Brad Leavitt Podcast

Along the same line, his ideal customers are those who focus on value over cost—those who are focused on the timelessness of what may just be their forever home.

Asked his opinion on the future of home design, particularly in a post-COVID world, Jeff says that “we need to get more distance between ourselves and these events to truly, fully comprehend what they are really doing—and have done—to our psyches.”

People now truly look at their home as a sanctuary, and the market has changed to reflect these developing tastes, which include an explosion in demand for pools and home offices.

An artist at his core, Jeff believes that “inspiration is the fuel for a creative spirit,” and points to nature as his ultimate source of that inspiration.

Topics Discussed:

• [03:27] Defining “timeless design”
• [06:50] The “Golden Section” and the “Rule of Thirds” in art
• [13:43] Setting expectations with clients
• [18:26] Knowing when a client is the right fit
• [25:21] The future of home design
• [34:30] How growing up on a farm impacted Jeff creativity and work ethic
• [40:19] When and why Jeff decided to go into architecture and grew his passion for art
• [50:22] Jeff’s early career
• [55:34] Jeff’s advice to young architects who want to start their own company
• [01:02:07] Jeff’s exciting upcoming projects

Connect with Guest:

• Website: https://www.jeffreydungan.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyDunganArchitects/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffreydungan/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jeffreydungan/_created/

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website - https://www.aftconstructionpodcast.com/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/aft_construction
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aftconstruction
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/aft-construction/aft-construction
• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.ph/AFT_CONSTRUCTION/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzB4R_DHPVV1SPh7RUfR5jg

Key Quotes by Jeff:

• Especially in America, where we’ve got a fake version of everything, if there’s anything we shouldn’t be faking, it’s stone.
• I’ve got more ideas than you’ve got money. [...] I want to make a place that’s going to basically change your life. To me, you can’t put a price on that. Let’s talk about something infinitate and way more meaningful than costs.
• I want to have a conversation not about the cost of the thing, but the value of it.
• There is something about nature that refurbishes our spirit.
• Inspiration is the fuel for a creative spirit. [...] Where do we get that inspiration from? There are many sources, but I think that nature is supreme.
• If you don’t say “no” to the wrong things, you can’t say “yes” to the right things.

Listen in as Patrick, Sue, Megan, and McKall give their professional backgrounds leading up to their joining the AFT team and the scope of their current roles.

McKall dives deep into the process of calculating for profit with your WIP and how to stay within realistic margins as your projections change every month towards the completion of a given project.

Patrick, Sue, and Megan talk about the biggest risks in the construction industry, navigating cashflow challenges throughout a project, and how to write a forward-looking contract that minimizes these risks by adequately defining scope-of-work.

Finally, the team discusses billing regulations in Arizona and whether trade partners should have any variation in a contract. They also speak on the immense value of site visits and working with designers and architects.

Brought to you by Pella Windows

Topics Discussed: 

• [01:35] An introduction to Megan, McKall, Patrick, and Sue
• [05:12] Our team’s backgrounds and career lessons they brought into AFT
• [16:24] What your WIP tells you
• [22:12] The biggest risks in the construction industry
• [29:43] How a company can be effective at scope-of-work
• [36:10] Managing time as Project Coordinators
• [41:00] Fighting through the cashflow challenge in a timely manner
• [48:44] Continuing education and staying on top of issues and trends in the industry
• [51:15] Navigating price increases
• [56:13] Managing expectations with team members, vendors, and clients
• [1:00:39] The Arizona Prompt Payment Act and AIA contracts
• [1:00:55] The value of site visits
• [1:12:04] The pros of working with a designer and an architect
• [1:14:46] Advice to younger companies

Key Quotes by the AFT team:

• Being in-house makes a really big difference because then you have someone who can do an actual analysis of what’s going on and give you a real picture of what needs to change in order to get you to where you want to be, financially. ~McKall
• The biggest risks in the construction industry, for me, are construction defect claims; job site-related issues such as injuries or property damage; and labor and material shortages along with price volatility. ~Patrick
• We have a standard at AFT, and we want to make sure that our subs are going to uphold our brand and standard. ~Patrick
• What’s been beneficial for me is going out to site visits and seeing what is on the plan come to life. That is like a stepping stone for other projects. ~Megan
• The biggest thing is to not forget how important your policies and procedures are because that can actually make you a lot of money. Have a clear path. ~McKall

He goes on to speak on lessons and skills that he was able to apply after getting into business for himself, as well as those pain points that he had to endure a lot of trial and error to get a handle on—from considerations around working capital, to investing in training.

