All Episodes

293 episodes

EP293: Contractor Profit: How to Calculate Equipment ROI Before Buying

27 min

Is buying new equipment really a smart investment for your contracting business? Before you spend thousands of dollars, you need to understand the true cost of equipment ownership and how it will impact your contractor profit. In this episode, you'll learn: How to calculate equipment ROI before buying Why the purchase price doesn't tell the whole story How equipment costs can affect your contracting business's profitability How to evaluate the expected return on an equipment investment Why calculating your break-even point matters before making a purchase How to think through buying versus renting equipment How to make smarter equipment purchasing decisions that protect your profit The goal isn't simply to own better equipment. It's to make sure every major investment supports your business's financial goals. Before you buy your next piece of equipment, run the numbers. Make sure the investment makes sense for your contracting business. Ready to build a more profitable contracting business? Links to resources Join our new community on Skool: https://www.contractorprofitblueprint.skool.com Get your free ebook and labor burden worksheet for the first 100 sign-ups! Grab my free job costing worksheet and start job costing every job right away. https://go.hammercrm.com/widget/form/4Bws6E9GGX0RZPoED1bn Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Enjoying the podcast? Visit our website at https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com for the latest episodes, resources, and more. Have a question, story, or topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a message here: https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/voicemail. We'd love to hear from you, and your message could be featured on a future episode! Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Equipment ROIEquipment ownership costsContractor equipment purchasing

EP292: Why Contractors Keep Facing the Same Problems and How to Fix it Once

36 min

Why do contractors keep facing the same problems, even after they've tried to fix them? Brad breaks down why so many contractors become trapped in a cycle of constant firefighting, trying to run their businesses out of their heads, and struggling to get their teams to work independently. Without documented processes, clear standards, and repeatable systems, business growth can create even more chaos. In this episode, Brad talks about: Why contractors keep solving the same business problems The difference between fixing symptoms and solving root causes How job costing reveals problems that hurt profitability When to create SOPs, checklists, rules, and automated processes How poor communication and handoffs create recurring mistakes Why contractors need to stop being the solution to everything How to empower employees to think critically and solve problems Why you should prioritize major problems before smaller ones How to build a process-driven construction business How solving one recurring problem each week can transform your business If you're tired of constantly putting out fires, working long hours, and answering every question your team brings to you, this episode will help you start building a business that runs on systems instead of depending on you for every solution. Links to resources Join our new community on Skool: https://www.contractorprofitblueprint.skool.com (https://www.skool.com/contractorprofitblueprint) Get your free ebook and labor burden worksheet for the first 100 sign-ups! Grab my free job costing worksheet and start job costing every job right away. https://go.hammercrm.com/widget/form/4Bws6E9GGX0RZPoED1bn Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Enjoying the podcast? Visit our website at https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com (https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/) for the latest episodes, resources, and more. Have a question, story, or topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a message here: https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/voicemail. We'd love to hear from you, and your message could be featured on a future episode! Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Contractor business systemsRoot cause analysisJob costing

EP291: Contractor Management | How the Curse of Knowledge Keeps Contractors Stuck

26 min

Have you ever looked at one of your employees and thought, "How do they not know this?" If so, you're not alone. After years of experience, it’s easy to forget what it was like to be a beginner. In this episode, I unpack the frustrations that come from this phenomenon and how it can impact your business. Here’s what you can expect to learn: The Curse of Knowledge: Understanding how experience can lead to frustration in communication with team members. Common Sense vs. Common Experience: Why what seems obvious to you may not be clear to others. The Tapping Experiment: A demonstration of how knowledge gaps affect understanding. Beginner's Mindset: Adopting a fresh perspective to improve training and communication. Defining Standards: The importance of clear expectations and visual aids in training. Accountability vs. Experience Problems: Differentiating between accountability issues and genuine knowledge gaps. Links to resources: Join our new community on Skool: https://www.contractorprofitblueprint.skool.com Get your free ebook and labor burden worksheet for the first 100 sign-ups! Grab my free job costing worksheet and start job costing every job right away. https://go.hammercrm.com/widget/form/4Bws6E9GGX0RZPoED1bn Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Enjoying the podcast? Visit our website at https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com for the latest episodes, resources, and more. Have a question, story, or topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a message here: https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/voicemail. We'd love to hear from you, and your message could be featured on a future episode! Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Curse of KnowledgeContractor ManagementEmployee Training

EP290: The real cost of inexperience | Contractor Growth Secrets

30 min

Are you stuck trying to do everything on your own as a contractor? Brad breaks down the hidden price of inexperience and why hiring experts for tasks outside your core skills is crucial. Valuable advice on delegating without abdicating, managing time wisely, and boosting contractor profits. Learn to stop bottlenecking your growth and focus on what matters most. In this episode, Brad talks about: The true cost of DIY projects in your business Why your time is not free and how to assign a dollar value to it The dangers of trying to figure everything out on your own Real-life examples of costly mistakes made by business owners Strategies for effective delegation and management Links to resources: Join our new community on Skool: https://www.contractorprofitblueprint.skool.com Get your free ebook and labor burden worksheet for the first 100 sign-ups! Grab my free job costing worksheet and start job costing every job right away. https://go.hammercrm.com/widget/form/4Bws6E9GGX0RZPoED1bn Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Enjoying the podcast? Visit our website at https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com for the latest episodes, resources, and more. Have a question, story, or topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a message here: https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/voicemail. We'd love to hear from you, and your message could be featured on a future episode! Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Cost of inexperienceContractor business growthTime value and opportunity cost

