Building Optimal

By Jared Gossett

A podcast for home builders and industry professionals looking for an edge into the best strategies and tactics to grow their business and shape the future of housing. Host, Jared Gossett, President o... more

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FAQs about Building Optimal:

How many episodes does Building Optimal have?

The podcast currently has 106 episodes available.

Building Optimal episodes:

April 19, 2019 #26: Your Financial Check Up with Sheri Allshouse
Sheri Allshouse is back to share a few commonly overlooked financial accounts that could be costing you money. Sheri is a CPA with an expertise in home building and construction. Her firm is The Allshouse Group in Houston, Texas.
If you missed Episode 8: Common Tax Questons with Sheri, be sure to check it out!
If you’re interested in the financial book Sheri recommends, visit: https://amzn.to/2ZkRGPq
And finally, if you want The Allshouse Group’s financial checklist, they have generously offered it to our listeners for free. Please email Avi at [email protected]. In the subject line, please write “Building Optimal – QB Check List.”
Show Notes:
[3:30] – Reconciling bank statements.
[10:05] – Reconciling credit cards.
[15:00] – Considerations for accounts payable and receivable.
[23:40] – Considerations with the inventory account.
[24:50] – Customer deposits.
[31:06] – Classifying contracts.
...more
58min
March 21, 2019 #25: Going Viral on Social Media with Bob Clarizio
Bob Clarizio, founder of Bantam Built Tiny Homes, has built a substantial audience across YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Bob has eight steps to going viral and making it big on social media. He shares these tips with us in this latest episode. Check it out!
Show Notes:
[2:00] – Bob’s history with social media.
[6:58] – Eight things to make a post go viral.
[37:20] – Should your social media be in your name or in your company’s?
[47:40] – Hacks to get better photos and videos
...more
59min
February 05, 2019 #24: Building More Affordably with Fernando Pagés
Fernando Pagés Ruiz is a builder, developer, and author of the popular book, Building an Affordable House. He has a deep knowledge of how to save money on your homes, including how to mine the code for savings and how to go beyond the plans to cut costs. Fernando has operations in Colorado, Nebraska, and internationally in Ecuador. You can see his work at hamptonlands.com and read more about his expertise with affordable homes at buildingaffordable.com
Show Notes:
[2:00] – Fernando’s background and evolution in his career.
[12:35] – The roots of Fernando’s affordable building model.
[18:45] – How Fernando took the savings beyond the blueprints.
[32:45] – The little-known savings Fernando found in his building code studies.
[40:30] – More savings beyond the blueprints.
[48:40] – New innovations Fernando is excited about.
[54:50] – Fernando’s building projects on the coast of Ecuador.
You can read several of Fernando’s articles:
Tropical Timbers: From Forest To Framing
A Cottage Made Completely With Native Materials and Local Labor
Crown Molding Special Effects

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1h 16min
January 10, 2019 #23: The Right Way to do Customer Deposits
Many people get this deceptively simple practice wrong, but it’s an easy fix. In this episode, Jared reads a recent article he wrote for our newly launched, Building Optimal Journal.
If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out our new articles, such as Bulletproofing Against Downturns.
Show Notes:
[0:30] – The two most important reasons for customer deposits.
[4:55] – The best way to do a customer deposit and the typical complicating factor.
[11:12] – Less-than-ideal alternatives that the bank may accept.
...more
14min
December 29, 2018 #22: Ace Your Prospect Calls with Kyle Hunt
They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Kyle Hunt shares a few pointers on how to make the “best” first impression we possibly can during that initial call with a potential client.
Kyle is the owner of Remodel Your Marketing, a business coach focused on remodelers. For 10 years he’s helped his clients improve their sales process, implement proven marketing strategies, and take control of their operations. Kyle has spoken at the International Builders Show, and also has a podcast for remodelers called Remodelers on the Rise.
Do you have particular topics you want to hear in 2019? Email us at [email protected] or direct message us on Facebook or Instagram at @buildingoptimal.
Happy 2019 to all. Thank you for your support. May everyone have a prosperous, fun, and PROFITABLE year!
Show Notes:
[1:30] – The importance of the initial call.
[3:50] – Aim for this outcome from the call.
[6:25] – The best way to prep for the call.
[13:15] – The 5 P’s.
[13:50] – Most important questions to ask.
[20:40] – The steps you should be taking AFTER the call.
[23:00] – The best lead sources.
[27:40] – Where to find more of Kyle.
...more
29min
December 19, 2018 #21: Forging Stronger Subcontractor Relationships with David Gerstel
If you thought we were going to let David Gerstel off the hook with a paltry two-episode series, well think again. He’s back with some tips to improve our relationships with our subcontractors (affectionately called trade partners). These are tips he’s developed over his decades of experience in the construction business. For those of you ne’er-do-wells who haven’t listened to Episode 19 or 20 with David, he is a best-selling author of several construction books, including his most recent, Nail Your Numbers: A Path to Skilled Construction Estimating and Bidding. In addition to being an expert on many things “home building,” David is also a model of success, having achieved financial freedom with his own construction business by the age of 34.
Enjoy the episode! And be sure to sign up for email updates and new information at www.buildingoptimal.com!
Show Notes
[1:10] – Why you need “Included/Not Included” form to save you miscommunications with subcontractors.
[6:30] – Is there a magic bullet to ensure quality control with subcontractors?
[11:10] – Why you should approach competitive bidding differently from jobs with pre-construction agreements.
[16:20] – The optimal pay cycle and the importance of a strong capital reserve.
[20:30] – David on competitive bidding and another strategy he’s seen that works.

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27min
November 13, 2018 #20: In-House Crews & Employee-Centered Companies with David Gerstel
David Gerstel is back to talk about the decision between hiring in-house crews or subcontractors. We also discuss the advantages of employee-centered companies. For those of you who haven’t listened to Episode 19 with David, he is a best-selling author of several construction books, including his most recent, Nail Your Numbers: A Path to Skilled Construction Estimating and Bidding. He is also a well-known speaker, and will be featured at the JLC Live Show November 28-30 in Portland. In addition to being an expert on many things “home building,” David is also a model of success, having achieved financial freedom with his own construction business by the age of 34.
Enjoy the episode! And be sure to sign up for email updates and new information at www.buildingoptimal.com!

Show Notes
[1:15] – The pros and cons of in-house crews vs. subcontractors.
[4:00] – The best part of having an in-house crew.
[7:32] – What questions should you be asking before making the decision.
[9:18] – David’s business setup.
[13:00] – How to find and hire your crew.
[17:03] – The benefits of giving your employees a 4-10 workweek.
[18:10] – David’s staffing/employee structure in his company.
[20:55] – David’s prescription for stronger subcontractor relationships.
...more
29min
October 29, 2018 #19: Bidding, Estimating, and Achieving Financial Freedom with David Gerstel
David Gerstel joins us to talking bidding, estimating, and achieving financial freedom as a builder. David is a best-selling author of several construction books, including his most recent, Nail Your Numbers: A Path to Skilled Construction Estimating and Bidding. He is also a well-known speaker, and will be featured at the JLC Live Show November 28-30 in Portland. In addition to being an expert on many things “home building,” David is also a model of success, having achieved financial independence in his mid-thirties (less than 10 years after starting his business), much of which he attributes to his passion for the craft. Enjoy the episode! And be sure to sign up for email updates and new information at www.buildingoptimal.com!

Show Notes
[1:50] – Why we shouldn’t confuse bidding and estimating.
[9:20] – David’s 5 construction cost categories.
[15:45] – The three overhead allocation methods and David’s recommendation.
[22:25] – Allocating overhead when you aren’t operating at capacity.
[25:30] – Using Labor Productivity Records for estimating direct labor on projects.
[31:30] – What David sees as the standard profit margins.
[34:30] – David’s opinion on the best business models.
[41:30] – David’s strategy to financial freedom as a builder.
[44:50] – Ensuring you know where your pricing stands compared to your competition.
[52:40] – Ed Earl’s collaborative construction approach.
...more
57min
October 15, 2018 #18: How to Raise Money for Your Projects (Part 3) – Behind the Scenes
This is the third episode in a mini-series exploring how to raise money for your projects. In this episode, we explore the logistics and other considerations of how to raise the money and structure your deals. Enjoy the episode! And one more thing…follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more tips and ideas to take your construction business to the next level!
Show Notes:
[1:48] – The number one priority: Talk to a securities attorney!
[3:20] – Talking to accredited investors and building an investment platform.
[4:40] – Types of entities in which to raise money.
[5:40] – The pros and cons of single-asset entities.
[8:55] – Raising money at the operational level.
[10:40] – Raising money with promissory notes.
[13:50] – Considerations if you are raising equity-only for your project.
...more
17min
September 24, 2018 #17: Using Security Cameras for Better Project Management
It’s time to enter the wonderful, magical world of…security cameras. Our guest, Nate Carty, explains a simple, affordable system to help with theft deterrence, subcontractor management, client communication, and more.
Nate and his brother Chris are the founders of Carty Custom Builders, an Austin-based residential home home builder. Nate is a CFA Charterholder and a graduate of the University of Texas. He’s also a smart dude and a tech whiz, as you will see in the interview.
Show Notes:
[2:32] – Deterring theft with security cameras.
[3:34] – Visibility and signage with the cameras.
[4:00] – The unforeseen benefits of using security cameras (hint: more than just theft deterrence).
[6:01] – The nuances of allowing clients access to security cameras.
[8:32] – How many cameras should you use and where do you place them?
[9:21] – Specifics of the cameras.
[10:21] – Nate’s setup for his security camera system.
[16:15] – The all-in cost for Nate’s system.
[17:52] – A few things to consider before getting started.
[20:21] – Getting in touch with Nate.
Selected Links:
Vimtag Security Cameras
Kingston 32GB SD Cards
1-Gang Weather Box
T-Mobile Hotspots
www.cartycustombuilders.com
...more
21min

FAQs about Building Optimal:

How many episodes does Building Optimal have?

The podcast currently has 106 episodes available.

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