Episodes

Nov. 14, 2022

Michael Anschel of OA Design Build on the Cost of Project Execution (…

Today, Michael Anschel of @oabuilds joins Mike Knoche for a raucous discussion in the explanation of the Cost of Project Execution (C.O.P.E.) method for estimating. We immediately drop into the issues surrounding single margin multipliers, a general misunderstanding of knowing …

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Nov. 7, 2022

Jon Hilgenberg of JCH Cabinets talks his Craftsman Program, love of t…

“If you can’t explain something simply to someone else, then you don’t quite have mastery of it.” In episode 101 of The Contracting Handbook podcast, it’s Jon Hilgenberg’s “Craftsmanship 101” on educating and evolving his business. We drop into the …

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Oct. 31, 2022

Episode 100: TCH Halloween Podcast Special- Tales from the Jobsite

Meet my story telling crew! Twenty-two skilled professionals from all walks sent me their stories in their voices to share in this 100th episode of The Contracting Handbook podcast. As of prepping this post, I have not heard the stories …

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Oct. 24, 2022

Harvey Jesso of Maritime Carpentry & Maritime Electrical talks runnin…

“It’s important to build a strong reputation and do such good work so you don’t have to work for the sheep.” For those of you who know Harvey Jesso, you know he’s a positive force and reputable contractor, for those …

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Oct. 17, 2022

Larry Clay of Clay Construction: Foundation to Finish- Building Your …

“You must have a number of stories, based on your experience, of how you are going to build a better home so that your clients are going to have piece of mind and less issues.” He may make being an …

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Oct. 10, 2022

Tom Lawson of Straight Up Stairs: Pricing, Innovating, Sobriety

“If you’re gonna do something, do it right.” Most of you already know that Tom Lawson is a straight shooter and in this new podcast, we talk life lessons in many capacities. We head straight into billing for experience and …

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Oct. 3, 2022

Janeen Oliver is a Third Generation Family Concreter and Advocate for…

Janeen Oliver is “not your average concrete rep” because it’s all about being hands on, boots on the ground with the crew and then working her day job. You already know this if you follow @concrete_diva and if you don’t, …

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Sept. 26, 2022

Jason Bekebrede of Monticello Custom Homes on non-competitive bidding…

“I’ve got two kids and when they are my age, I want them to be able to drive by the houses and show their kids, Grandpa built that. That’s as important to me as anything.” Jason Bekebrede, of Monticello Custom …

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Sept. 19, 2022

Dan Ford of Ford Custom Renovations: Removing himself from the field …

“If you think you’re there, then you need to check yourself because you’ll never be, there’s always new materials comin out, new ways of doing things, a new trick… always learning.” For those of you that don’t know Dan Ford, …

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Sept. 12, 2022

Adam Corneil Of Unbuilders: Deconstructing the Demolition Mindset

“We know that people make the decision based on money and not the environment but there is this beautiful environmental narrative that is very impactful” This is a talk how the building industry decided that installed resources no longer had …

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Sept. 5, 2022

Krystal Brookes of Affordable Sunshine Coast Painting talks lining up…

“My values are in the right order… my children come first, above anything else and that is why I went into business, to create freedom in my world, to turn up better as a mother.” If you know Krystal Brookes, …

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Aug. 29, 2022

E.S. Sparks: Service manager in title, COO in function! The life of a…

“Get good at your trade and then worry about how you’re going to manage people. If I didn’t know what to do in the field, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing now” You guys might know Evan …

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Aug. 22, 2022

International Flashing Awareness Day with Big Dog Construction and Th…

The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working th...

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Aug. 15, 2022

Niya Doncheva of Faux & Finish discusses leaving that higher educatio…

“The more people tell you no and the more challenging it seems, the more you’re going to thanks yourself later on for growing as a person” Niya gave it a go in a career that has included advertising, health care …

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Aug. 8, 2022

Jake Bruton of Aarow Building: Act like a real company!

“I want my employees to retire happy someday, same as I do.” Are you acting like a real company? You guys that know your guy, Jake Bruton, know he does so with his company @aarowbuilding . For the rest of …

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July 25, 2022

Introducing: Season 3 Guests!

In this episode, Mike introduces a bunch of his guest from the upcoming season. It's all the fun, sincere, off the cuff typical sounds bits you've come to know! Please listen and share in your stories!

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July 11, 2022

The Contracting Handbook: Greatest Hits of Season Two

Today, I highlight some of the comments from episodes that got a lot of feedback from the audience. Personally, I would never rank these pods. They are all hits on there own! Listen to these inspiring moments and bits of …

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July 6, 2022

What to do if your IG gets hacked, Alaska Wildfire Season, and reflec…

Today I'm asking everyone who has an instagram account to go my @thecontractinghandbook and report it. Scroll down for instructions. I'm also gonna tell you about a crazy Alaskan Wildfire Season and a story about my travels in Africa. Here …

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July 1, 2022

I was hacked, what's next, and how to protect yourself from these pre…

My IG was hacked Remember those phishing scams where a Nigerian Prince would tell you that he wanted to share his fortune with you, just send bank information.. Well, he’s got a new focus! Alas, the Nigerian Prince has taken …

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June 4, 2022

TCH Update and Introduction Pre- Season 3

The Contracting Handbook host, Mike Knoche, introduces the pod to new listeners and updates the podcast for everyone!

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May 16, 2022

Spencer Lewis of Insider Carpentry: Creating value and a business aro…

“Your core focus should be how do I create value and then leverage that value” Spencer Lewis is a method man. Whether its his YouTube tutorials or creating a business around his trade, he always checks the boxes to complete …

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May 9, 2022

Eric Ruggiero- Biophilic Build

“As humans I think we appreciate things more when we know it was crafted by another human being...by someone who cares and takes pride in their work” Eric Ruggiero grew up in the trades but early on he knew he …

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May 2, 2022

Ryan Smith: Are Skilled Trades Endangered?

If that quote doesn’t have your attention maybe the second picture will. It doesn’t matter which trade your in, Ryan Smith has an urgent message. That’s to teach. His passion for his craft, hand cut roofs, is only matched by …

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April 25, 2022

Casey Finan talks ADD and trade denigration

Casey Finan of Finan Craftsmanship is a restoration artist but he would never claim to be a contractor. On ADD…when he first heard of it he essentially looked down on it, like many, like it was an excuse. He now …

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