In this episode of Building Profit, Steve dives into one of the most misunderstood topics in construction finance: revenue recognition. Just because the money hits your bank account doesn’t mean you’ve earned it, and messing this up could lead to chaotic books, cash flow surprises, and even bankruptcy-level mistakes.

Steve breaks down the five key rules every contractor must follow when it comes to recognizing revenue, even if you’re not a “numbers person.” From deposits to change orders to percentage-of-completion billing, he walks you through what matters, why it matters, and how to fix your process before it bites you later.

If your income statement swings like a rollercoaster—or you’ve ever looked at your profit one month and thought, “That can’t be right”—this episode is for you.

Disclaimer:
The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.

This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.

Levers of Profit Calculator: www.coltivar.com/levers-of-profit-calculator

Construction industry benchmarks: www.coltivar.com/benchmarks

Steve tackles one of the biggest myths in construction: that the only way to boost profit is to work more and sell more. He breaks down the four levers every contractor can use to improve their bottom line—and reveals why most people are pulling the wrong ones.

You’ll learn which lever has the biggest impact on profit (hint: it’s not volume), how a 1% change can transform your margins, and where to find a free tool that shows you exactly what to fix in your business. If you’re stuck grinding and wondering where all your money’s going, this one’s a game-changer.

Disclaimer:
The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.

This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.

Construction industry benchmarks: www.coltivar.com/benchmarks

Check out our free calculators: www.coltivar.com/tools

Welcome to Building Profit. In this first episode, Steve breaks down the not-so-obvious reasons why most construction businesses are working hard… but barely breaking even. He shares the top three mistakes that kill margins, the truth about economic vs. accounting profit, and why thinking you have a competitive advantage doesn’t mean you actually do.

If you've ever looked at your numbers and thought, “We’re busy—so why aren’t we making more money?” — this is your episode. Steve walks you through a simple step to see how you stack up against industry benchmarks and what to do if you’re falling behind. No fluff. No jargon. Just real talk about what’s draining your profits and how to start fixing it.

Disclaimer:
The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.

This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.

Welcome to Building Profit: Strategies for Contractors Who Want to Think Bigger and Earn More

Running a busy construction business but still feeling stuck? You’re not alone — and you’re not the problem.

Most contractors are following systems that weren’t built for profit. In Building Profit, Steve Coughran shares the real reasons behind cash flow stress, low margins, and burnout — and what to do about it. You’ll learn how to take control of your numbers, lead with strategy, and scale without losing your mind.

This is the podcast for contractors who want to earn more, work less, and build a business that actually works.

Disclaimer:
The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.

This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.