EP289: Mastering Decision Velocity: How Contractors Can Win with Fast Execution

35 min

Empower your contracting business with vital tips on managing change orders, improving contractor profit, and addressing scope creep issues. From contractor marketing to business transition and cash flow management, this podcast delivers expert contractor advice and practical solutions for contractor business challenges. Elevate your contractor confidence and profit through effective decision-making and execution. In this episode, Brad talks about: The significance of executing decisions swiftly to gain a competitive edge. Understanding opportunity costs and the impact of indecision on your business. Practical strategies for setting decision deadlines and overcoming fear of failure. Real-life examples of how quick decision-making has led to success in Brad's own business. Join our new community on Skool: https://www.contractorprofitblueprint.skool.com (https://www.skool.com/contractorprofitblueprint) Get your free ebook and labor burden worksheet for the first 100 sign-ups! Grab my free job costing worksheet and start job costing every job right away. https://go.hammercrm.com/widget/form/4Bws6E9GGX0RZPoED1bn Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Enjoying the podcast? Visit our website at https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com (https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/) for the latest episodes, resources, and more. Have a question, story, or topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a message here: https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/voicemail. We'd love to hear from you, and your message could be featured on a future episode! Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Decision VelocityOpportunity CostAnalysis Paralysis

EP288: Kitchen Remodeling Success | Cameron Matteucci's Business Transition Journey

47 min

Discover the inspiring business transition journey of Cameron Matteucci as he masters kitchen remodeling and builds contractor profit through focused contractor advice and project management strategies. Learn how narrowing your niche and effective business transition can lead to remodeling success and contractor profit boost. In this episode, Brad talks about: Transitioning from handyman to kitchen remodeling The importance of niching down in business Building strong relationships with subcontractors The impact of client demographics on pricing The benefits of streamlined systems in a focused business model Overcoming the fear of change and saying no to certain jobs Links to resources Connect with Cameron at Redtail Renovations (https://www.redtailrenovations.com/) Join our new community on Skool: https://www.contractorprofitblueprint.skool.com (https://www.skool.com/contractorprofitblueprint) Get your free ebook and labor burden worksheet for the first 100 sign-ups! Grab my free job costing worksheet and start job costing every job right away. https://go.hammercrm.com/widget/form/4Bws6E9GGX0RZPoED1bn Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Enjoying the podcast? Visit our website at https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com (https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/) for the latest episodes, resources, and more. Have a question, story, or topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a message here: https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/voicemail. We'd love to hear from you, and your message could be featured on a future episode! Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Cameron MatteucciRedtail Renovationskitchen remodeling

EP287: Scope Creep Solutions: How Contractors Can Reduce Free Work & Boost Profit

35 min

Contractors face significant profit leaks due to scope creep. This episode breaks down practical solutions including clear change order processes, tracking free work, and managing client expectations to boost your bottom line. In this episode, Brad talks about: What scope creep is and how it happens The hidden costs associated with extra work Strategies to prevent scope creep without alienating your customers The importance of having a clear change order process Tips for training your team to handle customer requests effectively Links to resources Join our new community on Skool: https://www.contractorprofitblueprint.skool.com (https://www.skool.com/contractorprofitblueprint) Get your free ebook and labor burden worksheet for the first 100 sign-ups! Grab my free job costing worksheet and start job costing every job right away. https://go.hammercrm.com/widget/form/4Bws6E9GGX0RZPoED1bn Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Enjoying the podcast? Visit our website at https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com (https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/) for the latest episodes, resources, and more. Have a question, story, or topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a message here: https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/voicemail. We'd love to hear from you, and your message could be featured on a future episode! Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Scope CreepChange OrdersProfit Leaks

