The Builders Ladder

Owen sits down with Arch, a 33.5-year military veteran (Marine Aviation & MARSOC) and founder of a commercial and residential general contracting business in Tampa, Florida. Arch shares how he applies the "irreplaceable" leadership and systems experience from his military career directly to his construction company. They discuss the power of "victorious warriors win first, then go to war"—using military-style "backwards planning" and robust checklists to prevent errors before breaking ground . Arch also shares the "significant loss" he took on his very first job from unsigned change orders, and how that expensive lesson shaped his "contracts are in stone" mindset . This is a masterclass in building a scalable company through systems, leadership, and a plan to win.

Crystal sits down with Simone (Majority Shareholder) and Brooke (Operations Manager) from Core Refurbishments, a company specializing only in retirement living refurbishments . Simone shares her raw, vulnerable journey from taking over the business to facing imminent closure just 12 months ago, when she was losing "hundreds of thousands of dollars a month" and felt hopeless. They discuss the pivotal moments that turned everything around: the "brave" decision to get builder-specific coaching, firing "dead wood" staff , hiring Brooke as a key operational leader , and finally implementing proper margins. This is a powerful story of resilience, honesty ("the numbers don't lie" ), and the strategic decisions that resulted in a massive shift to profitability, rapid client growth from 1 to 7 , and a major contract to expand interstate.

Owen sits down with Ben Milgate, a carpenter of 18 years who has successfully transitioned into running his own building company, recently acquiring his builder's license. Ben shares his journey from being a "glorified carpenter" focused on weekly pay to becoming a business owner with a holistic view of annual profitability and systems. They discuss the critical mindset shift required, the importance of truly understanding business numbers (like operating costs vs. margins) , and how implementing specific tools like a WOW pack and project plan doubled his conversion rate almost overnight (from 20% to 40%). Ben also details his expensive lesson learned from not having a robust variation process and how he's strategically using marketing to transition into higher-end architectural builds under his new brand, Arc.

John Beshay sits down with brothers James Colbert (Director) and Luke Colbert (Site Manager/2IC) of Culbert Constructions. With 17 years in business, they share their journey from small renovations to specializing in high-end new builds and major renovations. The Culberts discuss how a genuine care for people drives their high standards, communication, and strong referral base. James opens up about overcoming the limiting beliefs of being a "chippy" to step into a leadership role. They also touch on recent learnings from joining TPB, including the need for targeted marketing even when busy and the importance of systemizing accountability through site meetings and follow-ups as the team grows.

Owen sits down with Suman Cherry, founder of Cherry Talent Group, a recruiting firm specializing in the construction industry, particularly custom home builders. With 25 years of experience, Suman shares why finding the right people is the critical first step before implementing any process. They dive deep into the practicalities of hiring for roles like Superintendents, Project Managers, and Estimators. Suman explains her consultative approach, emphasizing the importance of a structured interview process, identifying core values, asking behavioral questions ("Tell me about a time you failed") , and looking beyond the resume to find candidates who are solutions to specific business pains. She also tackles why money isn't the main reason top talent leaves and how a strong company culture becomes your biggest recruiting advantage.

Gareth sits down with Michael Pilcher of Michael Pilcher Builders, a custom home builder in Central Victoria. Michael shares his journey from tradesperson to leading a professional building company, focusing on the rapid growth his business has experienced since 2020. They discuss the impact of identifying "holes and cracks" in business systems before scaling further and how working with a selections expert elevated their brand to the boutique market. Michael emphasizes the shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive management and the critical role of strong leadership in developing his team. He also shares insights gained from multiple coaching experiences, highlighting why builder-specific support was crucial.

Owen sits down with Alex Havkin of Havcon, a builder scaling his business from $4.5M to over $5M annually. Alex shares his sharp-end journey from pricing jobs at 10% and "walking away with nothing" to implementing premium pricing. But the real lesson is what happens after you fix your markup. Alex gives a transparent breakdown of a recent job he signed at a 20% markup that finished at only 9% gross profit. They unpack the critical "profit leaks" that appear at scale: defect management devouring time, the owner becoming the bottleneck, and the urgent need to hire roles like a Contracts Administrator to protect margins on complex projects.

David’s journey didn’t begin on a job site, it started in the boardroom. After years leading corporate teams, he made a bold shift into building, determined to apply business systems and structure to the trades. In this episode, David reveals the principles that helped him build a business that runs without him: How corporate discipline drives performance and profit in construction. The power of accountability and financial visibility. Why leadership isn’t about control, it’s about building trust. If you’re a builder ready to scale beyond yourself, this episode gives you a blueprint rooted in systems, leadership, and freedom.

Rudy Marroquin, owner of Atlas Custom Homes, joins Owen to share how he built a thriving building company that no longer depends on him for every decision. In this episode, Rudy explains how he went from managing every job himself to creating a team that leads with accountability and confidence. He dives into the lessons that helped him trust others, build better systems, and grow his company sustainably. If you’re a builder scaling beyond $2M, you’ll learn how Rudy’s shift from control to leadership allowed him to grow faster, reduce chaos, and finally step back without slowing progress.

Daniel’s journey is one every builder should hear. He started as a plumber, then moved into building and eventually scaled to delivering more than 130 homes a year. From the outside, it looked like success. But behind the recognition and awards came real challenges: budgets blowing out, staff walking away, and the pressure of holding a growing company together. Instead of letting those setbacks define him, Daniel turned them into the foundation for something bigger. He built Jack, a project management platform designed by a builder, for builders. Today, Jack helps construction companies across Australia and now the US run with greater control, stronger systems, and healthier profitability. In this episode, Daniel shares his full story: the highs of winning national awards, the lows of staff turnover, and the leadership lessons that shaped how he now builds businesses. If you’re a builder caught between being hands-on and stepping into true business leadership, Daniel’s story will show you what’s possible.

In this episode, Marti sits down with Darryn, founder of Quantity Solutions, to dig into one of the biggest challenges for scaling builders: keeping control of costs while leading bigger teams and higher-value projects. Darryn shares how builders can shift their mindset around pricing, move from reactive estimating to proactive planning, and position themselves with architects and clients as trusted advisors rather than just order-takers. We cover: The hidden risks in pricing and why most builders leave money on the table. How to move from quick estimating to structured cost planning that protects margins. The role of quantity surveying in giving you confidence with high-value clients and contracts. The leadership shift required to stop being the bottleneck in pricing and build a system your team can trust. Why execution risk and poor timeframe management can destroy profit, even when sales are strong.

In this episode, Owen sits down with Pantelis, a residential builder who went from feeling like a failure—working seven days a week, ten hours a day, with finances going backwards—to building momentum, scaling a team, and creating a business that serves his life, not consumes it. We unpack: The breaking point moment when his kids waved goodbye and he felt worthless inside. How taking complete responsibility flipped his results in weeks. Why builders must shift from “poverty mindset” to “prosperity mindset” to scale. The hidden danger of execution risk and why timeframes matter. Why leadership, clarity, and saying “no” to the wrong jobs is the real growth lever. If you’re a builder stretched between being on the tools and running a multi-million-dollar operation, this conversation is your wake-up call.

Show Notes A growing residential builder shares the uncomfortable truths that forced an identity shift from “on the tools” to business leader. We unpack how paid pre-construction flipped his sales process, why a detailed quote document beat a cheaper competitor for a $1.2M new build, the discipline of PSR 1-3-1 problem solving, and the accountability equation that makes tough conversations doable. We also get into marketing beyond Instagram posts, fixing the accountant relationship, and building momentum when cash is tight. Key Points [00:02:14] – "I realised I was working harder than ever and making less money than when I worked alone." A brutally honest reflection on why he joined TPB and what wasn't working in his business. [00:06:30] – “I started my business just to make ends meet—then I realised it could be something more.” The early motivations: weekend cash jobs, financial pressure, and the leap from teaching to full-time business. [00:12:17] – "Hiring my first apprentice was terrifying." Why that first hire is harder than it seems, and how most owners default to labour instead of admin support. [00:19:10] – “We just started our first $1.2M build—here’s what changed.” How leadership, team building, and proper quoting systems led to winning larger, better projects. [00:23:47] – "We teach PSR 1-3-1: One problem, three solutions, one recommendation." How this simple habit trains your team to solve problems without dumping them on you. [00:29:11] – “Accountability is just expectations, measurement, and feedback.” How to structure crucial conversations and break the ‘mate vs. boss’ tension. [00:36:30] – "My tax bill blindsided me—I had $1,000 in the bank and $150K in overdraft." The harsh financial lesson that forced him to switch accountants and take control of his cashflow. [00:41:22] – “I used to apologise for my prices… now I say it with confidence.” The mindset shift from “please accept my quote” to “this is the professional service we deliver.” [00:53:10] – "Success is freedom—financially and in my time." Why he wants a business that can run without him, and how he's designing it to get there. [00:58:40] – "That $1.2M job? We won it because our quote was 40 pages, not four." How quoting depth and a Prelim Package beat cheaper builders—and why he's now charging for every pre-construction engagement. Follow TPB for more

In this episode of The Builder’s Ladder, Owen is joined by Coach Shane to spotlight one of TPB’s members, Rudy Marroquin of Atlas Custom Homes. Rudy’s story is a blueprint for transformation: from 80-hour weeks and razor-thin margins to securing $75M projects with 32% profit margins — all while working fewer hours than ever. You’ll hear how Rudy tackled the five core dominoes of growth — financial visibility, marketing, sales, operations, and strategic expansion — and how his relentless mindset turned ambitious goals into reality. Discover the modules and tools Rudy used to systemize his business, why mindset is the hidden multiplier for success, and how builders can break free from being the bottleneck to finally owning a business that runs without them. Key Points 00:00:00 Introduction: Why sales become easy when marketing does the heavy lifting 00:02:15 Meet Coach Shane: Specializing in contracts, client management, and compliance 00:06:30 Spotlight on Rudy Marroquin — from $4.8M in revenue with negative margins to $75M in secured projects 00:09:45 The bottleneck problem: Why owners must decentralize command to grow 00:13:20 Step 1 — Financial systems: Back-costing, chart of accounts, and the Plan for Profit calculator 00:18:00 From -5% to +32% margins in under 2 months 00:20:10 Step 2 — Marketing pillars: Clarity, consistency, and creating a lookbook that wins trust 00:25:15 Step 3 — Sales process overhaul: Converting with SPACE (safety, performance, appearance, comfort, economy) 00:29:40 Hiring a VP of Sales and building systems that remove the owner from selling 00:34:00 Step 4 — Operations: Empowering staff, reducing bottlenecks, and installing site systems 00:38:15 Step 5 — Strategic growth: Launching Atlas Custom Cabinets and multi-home developments 00:42:10 Lifestyle shift: From 80-hour weeks to 5-hour days while achieving more 00:45:00 Key lesson: It’s not about doing more — it’s about doing the right things in the right order Follow TPB for more

Join Owen and Vinnie as they pull back the curtain on TPB's ambitious summit strategy. Discover why leaving your business for 2-3 days is one of the most important pressure tests you can do, how the "2D to 3D" experience creates breakthrough momentum, and what's planned for the upcoming Gold Coast Summit. Learn the "Likes, Bests & Next Times" (LBS & NTS) framework you should use after every project, why we're adding family packages to make these events accessible, and how AI will help uncover 100 high-trust referral partners in minutes at the live workshop. Key Points 00:00:00 Introduction: Why TPB is committing to five summits per year 00:03:20 The business case: Why expensive events deliver massive member value 00:06:40 Going from 2D to 3D: The power of in-person connections 00:09:15 The pressure test: Why leaving your business reveals weaknesses 00:12:30 LBS & NTS framework: Quantitative vs. qualitative project feedback 00:15:45 Gold Coast Summit preview: October 9-10 at Sofitel Broadbeach 00:18:20 Summit themes: Becoming the preferred builder and protecting profits 00:21:40 Live workshops: Building sales assets and AI referral strategies 00:24:10 Family packages: Making summits accessible for the whole family 00:26:30 How to reserve your spot: BuildersSummit.com with limited tickets Discover why the person sitting next to you might have already solved your biggest business challenge, how Simon Manor's elite conversion process gets 80% signup rates, and why the morning activities (ice baths, boxing, ocean swims) set the energy for breakthrough days. Follow TPB for more:

One of our members had his business valued at $150K with a 1.5x multiple when he first came to us. Just 18 months later, after systemizing and improving profits to $500K, that same business was worth $1.5M with a 3x multiple. The difference between building a job and building a business asset is worth millions. Join Marti Amos for the final episode of our eight-part series covering the biggest takeaways from The Profitable Builder's Playbook. Chapter 8 focuses on the ultimate goal: What's your exit strategy and how do you maximize the value of your business? Learn why most building company owners work 10+ years but their business is worth almost nothing without them, the five-step buy-in process that can 4x your business value, and how to build an asset worth 3-4 times your net profit whether you ultimately sell or not. Key Points 00:00:00 Introduction: Final episode recap and the ultimate business goal 00:03:20 Why most builders build themselves a job, not a business asset 00:06:40 Business valuation components: Stock, assets, and goodwill explained 00:09:15 Setting your Business Maturity Date (BMD) - your 18-month vision 00:12:30 Different exit options: Buy-ins, profit sharing, and vendor financing 00:15:45 The five-step buy-in process with legal frameworks 00:18:20 Intellectual property strategy: License vs. include in sale 00:21:40 Why building a saleable business makes it more profitable immediately 00:24:10 Simple math: From $300K to $1.5M business value in 18 months 00:26:30 Implementation: Calculate your current business value this week Follow TPB for more:

Join Marti as he breaks down Chapter 7 of The Profitable Builder's Playbook: The 10 Step Sales Process That Consistently Converts. Discover why a good target conversion rate is 50%, yet most building company owners are only winning 20-30% of the jobs they quote. Learn the complete systematic sales process that converts 60% of qualified prospects, why you should be charging $1,500-$5,000 for detailed pricing, and how to eliminate time wasters while positioning yourself as the professional choice in a competitive market. Key Points 00:00:00 Introduction: From zero projects to $4.1M in six weeks 00:03:20 Why most builders treat sales like a lottery and compete on price 00:06:40 Step 1-3: Initial contact, qualifying questionnaire, and wow info pack 00:09:15 Step 4-5: Professional site visit with your full team 00:12:30 Step 6: The prelim budget meeting and charging for quotes 00:15:45 Step 7: Budget reality check and creating urgency 00:18:20 Step 8-9: Presenting the quote as an action plan with sales choreography 00:21:40 Step 10: The natural close and securing signed contracts 00:24:10 Overcoming objections: Why clients will pay for professional quotes 00:26:30 Implementation: Create your qualifying questionnaire this week Follow TPB for more:

Mark from Tauranga went from chasing any work to being fully booked out for a year in advance at 20%+ margins after building a great marketing machine. The secret isn't necessarily spending more on marketing - it's answering the four key questions that make clients want to choose you before they even meet you. Join Marti as he breaks down Chapter 6 of The Profitable Builder's Playbook: Marketing and How to Keep Your Pipeline Full. Discover why sales becomes easier when marketing does the heavy lifting, yet most builders are still waiting for the phone to ring. Learn the complete Marketing Machine Framework with the three Ms (Market, Message, Medium), the TPB 1% referral system that 8x's your referral leads, and why the real gold mine is in the 25% of people who are 3-12 months away from starting their project. Key Points 00:00:00 Introduction: From chasing work to being booked out a year in advance 00:03:20 Why most builders rely on hope marketing instead of predictable systems 00:06:40 The Marketing Machine Framework: Market, Message, Medium 00:09:15 Answering the four key questions that make clients choose you 00:12:30 The marketing calculator: Reverse engineering your lead needs 00:15:45 The TPB 1% referral system explained 00:18:20 The buyer's pyramid: Why 25% of prospects are the real gold mine 00:21:40 Lead magnets and nurturing prospects over 3-12 months 00:24:10 Why bad marketing is expensive but great marketing pays for itself 00:26:30 Implementation: List 20 people who could refer you ideal clients Follow TPB for more:

Brian just signed a $750K contract at 25% margin using the Pricing for Profit system. The secret isn't just raising prices - it's knowing what to include that most builders give away for free. Join Marti Amos as he breaks down Chapter 5 of The Profitable Builder's Playbook: How to Price Your Projects Profitably. Discover why pricing is by far the biggest tool for earnings improvement, and how building company owners are leaving $100K+ on the table every year by not getting this right. Learn the complete Profitable Pricing Framework that transforms builders from pricing to win work (and making no money) to guaranteeing minimum 20% gross profit on every project. Plus, discover the variation control system that eliminates nasty surprises and dramatically improves cash flow. Key Points: 00:00:00 Introduction: How one builder went from 10% markup to 25% actual gross profit 00:03:20 Why most builders price to win work, not to make money 00:06:40 Step 1: Creating an accurate estimating process 00:09:15 Step 2: Including all your costs with proper markups 00:12:30 Step 3: The variation control system for better cash flow 00:15:45 Step 4: Labor hour control broken down by stage 00:18:20 Step 5: Back costing in real time to catch problems early 00:21:40 Overcoming objections: Why clients expect project management fees 00:24:10 Implementation: Add project management fees to your next quote 00:26:30 How to guarantee profit on every job with daily tracking Discover why project management should be positioned as a separate professional service, how to break down labor forecasting by stage to stay within 5% of targets, and why daily back costing discipline saves members $2K-$15K per job by catching invoice errors. Follow TPB for more:

This mistake costs builders over $100K each in lost profits - and most don't even realize they're making it. Lou thought he was profitable until he learned how to read his numbers correctly and discovered he was actually losing money on most of his projects. Join Marti as he breaks down Chapter 4 of The Profitable Builder's Playbook: Knowing the Numbers That Drive Your Business. Discover why over half the businesses we see have their profit and loss set up incorrectly, leading to decisions based on false information. Learn the critical difference between markup and margin that's costing builders hundreds of thousands of dollars, the golden ratios every residential builder must hit, and the Four Levers Profit Calculator that shows exactly which area will give you the biggest bang for your buck. Key Points 00:00:00 Introduction: The costly mistake builders make with their numbers 00:03:20 Why builders avoid their numbers and the real cost of ignorance 00:06:40 How to set up your profit and loss correctly 00:09:15 The golden ratios: Your success benchmarks for profitability 00:12:30 Markup vs. margin: The confusion costing builders $100K+ 00:15:45 The Four Levers Profit Calculator explained 00:18:20 How to reverse engineer your profit goals 00:21:40 Why "I can't get 20% margins in my market" is a myth 00:24:10 Controlling work in progress with real-time job costing 00:26:30 Implementation: Calculate your actual gross margin this week Discover why 20% gross margin minimum is non-negotiable to run a real business, how small improvements in the four levers create exponential profit growth, and why numbers are the language of business - ignore them at your peril. Follow TPB for more:

Building a winning team isn't about finding perfect people - it's about creating the systems that turn good people into great performers. Ben from Twizel keeps half his staff for over five years and runs a $10 million company because he treats his business like a sports team, not a family. Join Marti as he breaks down Chapter 3 of The Profitable Builder's Playbook: How to Build a Winning Team. Discover why the difference between a $500K builder and a $5M building company owner isn't skill - it's whether they've built a team or built themselves a prison. Learn the complete Winning Team Framework, including how to establish company values that actually drive behavior, create scorecards that give clarity to both you and your team, and implement the PSR Problem-Solving Framework that will transform how your team approaches challenges. Key Points 00:00:00 Introduction: The difference between $500K and $5M builders 00:03:20 Why treating your business like a sports team beats the family approach 00:06:40 The Winning Team Framework: Starting with your values 00:09:15 Creating scorecards for every role with clear KPIs 00:12:30 The four essential meetings every building business needs 00:15:45 Hiring for career progression to retain top talent 00:18:20 The PSR Framework: Problem, Solutions, Recommendation 00:21:40 Why good people aren't too expensive - bad people cost more 00:24:10 Creating compelling career paths to attract quality team members 00:26:30 Implementation: Rating your team and creating your first scorecard Discover how one good foreman can save you 20+ hours per week in management time, why accountability through visibility beats micromanaging, and how clear career progression keeps great people while filtering out the wrong ones. Follow TPB for more:

Fix Yourself First: Why Personal Problems Become Business Problems. Working 12-hour days, constantly firefighting, and having your team dependent on every decision isn't a business issue, it's a leadership issue that starts with you. Join Marti for part 2 of the Profitable Builders Playbook series as he reveals why the secret isn't working harder on your business, but working harder on yourself first. Discover how Adam from Seattle went from $2.5M to $7M revenue while reducing his hours from 65 to 40 per week, learn the traffic light system for identifying your biggest business constraints, and find out why TPB grew from 12 to 68 people in 18 months using these same principles. Learn the "last day method" for eliminating tasks you hate, how to design your environment for success, and why your business maturity date creates the accountability you need to escape the builder's hamster wheel. Key Points 00:00:00 Introduction: Personal problems vs. business problems 00:03:30 Adam's transformation: $2.5M to $7M with fewer hours 00:06:15 How TPB grew 4x in 18 months using self-leadership 00:08:45 Step 1: Defining who you want to be and your mission 00:11:20 Step 2: Integrating life mission into business values 00:14:30 Step 3: Designing your environment for success 00:17:40 The friend audit: removing energy vampires 00:19:15 Step 4: A to Z operations traffic light system 00:22:30 The "last day method" for tasks you hate 00:25:10 Step 5: Your business maturity date (BMD) 00:27:45 Making your vision public for team accountability Tune in to discover why how you lead yourself is exactly how you'll lead your business, and learn the systematic approach to fixing personal problems before they sabotage your company's growth. Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder's Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

Last year Andrew was stressed, dealing with rollercoaster cash flow and bad apples on his team. His books weren't up to date, he had no financial visibility, and despite having work, the cash wasn't there. Today, he's landing $400-500K jobs at 23% gross profit margin with completely different stress levels. Join Owen Chambers and Coach Cole as they break down Andrew's 9-month transformation story. Discover how getting the right people off the bus (and the right people on) can actually improve momentum rather than kill it, why financial visibility is crucial for reducing anxiety, and how repositioning from small renos to larger projects changed everything. Learn the Same Page Plan framework for team alignment, why you should view your business like a sports team (not a family), and how one bad apple really can spoil the whole batch - plus what to do about it. Key Points 00:00:00 Introduction: Coach Cole's Builder Summit highlights 00:03:20 Andrew's starting point: stress, cash flow, and team issues 00:06:40 The three main areas of focus: team, profit protection, financial visibility 00:09:15 Getting people off the bus to improve momentum 00:12:30 The Same Page Plan framework for team alignment 00:15:45 Why financial visibility reduces business owner anxiety 00:18:20 Results: From $140K to $500K jobs at 23% margin 00:21:40 Next moves: hiring office manager and pushing to 25% margin 00:24:10 The market test vs. opinion on pricing 00:26:30 Advice for builders in Andrew's starting position Tune in to discover how focusing on the fundamentals - people, systems, and numbers - can transform your building business from a source of stress into an energizing venture you control on your own terms. Our construction business coaching has helped 3,100+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder's Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

Mark works 60 hours a week running his building company while his foreman works 40 hours - yet Mark only makes $2 more per hour despite carrying all the liability, stress, and responsibility. Sound familiar? Join Marty Amos as he breaks down Chapter 1 of The Profitable Builders Playbook, revealing why the top 5% of building company owners work just 35 hours per week while the bottom 25% grind through 65+ hour weeks. Discover the Professional Builder Rate formula that shows your true hourly worth, the genius zone matrix that identifies which tasks you should eliminate, and the step-by-step process to buy back one full day per week in 90 days. Learn why working more hours doesn't equal more money, how to create your stop-doing list, and why the most successful builders focus 80% of their time on high-fun, high-skill, high-value tasks that actually move the needle. Key Points 00:00:00 Introduction: Why great builders get trapped on the hamster wheel 00:03:20 The shocking truth about builder earnings vs. hours worked 00:05:40 Step 1: Reverse engineering your ideal lifestyle and vision 00:08:15 Step 2: Calculating your Professional Builder Rate (PBR) 00:11:30 Step 3: The genius zone matrix - mapping skill vs. fun 00:14:45 Step 4: Creating your stop-doing list every 90 days 00:17:20 Step 5: The Freedom Finder and default diary structure 00:20:10 Why systems beat speed every time 00:22:30 Action steps: Calculate your current PBR and set targets Tune in to discover how to escape the trap of working harder for less money and start building a business that works for you instead of the other way around. Follow TPB for more:

Has your Building Company become a prison? Do you focus on making more money but ignore the systems that give them time, ending up trapped in a "busy job with overheads" instead of a real business. This week’s episode we are sharing a recent podcast that Marti was featured on with Michael Creer from Straight Talk Builder. Marti shares The Professional Builder Rate formula that shows exactly what tasks you should stop doing, why you can't scale chaos or lack of profits, and the two critical growth chokepoints every builder faces at $1-2M and $5-7M revenue. Learn why builders who succeed focus on four key areas (numbers, systems, people, and vision), how to transition from working IN your business to ON it, and why your biggest competition should be with yourself, not other contractors. Key Points 00:00:00 Why builders create prisons instead of businesses 00:03:30 The Professional Builder Rate: calculating your true hourly worth 00:07:15 Two critical chokepoints: $1-2M and $5-7M revenue marks 00:11:40 Why you can't scale chaos or lack of profits 00:15:20 The golden ratios: 20-25% gross margin, 8-12% overheads 00:19:45 Direct response marketing vs. traditional advertising 00:24:30 Leading yourself, your business, and your team 00:28:15 The four Ps: People, Process, Product, and Price 00:32:40 Building systems that work without you 00:36:20 Exit strategies and business maturity planning Tune in to discover how to escape the builder's hamster wheel and create a business that gives you both more money AND more time - without sacrificing quality or burning out. Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder's Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

People don't leave jobs - they leave bosses and opportunities. As your building company grows, your biggest challenge isn't finding good people, it's keeping them aligned and pulling in the same direction instead of operating like individual contractors under one roof. Join Owen Chambers for the final part of the Builder to Business Owner series as he reveals the Four Ds of CEO leadership: Dollars, Decibels, Discipline, and Direction. Discover how to create a Same Page Plan that gets your entire team rowing in the same direction, why PSR (Problem-Solution-Recommendation) should be a core company value, and how high standards naturally move poor performers out while attracting A-players who want to be part of something bigger. Learn why your vision must be large enough to fit everyone else's dreams inside it, and how successful builders transition from managing tasks to leading people toward a compelling future. Key Points 00:00:00 Introduction to Part 4: The Leadership Transition 00:02:30 The Four Ds of CEO leadership framework 00:05:15 Why people leave bosses and opportunities, not jobs 00:07:40 Using standards to naturally filter out poor performers 00:10:20 Creating a vision big enough for others' dreams 00:13:30 The Same Page Plan template and implementation 00:16:45 Why PSR should be a core company value 00:19:20 Training problem-solving across your entire team 00:22:10 Presenting and refining your vision with the team Tune in to complete your transformation from hands-on builder to strategic leader who develops people, systems, and culture that can operate and grow without your constant involvement. Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder's Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

After 10 months as a one-man bathroom renovation business, Rob was trapped. When you're responsible for everything, you can't take time away - and when you do, you're still on the phone handling emergencies. Join Owen Chambers and coach Carla as they break down how Rob transformed his Texas renovation business using TPB's hiring framework. Discover why his previous helper didn't work out, how the right job ad attracted A-plus talent instead of 200 mediocre applicants, and the specific strategies that let him take not one but two holidays while his business ran perfectly without him. Learn the secret filtering techniques that separate world-class candidates from time-wasters, why your job ad needs to market the opportunity (not just list requirements), and how Rob's systematic approach to Google reviews is driving organic leads in his local market. Key Points 00:00:00 Rob's transformation from one-man show to business owner 00:03:20 Why his previous helper didn't work out 00:05:40 Using TPB's hiring framework for better results 00:08:15 Projects finishing ahead of schedule with the right person 00:10:30 Taking holidays while the business runs without him 00:13:45 Key hiring mistakes builders commonly make 00:16:20 The job ad as marketing tool, not just requirements list 00:19:30 Filtering techniques: specific email instructions and barriers 00:22:40 Matching application complexity to the role requirements 00:25:10 Rob's Google review system driving organic leads Tune in to discover how the right hiring process doesn't just get you help - it gets you freedom to work ON your business while your team delivers quality results on time. Our construction business coaching has helped 3,000+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder's Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

Sitting in the office wondering "what does working ON the business actually mean?" You know you should be doing sales, marketing, and numbers - but where do you start when everything feels urgent and important? Join Owen Chambers for Part 3 of the Builder to Business Owner series as he reveals the A to Z of Operations framework - your business blueprint that maps exactly how leads flow through your company from first inquiry to final invoice. Discover how successful members like Alvin built systems so bulletproof they could close sales while holidaying in Europe, and learn the ICE filter method (Impact, Certainty, Ease) for prioritizing which business systems to build first. Stop keeping everything in your head and start building a business that runs without you being the bottleneck. Key Points 00:00:00 Introduction to Part 3: Who and How framework 00:02:45 The A to Z of Operations visual blueprint 00:05:20 Alvin's case study: making sales while on holiday 00:08:30 Traffic light system: Red, Orange, Green processes 00:11:15 Why you need both process AND person for each step 00:14:40 The ICE filter for prioritizing systems (Impact, Certainty, Ease) 00:18:20 Examples of critical business processes to systemize 00:21:10 Getting everything out of your head and onto paper Tune in to discover how to create working drawings for your business that ensure it runs smoothly even when you're not there - just like Alvin's team closing deals while he toured Europe. Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder's Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

Stop Being Employee of the Month in Your Own Business Most builders get trapped being the best employee instead of the business owner. They roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty, and stay stuck doing $47/hour tasks when they should be building systems and leading people. Join Owen Chambers as he breaks down Part 2 of the Builder to Business Owner series, revealing how to calculate your Professional Builder Rate (PBR) and create the most important list in your business - your stop doing list. Discover why builders need different skills than tradespeople, the identity shifts from builder to business owner to entrepreneur, and how successful members like Doug systematically bought back their time by delegating everything below their hourly rate. Learn the formula that shows exactly what tasks you should eliminate, who should do them instead, and how to build your business by design rather than default. Key Points 00:00:00 Introduction to Part 2: Professional Builder Rate 00:02:30 Where do you want to be in 12 months? 00:05:15 The survival to success business stages 00:07:40 Identity shifts: builder to business owner to entrepreneur 00:10:20 Examples of member success stories 00:13:30 Calculating your Professional Builder Rate (PBR) 00:16:45 Building your stop doing list 00:19:20 Doug's case study: systematic delegation 00:22:10 The $47/hour rule for task elimination Tune in to discover how to escape the employee-of-the-month trap and start working ON your business instead of being trapped IN it, using the exact frameworks that have helped thousands of builders buy back their time and build wealth. Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder's Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

When builders hit $1.5M, $5M, or $10M revenue marks, the same painful pattern emerges: what got them there becomes their biggest bottleneck. Most end up with a "busy job with overheads" instead of a real business. Join Luke Kemeys on Keep the Change as he interviews our very owen Marti Amos (Founder of TPB) . Discover why 22% gross margin nearly destroyed Marti’'s cleaning business, the three critical areas every building company owner gets wrong, and how to find $10K in pure profit using the Professional Builder Rate formula. Learn the powerful change formula (Dissatisfaction × Vision + First Steps > Resistance), why turnover is vanity but profit is sanity, and how building company owners can escape the feast-or-famine cycle that keeps them competing on price instead of value. Key Points 00:00:00 Marty's background from Stewart Island to marketing degree 00:05:20 Early entrepreneurial ventures at university 00:08:40 The cleaning business disaster: $347K in debt 00:15:30 Three things builders consistently get wrong 00:21:15 Why numbers are the foundation of everything 00:26:45 The feast-or-famine marketing cycle trap 00:32:20 Systems and team: building without the owner 00:38:10 Finding $10K in profit with practical strategies 00:44:30 The Professional Builder Rate formula 00:49:15 Buying back one day per week in 30 days Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder's Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

Ever wonder why successful construction company owners still struggle to make profit… even when their P&L “checks out”. Growth advisor John sees 10+ building company financials every week - and the patterns are shocking. Join Owen Chambers as he interviews John, TPB growth advisor and former carpenter-turned-casino dealer-turned business coach, who reveals what happens behind the scenes of residential construction companies. Discover why builders consistently price at 22% margins but end up with 16%, the critical P&L setup mistakes that hide true profitability, and how some companies accumulate $400K+ in debt while thinking they're profitable. Learn the nine margin levers that protect and improve profitability, why "busy" doesn't equal profitable, and the real reason builders burn out - plus John's hard-won lessons from his own costly renovation flips. Key Points 00:00:00 John's unconventional journey: bank to casino to carpentry00:04:15 Why John avoided becoming a builder (until now)00:06:30 The most common problems in builder conversations00:09:45 How to set up your P&L to reveal true profitability00:13:20 Why builders think they're pricing at 22% but actually get 16%00:16:40 The nine margin levers for protection and improvement00:19:50 Stories from the trenches: $400K debt recoveries00:23:15 Why marketing isn't optional (even when you're busy) Tune in to understand what the numbers really say about building company health and discover why professional systems beat winging it every single time. Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder's Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

The bottleneck in your building business isn't your team, your subs, or your systems - it's you. When every decision runs through the owner, growth stalls and burnout becomes inevitable. Join Owen Chambers as he breaks down the exact framework successful builders use to delegate effectively and buy back an entire day per week. Discover the three critical delegation questions that prevent miscommunication, the 10-80-10 rule for outcome-based delegation, and how to create repeating task calendars that free you from micromanagement. Learn why the things that got you to $1.5M won't get you to $5M, and how to transition from being the best operator to becoming a true business owner who works on the business, not just in it. Key Points 00:00:00 Introduction and feedback request00:02:15 The bottleneck problem at $1.5M, $5M, and $10M00:04:30 Why hustle and muscle hits a ceiling00:05:45 The three delegation questions framework00:08:20 How to define "done" and create accountability00:10:40 The 10-80-10 rule for delegating outcomes00:13:25 Creating recurring task calendars with instructions00:16:30 Practical examples for office management and site tasks Tune in to transform from the person who solves every problem to the leader who develops problem-solvers, giving you the freedom to focus on growth and strategy instead of daily firefighting. Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder's Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

Paying top dollar is enough to keep good employees, right? Wrong! Competitive salary actually ranks LOW on the list of what workers really prioritise. And without knowing these priorities, you’re at risk of losing top talent in your construction business In this episode, performance coach Andy Ross and Owen Chambers discuss the systematic approach to building a high-performance team culture that attracts talent and keeps them engaged long-term. You’ll hear how to establish non-negotiable standards, why competitive salary ranks surprisingly low on employee priority lists, and how the ‘Same Page Plan’ keeps everyone aligned with your vision. Andy shares real examples from members who transformed their teams and the psychological principles that make these systems work. Key Points 00:01:00 Firing Problem Employees00:03:00 PSR Problem Solving Framework00:05:20 Employee Feedback 00:06:10 What Employees Actually Want00:10:20 Rules of the Game System00:12:00 Implementation Timeline Process00:16:30 Accountability 00:19:00 Same Page Plan Strategy00:21:10 IKEA Ownership Principle Ready to transform your team culture and build a construction business that attracts top talent? Listen to this episode to discover the proven system. - Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder’s Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

Builders waste thousands on websites, ads, and "shiny object" marketing strategies that deliver zero results. But what if your entire marketing strategy could fit on one page? Join Owen Chambers as he interviews Alan Dib, author of "The One Page Marketing Plan" (nearly 1 million copies sold worldwide). Discover why the most successful builders focus on just 2-3 marketing channels instead of trying everything, and learn the exact framework that transforms scattered efforts into predictable profit. Alan shares real building examples, including a bathroom renovation company that charges 150% more than competitors by mastering one simple promise, plus the two key numbers every builder must track to turn marketing from a casino gamble into a reliable vending machine. Key Points 00:00:00 Alan's background and the one-page marketing plan origins00:03:20 The fundamental problem: scattered marketing efforts00:06:40 Target market as your foundation - get this wrong, everything fails00:09:15 Real building example: bathroom renovations in one week00:12:30 Sales becomes easy when marketing does the heavy lifting00:15:45 The two critical numbers: CAC and lifetime value00:19:20 Finding your best clients and identifying buying triggers00:22:40 Why it's never about being a "better builder" Tune in to discover how to stop wasting money on marketing that doesn't work and start building a system that consistently delivers high-value clients who pay premium prices. Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder's Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

In a notoriously tight-lipped industry where builders company owners rarely share challenges or collaborate, isolation has become the norm. But what if there was a better way? Join Owen Chambers as he interviews Coach Matt Banks about the transformative power of community in The Professional Builder. Discover stories of members sharing profitable contracts, filling schedule gaps with fellow builders' overflow work, and accessing HR templates in minutes when they need them most. Learn why surrounding yourself with successful builders doesn't just give you better answers - it normalizes higher standards that transform your business from the inside out. Key Points 00:00:00 The tight-lipped nature of construction00:03:15 Adam's story: Sharing profitable contracts with other builders00:07:20 Richard's story: Filling schedule gaps through community00:10:40 Sam's HR emergency and instant template solution00:12:30 How community normalizes higher margins and charging for quotes00:14:15 Using PSR (Problem-Solution-Recommendation) to solve difficult client issues00:17:50 The energy and transformation of in-person events Tune in to discover why the conversations at the pub will never compare to a community of builders committed to real growth, honesty about challenges, and helping each other achieve both business success and better quality of life. Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder's Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

Join Owen Chambers from The Professional Builder as he interviews Lachlan Stewart, who recently completed 58 marathons in 58 days across all 50 US states and 8 Australian states/territories - a world-first achievement. Beyond the physical feat, Lachlan shares powerful mindset strategies directly applicable to builders struggling with tying their self-worth to business performance. After transitioning from professional sports to entrepreneurship, Locke discovered how to build multidimensional success across business, relationships, and health. Key Points 00:00:00 Lachlan’s 58 marathon challenge introduction00:03:10 Rebuilding identity beyond one dimension00:07:20 Separating self-worth from business performance00:11:40 Tackling problems head-on vs. avoiding them00:18:30 Building the right team aligned with your vision00:27:45 When to push through vs. when to change course00:33:10 Creating a vision others can contribute to00:39:00 Taking action on what matters mostYou can checkout the link to Lachlan’s website here: https://www.themanthatcanproject.com/& Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/lachlanstuart/ Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder's Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

One of the biggest needle movers for construction companies and custom home builders that want to scale is mastering a proven sales process. Tune in today to hear how successful residential builders are implementing sales systems into their businesses - with profit-boosting results. You’ll hear the story of Ben, a custom home builder from Victoria, who installed a professional quoting and sales process into his construction business and dramatically improved his income and profit margins - going from under 20% to 25% gross. You'll also discover: ✅ The power of showing vs telling when dealing with prospects - and how this can add tremendous value to your construction proposals ✅ Specific ways you can justify charging for quotes as a builder, without losing clients ✅ Practical tools like lookbooks, questionnaires, and project schedules that position your building business as premium ✅ How to hold sales meetings with potential clients that convert at 70 to 80% (instead of the typical 20–30%) Key Moments: 00:01:49 Building sales process overview00:03:28 The problem with incomplete plans00:06:39 Professional Service Agreements explained00:08:41 First impressions and client journey00:10:12 Show don't tell in sales presentations00:12:21 Premium proposals command premium prices00:13:57 Confidence to charge higher margins00:15:15 Preparation and leadership in sales Ready to stop competing on price and start commanding what you're worth? Listen now to learn the exact sales blueprint for transforming your building business into a professional construction company that clients trust (and happily pay premium prices to work with). - Builders Summit 2025: https://www.builderssummit.co.nz/ - Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed.Subscribe to The Builder’s Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business.Follow TPB for more:

Wendy and Paul, two former academics turned trades business owners, faced the growing pains most of us face in the construction industry - no reliable systems, constant overwhelm, and stalled growth. Despite being four years into running their business, they lacked the right structure in sales, marketing, leadership, and pricing. Like many others, everything still funnelled back through them. That’s when they joined The Professional Builder. In this powerful episode, Coach Carla reveals the exact blueprint Wendy and Paul used to transform their trades business in just 4 months. Tune in to discover how they: - Overhauled their sales process for predictable growth - Boosted team performance and accountability - Created a lead pipeline with 12+ quality leads - Implemented proven systems for scaling a trades-based company If you're a construction business owner or trades professional struggling with team alignment, broken systems, or stagnant lead flow - this episode is a must-watch. You’ll walk away with practical insights on building systems that free up your time, align your team for better execution and leading your business with confidence. You’ll also understand how to fix your pricing, sales, and marketing once and for all. Key Points 00:03:20 Values-driven mission00:04:20 Lacking business systems00:07:10 The employee handbook00:08:30 Teaching team problem-solving skills00:09:50 Securing $230K in new business00:10:30 Referral program implementation00:12:00 The Same Page Plan meeting framework00:13:10 Implementation Listen now to discover how these former academics are now drinking leads "from a fire hose" and building a business that serves their mission, their team, and their community. - Builders Summit: https://www.builderssummit.co.nz/ - Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder’s Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

We’ve trained an AI to hire better than humans. And if you’re struggling to hire good people in your construction business - you may already know the old ways of hiring aren't cutting it anymore. Access this POWERFUL AI hiring tool by attending the upcoming builders summit: https://www.builderssummit.co.nz/ In this episode, Owen and Vinnie reveal an AI tool that creates compelling job ads in minutes - ads that attract A+ players while repelling those who won't fit your culture. Watch as they create a foreman job ad in real-time - so you can see how to leverage AI to help you hire top talent in your construction business. Key moments: 00:03:00 The AI hiring tool for builders00:04:10 Three key hiring foundations for building companies00:05:40 Always be aggressively hiring 00:07:10 Isolating hiring problems before solving them00:08:30 Seven key questions to create compelling job ads00:14:30 Defining personality type and intensity requirements00:16:40 The Moscow Framework for role requirements00:20:00 Identifying key benefits to offer employees00:22:40 Choosing the right style and tone for job ads00:24:00 Example of a complete AI-generated job ad00:27:30 Using high-jump markers to filter candidates Listen now and discover how to attract the talent your building company deserves. - Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder’s Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

Want to SCALE your construction biz? Book your strategy call here: https://tpb.tools/pod-call Your sales process is probably what’s costing you projects - not your building skills or your pricing. In this episode, we reveal the five critical mistakes builders make during their first prospect interactions that cost them thousands in lost contracts over time. We break down a proven triage call framework that helps construction businesses position themselves as the expert, uncover client motivations, and build the confidence needed to win more profitable jobs. You’ll also learn why "speed to lead" matters so much in construction, how to use "minimal encouragers" to dig deeper into a prospects needs, and why having a visible checklist creates instant credibility. We go on to explain how to create micro-commitments that make the final decision feel natural, and share specific strategies for addressing common concerns around timelines, budgets, and financial security. Key moments: 00:01:05 Transfer Conviction Through Process 00:02:48 Call Leads Within 24 Hours 00:03:46 Expert Questions Build Trust 00:04:38 80% Emotion Drives Decisions 00:05:54 Visible Checklist 00:07:28 Beat Price Objections 00:08:29 Show Project-Specific Success Stories 00:09:23 Create Micro-Commitments 00:10:51 Book Next Steps With Both Decision Makers Tune in today to transform your approach to winning new clients, convert more leads, and book yourself out 6-12 months in advance with higher-margin projects. -

Want to SCALE your construction biz? Book your strategy call here: https://tpb.tools/pod-call There’s a simple 4-step process that transforms change orders and variations into profits for your construction business. Most builders and construction companies lose money on change orders and variations. But with the ACES framework - variations can become profitable. One Sydney-based construction company implemented this framework and consistently increased its project margins from 22-23% to 26-27% by properly managing variations. Tune in to discover: ✅Why proper variation management prevents costly disputes with clients ✅How to avoid doing work for free ✅Practical strategies like charging administration fees for pricing variations ✅Why weekly variation meetings with clients eliminate "surprise" bills ✅How to train your team to recognize and document change orders properly Key Moments: 00:00:43 The ACES formula 00:01:40 Increased margins00:03:46 Anticipate variations before they happen00:04:33 Capture all changes in writing00:05:13 Charge fees for this00:06:22 Price variations for maximum profit00:06:58 Account for timeline extensions00:07:30 Create bulletproof variation management system Ready to stop the profit leakage? Click play to discover how the ACES framework can revolutionize your construction business and protect your bottom line. - Free training: https://info.theprofessionalbuilder.com/151ways -

Stop chasing low-paying clients! Your most valuable asset in your construction business isn’t your tools or skills - it’s your ability to attract premium clients who value quality construction. In this episode, Owen and Marti reveal how builders can use simple marketing strategies to position themselves as trusted authorities. Tune in to discover: ✅Effective marketing strategies for construction companies (these are easy to implement and work like crazy) ✅The key differences between being a generalist, a specialist, and the sought-after authority in your construction niche. ✅Why relying on a single marketing channel is a recipe for disaster and how diversification creates stable, predictable growth for your building business. ✅Actionable strategies like leveraging strategic alliances with real estate agents and architects, implementing a lucrative referral program, and developing persuasive client case studies. You’ll also learn a highly-effective qualification process to identify ideal clients, weed out time-wasters, and ensure project budgets align with your scope of work. Which means you’ll be able to pre-qualify leads and avoid costly mismatches. Key moments: 00:02:48 Dream Project Criteria 00:04:44 Become The Authority 00:05:49 Trust-Building Tools 00:07:46 Introduce Your Dream Team 00:10:45 The Dream 100 Strategy 00:13:30 Profitable Referral System 00:15:50 High-Intent Lead Generation 00:17:13 Showcase Success Stories 00:20:15 Qualify Fast Ready to transform your construction business? This episode provides the blueprint for securing profitable projects 6-12 months in advance, perfectly matched to your expertise and business goals. Tune in now to learn how to attract high-paying clients and fill your project pipeline. - Want to convert MORE of the leads you get? Download our FREE 10-step sales process: https://info.theprofessionalbuilder.com/10step-sales-process -

In this episode of The Builder's Ladder, we talk with Corey Brown, owner of Kiwi Built in Wellington. Corey shares his journey from working for others to running his own successful small business specialising in high-end heritage renovations. Corey reveals the lessons learned and struggles overcome while growing Kiwi Built - sharing actionable advice for builders, remodelers, and tradespeople looking to scale effectively. Tune in to discover: ✅Building Systems for Success: Learn how Corey transitioned from doing everything himself to implementing systems that give him his life back and allow for scalable growth. ✅Strategic Partnerships for Growth: Hear about the power of collaborating with architects and other professionals to pre-sell services and expand your reach. ✅Financial Management for Profitability: Learn how real-time budget tracking and accurate quantity surveying can maximise your profit margins. ✅The Importance of Community and Mentorship: Hear how finding positive communities and investing in business coaching accelerated Corey's growth. ✅Developing a Skilled Workforce: Learn Corey's strategies for finding, training, and retaining talented tradespeople in a competitive market. Tune in now and learn from Corey's experience - to get insights to help you scale your building business effectively. Key moments: 00:02:00 Starting Kiwi Built00:03:00 Wife runs the office00:05:00 Real-time budget tracking00:06:59 3D model pricing00:08:02 Delegate, don't DIY00:10:05 Marketing strategy evolution00:12:30 Seamless villa renovations00:16:20 Coaching builds confidence00:19:56 No weekend work00:22:00 Positive builder communities00:23:02 Training restoration apprentices -

The difference between a struggling and thriving construction business isn't volume - it's controlling the four profit levers most building business owners never touch. While most chase revenue, top builders and contractors maintain 25% margins by mastering these hidden profit zones Tune in as we expose why revenue pursuit without profit focus keeps builders trapped on the hamster wheel. You'll discover exactly how top-performing construction companies maintain 20-25% profit margins while staying booked 6-12 months in advance with quality projects. Discover: ✅ How one Sydney builder grew from $1.5M to $8.5M in just two years using these exact strategies ✅ Why most builders confuse markup with margin, instantly reducing profits by 3-4% on every job ✅ The simple daily accountability systems that improved one builder's project profits by 27% without complex software ✅ How properly handling variations can increase your gross margin from 21% to 27% on high-end projects Key moments: 00:03:50 Profit over revenue00:05:00 Pricing for profit00:07:20 Markup versus margin00:09:50 Track labor hours00:11:40 Visibility creates accountability00:12:10 Variations bring profit00:15:20 Control your progress00:17:20 Beyond price competition00:18:50 Free profit tool Check out this episode to stop pricing to win work and start pricing for profit. - Access your FREE 4-lever profit calculator and resources:https://info.theprofessionalbuilder.com/4growthlevers-training -Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder’s Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

76% of construction business owners spend 15+ hours a week on tasks their foreman could handle Today, we’re exploring why 80% of your building project's success depends on your foreman - and how to transform this role from a glorified carpenter into your mini-CEO. We dive deep into practical systems for empowering your foreman with clear scorecards, ‘Wildly Important Goals’ (WIGs), and accountability measures that drive results. You’ll see how to create visibility across your projects, implement default calendars to eliminate constant interruptions, and build competitive performance tracking between sites - so you can boost company-wide success. Key Moments: 00:01:20 The foreman escape plan00:02:20 Foreman-appropriate tasks00:03:30 Busy builder vs business owner 00:04:40 Foreman scorecards00:06:40 Site success = company-wide performance00:07:10 Visibility equals accountability00:08:20 Default calendars00:12:10 PSR method for problem-solving 00:14:10 Three delegation questions 00:18:10 Foreman and project pricing Tune in now to escape the "busy builder" trap and become a true business owner by leading your foreman the right way. -

There's a critical difference between being a great builder and running a great construction company. Most builders are working 60+ hours weekly yet struggle to break past mediocre margins. This is because running a successful building company requires an entirely different skillset AND mindset than being a great builder. In this episode of The Builders Ladder Podcast, TPB growth advisor Josh shares what he's learned from analysing thousands of building company financials - along with guiding contractors through business transformation. Tune in to discover: ✅ Why 70% of builders can't track their true margins (and how to fix this) ✅ The "golden ratios" profitable building companies hit (this is about gross profit, net profit, & overheads) ✅ Specific mindset shifts required to evolve from "busy builder" to strategic business owner ✅ How to stop wearing all the hats without sacrificing quality or control Plus, you’ll hear about what separates builders who achieve remarkable transformations from those who stay stuck working IN their business rather than ON it. Key moments: 00:01:10 Josh's background 00:05:30 Financial numbers 00:06:20 Golden ratios 00:08:40 Surrounding yourself success 00:11:50 Top 5% do this 00:13:30 Sports team vs a family 00:15:10 The "stop doing list" for builders 00:17:40 Working ON vs. IN your business 00:19:10 When to check numbers -

There are hidden costs in your construction business which could be killing your profits. David Baker, founder of RapidQS, joins us for another episode of The Builders Ladder podcast to share exactly why most builders are silently losing money on every project. After losing $2,500 on a $6,000 bathroom renovation early in his career, David discovered a key pricing element most building business owners overlook - properly accounting for time and management costs. In this episode, David shares: ✅Why sitting at your desk pricing jobs at night isn't "free time" - it's profit walking out the door ✅The exact “P&G” costs you must include on every quote (from site admin to vehicle charges) ✅How his company scaled from 2 jobs per week to 140 monthly by mastering these fundamentals ✅Why growth often means lower initial profits (and how to navigate this transition) Plus, discover RapidQS's journey from small local operation to international expansion. Including candid insights about the realities of scaling a construction-focused business. Key moments: 00:02:10 Beyond materials and labor00:03:20 New builds & small jobs00:06:00 Site protection costs 00:08:20 Losing money on jobs 00:13:30 Growth = smaller margins 00:18:30 What to focus on in tough times00:24:00 Create content to save time & energy00:30:50 The best partnerships Tune in for practical wisdom about pricing, leadership, and finding your "zone of genius" in a growing construction company. -

Imagine structuring your week so effectively that you only need to visit sites once or twice a week, while your residential building business runs better than ever. Join your host, Marti Amos, for another episode of The Builders Ladder podcast - where he shares the ‘perfect week formula’ successful residential builders are using to scale & operate their $10M-$25M+ building businesses. Most building companies hit a ceiling at $2M-$5M because they're trapped by the "no one can do it like me" mindset. Learn how to break free using Marti's proven frameworks and strategies, including: ✅The specific activities $10M-$25M+ builders focus on (and what they deliberately ignore) ✅How to structure your perfect week for maximum impact with minimum hours ✅The "Business Maturity Date" concept that helps you plan your exit from daily operations ✅Exactly how to train your team to handle problems without constantly needing you Whether you're doing $1M or $10M, if you're tired of being chained to your business and want to build a building company that runs without your constant involvement - pay close attention to this episode. - Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed. Subscribe to The Builder’s Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more:

If you’ve been curious about breaking into luxury residential construction, this episode of The Builders Ladder provides a realistic roadmap for you - from someone who's built this path over 15+ years. Award-winning builder Stephen Malinger shares his journey from doing decks and bathroom renovations to becoming Sydney's leading specialist in bespoke architectural and luxury homes. With achievements, including the 2021 HIA-CSR Australian Home of the Year, Stephen reveals how he built Mallinger Construction's reputation in the premium market - including a recent $180,000 bathroom renovation that showcases the scope of truly high-end work. Tune into hear about key elements that differentiate successful luxury builders, including: Creating professional documentation that resonates with architects and wealthy clients Building relationships with 6-15 person architectural firms for consistent premium work Managing weekly payment schedules and cashflow on multi-million projects Structuring contracts to protect yourself on complex, multi-year builds Understanding when to use cost-plus vs fixed price models Whether you're currently running a standard building company looking to step up, or already operating in the premium building space but wanting to improve your systems - this episode provides practical insights for building a sustainable high-end residential construction business. Key moments: 00:03:00 Journey from basic building to luxury projects00:07:00 Positioning strategies for premium builders00:12:00 Marketing approaches that work in luxury00:21:00 Building strong architect relationships00:26:00 Managing high-end client expectations00:32:00 Navigating complex contract structures00:44:00 Cashflow management in luxury projects00:50:00 Keys to successful market transition Listen now to learn how to transition to a high-end residential builder - while avoiding the common pitfalls that catch many builders off guard.https://www.facebook.com/groups/TPBmember: https://www.facebook.com/TheProfessionalBuilderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stop being the best-paid tradie in your company and start being a true business owner. If you’ve grown your construction business, but still find yourself caught between running sites, chasing materials, and putting out fires - you’re spending more time behind the steering wheel and on your phone than building your business. In this episode of The Builder's Ladder, host Marti Amos sits down with Matt Banks, a construction coach with 15 years of business experience in construction. Matt shares his journey from running a chaotic operation with 25 staff to helping builders implement systems that create both profit and freedom. Learn why most builders stay stuck in their business… How to keep quality consistent across different project managers… And the powerful ‘PSR’ framework that simplifies problem-solving - by having team members come to you with solutions, not problems Matt also breaks down the common mistakes that keep builders trapped in day-to-day operations. 00:01:30 Matt's background 00:08:00 3 crucial onboarding sessions00:15:40 Quick wins in 90 days00:21:00 Reasons builders stay trapped in day-to-day operations00:24:25 The PSR (Problem, Solutions, Recommendation) framework00:29:20 Most important numbers builders should track 00:35:15 One habit every builder should adopt tomorrow Listen now to learn how to build a business that runs without your constant presence.-Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed.Subscribe to The Builder’s Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business. Follow TPB for more: