The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber

In this episode of The Contractor Fight, Tim and Derek explore the power of simplifying the sales process—for both the contractor and the customer. Tim shares a real-life example of how a low-friction, transparent sales approach helped him close a $5,000 deal in under 10 minutes. They discuss how readily available pricing, setting expectations early, and reducing buyer friction can lead to faster,...

Hiring your first employee is a major milestone in your contracting business—and one that often comes with a lot of questions and hesitation. In this episode, Tom sits down with Battleground coach and remodelling business owner Anthony Abbott to talk through the ins and outs of bringing on your first team member. From knowing when it’s the right time to hire, to setting expectations, training, and...

In this episode, hosts Derek Johnson and Tim Controni dive deep into the hard truths about personal responsibility and growth in the contracting business. They challenge listeners to reflect on why many continue repeating the same struggles without making real changes, even after joining coaching groups like Battleground. Derek and Tim share their personal experiences of hitting "rock bottom" and...

In this episode, Tom sits down with Taylor, a general contractor from Casa Grande, Arizona, who’s on a mission to become an absentee owner of his business. With impressive growth projections and a plan to eliminate debt by the end of the year, Taylor opens up about the struggles that come with being the bottleneck in his company. Together, Tom and Taylor dive deep into the importance of systems, s...

Technology is evolving fast, and in this episode, Derek and Tim dive deep into how AI and tools like Plaud are transforming the way contractors handle sales, communication, and organization. Derek shares his firsthand experience with Plaud, a voice recording device that captures and organizes client conversations, and how it’s helping him become more efficient and professional in every step of the...

In this episode, Tom reveals the true MVP of your website—the pricing page. He breaks down why this often-overlooked section can make or break your business, and how using it correctly can help you pre-qualify leads, build trust, and eliminate tire kickers. If you want better, more serious prospects and fewer wasted appointments, you need to stop hiding behind vague pricing excuses and start educa...

In this episode, Tim and Derek dive into the power of training, practice, and patience when it comes to mastering the sales process. They share real-world experiences from their own sales calls, highlighting how training builds confidence, enables better communication, and leads to more successful outcomes. If you're a contractor who wants to win more jobs without feeling pushy or uncertain, this...

In this powerful episode, Tom sits down with longtime friend and leadership coach Adam Mock. Adam shares a deeply personal story about overcoming a dark time in his life, how one simple request changed everything, and the profound ripple effect that followed. They also dive into leadership, identity, dreaming bigger, and Adam’s brand-new book, Rescue Your Dreams . Plus, Tom and Adam wrap up with a...

In this episode, Tom reviews real marketing materials submitted by contractors in The Contractor Fight Facebook group. He provides a no-BS analysis of websites, vehicle wraps, door hangers, and social media posts, giving praise where it’s due and tough love where it’s needed. Tom emphasizes that while his opinions are subjective, results are what matter—and shares practical advice on making market...

Price objections are one of the most common hurdles contractors face, but they don’t have to be deal-breakers. In this episode, Tim and Derek dive into real-world strategies to handle price objections with confidence and professionalism. From setting proper expectations to educating clients early, they tell you how to keep your value clear and your profits protected. In this episode, Tim and Derek...

Marketing is the lifeblood of your business—without leads, you don’t have sales, and without sales, you don’t have a business. In this episode, Tom shares exactly how to market your brand-new contracting business without a big budget or fancy tools. Whether you're just getting started or trying to restart with the right foundation, these four actionable strategies will set you on the right path. I...

In this episode of The Contractor Fight, hosts Tim and Derek dig deep into the concept of resistance—how it shows up in our lives and businesses, and how facing it head-on can lead to massive breakthroughs. Using relatable stories, tough love, and contractor-tested wisdom, they explore how resistance is often a sign that you're exactly where you need to be—and that it’s time to act. Whether it's s...

