three dozen+ episodes of this show so fun! We've connected with many contractors trying to make their way and have been able to offer them advice and learn more of their stories. As we loo...

The back office...not quite the place that many production-oriented contractors like finding themselves. It doesn't mean it isn't important and shouldn't be thought about. That's why we're here! Establishing back office processes is vital to the success of your business and your role in leading or working in it. You don't have to do everything immediately, but if you...

Whether you're up and coming or you've been in for a while, it can feel like the number of true craftsmen is dwindling. To grow yourself as a craftsman and prepare for more to come, here are a few tips that we walk through this episode: - Grow in humility - Practice the right things - Find the best way to learn - Learn a complete process at a time A construction industry full of humble p...

There are so many factors in play for business owners. How much time do you have? What skills are at your disposal? Are you prepared to be a leader or hire others? Running a construction business is hard. In this episode, Ben and Kinsey talk about what it takes to make it work and what happens when you can't. You can do it! You've just got to set the right expectations for yourself and h...

Ballparking bids is normal. Everyone does it or has done it, but if you want to grow your business or move forward with confidence, you've got to take the time to learn your numbers and the cost of your business. This episode breaks down why we ballpark bids, the thought process of moving beyond them, how to do bids better, and why it matters! Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of...

Brent Hull is a master builder and craftsman. He has a sharp focus on bringing passion to his craft, showcasing how buildings can be a form of artistry, and appreciating the historical nature of buildings and construction forms. If you've ever felt like there was more for you in the construction world, Brent is the guy to light that fire. Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of The C...

Every construction project has to be sold. Sometimes, that comes naturally, other times, it is a hard-fought process. In this episode, Ben and Kinsey combine their experience to talk about the best selling practices for contractors. What thought processes, customer communication, and selling strategies do you need to win? Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of The Contractor Commute crew...

Ben's brother, Caleb, joins us for a very unique episode! Caleb and Ben worked together for a few years and still have a really good relationship...so how did they do it and should you do it?  Working with family in any field could be dangerous, so we cover what to look out for and when to call it quits! Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of The Contractor Commute crew: Website for...

What do you do when you've submitted an invoice and customers don't want to pay? In this episode, Ben and Kinsey dive into what to tangibly do to help you get paid AND what to do to stop it from happening again. Contracting is hard enough, so make sure you're set up to inform customers and get paid! Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of The Contractor Commute crew: Websit...

This episode of The Contractor Commute is a special one! Drew makes his final run as our co-host as he and Ben talk about how to grow and improve your construction business. If you're just getting started or have been running your own business for a while now, it's still good to set goals and markers for yourself. We want contractors to win! Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest...

Insurance isn't usually the most thrilling topic, but it is still massively important to the security and success of your contracting business. We snagged Mr. Insurance for our podcast and he breaks down what insurance you might need, why you need it, and the best practices to save your business in the long run. To get connected with Craig, otherwise known as Mr. Insurance: https://mrinsuranc...

Whether your business is large or small, you need to know at what point you can start making money on projects. You have to know your overhead, what you want to pay yourself, and you need to know what the base needs of the project will cost. Material costs are just one aspect. We'll dig into the "why" and "how" in this episode! Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest...

Drew sat down with Mike and learned all about how he runs his business. Mike is a unique business owner in that he has set his business up to thrive with him as the sole source of revenue. He has thought out and planned what he needs to consider himself successful and he has made strides to achieve it without ever needing to hire employees. If you are just getting started or don't feel like y...

On this episode of The Contractor Commute, Drew got the chance to chat with Dan Parish, the founder of Millworks by Design. Dan runs a large construction company out of California and shares the values, decisions, and heart that helped him get to where he is today. Whether you're just starting out or are an industry vet, Dan has some invaluable insights that will help you nail down business p...

When you have confidence in your costs, customers can have confidence in you and your value. Chasing the going rate won't help your business truly succeed. Focus on providing more value, establishing yourself as a reliable and quality business, and earn what you're worth. -Know your numbers that you need to succeed -Present with confidence -Convey excellence and professionalism -Win the...

Drew got the chance to sit down with Joe Everest, a local fencing contractor who owns Ozark Fence. When he isn't running a business, he also operates an online brand called, "The Fence Expert" that you can find on Youtube and Tiktok. Joe is humble, wise, and a really great leader that knows how to make interviews fun. If you want to learn about taking over a construction business, b...

Drew and Ben cover a controversial topic in this episode.  Adding markup to materials, labor, and more on your construction projects...Is it fair? Whether you make it up in your hourly rate or in your markup percentage, there are business costs that need to be accounted for throughout your various projects. It's fair. Let's talk about why. Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of...

Drew had a great time sitting down with Richard McMurray and learning about how he got started, what prompted him to start recording and posting his work, and any advice he had for others like him. Richard is a class-act and a humble guy. We can't wait to keep watching his work on Passion for Craft, Finish Carpentry TV, and DFW Crown Moulding. We're sure he is going to continue to be suc...

Drew sits down with Jeremiah Lee, a designer, estimator, and overall jack-of-all-trades for his father's company, Rock Solid Renovations. They take the time to talk about client qualifications, how thorough your fixed price estimates have to be,  and the type of work you can build up to if you make the right business decisions. If you are at all interested in learning from a premium design-bu...