The conversation meanders into ICF vs. framing for home construction, but "failure" is not linear. Getting your clients and contractors on board with building science and then having the "dumb" conversations that are necessary. Don't let your subs run williy …
Steve Baczek is a hands on architect with previous experience in the trades. After some brief background, Steve and Mike talk the importance of talking budgets from the start. Bla bla bla. It's an in-depth discussion between two guys who …
This is the introduction to Season 2 with a few highlights of the episodes recorded so far. Season 2 of the Contracting Handbook is all about conversations on what ties builders together, who are we what are we, client communication, …
I was invited to talk on my favorite podcast "Remodelers on the Rise". I've chopped up the audio to give you guys a little taste of my talk with Kyle Hunt where we talk about how I set boundaries with …
The Contracting Handbook is back! Well, kinda. In this teaser, Mike Knoche says what's in store for the first six guests in the second season of The Contracting Handbook
Today Mike reviews what he has distilled as the 16 most important take home messages from his 17 interviews with contractors, consultants, accountants, and authors of the construction industry. He also highlights messages from the 20 topical episodes he produced …
In this second installment of my talk with Kyle Hunt of "Remodelers on the Rise", we hit upon the importance of being genuine with your clients but then we turn to working your numbers once under contract. This continuation from …
Today, Kyle Hunt, host of Remodelers on the Rise (podcast) and founder of Remodel Your Marketing joins Mike for a lively chat about running your contracting business. Kyle has been coaching his clients for 14 years and really cuts to …
In the second installment of my talk with Kendra Ferguson, we delve into finances and accenting best practices from the perspective of a general contractor and that of a CPA raised by contractors. Kendra's insight into construction specific accounting practices …
In this talk between Mike Knoche and Kendra Ferguson they discuss why you should hire accounting out immediately. The story unfolds with Mike sharing how he finally realized he needed someone else to do this (Uncle!) and Kendra shares a …
Wow, I can't believe a grown can do so many unacceptable things on a job site! Here I list ten of my top actions that happen on job sites that I try to convey before they happen. The challenge is …
In this episode Mike draws on his 16 years experience listening to customers on cold calls, at first time site visits, under contract and between contracts and the signals that scream for you to get out!
In this episode there is advice on setting wages and talking about how you find employees. Mike tells you his preferences and some good stories about wages in other countries and being part of the Bad News Bears of finish …
Author and remodeling consultant, Jim Molinelli joins Mike to talk about his work in preparing clients for contractors. This information is invaluable to contractors because we can glean from his techniques how to prepare our clients for their budgets. We …
Today, Mike tells some stories about his employees and asks you to think about how you're going to use them. It's not that good.
In the second part of this interview, we get into a discussion on scope of work as it relates to budget and billing. Daniel has a great sense of how to manage money, client expectations, subcontractors, all while managing his …
Today, Daniel Preston of Clay Contracting talks with Mike about his start as an apprentice to a mason, his years wearing tool bags and then moving into a management position for new custom home construction. His company is a cost …
Here, I outline ten essential tasks to do on Fridays!
Andy Bannister tells Mike what he loves most about his work. His response? Maybe somewhat unexpected. Mike and Andy talk about burnout in the industry, life-work balance, and health in the construction industry. It's a personal conversation and probably a …
Andy Bannister describes how his company went from 1 to 67 employees. We talk about what factors allowed him to grow that business. Then Andy tells Mike about how they survived the crash of 2008. It's an interesting story of …
Mike tells couple stories about working with friends and the lessons learned.
In this second installment of my talk with Kat Willer we talk about the importance of good communication, woman in the trades, and women owned general contractors. There's a story about sticking to her guns with a contract. Dealing with …
Today, Kat Willer tells her story about how she came to run her remodeling company, Revision Remodel and Design. It's a great tale of a self made contractor. She asked all the right questions. She is passionate about her career …
This episode is a description of how to take the information gained at your sight visit and transforming it into an informative, attractive, comprehensible presentation in the form of a proposal for you clients. It relies on the listen of …