EP286: How Contractors Can Calculate True Labor Costs and Boost Profits

24 min

If you’re paying an employee $30 an hour, they don’t actually cost your construction business $30 an hour. In this episode of the Hammer & Grind Podcast, Brad Huebner breaks down how contractors can calculate their true labor costs and use the right labor burden rate to protect their profit margins. Your employee’s hourly wage is only one part of the total cost. Payroll taxes, workers’ compensation, employee benefits, paid time off, training, meetings, and other non-productive paid hours can significantly increase what that employee actually costs your business. You’ll learn how to: Calculate your true labor burden rate Separate employee wages from total labor costs Account for payroll taxes and workers’ compensation Factor in employee benefits and other direct labor costs Calculate the cost of non-productive paid time Determine your true cost per productive hour Understand the difference between markup and gross profit margin Avoid underpricing labor on construction estimates Identify hidden labor-related profit leaks Price your labor correctly across multiple employees and crews If you’re a contractor who wants better construction estimating, stronger profit margins, and a clearer understanding of what your employees actually cost your business, this episode is a must-listen. Get the Labor Burden Worksheet: Use the worksheet to calculate your labor burden rate and understand your true labor cost per hour, day, week, month, and year. The worksheet can also help you calculate costs for different employee teams and crews. Links to resources Grab my free job costing worksheet and start job costing every job right away. https://go.hammercrm.com/widget/form/4Bws6E9GGX0RZPoED1bn Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Enjoying the podcast? Visit our website at https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com (https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/) for the latest episodes, resources, and more. Have a question, story, or topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a message here: https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/voicemail. We'd love to hear from you, and your message could be featured on a future episode! Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

labor burden rateconstruction estimatingpayroll taxes

EP285: How to Stop Costly Estimating Mistakes for Contractors

43 min

What if your contracting business is losing money before your crew ever steps onto the job site? A job doesn’t always become unprofitable during production. Sometimes, the profit was already gone the moment you sold it. In this episode, Brad talks about: The importance of accurate job costing Common estimating mistakes: guessing labor and material costs Understanding true labor burden rates The impact of non-productive time on project timelines The dangers of pricing based on competition The necessity of a clear scope of work Strategies to avoid discounting correct estimates Links to resources Grab my free job costing worksheet and start job costing every job right away. https://go.hammercrm.com/widget/form/4Bws6E9GGX0RZPoED1bn Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Enjoying the podcast? Visit our website at https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com (https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/) for the latest episodes, resources, and more. Have a question, story, or topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a message here: https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/voicemail. We'd love to hear from you, and your message could be featured on a future episode! Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Job CostingLabor BurdenEstimating Errors

EP284: Bad Pricing, Scope Creep, and More: 7 Profit Leaks Hurting Contractors

33 min

You can be bringing in more revenue and still wonder where all the money went. For contractors, profit doesn’t always disappear because of one big mistake. Sometimes, it leaks out through bad pricing, scope creep, underbidding, wasted time, poor job costing, change orders, and other small issues that quietly add up. In this episode, Brad talks about: The difference between revenue and profit Bad pricing strategies Fully burdened labor rates Scope creep and its impact The costs of callbacks and rework Managing overhead effectively The owner's role in profit leaks Links to resources Grab my free job costing worksheet and start job costing every job right away. https://go.hammercrm.com/widget/form/4Bws6E9GGX0RZPoED1bn Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Enjoying the podcast? Visit our website at https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com (https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/) for the latest episodes, resources, and more. Have a question, story, or topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a message here: https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/voicemail. We'd love to hear from you, and your message could be featured on a future episode! Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

profit leaksscope creepfully burdened labor rate

EP278: The S.A.C.R.E.D Process: Contractor Advice on Business Procedures for Consistency

45 min

In the world of business, particularly within service-oriented industries, the processes you establish are not merely guidelines; they are sacred. The integrity of these processes is crucial, as they underpin the promises you make to your clients. Deviating from your established process risks breaking those promises, which can lead to negative outcomes for both you and your customers. In this episode, Brad talks about: Understanding the concept of the sacred process in business The importance of having a standardized process for delivering goods and services Differentiating between preferences and a proven process Real-life examples of how breaking the process leads to problems The acronym SACRED: Standardize, Align, Control, Respect, Enforce, Deliver Protecting the process to ensure quality, accountability, and customer satisfaction The significance of saying "no" to maintain process integrity and business success Links to resources Download the accompaning worksheets to help create your S.A.C.R.E.D process and enforce 3P accountability in your business. https://go.hammercrm.com/widget/form/4Bws6E9GGX0RZPoED1bn Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

S.A.C.R.E.D. processcontractor business proceduresstandard operating procedures

EP275: From Hope Island to Closed Deals: Contractor Client Acquisition Strategies | Part 2

52 min

In Part 2 of this series, discover powerful contractor client acquisition strategies that move you from hopeful prospects to closed deals. Learn actionable tips on contractor marketing, sales techniques, and overcoming business challenges to boost your client base and profitability. Perfect for contractors seeking to scale their business effectively and master client acquisition. In this episode, Brad talks about: The importance of follow-up after estimates to avoid "Hope Island." Understanding that price objections often stem from budget, value, or mismatched client expectations. The significance of effective communication: contractors often talk too much and miss the client's true motives. Strategies for maintaining control in the sales process and ensuring clarity in client interactions. Link to Resources: This episode is sponsored by iGUIDE — the smarter way to capture, measure, and market your projects. With accurate floor plans, immersive 3D tours, and detailed property data, iGUIDE helps contractors and real estate professionals showcase their work with confidence and precision. Learn more at https://hammerandgrind.com/iguide Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Hope Islandfollow-up processprice objections