Justin then describes his scope of work and the most crucial factors in pool plumbing, as well as the technologies and trends that have evolved over the years and how these changes impact hydraulic design.

Asked how he is able to maintain strong, mutually beneficial relationships with his vendors, Justin says that it’s all about going out of their way to take the tougher jobs and being consistent with the quality of their work.

Finally, Justin touches on JMax Companies’ plumbing and mechanical division and how his residential projects differ from pool work.

Topics Discussed: 

• [02:21] How Justin got started in pool plumbing
• [05:23] Business lessons Justin learned from working for another plumbing company
• [07:52] What Justin knows now that he wishes he knew then
• [09:54] Staying financially sound and getting on the same page with builders
• [12:58] What separates good clients from bad ones
• [15:17] JMax’s scope of work and how the market has changed
• [20:08] Stress factors inherent in pool plumbing
• [25:25] Frequency of training at JMax and maintaining vendor relationships
• [31:45] Clients to avoid
• [32:47] Building an online presence
• [37:05] Justin’s favorite projects
• [42:29] How residential and mechanical plumbing differs from pool plumbing
• [50:39] What Justin takes most pride in today
• [51:48] Justin’s exciting upcoming projects

Connect with Guest:

• JMax Companies Website: https://www.jmaxcompanies.com/
• JMax Plumbing Website: https://jmaxplumbing.com/
• JMax Mechanical Website: https://www.jmaxmechanical.com/
• JMax Academy Website: https://www.jmaxacademy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearded_plumber/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_bearded_plumber?
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1hbfJNmjFSkowgNXWzq3NQ/videos

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website - https://www.aftconstructionpodcast.com/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/aft_construction
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aftconstruction
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/aft-construction/aft-construction
• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.ph/AFT_CONSTRUCTION/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzB4R_DHPVV1SPh7RUfR5jg

Key Quotes by Justin:

• My favorite relationships are those where you get mutual respect. If I’m dealing with a general contractor, their expertise is this, and my expertise is plumbing. I want them to respect that I have a ton of experience and we’ve been through mistakes and let us do our thing.
• The most important part of plumbing is making sure that you’ve sized everything correctly, because the [consequences] of that are energy loss and systems not doing what they’re supposed to do.
• I think having long-standing relationships with my vendors has been the most help. [...] Fortunately, those relationships have paid off tons.
• This industry is small. Pool plumbing—and pools in general—is so small that you pretty much know people before you meet them. Just get in front of them; talk to them. Figure out if they have the same values that you do.

Today Brad speaks with Tim Brown, CEO of Hook Agency, an SEO & Web Design firm that’s gone from 1 person to 17 in 5 years.

Tim kicks off the conversation giving his take on the biggest challenges that business owners face in today’s shaky market. Some of these challenges include finding and retaining self-motivated team members, creating a meaningful workplace for younger generations of professionals, and looking past the glamor metrics at what really counts for business success.

Tim then gives his thoughts on creating a winning website and best practices for bringing in leads. Aside from optimizing your SEO, he recommends connecting with service providers in similar industries to yours and building out a network of referrals via those connections.

With regard to homebuilders in particular, Tim offers tips on getting the best out of content creation and social media strategy, again without getting distracted by vanity metrics. He goes in-depth on video content and why many business owners end up wasting time and money when investing in video.

Finally, Tim speaks to newer or smaller companies who are looking to maximize a lean marketing budget.

Topics Discussed: 

• [02:17] Business challenges that Tim is facing in today’s market
• [04:25] Finding self-motivated team members
• [08:27] Creating a training organization to fill gaps in skill
• [10:49] Other factors that companies should focus on
• [17:41] How to create a winning website
• [24:48] How homebuilders should approach social media and content creation
• [30:10] The power of video content
• [38:54] What should a company with a lean marketing budget focus on?
• [47:18] Tim’s biggest challenges as an entrepreneur in the early days
• [51:58] Niching down your clientele
• [55:18] The best advice Tim has ever been given

Connect with Guest:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Podcast

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website 
• Instagram 
• Facebook 
• Houzz 
• Pinterest 
• YouTube 

Key Quotes by Tim:

• There’s this movement with business owners for time freedom; but, getting more employees does not only mean time freedom. Sometimes it means a painful amount of management.
• Video is fun. You know what’s not fun? Sitting around doing a bunch of content all day to get your thing to rank on Google.
• You have more credibility when you specialize in something.
• Trust yourself. You have more context on your situation than anyone else. [...] Do take advice—but take it with a grain of salt.

