Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with the co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Kolade, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. In the episode, the trio get into what’s driving the staffing crisis in the construction industry. INSIDE EPISODE 103 YOU WILL DISCOVER Why fewer people are entering the construction industry How to encourage people to get into the industry Why company culture is essential to retain staff The importa...
Oct 12, 2023•42 min•Ep. 103
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Tom Lawson, from Vision2Estimating. Throughout this episode, Tom gets into the importance of accurate estimating, and how V2E generates accurate residential building estimates using unique 3D technology. INSIDE EPISODE 102 YOU WILL DISCOVER Why accurate project estimating is so important The most important factors in estimating What options builders have when it comes to estimating Whether estimating is something you should tackl...
Oct 05, 2023•36 min•Ep. 102
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Clint Best, Executive Business Coach at APB. Throughout this episode, Clint gets into the importance of having a sales process in your building company, how to get your leads across the line and most importantly, how to close the sale. INSIDE EPISODE 101 YOU WILL DISCOVER What to do when quality leads start drying up The importance of a sales process Why you shouldn’t start cutting your prices How to improve your sales process Th...
Sep 28, 2023•40 min•Ep. 101
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with the co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Kolade, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. In the podcast's 100th episode, the trio will be revisiting some of the most popular topics that resonated with builders. INSIDE EPISODE 100 WE'LL BE REVISITING How to manage your clients expectations The sales process for builders Closing high margin contracts Fixed price vs cost plus contracts The ...
Sep 21, 2023•48 min•Ep. 100
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Chris Anderson and Peter Olejniczak from Monthend, an accounting firm for construction pros in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In this episode, Chris and Peter discuss the complex intricacies of running a profitable building company and creating accurate financial reports. INSIDE EPISODE 99 YOU WILL DISCOVER Why profitability in the construction industry is a unique proposition What the Work In Progress Accounting Adjustment (WIPAA) is a...
Sep 14, 2023•49 min•Ep. 99
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with the owners of MyHome Renovations, Barbara and Kris MacGregor. In this episode, the duo get into their transition from being a part of a franchise to branching out on their own, and how they transformed their renovation company with APB’s systems. INSIDE EPISODE 98 YOU WILL DISCOVER What it’s like to work with your spouse The key differences between a new home builder and a renovation specialist The biggest challenges the two have...
Sep 07, 2023•41 min•Ep. 98
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with the Association of Professional Builders co-founder, Sky Kolade. In this episode, Sky discusses how builders can take back control of the sales process when clients try to dictate terms. INSIDE EPISODE 97 YOU WILL DISCOVER Why uncertainty makes your clients want to take control of the sales process Why saying ‘yes’ to everything your prospect wants will simply create more problems in the long run The business-critical problems th...
Aug 31, 2023•50 min•Ep. 97
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Sven and Betty from the 141 Project, a charitable organisation that builds houses for families in need around the world. In this episode, we delve into the 141 Project’s backstory and its global impact. INSIDE EPISODE 96 YOU WILL DISCOVER What the 141 Project is and its purpose The 141 Project’s global impact How your donation helps those in need The importance of helping to fight poverty And much, much more. Listen to the full e...
Aug 24, 2023•28 min•Ep. 96
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with the co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Kolade, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. In the episode, the trio get into what it really takes to become a high performing builder. INSIDE EPISODE 95 YOU WILL DISCOVER What a high performing builder looks like If it’s worth becoming a high performer The importance of mindset The steps you can take to become a high performer If coaching is ...
Aug 17, 2023•47 min•Ep. 95
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with the CEO of Versa Homes, Felipe Freig. In this episode, Felipe delves into his journey from a trade, to becoming a fully-fledged custom home builder, and explains how to curate an exceptional client experience. INSIDE EPISODE 94 YOU WILL DISCOVER How to build relationships with your clients The importance of the client experience How to create scarcity for your services Why you need to be transparent with your clients And much, mu...
Aug 10, 2023•54 min•Ep. 94
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with APB Co-founder Russ Stephens. In this episode, Russ reveals the 3-step process for builders to attract more quality leads, convert them into high-margin contracts, and avoid competing on price. INSIDE EPISODE 93 YOU WILL DISCOVER Why most builders add smaller margins to their jobs than the industry benchmark The fundamental problem with under-pricing your jobs and why it could be fatal for your building company The 3-part system ...
Aug 03, 2023•51 min•Ep. 93
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with the CEO of Zephyr Connects, Erin Longmoon. In this episode, Erin unpacks the common pitfalls builders face when recruiting onsite staff, and the strategies you can implement to ensure you hire the best staff for your building company. INSIDE EPISODE 92 YOU WILL DISCOVER How to interview prospective hires The importance of hiring the right staff Common mistakes to avoid when hiring How to find the right culture fit for your compan...
Jul 27, 2023•50 min•Ep. 92
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with the co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Kolade, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. In the episode, the trio discuss the benefits Elite Mentoring can have for your building company. INSIDE EPISODE 91 YOU WILL DISCOVER What Elite Mentoring is and who it’s for How Elite Mentoring is different from Business Coaching The impact Elite Mentoring has had on APB members Whether you’re eligi...
Jul 20, 2023•41 min•Ep. 91
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with the owner of Stannard Family Homes, Ryan Stannard. In this episode, Ryan gets into exactly how he achieved level 10 of APB’s professional builder levels, becoming APB’s first officially certified professional builder. INSIDE EPISODE 90 YOU WILL DISCOVER What the professional builder levels are What a builder needs to do in order to reach level 10 The importance of marketing when growing your business How to triple your margins Th...
Jul 13, 2023•46 min•Ep. 90
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with APB Executive Business Coach Dennis Wong. In this episode, Dennis delves into the importance of project reporting, and how builders can get on top of their profit and loss before it's too late. INSIDE EPISODE 89 YOU WILL DISCOVER The in’s and out’s of project reporting How to keep your reporting accurate How to increase your profit margin The KPI’s you need to be tracking What to do when a build is overrunning and costing you too...
Jul 06, 2023•23 min•Ep. 89
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with the owner of The Healthy Home, Zara D’Cotta. In this episode, Zara unpacks the concept of building biology, why it’s important for builders in the long-term, and the first thing you can do right now to commit to building healthier homes. INSIDE EPISODE 88 YOU WILL DISCOVER An explanation of building biology Why a builder should care about building healthier homes The 5 key pillars of a healthy home Whether it is more expensive to...
Jun 29, 2023•29 min•Ep. 88
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Kolade, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. In the episode, the trio talk about managing stress as a building company owner. INSIDE EPISODE 87 YOU WILL DISCOVER How builders interpret stress What happens if building company owners don’t address their stress levels How to think differently about stress and empower your staff The big mistake buildin...
Jun 22, 2023•56 min•Ep. 87
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with the owner of Schneider Construction, Jim Schneider. Throughout this episode, Jim delves into the challenges he faced with his building company, and the tools and systems he used to get Schneider Construction to where it is today. INSIDE EPISODE 86 YOU WILL DISCOVER The all too common trap Jim fell in The tools and systems Jim used to elevate his building company The biggest challenges Jim faced How to encourage the next generatio...
Jun 15, 2023•28 min•Ep. 86
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Kolade. Throughout this episode, the two delve into the joys and trials builders may face when choosing to work with their family. INSIDE EPISODE 85 YOU WILL DISCOVER The importance of a mediator The secrets to success in a family run business Balancing family and professional relationships at work Navigating family dynamics at work How to harness stren...
Jun 08, 2023•40 min•Ep. 85
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with new home sales coach and founder of New Home Sales Plus, Roland Nairnsey. Throughout this episode, Roland outlines where builders struggle today when it comes to contracts and sales, and shares his insights on the tactics profitable builders use to sign contracts 12 months in advance. INSIDE EPISODE 84 YOU WILL DISCOVER How to customise pitches based on prospects' needs and create urgency to close future agreements How to identif...
