Podcasts about estimating

The guys get into the messy reality of pricing—no templates, no magic—just expectations, scope, and the triangle of quality, budget, and time. We cover scope gaps, site protection, and how pre-con (plus a little AI) de-risks the job so your estimate actually matches how the work gets built. Show Notes: 00:00:00 Intro & our awesome sponsors 00:05:22 Sick kids and water bottles 00:08:51 Welcome & rapid-fire plan 00:09:51 Estimating process overview 00:13:45 Row house example & takeoffs workflow 00:17:21 Automation vs AI in estimating 00:21:17 Using AI as an assistant, not a black box 00:31:21 Who owns scope gaps 00:43:47 Site protection that actually protects 00:47:31 Client fit and non-negotiables 00:53:13 Attracting the right clients 00:56:53 Precon course & Summit invite 01:01:46 Modern Craftsman tee & sign-off Video Version: https://youtu.be/A1BPmpmv_vQ   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Haydn Simmons from Price A Plan. In this episode, Hayden shares how builders can take the stress out of estimating by turning what's often an emotional, late-night task into a structured and supportive process. He dives deep into the emotional side of running a building business and how understanding those emotions can transform the way you approach estimating, client relationships, and leadership.This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0INSIDE EPISODE 209 YOU WILL DISCOVER Why estimating is about more than just crunching numbersThe emotional pressures that affect builders day-to-dayHow understanding your emotions leads to better business decisionsPractical steps to manage stress and build self-awarenessThe benefits of partnering with a professional estimating serviceAnd much, much more.ABOUT HAYDN SIMMONS​Haydn, the director of Price A Plan, specialises in detailed quantity surveying and accurate pricing for all projects. Price-A-Plan offers comprehensive services benefiting various building industry professionals, from subcontractors to homeowners. Their expertise supports clients from job lead to final certificate, enhancing profitability and saving valuable time.Connect with Haydn: linkedin.com/in/haydn-simmons-705ba920/TIMELINE 2:35 Hayden's journey from builder to founder of Price A Plan4:56 The emotional pressures modern builders face11:12 How emotions influence estimating and business decisions16:25 Changing the public perception of builders through storytelling22:10 Practical ways to manage stress and build self-awareness29:45 Why estimating is more than just crunching numbersLINKS, RESOURCES & MOREAPB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.comAPB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuildersAPB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

Welcome to the Part Time Pilot Audio Ground School Podcast! This podcast releases a 2 new episodes every week on Mondays and Wednesdays. Every Monday, we release an episode that is the next lesson of our IFR Online Ground School. Every Wednesday, we release an episode that is the next lesson of our Private Pilot Online Ground School.    We are working our way through both Online Ground Schools for students to listen to ground school for FREE! If you don't want to wait for new podcasts or you don't want to hear ads or course updates, you can join us in our VIP podcast. In order to join the VIP podcast, you must purchase our Online Ground School. When you do, you'll get sent an email invite to the VIP podcast to download and listen on your favorite podcast app, plus all the amazing lifetime features inside our Online Ground Schools (lessons, videos, audio, quizzes, practice tests, flash cards, test prep PDFs, grade tracking, digital notes, trained AI instructor chat, 7-day a week email support, online study group, scholarships and more).    The #1 reason student pilots never end up becoming a private pilot is NOT due to money. The real reason is actually deeper than that. Yes, flight training is expensive. But every student pilot knows this and budgets for it when they decide to do it.   The actual #1 reason a student pilot fails is because they do not have a good, fundamental understanding of the private pilot knowledge they are meant to learn in ground school.    You see when a student does not have a good grasp of this knowledge they get to a point in their flight training where their mind just can't keep up. They start making mistakes and having to redo lessons. And THAT is when it starts getting too expensive.    This audio ground school is meant for the modern day student pilot... aka the part time student pilot. Let's face it, the majority of us have full time responsibilities on top of flight training. Whether it is a job, kids, family, school, etc. we all keep ourselves busy with the things that are important to us. And with today's economy we have to maintain that job just to pay for the training. The modern day student pilot is busy, on the go and always trying to find time throughout his or her day to stay up on their studies. The audio ground school allows them to consume high quality content while walking, running, working out, sitting in traffic, traveling, or even just a break from the boring FAR/AIM or ground school lecture.    Did I meant high quality content? The audio ground school is taken straight out of the 5-star rated Part Time Pilot Online Ground School that has had over 2000 students take and pass their Private Pilot & IFR exams with only 2 total students failing the written. That's a 99.9% success rate! And the 2 that failed? We refunded their cost of ground school and helped them pass on their second attempt. We do this by keeping ground school engaging, fun, light and consumable. We have written lessons, videos, audio lessons, live video lessons, community chats, quizzes, practice tests, flash cards, study guides, eBooks and much more.   Part Time Pilot was created to be a breath of fresh air for student pilots. To be that flight training provider that looks out for them and their needs. So that is just what we are doing with this podcast.    Private Pilot - Section 5 - Lesson #10: In this episode we do another Free online ground school lesson from the number 1 rated online ground school for private pilots, Part Time Pilot. In this lesson we talk about how to estimate numbers on aviation charts. An important skill for pilots to learn to be able to read weather charts and perform flight planning tasks.    Links mentioned in the episode:   Online Ground School: https://parttimepilot.com/private-pilot-online-ground-school/?utm_source=podcast Free How to Become a Private Pilot course: https://parttimepilot.com/free-how-to-become-a-pilot/   PPL study group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parttimepilot  IFR study group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parttimepilotifr/  Recommended Products & Discounts:  https://parttimepilot.com/recommended-products-for-student-pilots/ 

I have posted over 4,500 blogs on the interweb and have written two unpublished books with a third underway, and have numerous other writings either collecting dust in journals scattered throughout my home or long lost in the scrap heaps of time. Estimating an hour per blog entry, the investment is more than 180 consecutive days of writing 24 hours a day, nonstop. Realistically, the two books written required several hundred hours each, equating to 60ish 24-hour days. Then there are the countless unposted musings. In all likelihood, I've spent an entire year of 24-hour days writing and editing. I am probably about 1,200 hours shy of the 10,000 necessary to master a discipline, any discipline. However, that is a byproduct, not the goal of my writing investment.

Listen to Juan Herrara and Danny Moore discuss pending claims, large claims, and using predictive analytics and other modeling techniques to develop these estimates.

Everything takes longer than you think. Max has a theory on emotions. Ben is trying new meds. Feelings are not facts. Getting your ass kicked in games. *** Submit Your Topic - Get A Free Shirt - ignorantanduninformed@gmail.com

Warum rast unser Herz, bevor wir Angst haben? Warum spüren manche Menschen ihren Körper so genau – und andere fast gar nicht? In dieser Folge tauchen Leon und Atze in die Welt der Interozeption ein – dem verborgenen Sinn, mit dem wir unser Inneres wahrnehmen. Fühlt euch gut betreut Leon & Atze Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leonwindscheid/ https://www.instagram.com/atzeschroeder_offiziell/ Mehr zu unseren Werbepartnern findet ihr hier: https://linktr.ee/betreutesfuehlen Tickets: Atze: https://www.atzeschroeder.de/#termine Leon: https://leonwindscheid.de/tour/ Empfehlungen Betreutes Fühlen – Folge zu Alexithymie (vom 12.03.2024) „Warum fühle ich nichts?“ In dieser Folge sprechen Leon und Atze darüber, warum manche Menschen Schwierigkeiten haben, ihre eigenen Gefühle wahrzunehmen und auszudrücken. Lisa Feldman Barrett – Wie Gefühle entstehen Ein faszinierendes Buch einer der bekanntesten Emotionsforscherinnen unserer Zeit. Barrett zeigt darin, dass Gefühle keine festen Programme sind, sondern vom Gehirn konstruiert werden. Quellen Desmedt, O., Luminet, O., Walentynowicz, M., & Corneille, O. (2023). The new measures of interoceptive accuracy: A systematic review and assessment. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 153, 105388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105388 Ditzer, J., Woll, C. F. J., Burger, C., Ernst, A., Böhm, I., Garthus-Niegel, S., & Zietlow, A. L. (2025). A meta-analytic review of child maltreatment and interoception. Nature Mental Health, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-025-00456-w Ekman, P. (1992). An argument for basic emotions. Cognition & Emotion, 6(3–4), 169–200. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699939208411068 Garfinkel, S. N., Gould van Praag, C. D., Engels, M., Watson, D., Silva, M., Evans, S. L., ... & Critchley, H. D. (2021). Interoceptive cardiac signals selectively enhance fear memories. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 150(6), 1165–1178. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0000967 Garfinkel, S. N., Manassei, M. F., Hamilton-Fletcher, G., In den Bosch, Y., Critchley, H. D., & Engels, M. (2016). Interoceptive dimensions across cardiac and respiratory axes. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 371(1708), 20160014. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2016.0014 Garfinkel, S. N., Minati, L., Gray, M. A., Seth, A. K., Dolan, R. J., & Critchley, H. D. (2014). Fear from the heart: Sensitivity to fear stimuli depends on individual heartbeats. Journal of Neuroscience, 34(19), 6573–6582. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3507-13.2014 Gross, J. J. (2013). Emotion regulation: Taking stock and moving forward. Emotion, 13(3), 359–365. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032135 Interoception: The mysterious inner sense driving your emotions. (2024, March 22). BBC Future. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240322-interoception-the-mysterious-inner-sense-driving-your-emotions Khalsa, S. S., Adolphs, R., Cameron, O. G., Critchley, H. D., Davenport, P. W., Feinstein, J. S., ... & Zucker, N. (2018). Interoception and mental health: A roadmap. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, 3(6), 501–513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsc.2017.12.004 Murphy, J., Brewer, R., Plans, D., Khalsa, S. S., Catmur, C., & Bird, G. (2020). Testing the independence of self-reported interoceptive accuracy and attention. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 73(1), 115–133. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747021819879826 Nord, C. L., Dalmaijer, E. S., Armstrong, T., Baker, K., & Dalgleish, T. (2021). A causal role for gastric rhythm in human disgust avoidance. Current Biology, 31(3), 629–634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.10.087 Open Science Collaboration. (2015). Estimating the reproducibility of psychological science. Science, 349(6251), aac4716. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aac4716 Redaktion: Julia Ditzer Produktion: Murmel Productions

All the ways we over and underestimated the 49ers this year

The first senate estimates of the 48th Parliament have arrived – where the Albanese Labor Government and representatives from the Australian Public Service and government agencies are quizzed for up to 14 hours a day about pretty much anything. It's tedious, it's long, but it's all about accountability, and Independent Senator for the ACT David Pocock takes us behind the scenes. Plus Bob Katter has a suggestion for the footy off-season, and Andrew Hastie has left the Coalition front bench.

