Builders, Budgets, and Beers

Reece sits down with Paul Sanneman of Contractor Staffing Source to talk about the real cost of hiring mistakes, and why marketing and recruiting are no longer optional if you want to protect profit. They break down how AI is changing the game, plus Paul’s step by step recruiting process you can run in house if you have to. You will leave with clearer standards for who to hire, how to onboard them, and why one “almost good enough” employee is costing you way more than you think. If this helps, share it with a builder friend and check the links for Paul’s resources.

https://contractorstaffingsource.com

Show Notes:
00:00 Culture Can Break
00:42 Meet Paul Sanneman
04:08 Marketing Mindset Shift
09:04 Recruiting Isn’t Optional
11:30 Replace Yourself First
14:12 DIY Recruiting Steps
20:40 Onboarding Matters Most
25:00 Hire For Integrity
33:46 Cut Toxic People
35:09 Final Three Rules

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast  Produced By:
Motif Media

Reece sits down again with Garrett Goldsberry of Salt Creek Homes for round two, now that Garrett has been using Adaptive for a few months. They break down what changed after moving from Excel and QuickBooks into real job costing, and why it matters if you are trying to protect margin. You’ll hear how Garrett builds cost plus draw packages, improves transparency with clients, and catches missed costs before they quietly erode profit. If this helped, subscribe and share it with a builder who is still “making it work” in spreadsheets.

https://www.saltcreekhomesco.com

1st Episode with Garret: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2344845/episodes/17328423

Show Notes:
00:00 Responsibility matters
02:39 Who is Garrett
04:29 Spec house win
09:00 Why part two
11:06 Wish sooner
14:16 Software resistance
18:40 Cost plus draws
21:43 Catch missed costs
35:09 Hiring confidence
39:16 Podcast habits
42:12 Family time wins
44:26 Wrap up

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast  Produced By:
Motif Media

Reece sits down with Matt Brill of Bauen Build to break down change management for builders, from new software to new build standards, without losing the team along the way. They talk about what actually drives buy in, how to keep craftspeople focused on the work they love, and why clarity is so important. You will leave with practical ways to tighten budgets, approvals, and communication while still building a great product. If this hit home, share it with a builder friend and check out the links for more.

https://bauenbuild.com

Show Notes:
00:00 The 80% Rule
00:42 Matt Brill Intro
02:58 Continuous Improvement
07:52 Culture and Cadence
13:59 Products vs Systems
19:29 Make Systems Stick
25:12 Right Roles
29:38 Commercial Process
37:01 Clarity Wins
46:35 Teach The Why

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast  Produced By:
Motif Media

Reece sits down with Chris Kerr of White Oak Home to debate fixed price versus cost plus, and what each model really means for risk, profit, and client trust. They get into the real reason fixed price feels simpler for a small team, why missing receipts can quietly kill margin, and how job costing changes the whole conversation. You’ll also hear how to think about overhead, project management fees, and change orders when the client is still deciding mid build. If this helped, share it with a builder buddy and check out Adaptive for tighter job cost tracking.

https://www.whiteoakhomenewengland.com

Show Notes:
00:33 Fixed vs cost plus
05:13 Meet Chris Kerr
08:17 Admin burden is real
14:38 Risk and upside
19:28 Budget vs actuals
22:03 Overhead and profit
26:17 Fixed fee PM
30:59 Trust and ethics
46:13 First draw next

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast  Produced By:
Motif Media

Reece sits down with construction bookkeeper and CFO Miller Bradford from Builder Bookkeep to talk about what WIP reports really do for builders and why they are the difference between real profit and fake profit. They dig into overbilling and underbilling, messy books, tax season chaos, and the nasty surprises that show up when you guess instead of track. You will hear simple ways to use WIP as a live management tool, what numbers have to be right, and how often you should be running it so you are not flying blind. If this episode hits home, share it with a builder who still only closes their books once a year.