In this episode of Contractor Intervention, Tom talks with Jimmy, a flooring contractor from Washington, who's feeling the pinch of slow lead flow. With a top line revenue of $245K and big dreams of hitting $1M+, Jimmy is building systems and dialing in his mindset—but right now, the leads just aren’t coming fast enough. Tom walks Jimmy through a blueprint for ramping up lead generation without br...

In this episode, Tim and Derek dive into the importance of standards and values in contracting and business. They discuss why following through on commitments, celebrating wins, and maintaining high expectations can make or break a contractor’s success. Derek shares a personal experience about receiving an industry award and how it highlighted the difference between meaningful recognition and empt...

If you want to grow your business and sharpen your mindset, you need to fill your brain with the right knowledge. In this episode, Tom shares his top business book recommendations for 2024, along with must-read picks from the Battleground community. These books will help you simplify your focus, set higher standards, avoid costly mistakes, and improve your business strategy. In this episode, Tom d...

In this episode, Tim and Derek dive into a crucial but often overlooked aspect of running a successful contracting business—building genuine relationships with clients. They discuss how truly knowing your customers can lead to long-term success, repeat business, and a company culture that people love to be a part of. This isn't just about making sales—it's about fostering trust, creating connectio...

Holy shit! We made it to 1,000 episodes of The Contractor Fight podcast! In this special milestone episode, Tom reflects on the journey of building The Contractor Fight , from hitting record on the first episode to leading a movement that has transformed the contracting industry. Tom shares the highs, the struggles, and the lessons learned along the way, and he issues a challenge to the Fight comm...

In this episode, Tom sits down with Hunter Ballew, a Marine Corps veteran and roofing industry leader who built and sold a business for $48 million in just three years. Hunter shares his journey, key marketing and sales strategies, and hard-earned lessons in scaling a contracting business. Whether you're looking to improve lead generation, build strong relationships, or create a business that thri...

Discounts don’t solve bad service. In this episode, Tim and Derek share a real-life experience of poor customer service and why offering a discount doesn’t fix the root problem. They break down why a strong business should never have to rely on discounts and why delivering on promises is the best way to build loyalty. In this episode, we discuss: Why a discount can’t replace great service The real...

If your phone isn’t ringing, you’re not marketing your business correctly. In this episode, Tom dives into the common excuses contractors use when struggling with lead generation and why relying on word of mouth alone is a dangerous game. If you’re not treating marketing like a full-time job, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Tom breaks down why lead generation should be a top priority and h...

Are you running a business, or are you just repeating the same year over and over again? In this episode, Steve shares insights on how to stop winging it and start running a business that works for you. From letting go of micromanagement, to creating repeatable processes that lead to long-term success. This episode is a wake-up call for business owners stuck in a cycle of frustration. Learn how to...

In this episode, Tim and Derek discuss the concept of "turd polishing" in contracting—finding creative, effective solutions that don’t always require tearing everything out and starting from scratch. They share real-world examples of when a simple fix saved thousands of dollars and how contractors can apply this mindset to their businesses. Instead of assuming the only way forward is complete demo...

In this episode of the Contractor Intervention , Tom sits down with Austin, a GC from Pennsylvania who has struggled with negative net profit for four years. Juggling multiple businesses, his construction company isn't making money. In this conversation, they break down the root cause of his financial struggles and uncover the number one thing that will immediately move the needle toward profitabi...

In this episode, Steve breaks down his personal marketing journey—from starting his business in 2001 with Yellow Pages ads to building a highly profitable marketing machine through digital strategies. He shares the lessons he learned, the mistakes he made, and the investments that ultimately helped him generate millions in sales. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by marketing, Steve’s insights will...

Tim and Derek discuss when it makes sense to charge a consult fee and when it doesn’t. They break down different scenarios, including emergencies, past clients, and referrals, to help contractors confidently navigate the decision. In this episode, Tim and Derek discuss: Why the decision to charge a consult fee depends on the situation When is it appropriate to waive a consult fee for long-term cli...