APB Now

By Association of Professional BuildersBusiness

APB Now episodes

January 04, 2024115. Competing With Project Builders With Andy Skarda
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Andy Skarda, Head Coach at APB. Throughout this episode, Andy explores project builders, how they remain so competitive in the industry, and what you can do as a custom home builder to win jobs despite what average consumers might see as ‘great value’ coming from them.

INSIDE EPISODE 115 YOU WILL DISCOVER
How to create a point of difference for your building company

Why you shouldn’t compete with project builders

The importance of your marketing

How to win over clients who’ve spoken with a project builder

And much, much more.

Listen to the full episode to learn how you can win jobs at higher margins rather than stooping to the impossible costs of project builders.

If you’re a builder who wants to get ahead of the curve, and win high margin contracts, you need to do your research, and the best place to start is by seeing how your building company sits in with the rest in the State Of Residential Construction Industry (SORCI) report. You can get a free copy of the 2023 report by clicking on the button below.

Get Your Free Report: go.associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/sorci-download

ABOUT ANDY SKARDA

Head Coach at the Association of Professional Builders, Andy specialises in helping business owners in the building industry identify and implement the skills and systems they need to be successful, without needing to go back to school. Or more importantly, without going bust.

Connect with Andy: linkedin.com/in/andy-skarda-92a6875/

TIMELINE
1:14 Challenges custom home builders have when compared to project builders

4:34 Don't try to compete with volume builders

7:21 What to do if you need to compete

10:42 How to use marketing to increase your margins

19:43 How to differentiate yourself as a custom home builder

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders
33 min
December 28, 2023114. Expanding To Design Build With Liam Marshall
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Liam Marshall, Owner of Melaleuca Homes based in NSW, Australia. In this episode, Liam delves into his journey of starting a building company during the pandemic, and how he structured his company to thrive coming out of it.

INSIDE EPISODE 114 YOU WILL DISCOVER
Why Liam pivoted into design build

The qualifying process Liam goes through with his potential clients

Challenges Liam faced starting his building company during lockdown

How Liam reshaped his business coming out of the pandemic

And much, much more.

Listen to the full episode to uncover the strategies Liam has used to grow his building company safely and securely.

If you’re looking to scale up your building company safely and securely, APB is a great place for you to start. Click on the button below to get a comprehensive demo of what you’ll find inside APB membership!

Get The Demo: go.associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/getdemo

ABOUT LIAM MARSHALL

Liam Marshall is the proud Director and founder of Melaleuca Custom Designed Homes, the Blue Mountains custom homes specialists. He has an extensive background in the carpentry field, working hard as a tradesman in the heart of Sydney right through to the top of the Blue Mountains. After excelling in his position as a lead hand in another building company, Liam decided it was time to take the next step and start a construction business of his own.

TIMELINE
0:43 Liam’s start in the construction industry

3:47 Liam’s role in his company

4:22 Liam’s qualifying process

12:27 The biggest changes Liam made since joining APB

15:15 Advice Liam would give to other builders

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders
20 min
December 21, 2023113. The 2023 Recap With Russ & Andy
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. In this episode, the two recap some of the most important milestones for APB in 2023 and what that means for you as a member of the community.

INSIDE EPISODE 113 YOU WILL DISCOVER
How APB Rewards has saved builders thousands

The ways the PBS Podcast has impacted builders

The impact of the SORCI report

How APB’s live events have helped builders thrive

And much, much more.

Listen to the full episode to uncover what the APB has achieved in 2023, and what we’re hoping to accomplish in 2024.

If you’re a builder who wants to get ahead of the curve, you need to do your research, and the best place to start is by seeing how your building company sits in with the rest in the State Of Residential Construction Industry (SORCI) report. You can get a free copy of the 2023 report by clicking on the button below.

