Builder Stories

Welcome to Builder Stories, the podcast where builders, remodelers, and contractors share their personal and business journeys. Come learn from the stories of successful entrepreneurs who share how they got started, how they found success, and the lessons learned along the way. Your host, Eric Fortenberry, has successfully built two businesses, one in software and one in construction. He is now the Founder and CEO of JobTread Software, a construction estimating and project management platform that has helped thousands of builders and contractors sell and manage over $1 billion in construction jobs.

en-us30 Episodes

Episodes (30)

Keep Moving Forward | Jason Varney of Dock and Deck & Tennessee Pool and Spa

Jason Varney owner of both Dock and Deck and Tennessee Pool and Spa in Knoxville, Tennessee, does complete backyard projects that range from $750,000 to $1 million. What started as one company has grown into two as he brought his sons into the business. Jason talks about pivoting during an economic downturn, knowing your overhead costs, participating in TV shows, and modernizing his business processes.

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Jason:

Working with family members
How to’s for hiring employees
Managing the scheduling process
Hard work leads to industry recognition
The importance of legal protection

Visit the Dock and Deck website here https://dockanddeck.com/

Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

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Builder Stories

en-usOctober 04, 2023

construction

construction business

construction management

construction estimating

Sweat the Small Stuff | Bob Turner of Turner Builders

Bob Turner owner of Turner Builders in Windham, Maine, has nineteen years in the construction industry. Starting his most recent business in 2020, he was able to end that year with over $1.6 million in sales. Recently, he has ventured into one-on-one and group coaching to share his knowledge with others in the industry. Bob talks about why regular, consistent client communication is key and the importance of under promising and over delivering.

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Bob:

Repeat customers are paramount
The importance of being honest and transparent
Documentation is key
How to manage payment schedules
Under promise and over deliver
Why you need sales training
Bigger isn’t always better

Visit the Turner Builders website here https://turnerbuildersllc.com/.

Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

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Builder Stories

en-usSeptember 27, 2023

construction

construction business

construction management

construction estimating

Invest in Yourself | Jared Thayer of Thayer Design Build

Jared Thayer President of Thayer Design Build, had family members in the trades and started his career in construction after high school. Based in Corvallis, Oregon, they specialize in home remodels with an average project cost of $189,000. This year, he was honored to be named to the Forty Under 40 list by Pro Remodeler. Hear why his business is focused on delivering a great customer experience and why they are never the lowest bid.

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Jared:

Working with a spouse in the business
Always keep learning
Benefits of slowly, steadily growing the business
Find a niche, don't focus on everything
Importance of hiring the right people
Adjusting when the market changes

Visit the Thayer Design Build website here https://thayerdb.com/

Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

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Builder Stories

en-usSeptember 20, 2023

construction

construction business

construction management

construction estimating

Build a Brand Bigger Than Your Company | Travis Gunter of High Sierra Remodeling and Construction

Travis Gunter, owner of High Sierra Remodeling and Construction, started as a handyman and has quickly grown his business over the last 3 years by finding an ideal position in their market of Reno, Nevada. With over 50 projects completed, Travis takes us through some of his processes and strategies for scaling his business.

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Travis:

Advice for working with a business partner
Differentiating your business in your market
Conversion rates for design customers
Having a firm grip on your numbers
How to effectively scale the business
Hiring people who align with your core values
Investing in coaches

Visit the High Sierra Remodeling and Construction website here https://highsierraremodel.com/

Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

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Builder Stories

en-usSeptember 13, 2023

construction

construction business

construction management

construction estimating

Growing Up in the Family Business | Josh Awend of American Drapery Systems, Inc.

Josh Awend in a co-owner of American Drapery Systems, Inc., a third generation drapery business headquarter in Minnesota. Doing between $5-$10 million annually in both commercial and residential business, Josh discusses the ins and outs of working in the family business and why it’s important to make sure your employees and vendors are aligned with your company’s values.