https://builderbookkeep.com

Show Notes:
00:01:08 Meet Miller Bradford
00:02:28 Builder Bookkeep Story
00:06:55 Why Numbers Matter
00:09:21 Common Bookkeeping Messes
00:12:11 What WIP Really Is
00:17:33 WIP As Management Tool
00:25:32 Tax Season Train Wrecks
00:32:07 Cleaning Up Books
00:42:19 How No WIP Skews Profit
00:51:57 Monthly Close That Works
00:58:07 Simple WIP Checklist
01:00:11 Where To Find Miller

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast  Produced By:
Motif Media

Reece digs in with construction business coach and Profit First for Contractors author Shawn Van Dyke to show why clean job costs matter more than chasing big revenue. They walk through how Shawn helped a millwork company find its profit sweet spot, track every hour of labor, and stop guessing on bids. You will hear simple ways to set up cost codes, push data capture to the field, and pay yourself properly for the risk you take. If this helps, share it with a builder friend who is tired of feeling in the dark about their numbers.

https://shawnvandyke.com
https://info.datamule.agency

Show Notes:
00:50 Introduction to Shawn
05:17 From DMs To Book Deal
08:09 Finding The Sweet Spot
17:28 Finally Knowing Your Numbers
21:45 Cost Codes Everywhere Everyday
28:37 Scale Versus Sweet Spot
35:25 Build A Simple Menu
40:22 Are You Paid Enough
47:08 Professionals Own The Paperwork
52:01 Where To Find Shawn

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast  Produced By:
Motif Media

Bill Mills, experienced CPA specializing in construction accounting, discusses the critical role of embracing new technology, real-time financial data, and proactive tax and business management to improve profitability and decision-making for contractors. Reece and Bill's conversation highlights the need for contractors to regularly review and upgrade their back-office systems, leveraging outside expertise and modern software to remain competitive and successful.

https://www.pinionglobal.com

Show Notes:
Bill Mills' Background and Introduction (0:00)
Bill's Professional Journey and Role at Pinion (5:01)
The Role of AI in Everyday Life (9:00)
Challenges and Opportunities in Construction Accounting (15:03)
Profit Fade and the Importance of Timely Financial Information (25:21)
Tax Planning and Long-Term Profitability (33:54)
Actionable Advice for Construction Companies (45:31)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast  Produced By:
Motif Media

Alex Molkentin shares insights from his journey in the construction industry, emphasizing the importance of pre-construction as a means to set clear expectations and effectively manage project costs. The discussion highlights the value of transparency, collaboration with clients and trade partners, and continuous learning from past experiences to ensure successful project outcomes.

https://www.builtbyfernhill.com
https://www.instagram.com/builtbyfernhill

Show Notes:
Alex Molkentin's Background and Early Career (0:00)
Lessons from Past Generations (6:10)
Pre-Construction and Marketing (10:59)
Setting Client Expectations (11:52)
Pre-Construction and Cost Management (14:36)
Trade Partner Involvement in Pre-Construction (36:13)
Educating Design Professionals (43:29)
Final Thoughts and Contact Information (45:06)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast  Produced By:
Motif Media

Isabel Affinito and Reece discuss the critical importance of having clear job descriptions, robust systems, and disciplined financial practices to drive success and minimize risks in construction businesses. They highlight the emotional challenges of change management, the judicious role of AI, and the need to implement foundational processes before scaling operations.

https://www.isabelaffinito.com

Show Notes:
Introduction and Background of Isabel Affinito (0:00)
Implementing Job Descriptions and Organizational Change (6:51)
Emotional Aspects of Business Ownership (15:12)
Opportunities of Focus for Builders (22:35)
Implementing AI and Technology in Construction (40:29)
Conclusion and Final Thoughts (52:56)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast  Produced By:
Motif Media

Builder and tech veteran Per Pettersson discusses how project management and financial clarity are essential for success and efficiency in the construction industry. Drawing on his experience, he shares strategies for better planning, cost tracking, and communication to deliver projects on time and improve client satisfaction.

https://www.linmakconstruction.com

Show Notes:
Background and Introduction of Per Pettersson (0:00)
Transition from Tech to Construction (6:46)
Challenges and Opportunities in Construction (11:33)
Financial Management in Construction (22:01)
Lessons Learned and Industry Insights (39:13)
Final Thoughts and Advice for Builders (45:01)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast  Produced By:
Motif Media