Get Your Free Report: go.associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/sorci-download

ABOUT RUSS STEPHENS

Co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders, Russ is a data analysis expert who has introduced data-driven decision making to the residential construction industry. Russ is also a proud member of the Forbes Business Development Council.

Connect with Russ: linkedin.com/in/russstephens

ABOUT ANDY SKARDA

Head Coach at the Association of Professional Builders, Andy specialises in helping business owners in the building industry identify and implement the skills and systems they need to be successful, without needing to go back to school. Or more importantly, without going bust.

Connect with Andy: linkedin.com/in/andy-skarda-92a6875/

TIMELINE
1:09 The state of the residential construction industry

9:45 Seeing the APB community grow

14:50 The impact of Professional Builders Secrets

20:31 The impact of the 2023 SORCI Report

25:22 The impact of APB’s live events

36:23 APB Rewards

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders
52 min
December 14, 2023112. Construction Entrepreneurship With Steve Kreitzberg
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Steve Kreitzberg, founder of Apparatus Contractor Services. In this episode, Steve delves into the concept of construction entrepreneurship, and how you as the owner of a building company can truly create a successful business.

INSIDE EPISODE 112 YOU WILL DISCOVER
How to improve your business for you and your team

The importance of financial education

How to let go of tasks you’re good at to focus on higher value tasks

Reframing your mindset to an entrepreneur’s mindset

The importance of clarity in financial management

And much, much more.

Listen to the full episode to learn how you can become a construction entrepreneur and break through the boundaries you’ve set for yourself.

Need help with your bookkeeping? APB Members can receive an 8% rebate on their bookkeeping fee with Apparatus using the button below.

Claim Your Reward: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/apparatus-contractor-services/

ABOUT STEVE KREITZBERG

Steve is the founder, owner, and President of Apparatus Contractor Services, LLC. He’s responsible for defining the strategic direction of Apparatus. Steve has thirty-one years’ experience in real estate development and investment and has founded a series of interconnected real estate and construction businesses operating in multiple states.

Connect with Steve: linkedin.com/in/steve-kreitzberg-portland/

TIMELINE
0:50 About Steve and Apparatus

3:10 What motivates a construction entrepreneurs

8:29 The importance of financial education in construction

17:30 How to stop fearing delegation

26:38 What the future holds for construction entrepreneurs

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders
40 min
December 07, 2023111. Preparing for 2024 With Russ & Andy
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. In this episode, the two get into how builders can best prepare for the fast approaching 2024.

INSIDE EPISODE 111 YOU WILL DISCOVER
How to start planning BEFORE the new year

When you should start planning

The components of a strategic plan and how much detail you should go into

Resources to customise your own plan today

And much, much more.

Listen to the full episode to uncover the best ways you can plan for 2024 and get a headstart on all your competition.

APB Members who want to get a step up on their planning for the new year can access the Quarterly Strategic Planning action plan to create a detailed 3 year plan with a roadmap for the next 90 days by clicking on the button below.

Access The Course: coaching.apbbuilders.com/courses/enrolled/2184698

ABOUT RUSS STEPHENS

Co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders, Russ is a data analysis expert who has introduced data-driven decision making to the residential construction industry. Russ is also a proud member of the Forbes Business Development Council.

Connect with Russ: linkedin.com/in/russstephens

ABOUT ANDY SKARDA

Head Coach at the Association of Professional Builders, Andy specialises in helping business owners in the building industry identify and implement the skills and systems they need to be successful, without needing to go back to school. Or more importantly, without going bust.

Connect with Andy: linkedin.com/in/andy-skarda-92a6875/

TIMELINE
1:02 Why you NEED to plan for 2024 immediately

3:14 The consequences of failing to plan

7:57 What strategic planning looks like

20:43 Identifying rocks to work on

26:18 Setting Big Hairy Audacious Goals

36:04 How to document your strategic plan

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders
48 min
December 03, 2023110. Demonstrating Your Value With Tom Coy
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Tom Coy, Owner of Coy’s Constructions based out of Melbourne, Australia. In this episode, Tom delves into his journey becoming a professional builder, how he built up Coy’s Constructions, and the ways in which he demonstrates value to his clients.

