Nate interviews Brad Leavitt, a general contractor in Scottsdale, AZ about his large custom home projects, the designers and architects, and how much social media helps his business.
 
0:00 Intro
1:02 Brad's background
3:36 Construction management degree
6:55 Perspective
10:39 Client expectations
12:50 Missing the work
15:20 Operating procedures
18:06 Timeline
21:13 Designers & architects
22:43 GC & concept design
28:02 Social media
31:31 Community
34:02 Marketing strategy
35:44 Setting expectations
36:53 Communication skills
40:50 Finding balance
44:25 Where to find
 
IG: @AFT_construction
Podcast: AFT Construction Podcast

High End Custom Homebuilding: Brad Leavitt

In depth discussion of Essential Craftsman videos, related topics,  and the spec house series.

Also casual and deeper dive conversations with tradesmen, business owners, and lots of other experts across various areas of craftsmanship, hobby, and lifestyles.

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Hobbies

Games & Hobbies

Leisure

Learn more here https://www.instagram.com/realcraftusa

Carpentry and Building Custom Doors with Don Rees

Nate interviews Tim from JK Boots! They talk about his home country of Ukraine, JK Boots customer experience and more.
 
0:00 Intro
2:12 Ukraine
15:26 Marketplace approach
24:01 Customer experience
 
Handmade Boots and the American Dream | JK Boots Factory Tour https://youtu.be/tfaNuXF6G_s 
Instagram: @jkboots
Website: https://www.jkboots.com/ 
Podcast: Walking with JK Boots
JK Boots interview with EC: https://youtu.be/ileZoGFFljM

JK Boots On Customer Service, Ukraine and The Golden Rule

Nate and Scott met Dean in the Essential Craftsman Academy twice monthly zoom chat. Dean is an attorney in Texas with decades of experience in litigation and is now working in mediation. He works with many general contractors and people in the trades and was willing to share a lot of information and tips for staying out of the court room.
 
0:00 Intro
2:20 Litigation & mediation
4:53 Handshake not enough
9:10 Details & quality matter
10:31 GC owns the risk
13:45 Sense when it feels risky
17:50 Spouse A & Spouse B
21:20 Lawyer advice on the front end
25:29 Documentation
28:18 Guessing & clarity
32:00 Job delay claims
36:08 Nate learns lessons
37:51 Protecting against the bad ones
39:54 Skilled insurance broker
41:53 Best time to pull payments
44:38 This makes me uncomfortable
46:40 Ultimate honesty & trust
51:55 Know these 3 things
56:01 In your wheel house
57:57 The process of mediation
1:04:30 Commercial detailed contracts
1:09:50 Evolution of your business risk
1:11:22 Do you have question for Dean?
1:13:44 Dean's blacksmithing projects

Dealing with Risk as a Contractor: Dean Kilgore

Scott and Nate talk with Bob about his 52 years blacksmithing and running a sawmill. Scott and Bob have been friends for years and share many common interests. They discuss blacksmithing mentors and so much more.
 
0:00 Intro
2:00 Currently blacksmithing
3:10 VIP blacksmiths
27:37 Bragging rights
32:30 Sharing knowledge
36:44 Woodpecker sawmill
1:02:31 Forging an anvil
1:05:05 Visiting British blacksmiths
1:15:48 Where to find
 
Bob's YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9_evmRWLeXCghFPeuFvFdQ
 
https://youtu.be/dK13UFZ9xPQ

Some of the Great Blacksmiths Who Kept The Craft Alive with Bob Bergman & EC

Nate shares some thoughts about career paths and paradoxes, and changing seasons. Nate also chats then Natalie, and expert on worms, about worm castings, composting and all things garden.
 
0:00 Career Paradoxes
5:48 Change of Season
8:44 Worm castings
10:12 Composting components
12:07 Vermicomopost
13:13 Screening the castings
15:23 Natalie's background
16:26 Small spaces
17:43 Mass production
19:13 Worm species
20:41 Increasing food yields
22:23 Why worm castings?
24:41 Worm maintenance
26:20 Wood chips & soil
29:57 Worm myths & characteristics
32:28 Where to find
 
Instagram: @heyyitsagoodlife
YouTube: Hey It's a Good Life
Website: https://heyitsagoodlife.com/
The Gardener's Guide To Worm Farming Course: receive 30% off by using the code ESSENTIAL30 at check out.

High End Custom Homebuilding: Brad Leavitt

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