This conversation with Sam McCord from AgriGold originally aired on the September 2nd episode of Market Talk.

If you're a contractor or home service pro tired of wearing every hat in your business, this episode is for you. In this week's Beyond The Claim, Vince Perri sits down with Brandon Smith, CEO of New Vision Projects and host of The Open Concept Podcast. Brandon reveals how he turned a small contracting startup into a systemized, scalable company that thrives without chaos — even after cutting half his staff. Learn how he built a management model that wins high-end clients, how to train project managers to estimate and sell, and why loyalty in business isn't what you think it is. If you're ready to scale your construction company — without burning out — hit play.

This Podcast Is Episode 646, And It's About Insights For Small Construction Business Owners Post-Disruption The past few years have been challenging for small business owners everywhere. For contractors, the global disruptions—pandemic shutdowns, supply chain bottlenecks, labor shortages, and inflation—hit especially hard. Projects were delayed, material costs spiked overnight, and cash flow felt like a rollercoaster.   If you're a small construction business owner, you've lived through it. And while it's been painful, it's also been a powerful teacher. As construction bookkeeping specialists, we've had front-row seats to see how disruptions shook contractors and what strategies helped them survive—or even thrive—despite the chaos.    Here are the key lessons learned from global disruption that every small contractor should carry forward.   1. Cash Flow is King When the world turned upside down, it wasn't just about profits on paper—it was about cash in the bank. Contractors who had substantial cash reserves or disciplined systems for separating money (using methods like Profit First) were able to weather late client payments, supply delays, and unexpected expenses. Those who ran lean with no buffer struggled the most. Many relied on credit cards, lines of credit, or personal savings to keep projects moving. Lesson: Always budget with a cushion. Build a reserve fund equal to at least two to three months of operating expenses. Cash flow isn't a luxury—it's survival. 2. Material pricing can change overnight Lumber tripled in price. The costs of concrete, steel, and copper spiked. Even basic items like drywall screws saw shortages. For contractors who bid on jobs months in advance, these increases wiped out their profit margins. The most resilient contractors learned to: Add price escalation clauses in contracts. Limit the validity period of an estimate. Communicate openly with clients about material volatility. Lesson: Build flexibility into your pricing. Protect yourself in writing from market swings you can't control.   3. Diversification builds stability Some contractors relied heavily on one type of work, such as extensive remodels or commercial tenant improvements. When those markets slowed during lockdowns, their revenue disappeared. Others had more diversified income streams—such as small service calls, maintenance contracts, consulting work, or digital products—and were able to pivot. Lesson: Don't rely on one type of project or client. Diversify your work mix so when one stream slows, another sustains you. 4. Relationships matter more than ever When suppliers had limited stock, who got the materials first? The contractors have strong, long-standing relationships. When crews were in short supply, which subs stuck around? The ones treated fairly, paid promptly, and respected. Lesson: Invest in your relationships. Pay suppliers and subs on time. Be transparent with clients. In times of disruption, trust and loyalty can save your business. 5. Technology isn't optional anymore The pandemic accelerated the adoption of technology across the industry. Contractors who relied only on paper receipts, hand-written invoices, or in-person meetings found themselves at a standstill. Those using cloud-based bookkeeping, project management apps, digital invoicing, and video calls continued to move forward. Lesson: Adopt technology before you “need” it. Utilize digital systems for bookkeeping, estimating, contract management, and communication. It's not about replacing personal touch—it's about being adaptable when disruptions happen. 6. Lean teams are resilient teams   Many small contractors discovered they were carrying extra overhead—unused office space, underutilized vehicles, or administrative costs that didn't directly produce profit. During global disruption, reducing the crew to essentials, subs, and systems made survival possible. Lesson: Know your actual costs and eliminate waste. A lean operation is easier to sustain through downturns and easier to scale when demand returns.   7. Communication is your strongest tool   One of the biggest frustrations during disruption was uncertainty. Clients wanted updates. Subs wanted to know if they'd be paid. Suppliers were vague about delivery dates. Contractors who communicated clearly—even if the news wasn't good—earned respect. Those who stayed silent or overpromised quickly lost trust. Lesson: Make communication a priority. Share updates often and honestly. It builds confidence, even when circumstances aren't ideal.     8. Mental health and burnout are real   Global disruption didn't just strain finances—it strained people. Many contractors burned out from trying to keep jobs going under impossible conditions. Some worked longer hours to break even. Those who emerged stronger learned to set boundaries, delegate, and take care of themselves as much as they did their businesses. Lesson: You can't build a sustainable business if you're running on empty. Take time to recharge. A healthy owner leads a wholesome company.   9. Long-term planning beats short-term panic   Disruption exposed those who were running their business reactively and those who had systems in place for long-term stability. Contractors with business plans, financial tracking, and clear goals were able to make adjustments without losing direction. Those who made decisions only in the heat of crisis often compounded their problems. Lesson: Develop a Long-Term Strategy for Your Business. Even if the world shifts, you'll have a framework to guide your choices.   10. Adaptability is a competitive advantage   Perhaps the biggest lesson? The contractors who survived weren't always the strongest or the biggest—they were the most adaptable. They adopted new ways of working, revised their bidding process, experimented with various marketing approaches, and weren't afraid to adapt their business model. Lesson: Stay flexible. The ability to pivot quickly is more valuable than size or experience.   Final thoughts Global disruption has left scars on the construction industry, but it has also left lessons that we can't ignore. For small contractors, the takeaway is clear: Protect your cash flow. Write airtight contracts. Diversify your work. Invest in relationships and technology. Prioritize communication and your own well-being. Disruptions may come again—whether global or local. But the lessons you've learned now can make your business stronger, more resilient, and more profitable in the long run. About The Author: Norhalma Verzosa is a Certified Construction Marketing Professional and serves as the Web Administrator of Fast Easy Accounting, located in Lynnwood, WA. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and is a Certified Internet Web Professional, with certifications in Site Development Associate, Google AdWords Search Advertising, and HubSpot Academy. She manages the entire web presence of Fast Easy Accounting using a variety of SaaS tools, including HubSpot, Teachable, Shopify, and WordPress.

Miljan is the Founder and CEO of Primal. Bitcoin is an open protocol for money, nostr is an open protocol for speech, Primal brings the power of both into an easy to use interface for everyone.Search Primal in your favorite app store!Miljan on Nostr: https://primal.net/miljanEPISODE: 180BLOCK: 917284PRICE: 842 sats per dollar(00:00) Ten31 retreat(01:02) Retreat impressions and collaboration(01:32) How many bitcoiners(03:01) Estimating self custody users and real audience sizes(05:09) Stalled growth and focusing Primal on Bitcoiners(06:07) Curated "Getting Started" invite packs(09:14) Solving empty feeds: recommendations vs. decentralization(12:02) Improving follow discovery(14:53) Retention over onboarding: first-touch UX matters(16:11) Empowering users with tools, not surveillance models(18:08) Aligning incentives: Primal's user-paid model(19:42) Live streaming on Nostr: open spec meets clean UI(22:20) Not competing with TikTok: high-signal over dopamine(25:06) Platform risk for streamers and Nostr's modular freedom(28:05) Unified chat, zaps, and the magic of interoperable apps(29:25) Nostr's organic growth(31:06) Creators' final destination(34:50) AI in social: open models, features, and roadmap thoughts(41:05) Deepfakes, authenticity, and signed content value(46:02) Keys, key-rotation, and building resilient identity tools(49:28) Practical key management: tradeoffs from phone to multisig(53:12) Closing thoughtsmore info on the show: https://citadeldispatch.comlearn more about me: https://odell.xyz

Think you're pricing your janitorial contracts right? Think again. In this hard-hitting episode of Polishing Profits, co-hosts Mark Anderson, Sharon Cowan CBSE, and Ed Selkow break down the most common — and costly — blind spots that cleaning and facility service companies face.From missed labor hours to over-reliance on bidding software to mob pricing disasters, this episode is a must-listen if you're serious about protecting your margins and staying in business.

From $8/hr Hustle to $8K+ Months! | Handyman Success PodcastIn this episode of the Handyman Success Podcast, hosts Jason Carl (Handyman Marketing Pros) and Allen Lee (Handyman Journey) sit down with a fast-rising handyman pro, Jason Havstad from Platinum Home Services, based in Simi Valley, California. Just months into going full-time, he's already hitting over $8,000/month in revenue — solo!We dive deep into:✅ How he started his handyman business✅ What it's really like in the "hustle phase"✅ Lessons learned about pricing, profit, and burnout✅ Real numbers, real struggles, and real wins✅ Estimating strategies that actually workWhether you're patching drywall or stuck in traffic, this episode is packed with insight, motivation, and tactical tips to level up your handyman business.

有多少人从小就听过海豚救人的温情故事，从而喜欢上这些温和又灵动的海洋精灵？又有多少人知道海豚科37个物种中有一个以“中华”命名，也是国家一级保护动物？国庆将至，让我们通过这期节目聚焦中华白海豚，它们因数量稀少也被称为“海上大熊猫”。但在野外大熊猫种群数量逐步回升的今天，中华白海豚的情况却不容乐观。在本期节目中，我们有幸邀请到中华白海豚保育专家、海南智渔可持续发展研究中心科学总监郑锐强，以及自然之友法律团队的公益律师温子莹（多云）和李孟超（乔木）。嘉宾们介绍了中华白海豚种群数量下降、栖息地衰减背后的各种威胁因子，也梳理了中华白海豚保护面临的多重挑战，包括保护区的失效和监管的缺位等等。我们也进一步探讨了社会各界和普通公众分别可以采取怎样的行动，以扭转中华白海豚濒危的现状。希望这期节目能够帮助大家理解野生动物保护背后的复杂性，同时获得切实可行的个体行动的启发。本期节目是2025年不成气候与自然之友的传播合作项目的第五期。我们希望通过这个项目，把自然之友在应对气候变化、保护生物多样性、垃圾减量等更多领域的行动和故事带给大家，也希望更多人能够成为自然的朋友，真心实意，身体力行。【本期剧透】01:55 嘉宾介绍：从物种保育到公益律师的多元环保职业路径现状令人担忧07:03 中华白海豚的分布和数量：珠江口不足2000头，潮汕等多个小种群濒临消失11:00 如何识别中华白海豚13:28 栖息地碎片化的背后：近岸开发（造陆和养殖）、人类活动干扰和污染19:00 为什么迁地保护是不可行的？21:02 气候变化对中华白海豚的影响24:21《中华白海豚保护行动计划（2017-2026年）》的失败保护困难重重31:41 对于种群数据和变化趋势缺乏共识35:20 现有保护区不能覆盖核心栖息地43:58 保护区之外：执法和监管的失效48:24 泉州围头湾案例：环评报告涉嫌违法，同时暴露出环评制度的缺陷我们还能做些什么？70:43 环境公益诉讼制度85:01 公众监督与公众参与【延伸阅读】 ⁠一席｜郑锐强：在野外，母海豚会组成“雌性联盟”，来抵御性骚扰⁠⁠国家地理中文网：消失的妈祖鱼⁠⁠自然之友 & 智渔：世界海洋日 | 中华白海豚，我们这样认识你、保护你⁠⁠自然之友：濒临灭绝的厦门湾中华白海豚种群向你发来一封求救信⁠⁠北部湾鲸豚研究团队：中华白海豚种群生存报告⁠⁠科学大院｜陈圣兰：汕头的白海豚，只剩下最后12头⁠⁠Liu et al. (2021). Estimating the impact of climate change on the potential distribution of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins with species distribution model.  ⁠【创作团队】 嘉宾：郑锐强 、温子莹（多云）、李孟超（乔木）策划：何弦、乐园、自然之友 主持：何弦、乐园 后期：乐园、科莱美特气候共学营营员（郭文芬、张汀果、李聆溪）《不成气候No Such Climate》是一档广泛地关注气候变化、空气污染等大气科学议题与时事热点、社会生活的相交点的播客。【收听方式】 欢迎通过苹果播客、小宇宙、Spotify、Pocket Casts等泛用型播客客户端订阅我们的节目。我们也会在喜马拉雅、荔枝播客、QQ音乐、豆瓣等平台同步更新。【联系我们】 小红书@不成气候NoSuchClimate 微信公众号 不成气候No Such Climate nosuchclimate@gmail.com