INSIDE EPISODE 110 YOU WILL DISCOVER
Why you should be charging for quotes

How to build trust and gain respect from your clients

How to find the right people for your building company

Why you need to set big goals for your company

How to manage fixed price contracts without cost escalation clauses

And much, much more.

Listen to the full episode to uncover the strategies Tom has used to increase his margins while delivering value to his clients.

If you’re looking to increase your net margins, a great first step is to implement WIPAA. APB Members can access the How To Calculate WIPAA action plan by clicking on the button below!

Access The Course: coaching.apbbuilders.com/courses/enrolled/175115

ABOUT TOM COY

Tom Coy is the founder and director of Coy’s Constructions, Custom New Home and Renovation Specialists. Coy’s Constructions is a highly skilled building company delivering exceptional quality custom homes in the Yarra Valley and outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

Connect with Tom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-coy-96454a280/

TIMELINE
0:33 How Tom got into the building industry

3:23 How Toms role has changed since hiring a team

6:54 The transition from being on the tools, to in the office

9:49 How to maintain a standard across your company

17:45 How to build trust with your clients

23:18 How to manage fixed price contracts

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders
34 min
November 23, 2023109. Building To Sell With Rick Moore
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Rick Moore, Executive Business Coach at APB. Throughout this episode, Rick delves into what makes a building company sellable, and the strategies you can put in place to ensure your building company is a valuable asset by retirement.

INSIDE EPISODE 109 YOU WILL DISCOVER
What defines a sellable business

Common pitfalls in the structure of a building company

How to ensure your company will run without you

How to give up some control to create a valuable business

What to do if the next generation doesn’t want to inherit your company

And much, much more.

Listen to the full episode to learn exactly how you can create a sellable business that won’t leave you working through your retirement.

If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail. Which is why we created the Creating An Exit Strategy action plan. APB Members can access the couse by clicking on the button below and learn how to build a structure that supports your long-term goals.

Access The Course: coaching.apbbuilders.com/courses/enrolled/1656005

ABOUT RICK MOORE

Rick Moore has been at the forefront of steering businesses that have collectively amassed a staggering market capitalisation exceeding $3 billion CDN, served as the CEO of the Canadian division of the world’s largest business coaching company, and is the author of “Scale-Up to Sell,” sharing his insights derived from his experiences, and his CEPA designation in exit planning underscores my commitment to guiding ventures towards successful transitions.

Connect with Rick: linkedin.com/in/rick-moore-4069383a/

TIMELINE
0:49 Rick's career and how he got involved with APB

4:28 About Rick's book 'Scale-Up To Sell'

8:27 Building a sellable business

14:40 Mistakes that affect the saleability of your business

18:18 Why an owner needs to pay themselves a market salary

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders
31 min
November 16, 2023108. Builder's Insurance Insights With Petara Tanuvasa
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Petara Tanuvasa, Director of Silverback Insurance, based in Australia. In this episode, Petara delves into his path to becoming an insurance broker, and the gaps he saw in the building industry, leading him to specialise his company to work with builders.

INSIDE EPISODE 108 YOU WILL DISCOVER
The importance of builders insurance

Key types of insurance builders need to know about

How to manage and assess your risk

Mistakes builders make when applying for insurance

How to streamline the claims process and ensure a smooth resolution

And much, much more.

Listen to the full episode to learn the pitfalls you need to avoid, and how to keep your business covered in any event.

Need help with insurance? APB Members in Australia can receive a 2.4% rebate of the base premium on an insurance policy taken out with Silverback Insurance using the button below.

Claim Your Reward: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/silverback-insurance/

ABOUT PETER TANUVASA

Petara is a passionate thought leader in creating business relationships and strengthening networks which bring people together who are like minded and share the same vision for success. Specialising in builders and construction risk management and insurance solutions - not just insurance brokering.

Connect with Petara: linkedin.com/in/petara-tanuvasa

TIMELINE
2:27 Being yourself in business

4:26 About Silverback Insurance

7:47 The key types of insurance building companies need to know about

13:00 How builders can assess and manage risk

17:38 Mistakes builders make with insurance

27:45 Advice for builders to streamline their insurance

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders
34 min
November 09, 2023107. The Industry Reset With Russ, Sky & Andy
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with the co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Kolade, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. In the episode, the trio get into the drastic change in the building industry over the past year, and explore the ‘industry reset’.

INSIDE EPISODE 107 YOU WILL DISCOVER
Why the industry is resetting

The ripple effects of an industry reset

Why it’s so much harder to get quality leads

How to restrategise your business

How to keep up with the industry, and not get left behind

And much, much more.

Listen to the full episode to uncover how to survive economic instability by future-proofing your business.

APB Members can access the industry reset action plan to learn more about how to thrive in a declining market by clicking on the button below.

Access The Course: coaching.apbbuilders.com/courses/enrolled/2117344

ABOUT RUSS STEPHENS

Co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders, Russ is a data analysis expert who has introduced data-driven decision making to the residential construction industry. Russ is also a proud member of the Forbes Business Development Council.

Connect with Russ: linkedin.com/in/russstephens

ABOUT SKY KOLADE

Co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders, Sky specialises in taking complex business strategies and converting them into actionable step-by-step guides for building company owners. Sky is also a proud member of The National Association of Women in Construction and the Top 100 Women in the broader construction sector.

Connect with Sky: linkedin.com/in/skycheristephens

ABOUT ANDY SKARDA

Head Coach at the Association of Professional Builders, Andy specialises in helping business owners in the building industry identify and implement the skills and systems they need to be successful, without needing to go back to school. Or more importantly, without going bust.

Connect with Andy: linkedin.com/in/andy-skarda-92a6875/

TIMELINE
0:53 About the industry reset

8:02 How the reset is affecting building companies

13:49 How a builder can reset their company

19:14 How to restrategise from the ground up

27:41 How many leads you need to acquire projects

37:01 Your financials are the mirror of your business

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders
47 min
November 02, 2023106. Setting Big Hairy Audacious Goals With Jay Mostyn
Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Jay Mostyn, Owner of Luxury Lifestyle Homes based out of Brisbane, Australia. In this episode, Jay delves into his journey becoming a professional builder, how he built up Luxury Lifestyle Homes, and the mindset he’s used to get there.

INSIDE EPISODE 47 YOU WILL DISCOVER
What big hairy audacious goals are

How important goal setting is in your business

How often to set goals

How to track your goals

What to do once you’ve reached your goal

And much, much more.

Listen to the full episode to learn how you can take the next step in your building company by setting, and achieving monumental goals.

If you want to smash your goals, APB Members can start by creating a detailed 3 year plan with a roadmap for the next 90 days with the Quarterly Strategic Planning action plan, available now!

Access The Course coaching.apbbuilders.com/courses/enrolled/2184698

ABOUT JAY MOSTYN

Jay Mostyn, the founder and Director of Luxury Lifestyle Homes, has always had an uncommon work ethic. From pumping petrol to delivering newspapers he was working well before he was legally allowed to. With the determination to succeed and desire to deliver whatever was in front of him, putting in the hard yards was learnt very early on and became the normal way of life.

Connect with Jay: linkedin.com/in/jay-mostyn-2019007a/

TIMELINE
0:42 All about Jays building company

3:16 Jay's journey to becoming a builder

12:34 How to track goals and keep motivated

16:26 The kinds of goals to set

19:48 Systems Jay's implemented to work towards his goals

27:06 Advice for other builders on setting and achieving goals

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders
31 min