Contractors need to take note of legal issues that arise on account of construction defects and accidents. Further, they need to make sure they are rigidly compliant when it comes to lien waivers. It is important to take their state’s code into account to provide context for the crafting of their performance standards.

Regarding new contractors who have just started their business, Rachel says that they should be clear on the expertise they currently have and what they intend to practice in their new venture, in addition to having their financials sorted out.

Finally, Rachel does a deep dive into the critical importance of insurance and why, in such a high-risk industry as construction, contractors must never overlook the importance of protecting their assets should the slightest cause for liability take place.

Get 15% off all courses and services offered by Contractor Trainer Center on their website by using the code “AFT-15” at checkout

This episode is brought to you by Pella Windows & Doors

Topics Discussed: 

• [02:14] Issues and trends present in the construction industry today
• [05:00] How contractors are dealing with legal issues today (ex. around price increases)
• [12:26] Considerations around liens
• [16:45] Consulting in different states according to their respective codes
• [21:48] Required contract provisions
• [30:05] Where contractors should focus on when starting a business
• [36:36] The startup manual created by Contractor Training Center for new contractors
• [39:07] What is a “construction bond”?
• [44:48] How a contractor can ensure that they are properly insured
• [51:45] Should owners always have builder’s risk insurance?
• [53:47] Rachel’s custom residential design-build construction business in Florida
• [56:56] How Rachel got involved with Contractor Trainer Center
• [58:29] Resources available on the Contractor Trainer Center website
• [01:01:40] The best advice Rachel has ever been given and what’s next for her

Connect with Guest:

• Website: https://contractortrainingcenter.com/
• LinkedIn (Rachel Doty): https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-doty-26844420
• LinkedIn (Contractor Training Center) https://www.linkedin.com/company/contractortraining
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contractortraining
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_5LeZU1L4FtfT-ni6UHkcQ

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website - https://www.aftconstructionpodcast.com/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/aft_construction
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aftconstruction
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/aft-construction/aft-construction
• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.ph/AFT_CONSTRUCTION/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzB4R_DHPVV1SPh7RUfR5jg

Key Quotes by Rachel:

• There are a lot of things to consider when [a contractor] is first starting out. If they haven’t already set up a business, there are a lot of things that they’re going to need to know and figure out before they jump into it: what type of work they’ve been doing and what type of work they want to do.
• As contractors, we have the duty to make sure that our subs and everyone underneath us are operating to our standards, and also to make sure that they have the insurance limits that will cover us.

Since the outset of the pandemic in early 2020, the sales cycle has doubled as a result of delays and shortages in the supply chain, particularly when it came to Tim’s custom work.

With higher-end clients, there is typically a great deal of flexibility built into contracts, and so Tim’s challenge throughout the past couple of years has been to find creative ways to satisfy clients amid an unpredictable market.

Asked how he was able to find success with an eCommerce direct-to-consumer model for an industry known for its complexity, Tim says that it’s all about creating “a very fluid, very frictionless customer experience that mimics the likes of a traditional storefront experience. It actually has less friction and more convenience because you’re allowing the consumer to do it in their own time in their own home.”

Further, what sets Kabinet apart from all the rest is that Tim and his team refuse to be simple “order takers”. Every person on the other side of the line from a client is a bonafide designer, determined and passionate about turning the client’s vision into reality.

Brought to you by Pella Windows & Doors

Topics Discussed: 

• [02:54] Tim’s experience with the supply chain in 2021
• [08:27] How Tim was able to build an impressive network at a relatively young age
• [14:14] All about Kabinet
• [15:58] Why Tim went the eCommerce route instead of the traditional brick-and-mortar
• [18:33] Making direct-to-consumer work with all the complexities of cabinetry
• [25:49] How Tim has created a win-win situation between Kabinet and installers
• [30:32] How Tim learned the ins-and-outs of business
• [32:12] What keeps Tim up at night
• [38:43] Working with investors vs getting a loan
• [48:05] Kabinet’s advantage over its competitors
• [52:07] How kitchen cabinetry is evolving
• [54:22] Kabinet’s specialty
• [59:57] The best advice business Tim has ever been given
• [1:03:14] What’s next for Tim and Kabinet?

Connect with Guest:

• Website - https://kabinetus.com/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kabinetus/
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-fixtures/kabinet-pfvwus-pf~2050766070

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website - https://www.aftconstructionpodcast.com/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/aft_construction
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aftconstruction
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/aft-construction/aft-construction
• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.ph/AFT_CONSTRUCTION/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzB4R_DHPVV1SPh7RUfR5jg

Key Quotes by Timothy Roman:

• If you have a good network, you’re bailed out every single time… almost.
• Cabinetry is very good margin if you can get a great system, a great funnel, a great client experience, and you’re aligned with a great factory that backs that process. It can be a really, really scalable business, and it’s only the upside in front of you.
• I have a rule that, everyday, if I don’t learn something, it’s a failed day.
• The money is actually not the hard part. Getting the money—especially these days in the United States where capital is so cheap—is not the hard part. The hard part is getting people that understand your goal and you obviously should be doing a good job at explaining it at the same time.
• We know two things and we do them really well: kitchen cabinetry and customer service.
• The name of the game, especially early on, is test, test, test, and the market is the market is the market.

As an advocate of trade careers and education, Kayleen’s goal is to shed light on the rising demand for trade professionals that’s outpacing vocational training—and to help restore America’s respect for the trades in the process.

Listen in as Kayleen explains that education, particularly if you desire to be in the trades, is not only found in the classroom, and how she is working to inspire America’s youth to embrace the trades.

She shares how she was inspired to become “Mister Rogers with a sledgehammer” and educate the masses on the importance of the trades after realizing that television has negatively influenced the public’s opinion on the construction industry.

Brought to you by Pella Windows & Doors

Topics Discussed: 

• [02:38] Why construction is generally under-promoted as a career path
• [05:41] Kayleen’s thoughts on the student debt crisis
• [09:27] The limitations of a college degree
• [14:21] Kayleen’s experience on Rescue Renovation
• [22:59] How much planning goes into each project before filming starts
• [34:37] Dealing with challenging clients on the show
• [36:08] How TV impacted Kayleen’s passion for construction
• [38:11] Kayleen’s work at the McCabe Foundation
• [41:40] How Kayleen hopes to influence women in the trades
• [49:14] The value of hard work
• [51:13] Kayleen’s experience starting her own company before her breakthrough on TV
• [55:46] Why the youth are at an advantage today if they want to get in the trades
• [01:00:35] What Kayleen does for fun and what she has planned for the future

Connect with Guest:

• Website - https://www.kayleenmccabe.com/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kayleenmccabe/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kayleenmccabe
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/KayleenMcCabe
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/KayleenMcCabe

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website - https://www.aftconstructionpodcast.com/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/aft_construction
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aftconstruction
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/aft-construction/aft-construction
• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.ph/AFT_CONSTRUCTION/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzB4R_DHPVV1SPh7RUfR5jg

Key Quotes by Kayleen:

• College is important. We need architects and engineers, and that does take a college degree; however, the best architects are the ones who went to a job site and learned how gravity works in real life.
• You don’t get anywhere in life without working really hard. The harder you work, you are rewarded. Now I’m at the point where I can choose the projects that I work on. I don’t work 18-hour days anymore; but, [it took] 15 years. It wasn’t overnight.

In 2018, Landon signed on with HGTV for the home improvement series, Cutting Edge Reno. For the pilot, he chose to renovate a neglected midcentury ranch house situated on a large lot in a desirable neighborhood. Landon had just 60 days to completely transform the home.

Landon’s experience with HGTV rewarded him with clout that caused his already thriving design and build firm to soar to new heights. He goes on to speak on the unique challenges of working with ultra-high-net-worth individuals in Scottsdale, and why he always looks beyond the money and instead ultimately trusts his gut when it comes to deciding which clients to take on.

He also explains why, if he were given another chance to build his business from scratch, Landon would focus right away on hiring talent that would complement his own strengths, and establish a system that leverages his time.

Brought to you by Pella Windows & Doors

Topics Discussed: 

• [02:52] Where Landon would focus on if he were to start his construction business again
• [06:36] Building strong relationships in the industry
• [12:52] Why it’s worth paying a premium for quality
• [15:00] Why you shouldn’t be afraid to walk away from a potential client
• [22:48] Landon’s opportunity to appear on HGTV’s series, Cutting Edge Reno
• [42:06] Securing job sites
• [49:10] Dealing with supply chain issues on time-sensitive projects
• [55:44] Meeting the incredibly high expectations of ultra-wealthy clients
• [58:37] Landon’s approach to multifamily homes
• [1:05:03] The best advice Landon has ever been given

Connect with Guest:

• Website
• Instagram
• Houzz

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website 
• Instagram 
• Facebook 
• Houzz
• Pinterest 
• YouTube 

Key Quotes by Landon:

• When you’re building someone a home, you’re going to have to be friends for a year. Out of the gates, if you’re feeling a little wishy-washy, don’t be afraid to walk. The money is not that important. Quality of life is what it boils down to.
• Living in the Scottsdale area or Paradise Valley, these aren’t $500,000 homes. These are multi, multi, multi-million-dollar homes that we’ve been working on. With that dollar figure comes a special client. “No” is not an acceptable word. The way I’ve got around is to basically be as upfront as I can. The moment I know, they know in five minutes.

With all the complexities of building your brand’s know, like, and trust factor in today’s ever-evolving digital economy, Jesse explains why it literally pays to have a dedicated expert by your side to handle content marketing for your business.

He shares best practices for doing effective ad campaigns, building and staying top-of-mind with a loyal audience, becoming an authority figure without “pitching”, choosing a social media platform, and creating photo and video content that converts.

Topics Discussed: 

• [02:09] How social media has changed
• [04:29] Tailoring your ad campaign to the right demographic
• [12:12] Making sure you, as a business owner, don’t waste your time on social media
• [15:53] The importance of being social on your chosen platform/s
• [19:22] Being (and staying) top-of-mind with your target audience
• [23:54] Becoming an authority figure and getting clients without “pitching”
• [32:08] Deciding which social media platform to focus on as a general contractor
• [36:43] How Jesse built his own brand with photo and video
• [41:07] The effort required to produce a great photo versus a great video
• [48:03] Why it’s important to niche down as much as you can
• [48:59] Should all businesses be on YouTube?
• [56:23] Why Jesse lived in a school bus in the early 2000s
• [1:04:00] What’s upcoming and exciting for Jesse

Connect with Jesse Fitton:

• Website
• Instagram
• TikTok
• LinkedIn

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website 
• Instagram 
• Facebook 
• Houzz 
• Pinterest 
• YouTube 

Key Quotes by Jesse:

• [When you create an ad campaign,] it’s not about how many people see it—it’s about the right people seeing it. And when you’re working with different brands, you have to figure out what the most important thing is for them.
• Operating inside the world that we live in today, you can be hyper-niche. The most important thing is to identify your target market and really home in on it, because if you don’t put out the content you want, then you’re not going to get the people that you want.

He relates his current work in residential to his previous time doing commercial. The residential world, particularly custom residential construction, has been a significantly more fulfilling experience for Tyler because of its personal, family-centered process.

Speaking on his staff, Tyler becomes emotional talking about those team members that have caught the vision of the company, which goes way beyond working for a paycheck. He also encourages employees to make their voices heard and to challenge the leadership if they feel compelled to, so as to do their part in setting Killowen apart from the rest.

Finally, Tyler describes the cornerstone of his company—and of running a construction business in general—which is communication. With so many parties to keep up-to-speed throughout a long and complicated process, Tyler stresses openness and brutal honesty, but also empathy and care.

Topics Discussed: 

• [02:35] Challenges that Tyler is dealing with right now
• [07:41] How Tyler keeps his pipeline full
• [12:48] Competing with other cabinetry subcontractors
• [15:12] How Tyler conducts his exit interviews
• [20:51] How often Tyler checks in with clients after the home is built
• [30:13] Creating a good company culture
• [36:28] Working with Syd and Shea McGee
• [43:56] How Netflix came into the picture
• [50:55] Working when cameras are always trained on you
• [55:17] Lessons learned from the Netflix experience about running Killowen
• [57:45] The best career advice Tyler has ever been given
• [1:03:11] What Tyler is most excited about

Connect with Guest:

• Website 
• Instagram 
• Facebook 

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website 
• Instagram 
• Facebook 
• Houzz 
• Pinterest 
• YouTube

Key Quotes by Tyler:

• With these homes, it gets super personal because it’s the most expensive thing they’ll ever buy. It’s where they’ll raise their family, their kids, their grandkids. It gets pretty personal and that’s why I like it better than commercial. I was in commercial for a while; but, homes—there’s something about it.
• I want my people to challenge our system. I might disagree and I might push back; but, I do want our team to think of ways we can do better. I’m not averse to change.
• There are people in our company that are here for the paycheck, and that is fine. We’re not doing it for practice. We’re doing it to make a living. It’s all good. There are other people that I see who have caught the vision of where we can be and they want to be a part of it.
• Where construction really goes sideways—the relationships at least—is communication. If someone feels heard, even if there’s a problem, if you acknowledge that it’s there and you keep giving them constant updates—communication is huge.
• Every hire I’ve made has taught me how to run my company better