Jessica Zwaan joins MPL Build to show HR leaders how to craft business cases that CEOs actually approve, using BLUF, the So What test, and clear links to revenue and savings. We walk through conservative projections, objection handling, and a live role-play on adopting a performance platform in today's fiscally skeptical environment.---- Sponsor Links:

In the final installment of this special series on waterfowl harvest estimation, Drs. Kathy Fleming and Paul Padding discuss the 2 critical surveys that are part of this process:  Migratory Bird Hunter Survey and Parts Collection Survey.  This episode sheds light on how these data are collected and used, and why none of this would be possible without the interest, cooperation, and participation by hunters.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

This Podcast Is Episode 645, And It's About Construction Estimates: Why Your Bids Should Spell Everything Out As a contractor, you've likely had this experience: you deliver a job estimate to a client, they accept, and you get to work. Everything goes smoothly—until halfway through the project when the client says, “Wait, I thought this included the backsplash,” or “I assumed cleanup was part of the price.” Suddenly, what you thought was a straightforward project turns into a debate about expectations. The client feels misled, you feel frustrated, and worst of all, your profit margin starts to shrink. The root problem? The estimate wasn't clear enough. In construction, your estimate is more than just a number—it's a roadmap. It tells your client what's included, what's not, and sets the financial foundation for your project. A vague or rushed estimate leads to misunderstandings, disputes, and, most importantly, lost profits. As construction bookkeeping specialists, we've seen time and again that contractors who take the time to create precise, detailed estimates consistently run more profitable jobs. Let's break down why your bids should spell everything out, and how doing so protects your bottom line. The Real Cost of Vague Estimates When your estimate is unclear, three things happen: 1. Scope Creep Becomes Inevitable If you don't define exactly what's included, clients will naturally assume more. Every “little” addition—a fixture change, extra paint coat, or a bit of demo—eats into your profit. Without a signed change order, you're essentially doing free work. 2. Client Trust Erodes A client who feels surprised by added charges won't just be upset—they'll question your integrity. Even if you're being fair, unclear estimates make you look unprofessional. 3. Cash Flow Suffers If you forget to include certain costs—like disposal fees, permits, or delivery—you'll end up covering them out of pocket. Multiply that over several jobs, and suddenly your bank account feels tight, even though you're “busy.” What Clear Estimates Do for Your Business A well-written estimate does more than avoid disputes; it also facilitates effective communication. It creates a foundation for profitability: Protects Your Profit Margin – By listing labor, materials, and extras, you ensure that nothing is forgotten and everything is accurately priced. Manages Client Expectations – Clients understand precisely what they're getting and what they're not. No surprises, no arguments. Improves Professional Reputation – A polished, detailed bid positions you as a contractor who runs a serious business. This often justifies higher pricing. Simplifies Bookkeeping & Job Costing – Clear estimates help you track actual vs. estimated costs, making future bids more accurate.   What to Include in Every Estimate To protect your profit, your bids should cover more than just the basics. Here's what to spell out: 1. Scope of Work Detail exactly what work will be performed. For example: “Remove and replace 200 sq. ft. of flooring in the living room” is clearer than “Install flooring.” 2. Materials List the materials included, specifying the grade or brand when possible. If clients want upgrades, they'll know it costs more. 3. Labor Costs Break down labor separately from materials. This not only clarifies pricing but also helps if the client questions why the project costs what it does. 4. Timeline & Scheduling Provide an estimated start and completion date, along with notes on potential delays (e.g., permits, weather, client decisions). 5. Exclusions Spell out what is not included. For example, disposal, electrical, or painting, if not part of your scope. This protects you from assumptions. 6. Change Order Policy Include language like: “Any work not listed in this estimate will require a signed change order before proceeding.” This sets the expectation from the start. 7. Payment Terms Outline deposit requirements, progress payments, and final payment due dates. Clear payment terms support healthy cash flow. A Real-Life Example Let's say you bid on a bathroom remodel at $10,000. You wrote “install new tile floor” in your estimate. Halfway through, the client says they thought you were also retiling the shower walls. You now face a choice: Eat the cost and do it to keep the client happy (losing profit), or Argue that it wasn't included (damaging the relationship). If your estimate had said, “Install new tile floor, 200 sq. ft., client provides tile. Shower tile not included,” the expectation would be clear. Any additional work would require a signed change order. No profit lost. How Clear Estimates Make Bookkeeping Easier From a bookkeeping standpoint, detailed estimates are gold. Why? Because they give you a clear benchmark for job costing, you can compare what you estimated vs. what you actually spent on labor, materials, and subs. Over time, this data makes your bids sharper and your margins more reliable. Without detailed estimates, your books become guesswork. You'll never know which jobs are profitable and which ones are draining your resources. Tips for Creating Clear, Professional Estimates Use Templates – Don't start from scratch each time. A standard estimate template ensures you never forget important details. Leverage Software – Even basic estimating tools or accounting software can help automate calculations and keep everything organized. Don't Rush – Take the time to measure, calculate, and spell things out. A rushed estimate often leads to rushed profits. Review Before Sending – Double-check that labor, materials, and exclusions are listed clearly. Keep Copies – Always save a signed copy for your records. Final thoughts In construction, profit isn't just about how well you build—it's about how well you plan. A clear estimate isn't busywork; it's a tool that protects your bottom line, manages client expectations, and sets you apart as a professional. Every time you prepare a bid, ask yourself: If someone who knows nothing about construction read this, would they understand precisely what's included and what's not? If the answer is yes, you're on the right track. Remember: Clear estimates lead to clear profits. Don't leave your success up to chance—spell it out, every time. About The Author: Norhalma Verzosa is a Certified Construction Marketing Professional and serves as the Web Administrator of Fast Easy Accounting, located in Lynnwood, WA. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and is a Certified Internet Web Professional, with certifications in Site Development Associate, Google AdWords Search Advertising, and HubSpot Academy. She manages the entire web presence of Fast Easy Accounting using a variety of SaaS tools, including HubSpot, Teachable, Shopify, and WordPress.

In part 2 of this series on waterfowl harvest estimation, Drs. Kathy Fleming and Paul Padding go in-depth on the Harvest Information Program, known to most people simply as “HIP,” to explain how it works and how the data are used to select hunters for participating in the core surveys from which harvest is estimated. We also discuss additional uses of waterfowl harvest data. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

Every profitable project starts with one thing: estimating.  In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Ben Hudachek of BH Estimating to talk about why estimating is the heartbeat of your cabinetry or millwork business—and how to finally take control of it. What You'll Learn: 1. Why most estimating systems stall business growth 2. How to hand off estimating with confidence 3. The power of checklists and post-job reviews 4. Culture shifts that protect your margins and sanity 5. Real stories of shops that scaled profits by fixing estimating If you've ever lost sleep before hitting “send” on a bid, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I am joined by past guest and friend of the show Jeff Diem from Elkmont Estimates to talk about his new software is leveling up the estimating/billing processes for Restorers.

Waterfowl hunters harvest 12–14 million ducks and 3 million geese annually in the U.S.  The process used to estimate annual waterfowl harvest has several components and relies on the cooperation and participation by State wildlife agencies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and most importantly waterfowl hunters. Drs. Kathy Fleming and Paul Padding of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service join Dr. Mike Brasher to help explain the harvest estimation process and some of the important uses of these estimates. This is episode 1 of a 3-part series. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