Jun 01, 2023•44 min•Ep. 84
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Stephens, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. Throughout this episode, the trio delve into the 5 stages of decline of a building company, and what you can do to salvage a building company in decline before it’s too late. INSIDE EPISODE 83 YOU WILL DISCOVER The stages of decline in a building company How to pivot and make a change if your companies...
May 25, 2023•50 min•Ep. 83
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Lee Ambrose, Managing Director at Ambrose Design and Construct based in Brisbane, Australia. Throughout this episode, Lee delves into the journey he and his business has went on, his transition into fixed price contracts and the ways in which he’s transformed his business since joining the APB. INSIDE EPISODE 82 YOU WILL DISCOVER The challenges faced by builders before transitioning to fixed price contracts The importance of proj...
May 18, 2023•25 min•Ep. 82
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Clint Best, Executive Business Coach at APB. Throughout this episode, Clint discusses the importance of setting a strong company culture in your building company, and shares insights and strategies to help builders set and maintain a strong company culture. INSIDE EPISODE 81 YOU WILL DISCOVER What company culture is and why it’s so important The consequences of not creating a strong company culture How to start and measure your c...
May 11, 2023•38 min•Ep. 81
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Andy Johnston, Director at Expansion Media. Throughout this episode, Andy delves into the importance of video storytelling for builders and shares his expertise in creating engaging videos, tips on repurposing them and how often builders should consider producing video content. INSIDE EPISODE 80 YOU WILL DISCOVER Why video is such a powerful way to connect with your clients The types of videos builders should produce Tips builder...
May 04, 2023•29 min•Ep. 80
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Stephens, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. Throughout this episode, the trio delve into the key differences between fixed price and cost plus contracts, the pros and cons of each option, and how builders can go about making the switch. INSIDE EPISODE 79 YOU WILL DISCOVER The difference between fixed price and cost plus, and which is better for ...
Apr 27, 2023•34 min•Ep. 79
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Keiron Moore, owner of CKS Projects based in the South Coast of NSW, Australia. Throughout this episode, Keiron shares his experience transforming CKS Projects, and delves into the impact working with APB’s coaches had on him, and his approach to branding, marketing, and sales in his business. INSIDE EPISODE 78 YOU WILL DISCOVER How Keiron took the leap to start his own building company When he realised he needed some structure a...
Apr 20, 2023•28 min•Ep. 78
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Jacob Oelofse, an Executive Business Coach at APB. In this episode, Jacob discusses the importance of benchmarking your building company and how you can effectively track and analyse your metrics. INSIDE EPISODE 77 YOU WILL DISCOVER The importance of tracking financial benchmarks and how they can help improve your businesses performance How you can track these benchmarks using the SORCI report Financial metrics and benchmarks tha...
Apr 13, 2023•31 min•Ep. 77
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Todd Polke, a renowned wealth and investment strategist. In this episode, Todd shares his journey to success and explores how builders can create personal wealth outside of their building company. INSIDE EPISODE 76 YOU WILL DISCOVER Todd's journey to becoming a successful investment strategist The importance of strategy when creating personal wealth outside of your business Insider tips on leveraging time to create wealth opportu...
Apr 06, 2023•49 min•Ep. 76
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Stephens, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. Throughout this episode, the trio discuss the SORCI (State of the Residential Construction Industry) report for 2023, which gives insights into the trends and challenges faced by the building industry. INSIDE EPISODE 75 YOU WILL DISCOVER The SORCI reports importance for builders looking to stay ahead o...
Mar 30, 2023•38 min•Ep. 75
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Daniel Troncoso, owner of Ocean Avenue Custom Builders based in New Jersey, USA. Throughout this episode, Daniel goes over his journey from being a labourer, tradesmen, and home builder to becoming a successful business builder with the help of APB coaching. INSIDE EPISODE 74 YOU WILL DISCOVER How Daniel got started on his journey and his ambitions for his business The challenges Daniel faced before discovering APB The importance...
Mar 23, 2023•32 min•Ep. 74