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Josh:

How to balance family and work
Utilizing sub-contractors to maximize output
Why it’s important to set your company values
Ensure your employees and subs share your values
Optimizing all systems so everyone is on the same page

Resources:

Visit the American Drapery Systems, Inc. website here https://americandrapery.com/

Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

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Builder Stories

en-usSeptember 06, 2023

construction

construction business

construction management

construction estimating

Network, Network, Network | Steve Tonkin of Tommico Renovations

Steve Tonkin is the owner of Tommico Renovations, a boutique building company located west of Sydney, Australia. With under $5 million in annual sales, Tommico specializes in renovations, extensions, and home builds. Steve discusses why it's important to network and talk to other builders and why it it's important to build your company slowly.

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Steve:

Working with a spouse in the business
Why networking is important as a business owner
How he qualifies leads
Creating a pre and post sales process
Setting up a software system from the start

Resources:

Visit the Tommico Renovations website here https://tommicorenovations.com.au/

Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

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Builder Stories

en-usAugust 30, 2023

construction

home design

construction business

construction management

construction estimating

Employees Are Your #1 Tool | Wally Munoz of Munoz Concrete Services

Wally Munoz is the owner of Munoz Concrete Services, a concrete contractor specializing in residential, commercial, and decorative concrete near Davis, California. Managing a team of 6 employees, he discusses why it’s important to pay more to get the right employees for the job and how poorly performing employees can impact others.

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Wally:

Finding the bidding sweet spot
Being confident in your numbers
Don’t cut corners to have the lowest bid
How he generates leads
Having a system in place to scale
How to pick the right software for you
Having the right team members in place is the most important aspect

Resources:

Visit the Munoz Conrete Services website here https://www.concretewally.com/

Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

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Builder Stories

en-usAugust 23, 2023

construction

construction business

construction management

small business management

construction estimating

Talk About Money Early & Often | Chad Huber of CasaKeepers

Chad Huber CEO of CasaKeepers, a design build firm in the hill country of Austin, Texas. Running about 4-6 projects simultaneously, CasaKeepers handles high-end remodeling projects, home additions, and new home builds. His technology-first approach, helps to differentiate his firm in a competitive market space.

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Chad:

Customer service is the touchstone
How to deal with a small subcontractor pool
Talk about money early in the process and often
How to target your ideal clients
Why you need a price escalation clause
Reasons for an in-house bookkeeper
How technology improved the business
Setting the culture and expectations on new technology
Understanding the value you bring

Resources:

Visit the CasaKeepers website here https://casakeepers.com/

Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

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Help your fellow business owners find the podcast!

en-usAugust 16, 2023

construction business

Slow is Fast | Zach Snider of Alloy Architecture & Construction

Zach Snider is a Partner at Alloy Architecture & Construction, a design build firm doing about $3.5 million in annual revenue. Located in the small town of Charlottesville, VA, he does large scale remodeling projects, home additions, and the occasional new home build. His business does high end work and targets the upper end of the market with an average project size of $250k. Given he’s in a small market, he tends to offer a wide array of projects scopes to meet the needs of his clients, rather than having a niche focus as he would recommend in a larger market.

Here are a few key takeaways from our discussion with Zac:

Build the right team
Identify your target customer
Create pricing strategies for customers and subs
Purchase orders are key to managing sub contractors
Network with others
Patience is key
Follow your interests and passions
Accept failure as part of the process
Never stop learning and keep at it

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Resources:

Visit the Alloy Architecture & Construction website here https://alloyworkshop.com/

Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

Rate the Podcast:
Help your fellow business owners find the podcast!

Builder Stories

en-usAugust 09, 2023

construction

construction business

construction management

small business management

construction estimating

Merging Craftsmanship & Process | Peter Ranney of Ranney Blair

Eric speaks with Peter Ranney of Ranney Blair, a remodeling and design firm in Roswell, Georgia. Peter shares his background in construction, why he started Ranney Blair with his business partner, Scott Blair, what it's like merging with another remodeler in the area, and how he has changed his processes to weed out the time wasters and find the ideal clients. Peter also shares some of his marketing tactics and how he has built the company’s stellar reputation for remodeling.

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