This Podcast Is Episode 644, And It's About Five Hidden Ways Contractors Lose Profits (And How To Stop It) Where did the money go? If you've ever looked at your bank account at the end of a busy month and thought, "I did all that work—so where did the money go?", you're not alone. This is one of the most common frustrations we hear from small business owners in the construction industry. You're booking jobs, staying busy, and delivering great work—but the profit doesn't seem to match the effort. As construction bookkeeping specialists, we've seen behind the numbers of dozens of small contractors. And time and again, we find the same hidden leaks draining their profits. The good news? Once you know what to look for, you can fix them—and finally start keeping more of what you earn. Here are five common ways contractors lose profits (without even realizing it)—and what you can do to stop the leaks. 1. Untracked Labor Hours: Working More Than You Billed Labor is often your most considerable cost. But for many small contractors, labor tracking is one of the weakest parts of their system. If you (or your crew) aren't logging actual hours worked on each job, you're likely underestimating how much time the project really took. That means you're effectively working for free on those "extra" hours. Real example: A contractor estimated a bathroom remodel at 40 hours of labor. The job actually took 55 hours. At $50/hour, that's $750 of lost profit—just from labor under-tracking. Multiply that across several jobs, and you can see how the profits evaporate. How to fix it: Use a simple time-tracking tool (like QuickBooks Time, or even a shared spreadsheet). Log hours daily—not at the end of the week when details are fuzzy. Compare estimated vs. actual hours after each job. This helps you improve future bids and spot inefficiencies. Bookkeeper's tip: If you track hours properly, I can show you job profitability in real time—and you'll see exactly which jobs (or crew members) are eating into your margin. 2. Unapproved Change Orders: Giving Away Work for Free Scope creep is the silent profit killer. A client asks, "Can you just add this?" and you say yes because it seems like a minor request. But those "little extras" add up quickly—and suddenly your margins are gone. Real example: A deck project initially included a standard railing. Midway through, the client asked for an upgraded design. The contractor agreed but never adjusted the invoice. The upgrade cost him $500 in materials and 10 extra labor hours—completely unpaid. How to fix it: Create a straightforward change order process. Stop work when clients request something new until the change is approved in writing. Even if it feels awkward, remember: change orders protect both you and the client by keeping expectations clear. Bookkeeper's tip: Keep a change order log for each job. We can help track approved vs. pending changes—so nothing slips through the cracks. 3. Material Waste and Overruns: Small Leaks, Big Losses Materials are another common leak. If you're not reconciling receipts against your estimates, you may be spending far more than you realize. It's not always theft or big mistakes—it's the little things: over-ordering, miscuts, lost supplies, or last-minute runs to the hardware store. Real example: A contractor estimated $5,000 in materials for a kitchen remodel. By the end, he had spent $5,800. That $800 didn't seem huge—but on a project with a $2,000 expected profit, it wiped out nearly half. How to fix it: Match every material receipt to the job. Track waste (e.g., lumber offcuts, unused drywall sheets). Build a small buffer into estimates (5–10%) to account for inevitable overruns. Do weekly check-ins: Are material costs still aligned with the budget? Bookkeeper's tip: If you send us your receipts consistently, we can flag when a job is trending over budget before it's too late. 4. Late Invoicing and Slow Collections: Cash Flow Gaps Many contractors do the work first and think about invoicing later. The problem is that late invoices result in late payments. And late payments can create cash flow crunches that force you to dip into savings, use credit, or delay your own bills. Worse, some clients "forget" to pay unless reminded. If you're not consistent about invoicing and follow-ups, you might never collect everything you've earned. Real example: A contractor finished a $10,000 basement project but didn't invoice until six weeks later. The client delayed payment for another four weeks. That's 10 weeks without income—while the contractor was already paying subs and suppliers. How to fix it: Invoice immediately at milestones—not weeks later. Use progress billing: collect deposits upfront, then bill at set phases. Set clear payment terms (Net 15, Net 30) in your contracts. Automate reminders using software like QuickBooks, Joist, or FreshBooks. Bookkeeper's tip: We can set up a system where invoices go out automatically and overdue payments are flagged—so you never have to chase clients down again. 5. Forgetting Overhead: Missing the True Cost of Running Your Business This is one of the biggest mistakes we see: contractors price jobs based only on direct costs (labor + materials) and forget to include overhead. Overhead is everything it takes to keep your business running, like: Truck payments and fuel Insurance and licenses Office supplies and software Marketing and advertising Your own salary! If you don't factor in overhead, you might think you made a profit—but really, you just broke even. Real example: A contractor charged $15,000 for a renovation. Materials and labor cost $11,000, so it looked like a $4,000 profit. However, once overhead was factored in (including fuel, insurance, phone, bookkeeping, etc.), the actual profit was closer to $1,200. How to fix it: Calculate your monthly overhead. Divide that into your billable hours or projects. Add it to every estimate. Bookkeeper's tip: We can calculate your overhead burden per job, so you'll know exactly how much to add to every quote to stay profitable. Recap: 5 Hidden Profit Leaks Untracked labor hours Unapproved change orders Material waste and overruns Late invoicing and slow collections Forgetting overhead Each of these may seem small, but together they can drain thousands of dollars from your business every year. The Bottom Line: You Don't Have to Keep Losing Money The difference between "busy and broke" and "busy and profitable" isn't more jobs—it's better control of your numbers. When you track your labor, materials, change orders, invoices, and overhead, you stop the leaks and keep more of the money you've already earned. And you don't have to do it alone. As construction bookkeeping specialists, we help small contractors: Track job profitability in real time Catch hidden leaks before they get worse Set up systems that save time and reduce stress Contact us today and get the help you need. About The Author: Norhalma Verzosa is a Certified Construction Marketing Professional and serves as the Web Administrator of Fast Easy Accounting, located in Lynnwood, WA. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and is a Certified Internet Web Professional, with certifications in Site Development Associate, Google AdWords Search Advertising, and HubSpot Academy. She manages the entire web presence of Fast Easy Accounting using a variety of SaaS tools, including HubSpot, Teachable, Shopify, and WordPress.

In this episode of The DYOJO Podcast we disucss* Jeff Bezos' 1 Hour Rule (Puttering) * Steve Jobs and hiring A Players * Creating clear goals for property restoration technicians * Zac from H2O Away shares how encouraging team members to be just 1% better each day can add up to big wins for employees and the organization* Upcoming restoration training, events, and conferences including The Experience (Sep 2025 in Vegas), Pete Consigli's Winter Break (Feb 2026 in Florida) , and Restoration Industry Association (Apr 2026 in Georgia). The DYOJO Podcast - Helping Contractors Shorten their DANG Learning Curve (YouTube & Spotify). Get your copies of Jon Isaacson's books So, You Want to be a Project Manager and How to Suck Less at Estimating on Amazon or TheDYOJO.com

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode we provide practical advice for creating a personalized bar exam study schedule, taking into account accommodations, past scores, available study time, and life events. We emphasize the importance of scheduling breaks, managing unplanned interruptions, and being realistic about your commitments to ensure effective and sustainable preparation.   In this episode, we discuss: Bar exam accommodations Analyzing past scores Estimating your study time Incorporating breaks into your study routine Handling unplanned interruptions Resources: Podcast Episode 155: Creating a Study Schedule for the Bar Exam (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-155-creating-a-study-schedule-for-the-bar-exam/) Steps to Making Your Own Bar Exam Study Schedule (https://barexamtoolbox.com/steps-to-making-your-own-bar-exam-study-schedule/) Seeking Accommodations on the Bar Exam (https://barexamtoolbox.com/seeking-accommodations-on-the-bar-exam/) How to Interpret Your Bar Exam Score Report (https://barexamtoolbox.com/how-to-interpret-your-bar-exam-score-report/) Making the Most of Bar Exam Breaks: Maximizing Your Free Time for Success and Well-Being (https://barexamtoolbox.com/making-the-most-of-bar-exam-breaks-maximizing-your-free-time-for-success-and-well-being/) Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-323-quick-tips-building-your-bar-exam-study-schedule/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on  Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

This Podcast Is Episode 643, And It's About Is It Time To Hire A Bookkeeper Or Keep Doing It Yourself A Real-World Guide for Small Construction Business Owners If you run a small construction business, you've probably worn every hat—from estimator and foreman to project manager and, yes, bookkeeper. Initially, doing the books yourself may have seemed manageable. But now, as you grow, you might be asking: "Do I need a bookkeeper, or can I keep doing this myself?" It's a valid question—and the answer depends on where your business is, where it's going, and how you manage your time and money. As construction bookkeeping specialists, we've worked with both first-time business owners and seasoned contractors. We've seen the difference it makes when you stop guessing at your finances and start getting reliable, real-time information from a professional. This post will break down the pros and cons of DIY versus hiring a bookkeeper, helping you determine which option is right for your business at this time. DIY Bookkeeping: The Pros Let's start with what's great about doing it yourself, because yes, it can make sense for some businesses in the early stages. 1. It's Low Cost (on the Surface) When money is tight, it's tempting to save every dollar. Doing the books yourself means you don't have to pay a monthly fee or hourly rate. 2. You Learn the Basics By managing your books, you get hands-on experience: How income and expenses are tracked What reports matter How invoices, payments, and taxes work That knowledge helps you communicate more effectively with professionals in the future. 3. You Stay Closely Involved No one knows your business like you do. DIY bookkeeping keeps you aware of every transaction, which can be helpful when you're building habits and financial awareness. DIY Bookkeeping: The Cons While DIY works in the beginning, it often becomes a liability as your business grows. 1. It's Time-Consuming Your evenings and weekends should be spent resting or planning, not catching up on receipts, reconciling bank accounts, or fixing errors from two months ago. Time spent doing books is time not spent building, selling, or strategizing. 2. Mistakes Are Easy to Make Without training, it's easy to: Misclassify expenses Forgot to reconcile accounts Lose track of job costs Miss important deadlines (like sales tax or quarterly estimates) These errors can result in IRS penalties, underpricing, or inaccurate reporting, which can harm your business. 3. Poor Financial Visibility Most DIY systems don't provide accurate job costing, cash flow forecasting, or profit tracking. If you don't know: How much are you really making per job When you can afford to hire or buy equipment Whether your prices cover your overhead …then you're not making informed decisions—you're guessing. 4. It Adds to Your Stress Let's be real: most contractors don't enjoy bookkeeping. It's one more task in an already overloaded day. That constant "I still need to do my books" feeling adds unnecessary pressure. When to Consider Hiring a Bookkeeper Hiring a bookkeeper isn't just about outsourcing busywork—it's about buying clarity, control, and peace of mind. Here's how to know it might be time. 1. You're Consistently Behind If you're weeks or months behind on categorizing expenses, reconciling bank accounts, or sending invoices, it's time for support. A good bookkeeper will not only clean up your books but also keep them up to date moving forward. 2. You're Making More Than $100K in Revenue Once your business is generating six figures or more, your financial picture becomes more complex: Job costing becomes essential Overhead needs to be tracked properly Taxes become more critical (and riskier to ignore) That's where a bookkeeper helps you protect what you're building. 3. You Want to Grow (Or Work Less) Whether your goal is to scale, take on larger jobs, or finally reclaim some weekends, hiring a bookkeeper frees up your time and mental space to make that happen. 4. You're Not Sure What Your Numbers Mean If you've ever looked at a Profit & Loss report and thought, "What am I supposed to do with this?"—that's your cue. A good bookkeeper doesn't just send you reports—they help you understand them and use them to improve your business. DIY vs. Hiring a Construction Bookkeeper: Side-by-Side Comparison Feature DIY Bookkeeping Hiring/Outsourcing 1. Cost Low upfront Monthly fee (varies) 2. Time required High Low (with some client input) 3. Accuracy Varies (risk of errors) High (with checks and clean records) 4. Stress level Often high Much lower 5. Job Costing & Profitability Often missing or incomplete Built-in and consistent 6. Tax readiness Risk of scrambling at year-end Clean books, ready for CPA 7. Scalability Harder to grow confidently Easier to plan and expand Common Concerns About Hiring a Bookkeeper (And the Truth) "Can I afford it?" Hiring a bookkeeper isn't an expense—it's an investment. Most of our clients save money long-term because: Their invoices go out on time They stop underpricing jobs They avoid late fees and missed tax deductions "What if I'm too disorganized?" That's precisely why you need a bookkeeper. A good one will help you build systems that work for you, not shame you for being behind. "Will they understand construction?" Not all bookkeepers do—but we do. We specialize in construction businesses and know how to track labor, materials, subcontractors, job profitability, and project phases accurately. How a Bookkeeper Helps You Grow Once your books are in order, you can: See which jobs are most profitable Adjust your pricing based on real data Budget for slow seasons Plan for hiring or equipment purchases Sleep better knowing your business is financially healthy You stop reacting and start leading. Final Thoughts: Don't Wait Until It's a Mess Suppose you're spending hours each month on books, avoiding financial check-ins, or unsure whether your job is making money. In that case, it's probably time to stop doing it yourself and outsource it to us. Hiring a bookkeeper is like hiring a subcontractor—you could do the work yourself. Still, someone with more experience and tools will do it faster, cleaner, and with fewer mistakes. You build homes. We'll help you build a business that lasts. Ready to Explore Bookkeeping Support? If you're ready to free up your time, reduce financial stress, and finally understand what your numbers are telling you, let's talk. We can go over: Where your books stand now What kind of support makes sense for your business How to set up a system that works (without drowning in spreadsheets) Your time is too valuable to spend chasing receipts and guessing at job costs. Let's fix that. About The Author: Norhalma Verzosa is a Certified Construction Marketing Professional and serves as the Web Administrator of Fast Easy Accounting, located in Lynnwood, WA. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and is a Certified Internet Web Professional, with certifications in Site Development Associate, Google AdWords Search Advertising, and HubSpot Academy. She manages the entire web presence of Fast Easy Accounting using a variety of SaaS tools, including HubSpot, Teachable, Shopify, and WordPress.

Estimating design work in hours sets teams up to fail. But story points help designers earn trust, align with product managers, and keep creative space intact. This week, we unpack how adopting story points can shift the way your team plans and communicates.What if the secret to better collaboration wasn't a new tool or process, but a number?For years, UX teams have struggled with estimation. Say something will take ten hours, and suddenly you're locked into a number that doesn't account for iteration, alignment, or even creativity. The result? Broken trust and unrealistic expectations.This week, I chat with Naresh Shan, a design leader who's built global UX teams and proven that story points, not hours, are the secret to bridging the gap between design, engineering, and product management. By shifting estimation from time to effort, Naresh shows how design teams can protect creativity while building credibility with stakeholders.We explore what story points are, what it looks like when designers adopt them, why this shared language breaks down silos, and how it transforms team dynamics.If you've ever felt sidelined in sprint planning or struggled to explain your workload, this episode will give you practical ways to earn trust and plan smarter.Topics:• 03:02 Understanding Story Points in Agile Teams• 03:33 Interview with Nhan: The Power of Story Points• 08:24 The Fibonacci Sequence and Story Points• 13:20 Challenges and Solutions in Estimating Design Work• 22:24 Decentralized vs. Centralized Teams• 32:04 Maintaining Momentum and Team Cohesion• 35:27 Building Team Unity Through Gratitude• 35:58 Embracing Change and Leadership• 36:36 Benefits of Story Points in Design• 41:22 Implementing Story Points: A Practical Guide• 46:32 Balancing Design and Management RolesHelpful Links:• Connect with Naresh on LinkedIn• Value UX Conference• Aligned Podcast• Aligned Consulting—Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today's episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today's episode, why don't you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.If you haven't already, sign up for our email list. We won't spam you. Pinky swear.• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get a FREE audiobook AND support the show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out show transcripts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on Stitcher⁠

We're going to show you how to make any rental property cash flow as soon as you buy it. Want to know how to analyze a rental property like a pro? This is how. Expert investors don't just crunch the numbers once and submit an offer or reject it—that's an easy way to miss out on the best real estate deals. Instead, we're showing you how we tweak specific numbers in your offer to make the deal as profitable as possible, while giving the seller many ways to say “yes.” Today, our friend and fellow investor, Ashley Kehr from the Real Estate Rookie podcast, brought us a real deal she's debating on buying. Here are the quick numbers: it's a triplex (three units) being sold by a tired landlord. The price seems reasonable, but the expenses may be too high. We use the BiggerPockets Rental Property Calculator to run the numbers and see if it cash flows, then tweak the offer in multiple different ways to boost the returns substantially. Now, Ashley is taking these offers to the seller. Yes, offers—plural—to see which one they'll choose. Either way, Ashley is in a position to make more money from this rental than before, and all she had to do was get a little creative. Today, we're showing you, too, how to make any real estate deal cash flow. In This Episode We Cover How to analyze a rental property from start to finish (and calculate an offer) Seller financing vs. bank loans: how to give the seller the choice so you both benefit  Estimating rents and how to ensure that your units will bring in enough revenue  The numbers you can “manipulate” to make your rental cash flow more  The three final offers Ashley will be giving this seller, and why you should not submit just one  And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BiggerPockets.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/real-estate-1166 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠advertise@biggerpockets.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

⭐ Join Rental Property Mastery, my community of rental investors on their way to financial freedom: http://coachcarson.com/rpm    3️⃣ Get your 3 Rentals FREEBIE: https://coachcarson.com/3-rentals  

Innovator Insights presents LouderAI's AI Expert series, hosted by our AI Strategy Consultants and Education Specialists. Each episode dives into timely topics, practical strategies, and the tools that are shaping AI today. Our experts go beyond theory to share what's actually working—highlighting key takeaways from real client experiences and actionable insights to drive smarter, faster results in your business. Website: Louderai.com Sign up for our AI Newsletter: bit.ly/3VURS5J

This Podcast Is Episode 642, And It's About How To Know If It's Time To Raise Your Rates Without Losing Clients A Practical Guide for Contractors Who Want to Stay Profitable—Without Scaring Off Business If you're like most small construction business owners, you've probably had this thought: "I'm working non-stop, but I'm still barely keeping up—should I raise my prices?" And then right after that, the fear kicks in: "What if I lose clients? What if no one can afford me anymore?" As construction bookkeeping specialists, we hear this frequently. Contractors are nervous to raise their rates because they worry it'll cost them jobs or damage their reputation. But here's the truth: Raising your rates isn't about greed—it's about survival. In this post, we'll guide you through understanding when it's time to increase your rates, how to do it without losing your best clients, and how your books can provide the data and confidence to price with clarity. Why Contractors Hesitate to Raise Rates Let's start with the everyday fears: "My clients won't pay more." "I'll lose out to cheaper competition." "What if I price myself out of the market?" These fears are common, but often based on assumptions rather than data. Low rates can hurt your business more than help it. They lead to: Burnout from overwork Poor-quality clients who expect a lot and pay late Inability to reinvest in tools, help, or marketing Projects that cost more than they bring in So let's flip the script. Instead of fearing a rate increase, let's explore how to raise with purpose—and use facts, not fear, to guide your pricing. 1. Start with Job Costing Before raising rates, you need to know one thing clearly: Are you actually making money on your jobs? Job costing is the process of tracking: Labor hours (including your own!) Material and supply costs Subcontractor fees Equipment and tool usage Permits, dump runs, gas, insurance A share of your overhead (office, truck, phone, software) Once you tally this up, compare it to what you charged. If you're seeing slim margins—or worse, negative ones—you're undercharging. Bookkeeper's Tip: Start by reviewing your last 5–10 jobs. Break them down into: Estimated vs. actual cost Hours quoted vs. hours worked Gross profit (before overhead) Net profit (after overhead) Even a simple spreadsheet can help you see which jobs are winners—and which ones need a pricing tune-up. 2. Watch for These Signs - It's Time to Raise Rates Still unsure? Here are seven signs it's time to raise your prices: 1. You're booked out for weeks (or months) This means demand is high, and your pricing may be too low. If people are lining up, a modest increase won't deter them. 2. You're working too hard for too little If you're exhausted, working weekends, and still not taking home enough, your rate is too low. Period. 3. You haven't raised your prices in over a year Material costs, fuel, insurance, and labor have all increased. If your rates haven't changed, you're likely absorbing the difference. 4. Your quality has improved Are you more skilled than when you started? Do you offer better results, smoother communication, or cleaner job sites? Then you should be charging for it. 5. You're attracting low-quality clients If you constantly deal with haggling, late payments, or poor communication, your pricing is attracting bargain hunters rather than quality clients. 6. Your tools, overhead, and team cost more Running a legit business costs money. If you're licensed, insured, and invest in quality, your rates should reflect that. 7. You're turning away work If you're saying no to jobs because you're too busy, that's a strong sign it's time to raise your prices and focus on higher-value projects. 3. How to Raise Rates Without Losing Good Clients You don't need to double your rates overnight or announce a price hike in bold letters. Here's how to do it strategically and professionally: A. Start with New Clients This is the easiest path. Quote your new price to new inquiries in the future. They won't know the old rate, so there's no resistance. B. Add Value, Not Just Cost When raising rates, remind clients of what they're getting: Better project management Faster turnaround Clearer communication Higher quality materials Insured and dependable work Frame your pricing as an investment, not just a fee. C. Offer Tiers or Packages For price-sensitive clients, offer a few levels of service: Basic (bare-bones scope) Standard (your usual full-service) Premium (extras like design, faster turnaround, etc.) This helps clients self-select based on budget without forcing you to underprice your work. D. Phase In Rate Increases If you work with repeat clients, give them a heads-up: "Due to rising material and labor costs, I'll be increasing my hourly/project rates starting [date]. I wanted to let you know in advance so we can plan accordingly." Most reasonable clients will understand, especially if you've consistently delivered value. 4. Use Pricing Psychology to Your Advantage Pricing is part math, part mindset. Here are a few tactics to make your price increases feel smoother: Avoid round numbers Instead of $1,000, say $1,175 or $3,950. It feels more calculated, not random. Anchor with options Show your higher price next to a more expensive (or less valuable) one. This frames your offer as the "just right" choice. Include a price breakdown. Show labor, materials, subs, overhead—so clients understand what goes into your rate. Be confident Clients can sense uncertainty. If you hesitate or over-explain, it creates doubt. Quote clearly and stand behind your values. 5. Track What Happens Next After you raise rates, keep an eye on: Win/loss rate (are fewer clients saying yes?) Job profitability (are you keeping more after costs?) Client satisfaction (any change in feedback or reviews?) Hours worked vs. income (are you earning more with less hustle?) Often, you'll find you're getting fewer clients, but better ones. And that's the goal: less chaos, more profit, and more control over your schedule. Final Thoughts You Deserve to Be Paid for What You're Worth You started your business to build freedom, not to be overworked and underpaid. Raising your rates isn't risky when data, systems, and experience back it. It's a sign of growth and professionalism. The right clients will respect it, and you'll finally start seeing the kind of income and balance your hard work deserves. Need Help Understanding Your Numbers Before You Raise Rates? As a construction bookkeeping specialist, we help contractors: Break down job costs Analyze profit margins Clean up financials Set pricing that actually works As we always say, Contractors like you deserve to be wealthy because you bring value to other people's lives. You don't need more jobs. You need the right jobs at the correct rate. Let's get you there. About The Author: Norhalma Verzosa is a Certified Construction Marketing Professional and serves as the Web Administrator of Fast Easy Accounting, located in Lynnwood, WA. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and is a Certified Internet Web Professional, with certifications in Site Development Associate, Google AdWords Search Advertising, and HubSpot Academy. She manages the entire web presence of Fast Easy Accounting using a variety of SaaS tools, including HubSpot, Teachable, Shopify, and WordPress.

Retirement success isn't about luck, it's about knowing your numbers before you take the leap. In this episode, Nick and Jake break down the five must-know numbers before you retire so you can step into your next chapter with confidence instead of scrambling. They'll walk you through why it's critical to know your exact monthly and annual expenses (including the “fun” costs), what guaranteed income streams you can count on, and how much you've actually accumulated in retirement accounts, savings, and investments. You'll also learn why estimating healthcare costs is more important than ever and how understanding your withdrawal rate—before and after taxes—can keep your plan sustainable for decades. Packed with practical tips, this conversation shows how each number connects to your bigger financial picture. Here's what we discuss in this episode:

This week, Aaron goes deep into the hard lessons his company has learned by reviewing past estimates—the good, the bad, and the costly. From missing small details to underbidding massive projects, he breaks down the most common pitfalls that can destroy profitability.  If you've ever wondered why your projects take longer, cost more, or eat away at your margins, this episode will save you from repeating the same mistakes.

The first challenge that faces emergency managers, all types of government jurisdictions and the private sector is figuring out where disasters have caused damages and what the extent of those damages are. This podcast investigates technologies that are in place today to provide precise information on damages. I also like that fact that this technology has many commercial applications that can be used before a disaster. You need those to help have a capability for times when disasters do strike. All insurance companies need this type of tech assistance in post disaster scenarios.The podcast guest is Piers Dormeyer, Eagleview CEO, who has a passion for technology and the power to transform industries and deliver value. He has founded successful businesses, led high-performing teams, and implemented scalable processes with a mission to transform how people work while forging powerful partnerships and consistently driving exceptional business outcomes.Piers has discovered the key to driving growth, alignment, and organizational health, and it goes beyond mastering conference calls. He believes in connecting purpose to performance and valuing the people who play a significant role in our lives.Piers brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role, complemented by his academic achievements. He holds a bachelor's degree from the College of Engineering at the University of Florida and a Master of Business Administration (MBA)from the renowned MIT Sloan School of Management.He resides in Florida with his family who is a constant source of inspiration, reminding him of the importance of balance, compassion, and personal fulfillment in his personal and professional life.Please visit our sponsors!L3Harris Technologies' BeOn PPT App. Learn more about this amazing product here: www.l3harris.com Visit The Readiness Lab and learn about our Next Level Emergency Management training! https://www.thereadinesslab.com/Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by professionals for professionals: www.dobermanemg.com/impulseDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.comCheck out how you can use digital twins in your training, exercising, and planning using RSET https://rset.com/ For sponsorship requests, check out our Sponsorship Portfolio here or email us at contact@thereadinesslab.com

Wayne and Rob discuss bidding and estimating and the things you need to include to take them to the next level. Follow Bona US Professional online: Website: https://www1.bona.com/en-us/professional/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/BonaProfessional Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonauspro/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonapro.us/

Marc says it's tough to bid electrical work when copper wire prices change daily. Dan thinks we need to consider the carbon costs of every build. Andy asks for advice on building an energy efficient off-grid cabin. Jenna asks about finding conscientious contractors.   Grant, Mike and Patrick discuss listener feedback and questions about price volatility, finding a good roofer, and how to lower the energy demands on an off-grid house.     Tune in to Episode 698 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:  Estimating the costs of construction when prices change near daily  Is it time to consider carbon accounting for every build  How do you find a good roofer or GC in a sea of mediocrity  Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com.     ➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 698 ➡️ Learn about the 2025 Fine Homebuilding Summit ➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:   Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

This Podcast Is Episode 641, And It's About A Week In The Life Of A Profitable Contractor- Habits That Pay Off If you're a small construction business owner, you know what it feels like to be busy but not consistently profitable. You're running from job sites to supply runs to client meetings, answering calls at night, and still wondering where the money went at the end of the month. Here's the truth we see every day as construction bookkeeping specialists: The most successful contractors aren't just working harder—they've built weekly habits and systems that keep the business running while they build. In this post, we'll show you what a streamlined, systemized week looks like in a small construction business. Whether you're a solo contractor or leading a small crew, these routines can help you stay organized, improve your cash flow, and protect your profit. Why Weekly Habits Matter in Construction When you build consistency into your week, everything improves: You stop forgetting to invoice or follow up You get paid faster Jobs stay on schedule Clients feel informed (and complain less) You catch issues before they become emergencies The goal isn't to overload your week—it's to create a rhythm that keeps your business stable and growing, without requiring you to do everything at the last minute. Monday: Plan the Work, Work the Plan Morning – Weekly Kickoff Start your week with a short job planning session. Whether you're solo or managing a team, ask: What jobs are active this week? What phase is each job in? What materials, subs, or permits are needed? What deadlines are coming up? Use a whiteboard, spreadsheet, or project management tool (like Buildertrend or Trello). Assign daily goals to each job to ensure that nothing falls behind. Afternoon – Estimate & Lead Follow-Up Block off time to follow up on: New leads that came in over the weekend Outstanding estimates Questions from potential clients Even 30–60 minutes of focused follow-up keeps your pipeline warm and prevents "ghosted" leads. Pro tip: Utilize email templates for follow-ups and store lead information in a centralized location, such as a Google Sheet or CRM. Tuesday: Tidy the Books & Track Job Costs Morning – Track Labor & Materials Take 30–60 minutes to: Log hours worked so far (your crew's and yours) Review any receipts from the job site Match expenses to job names This provides a real-time view of how each job is performing against budget, enabling you to address issues before they escalate. Afternoon – Vendor Check-Ins Call or check with your suppliers: Confirm deliveries Handle any backorders Pay invoices on time (if possible to avoid late fees) Building good vendor relationships keeps your jobs on track and your business in good standing. Bookkeeper's tip: If you send us your receipts and labor updates every week, we can update the job cost reports and alert you if anything appears to be incorrect. Wednesday: Build and Communicate All Day – Focus on Production Mid-week is often when contractors are on-site all day. But don't go silent on your clients or back office. End of Day – Client Touchpoints Send a quick project update to each active client: What was completed today or this week? What's scheduled next? Are there any delays or updates they should be aware of? A 2-minute message can prevent hours of frustration or confusion. Systematize it: Use a weekly client update template or a shared project board where clients can check their progress. Thursday: Invoice, Collect, and Prepare for the Weekend Morning – Invoicing & Payments Every Thursday, review: What milestones were completed this week? What invoices should go out today? What payments are overdue? Send invoices promptly—don't wait until the end of the month. Progress billing maintains a healthy cash flow and reduces the risk of late payments. Afternoon – Financial Catch-Up Take another 30 minutes to: Send payment reminders Record payments received Pay subs (if applicable) Review your upcoming expenses Automation tip: Utilize QuickBooks, Joist, or another invoicing tool that automatically sends reminders. Friday: Review & Reflect Morning – Job Wrap-Up or Prep Use Friday mornings to: Finalize the week's job work Clean up job sites Prepare materials or tools for Monday Afternoon – Weekly Financial Review Block 30 minutes to review: Profit & Loss report Cash on hand vs upcoming bills Job profitability (are we still on budget?) Even a basic check-in provides insight into how your business is performing, not just how you perceive it's doing. What to ask your bookkeeper: Are we on budget for our active jobs? Did we hit our revenue and profit targets this week? Any unusual spending patterns? Weekend: Rest & Reset (Or Catch Up, Smartly) Use the weekend to rest—or if you need to catch up, keep it light: Review new lead inquiries Clean up receipts or paperwork Organize tools or truck inventory Try not to overload your Saturdays. You're running a business, not burning yourself out. Set boundaries: Let clients know you're unavailable on Sundays unless it's an emergency. Protect your peace. Recap: Weekly Rhythm for a Profitable Contractor Day Primary Focus Monday: Job planning & lead follow-up Tuesday: Job costs, receipts, vendor check-ins Wednesday: On-site work & client updates Thursday: Invoicing, collections, and financial review Friday: Job wrap-up, P&L check, planning Weekend: Light admin or complete rest This weekly flow doesn't have to be perfect. The point is to build structure into your week so you're not always reacting—you're leading. Why This Works When contractors follow a simple weekly routine: Jobs run smoother Clients are happier You get paid faster You make decisions based on facts, not gut feelings You work fewer nights and weekends You don't need to be a spreadsheet wizard or tech genius. You need systems that fit your workflow and a few key habits to stay consistent. And if you need help setting that up, that's where I come in. Need Help Building a Weekly System That Works? As construction bookkeeping specialists, we help small contractors: Automate financial tasks Track job costs easily Set up smart invoicing and reminders Build habits that protect profit Let's chat and streamline your week, so you can get back to building what you love. About The Author: Norhalma Verzosa is a Certified Construction Marketing Professional and serves as the Web Administrator of Fast Easy Accounting, located in Lynnwood, WA. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and is a Certified Internet Web Professional, with certifications in Site Development Associate, Google AdWords Search Advertising, and HubSpot Academy. She manages the entire web presence of Fast Easy Accounting using a variety of SaaS tools, including HubSpot, Teachable, Shopify, and WordPress.

00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:44 - Donkey Kong Bananza (Chris) 00:19:07 - The Witcher: Diminished Edition (Heath) 00:28:21 - Estimating the Number of Video Game Industry Jobs 00:31:08 - Email: State of the Gaming Industry 00:35:04 - Current Problems Facing the Games Industry 00:45:31 - Solutions to Fix the Industry 01:14:28 - Walt Disney Animatronic 01:16:32 - Closing Statements Send us an email at mobiustubespodcast@gmail.com Original release date: August 15th, 2025

Episode Description: Trolly Moly the Trolls are back! A surprise messenger sends Max & Molly off to ancient Egypt to stop the Trolls from sabotaging the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria. Can they decode a watery weapon, navigate nautical math, and save one of the Seven Wonders of the World? Math Concepts:  Division and ratios; Patterns and extrapolation; Estimating and solving with proportional reasoning; Understanding speed units like knots and converting between degrees, arc minutes, and arc seconds; Calculating how long it takes to travel one degree of latitude at a given speed.History/Geography Concepts: The history and significance of the Lighthouse of Alexandria; Use of lighthouses in ancient maritime navigation; How ancient ports like Alexandria supported trade and cultural exchange; Protractors and angles in real-world physics (catapults); Cultural geography: Nile Delta, ancient Egypt, ancient Alexandria

Clark and James tackle the challenges of estimating for profit in the contracting business, exploring strategies to price jobs appropriately while competing with lowballers and maintaining healthy margins.• Detailed estimates showcase expertise and help filter out price-focused clients • The "cream rises" philosophy: focus on attracting clients who value quality over price• Communicate transparently about potential issues competitors might not mention• Three-phase estimation: desk estimate, site estimate, and final quote• Present yourself as a guide on the renovation journey rather than a product seller• Consistent follow-up (Tuesdays and Fridays) dramatically improves client conversion• When handling changes, present options that might offset costs elsewhere• Let the calendar be "the bad guy" instead of appearing desperate for work• Be upfront about changes between estimate stages to build trust• The better contractors collectively become, the better for the whole industryIf you want to talk about your business or how you can grow, go to ProStruct360.com and contact us to schedule a 30-minute call. Try our ProStruct360 software with a free two-week trial - it's month-to-month with no contracts at $199 or $89 depending on what level you need.Struggling to grow your contracting business? The Foundations Program is designed to help contractors break free from the chaos and build a business that runs smoothly. You'll get a customized training program, 1-on-1 coaching, and access to a full paperwork database—including contracts and the Client Engagement Agreement. Join the Foundations Program today!

Recorded live in front of an energetic and idea-filled crowd at the first-ever RISE Conference, this episode captures the real-time laughs, insights, and off-the-cuff wisdom of Kyle Hunt. From basketball stories and trumpet solos gone wrong to deep dives on estimating, hiring, and the heart behind how much is enough, this live Q&A hits both the practical and personal sides of remodeling business ownership. Plus, you'll hear: Why gray socks might be Kyle's golf superpower The lessons of playing it safe in business—and what finally pushed Kyle to grow Insights on brilliant jerks, design-to-production breakdowns, and raising a teenage entrepreneur An emotional tribute to the clients and community that made the RISE Conference possible Let's just say—next year's live podcast might need a video camera. ----- Thank you to our RISE Conference Sponsors: CGN (Contractor Growth Network) Builder Funnel JobTread DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen Contractor in Charge Squirrel Solutions Seabrook Design Co. Also highlighted in this episode: Homes for Hope – a nonprofit organization fighting global poverty through microfinancing and training in partnership with the building industry. Learn more at homes4hope.org ----- Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights! ----- Takeaways This conference is not about me. It's about you. Building a remodeling business is a long-term game. I have not been a very heavy risk. Charging for design and project development has a positive ripple effect. How much is enough? Brilliant jerks need to change from brilliant jerks to brilliant, not as jerky. The quality of your team is a huge indicator of success. Every moment is holy and should be cherished. Think differently about a showroom to enhance client experience. I get emotional easily when expressing gratitude.  ---- Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Rise Conference 00:09 Kickoff of the Live Podcast Recording 01:12 Reflections on the Conference Experience 06:12 Personal Stories and Lessons Learned 08:45 Business Growth and Hiring Strategies 10:33 Operational Changes for Efficiency 13:13 Understanding Financial Goals 15:27 Client Relationships and Marketing 16:45 Estimating and Project Management 19:52 Strengthening Design to Production Connections 21:43 Promoting from Within vs. Hiring Externally 24:34 Golf Game and Personal Growth 27:23 Coaching and Improvement in Business 28:31 Exciting Raffle Drawings 30:38 Unreasonable Hospitality in Business 32:39 Nonprofit Impact in the Building Industry 33:49 Engaging with Sponsors and Partners 36:14 Maintaining Energy at Conferences 36:40 Addressing Team Negativity 40:38 Creating a Positive Work Environment 43:26 The Role of Showrooms in Business 46:11 Future Plans and Peer Groups 47:44 Kyle's Journey to Business Coaching 50:23 Rapid Fire Questions and Fun Moments 56:41 Gratitude and Closing Remarks

This Podcast Is Episode 640, And It's About How To Build Systems That Support Your Construction Business Turning the 3 Pillars—Marketing, Accounting, and Production—Into Repeatable Routines(without adding more work) You've done the hard part—you're running a construction business, getting jobs, and turning out quality work. Perhaps you've even begun to refine your marketing, job costing, and project delivery strategies, thanks to the three pillars we've discussed: Attracting the Right Jobs, Controlling the Money, and Delivering Projects Profitably. But here's the next step that will take your business from reactive to reliable, from "just getting by" to scaling sustainably: You need systems. Not paperwork piles. Not more apps. Just smart, repeatable steps that make your business more efficient—even if you're still a one-person show. As construction bookkeeping specialists, we help contractors every day who are great at swinging hammers but are overwhelmed by admin. This post will show you how to build simple systems around your existing workflow, so you can run your business more smoothly, make better decisions, and free up your time. What Is a "System" Anyway? A system is simply a repeatable process that occurs consistently without requiring you to reinvent the wheel each time. It could be: A checklist An automation A template A recurring habit Or a combination of all of the above The goal is predictability—so your business can function smoothly whether you're at a job site or taking a day off (yes, that's allowed!). Why Small Construction Businesses Need Systems You might be thinking, "I'm not a big company—I don't need systems." But the truth is, you need them even more. Why? Because without systems: Every invoice is different Every client interaction takes extra effort You forgot to track your hours or materials You lose receipts or miss billing for change orders You're constantly reacting instead of planning The right systems save you time, reduce stress, and increase your profitability. And they don't have to be complicated. System #1: A Simple Lead-to-Job Process The Problem: You get an inquiry, scribble notes on paper, forget to follow up, or lose track of what was discussed. Sound familiar? The System: Create a basic lead intake form (Google Form, CRM tool, or paper checklist) Pre-qualify leads with a few standard questions: Project type, location, timeline, budget Save all client information in one place (e.g., Google Sheet, Notion, Trello). Use a standard estimate template so every quote includes: Scope Pricing Timeline Payment terms Send a welcome email template after a job is accepted (include next steps, policies, and what to expect) Bookkeeper's Tip: Keeping track of leads and estimates helps you compare projected vs. actual profits, so you can learn which jobs are truly worth your time. System #2: A Weekly Money Routine The Problem: You're too busy to check the books, so you don't know if you're making or losing money until tax time. The System: Set aside 30–60 minutes each week to review your finances: Reconcile transactions (or send to your bookkeeper) Check outstanding invoices Follow up on late payments Log hours worked and materials used (by job) Review your cash flow forecast for the next two weeks Even if you outsource the bookkeeping, your weekly check-in keeps you in control. Make it part of your Friday routine, just like packing up your tools. Bookkeeper's Tip: We can set up automated reports to send you a cash flow summary, job costing update, or overdue invoice list via email each week—no extra work on your end. System #3: Job Costing and Change Order Tracking The Problem: You think you're making money on jobs, but in the end, you can't say for sure, and you might've given away work for free. The System: Use a spreadsheet or job costing software (like QuickBooks Projects or Buildertrend) Track: Labor (hours × rate) Materials (receipts, delivery invoices) Subcontractors Permits, rentals, and other direct costs Add a simple change order log to each job file Description, date, price, status (pending/approved) Get approval before starting extra work   Bookkeeper's Tip: When you track jobs this way, we can help you compare estimated vs. actual costs and margins—so your future quotes get sharper and more profitable. System #4: Project Timeline & Client Communication The Problem: Clients get anxious when they don't hear from you, and scope creep happens when there's no clear plan. The System: Break each project into 3–5 major phases (demo, framing, finish work, etc.) Assign rough start/end dates Use a whiteboard, app, or calendar to stay on track Send weekly updates to clients (template email or quick text summary) "Here's what we completed this week… Here's what's next…" Bookkeeper's Tip: When jobs stay on schedule, you're more likely to invoice on time and get paid faster, which improves your cash flow. System #5: Receipts, Invoices, and Tax Readiness The Problem: You have a shoebox full of receipts and scramble to find documents when tax season rolls around. The System: Use a digital system like Dext, Hubdoc, or even a shared Dropbox folder Snap photos of receipts as you go—tag them with the project name Save estimates, signed contracts, and change orders in organized folders Send invoices promptly at milestones (use progress billing templates) Review reports monthly with your bookkeeper (Profit & Loss, Job Profitability, etc.) Bookkeeper's Tip: With clean books and digital records, tax time is painless—and you'll never miss a deduction. The Myth of "More Work" The biggest myth about systems is that they add more to your plate. In reality, they save you time and stress by preventing confusion, wasted effort, and missed revenue. Stop rewriting the same emails Stop digging for info buried in texts Stop guessing at prices or costs Stop forgetting to bill for work you did With systems in place, your business becomes predictable, profitable, and easier to manage—even as you grow. Ready to Systemize Your Construction Business? You don't have to figure this all out on your own. As construction bookkeeping specialists, we help small contractors establish and maintain systems that align with their workflow. Whether it's: Automating job costing Simplifying invoicing Organizing digital receipts Reviewing job margins Or building custom templates We'll help you take the guesswork out of your money—and give you back control of your time. Let's identify one or two areas in your business where a system could save you hours (and dollars) every week. You build homes. We'll help you build the business behind them. About The Author: Norhalma Verzosa is a Certified Construction Marketing Professional and serves as the Web Administrator of Fast Easy Accounting, located in Lynnwood, WA. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and is a Certified Internet Web Professional, with certifications in Site Development Associate, Google AdWords Search Advertising, and HubSpot Academy. She manages the entire web presence of Fast Easy Accounting using a variety of SaaS tools, including HubSpot, Teachable, Shopify, and WordPress.

In this wild episode, we dive deep into the Burmese python invasion in Florida's Everglades, which is one of the most unexpected and dramatic ecological crises in U.S. history. It all started with exotic pet owners, relaxed laws in the '80s and '90s, and one catastrophic storm: Hurricane Andrew. From there, things spiraled. Thousands of snakes were released, some intentionally, others by accident, and they found paradise in the Everglades. Warm weather, endless food, no predators? That's a snake's dream vacation... permanently. We'll talk about: 00:58 - Introduction: Bears, Neighbors & the Python Cowboy 03:23 - The Everglades: An important ecosystem for Florida 05:53 - How Burmese Pythons got to South Florida 06:00 - The rise of python ownership as a trendy, edgy status symbol; Exotic Pets & Loose Laws 09:09 - From Pet to Predator: The Rise of the Python Population 11:17 - Hurricane Andrew & the Reptile Escape 18:25 - How Many Are Out There? Estimating the Python Population 19:59 - Are Pythons Dangerous to Humans? 22:01 - The Python Elimination Program (Paid Hunting) 24:17 - The Florida Python Challenge Explained 25:46 - What Happens to the Snakes After They're Caught 28:11 - Can We Ever Win? An Uphill Battle 29:44 - Shana's Creative Snake Solutions 30:22 - High-Tech Tools: Judas Snakes & eDNA 30:58 - Robo-Bunnies and Future Innovations By the end, you'll see just how complex, challenging, and Florida this whole saga is. //SPONSORS ○ Brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at better help.com/AMERICANENGLISH and get on your way to being your best self. Mentioned in this Episode ⁠Season 4 Premium Content⁠ ⁠All Premium Content Seasons 1-3⁠ (+ discount on Season 4) Local Legends Video by Brad Leone (as heard in intro) Cowboy Python Interview with Joe Rogan (most popular segment) All Creatures: A Giant, The Burmese Python (learn more about the snake) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This Podcast Is Episode 639, And It's About Pillar 3: Delivering Construction Projects Profitably A Construction Bookkeeper's Guide to Smarter Production for Small Contractors You've done the hard work: marketed your services, landed the job, and priced it to make a solid profit. But here's where a lot of small construction businesses lose money—even after doing everything right up to this point.   That moment is project execution—or what we in the business world call production.   As construction bookkeeping specialists, we've seen many jobs transition from profitable to painful simply because the contractor lacked systems in place to track costs, manage scope, or control labor once the work commenced.   Let's discuss Pillar 3: Delivering Projects Profitably, and how refining your production process can safeguard your profits, enhance your reputation, and alleviate stress.    Why "Doing the Work" Isn't Enough Many contractors assume that once the job starts, the hard part is over. But production is where the majority of the risk lives: Labor costs can balloon Materials may get wasted or delayed Clients can change their minds mid-project Subcontractors may not show up when they're supposed to Scope creep can kill your margins without you realizing it From a bookkeeper's point of view, this is when the numbers begin to go awry. Profitability doesn't just come from winning jobs—it comes from controlling how they're delivered. What "Delivering Profitably" Actually Means To deliver projects profitably, you need to finish the job: On budget On schedule With the client happy enough to pay (and refer you) It's not just about good craftsmanship. It's about project management. Whether you're a solo operator or have a small team, production needs structure. Fortunately, it doesn't need to be complicated. Where Small Contractors Lose Profit During Production Before we dive into solutions, let's look at where money is most often lost on the job site: 1. Untracked Labor If you don't know how many hours you or your crew are spending on a job, you can't compare it to your estimate. It's one of the most common profit-killers we see in the books. 2. Material Overruns Materials get lost, over-ordered, or wasted—especially if you're not reconciling purchases to job estimates. 3. Unbilled Change Orders Clients often add or alter project elements. If those changes aren't documented and billed, you're giving away free work. 4. Delays and Downtime Time is money. Waiting on materials, subs, or client decisions can derail your schedule and cost you future jobs. 5. Scope Creep "Can you just add this one little thing?" becomes a margin-eating monster when not adequately managed. Now, let's talk about how to prevent those losses and protect your bottom line. 7 Ways to Deliver Projects More Profitably 1. Start with a Clear Scope and Signed Agreement It may sound simple, but many contractors begin work without a detailed, signed agreement. You need: A detailed scope of work Payment milestones A change order policy Completion criteria This sets expectations and gives you leverage when things change (and they will). 2. Create a Simple Project Timeline Even a basic calendar or whiteboard showing: Job phases Material delivery dates Key milestones can help you stay on track and manage client expectations. Suppose you're using software like Buildertrend or Jobber, great. If not, even a shared Google Sheet can work. The goal is visibility. 3. Track Labor in Real Time You can't manage what you don't measure. Use time tracking tools (like ClockShark or QuickBooks Time), or even a shared text log, to record: Who worked For how long On which part of the job This allows you (and your bookkeeper) to identify when jobs are dragging and compare actual versus estimated hours. 4. Monitor Materials Closely Set up a simple system to: Track what materials were ordered Match receipts to jobs Avoid duplicate purchases If you have frequent material overruns, your bookkeeper can help you adjust future estimates and avoid surprises. 5. Enforce a Change Order Policy This one is HUGE. Every time a client asks for something outside the original scope, pause and issue a change order. Even a one-page form signed via email or a mobile app is sufficient. Change orders should: Define the change List any added costs or time Be signed before work continues When this is routine, you stop giving away "just one more thing" for free. 6. Communicate Early and Often Most client disputes happen when they're left in the dark. Set the standard for regular updates: A weekly progress email A shared photo log A short call every Friday This maintains high trust and prevents minor issues from escalating into unpaid invoices or negative reviews. 7. Review Project Profitability After Completion After every project, sit down with your bookkeeper (or even just your notes) and ask: What was the estimated vs. actual cost? Where did we exceed our budget or deadline? Did we bill for all extras? What should we do differently next time? This post-job review turns every project into a learning tool that improves your future estimates, planning, and pricing. Where Bookkeeping Supports Better Production As your construction bookkeeping specialists, we can help you: Track job costs accurately during the project Alert you when a job is going over budget Ensure change orders are captured and billed Break down labor and materials per project Provide job-by-job profit reports In short, good production data = good financial reporting. And when we work together, we can spot patterns that help you grow smarter. The Results of Controlled Production When you focus on project delivery as intentionally as marketing and money management, you'll start to see: Jobs finishing on time Less rework and missed items Higher profit margins Happier clients (which means more referrals) Reduced stress and better control of your schedule Over time, this builds a reputation that attracts higher-quality clients, enabling you to raise your rates with confidence. Final Thoughts Build Systems, Not Just Projects You know how to build a deck, remodel a kitchen, or manage a crew. But your business needs structure, too. When you build systems around how you deliver your work, you reduce chaos and protect your profits. Pillar 3: Production isn't about doing more—it's about doing smarter. With a bit of planning, tracking, and review, you can make every job a stepping stone to a stronger, more profitable business. Want Help Tracking Job Profitability? If you're tired of guessing how much money you're really making on each job, we can help you set up: Job costing systems Labor and material tracking Change order logs Profit and loss reports per project Let's get your numbers working for you. Book a free consultation today and let's build better systems together—so you can build a better business.

In this no-fluff Q&A episode of The Fitness League, we tackle the real questions busy humans are asking—from mastering Zone 2 cardio to managing kindergarten chaos. We break down the truth about heart rate training (and why most people are doing it wrong), how to actually stay in Zone 2 without burning out, and why your footwear might be sabotaging your lifts and runs. We also dig into: ✅ The misunderstood science behind cumulative fatigue ✅ Cardio alternatives for parents and home-gym lifters ✅ Estimating macros for home-raised meat ✅ The pressure of parenting milestones (like kindergarten) ✅ Social media fitness fads vs. what actually works …and wrap it up with rapid-fire takes on everything from training intensity to time management. Whether you're a runner, lifter, parent—or all of the above—this episode will help you train smarter, live stronger, and cut through the noise.

#522 If you're feeling stuck between overplanning and underplanning, this is the episode for you! In part 1 of this powerful two-part lesson from Module 9 of our Build My Money Machine program, host Justin Williams breaks down how to create a simple, actionable, and evolving one-page business plan — and why implementation is everything. You'll learn how to clarify what you want to do, how much money you want to make, by when, and how to reverse engineer your success. Whether you're just starting or hitting reset, this lesson will help you plan smarter and take action faster! What Justin discusses on today's episode: + The danger of overplanning + Why no plan is also a problem + Your plan is a living document + Three key questions every plan answers + Importance of setting a money goal + How to reverse engineer your income + Real-world example from satellite business + Estimating numbers to reach your target + Why implementation matters more than planning + Planning as a constant, evolving process Watch the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠video podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of this episode! Did you love this episode? Listen to Module 8 next! Ready to create a 7-figure business of your own? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BuildMyMoneyMachine.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get started today! And follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#239: Why wait until you're 65? It's feasible for almost anyone to take a mini retirement and when done right, it can also fast-track your career and income. Learn how to plan one, negotiate time off, manage costs, avoid pitfalls, and make it work if you're self-employed. Plus, we share tips for handling health insurance and other logistics during your mini-retirement. Jillian Johnsrud is the author and host of Retire Often. She's taken more than a dozen mini-retirements and coaches people to pursue meaningful goals, take mini-retirements, and align their money with what matters most. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/mini-retirements-jillian-johnsrud Partner Deals Stable: 50% off your first year of my favorite digital mailbox DeleteMe: 20% off removing your personal info from the web Bilt Rewards: Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent Long Angle: Join a free private community for high net worth investors Shopify: $1/month trial for the easiest e-commerce platform For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: chrishutchins.com/deals Resources Mentioned Jillian: Website | Podcast | Instagram Jillian's Book: Retire Often Full Show Notes (00:00) Introduction (02:12) Why Traditional Retirements Are Flawed (04:32) What Is a Mini Retirement? (06:50) How to Make More Money by Working Less (09:46) Managing Your Time During a Mini Retirement (11:57) Common Types of Mini Retirements (15:43) Ways to Design an Impactful Mini Retirement (18:19) Financial Implications of a Mini Retirement (20:40) Chris and Amy's Mini Retirement (22:57) How to Negotiate a Mini Retirement With Your Employer (30:41) Paid Leave vs. Unpaid Leave (37:18) Finding Work After a Mini Retirement (42:10) Tips for People Who Are Self-Employed (46:52) How to Plan, Save, and Spend for Your Mini Retirement (49:33) Estimating the Cost of a Mini Retirement (53:45) All the Different Ways a Mini Retirement Can Go Wrong (56:55) Should You Take a Mini Retirement With or Without Your Partner? (59:07) Health and Travel Insurance Options (1:01:09) Jillian's Parting Advice (1:02:23) Where to Find Jillian and Her Work Connect with Chris Newsletter | Membership | X | Instagram | LinkedIn Editor's Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wading through trade deals is hard. Estimating the impact of trade deals harder. Figuring out who wins the U.S. trade deals is easy. With Donald Trump as president of the United States...we win. Bigly.

It's the situation every real estate investor wants to be in: your house just appraised for more than you expected. Now, you've got some home equity added to your net worth, but how do you use it? Should you keep it in the property and maintain low leverage, or use home equity to scale your real estate portfolio more quickly? We're answering common real estate questions like this one and a lot more in today's show! James Dainard joins the show as our veteran real estate investor, owning hundreds of rental units, flipping thousands of houses, and lending millions of dollars. He started as a rookie during the Great Financial Crisis, and today, he's sharing his hard-earned lessons so you don't have to make the same mistakes. We're touching on: What to do with your home equity when your house appraises high How to estimate rehab costs on a renovation or house flip  Becoming a private money lender (serious passive income!) Interior design 101, even if you have zero experience in home renovations  Whether we should finally kill the 1% rule in real estate (maybe it's time) Got an investing question? Ask yours on the BiggerPockets Forums!  In This Episode We Cover How to use home equity to invest (and whether you should with 7% mortgage rates) Estimating renovation costs on your next rehab or house flip (for free!) Interior design on a budget and how to build a “spec list” of what your house flip needs Private money lending for beginners and how to (passively) make serious cash flow The 1% rule explained and why it isn't so safe in 2025  And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BiggerPockets.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/real-estate-1148 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠advertise@biggerpockets.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices