Should your construction company pursue government contracts or avoid them altogether?

In this episode of Built to Scale, Mason Brady sits down with Karla Talisee, government contracting specialist and founder of So She Builds, to break down how construction companies can successfully enter public works without damaging cash flow, compliance, or profitability.

Topics We Cover

(0:00) – Why construction companies consider government contracts

(6:07) – Should public work be diversified or your main focus?

(9:03) – Federal vs state vs local contracts explained

(13:42) – Mentor-protégé programs and how they actually help

(17:36) – Certified payroll and prevailing wage realities

(21:30) – Biggest government opportunities in 2026

(24:26) – What it takes to become GovCon ready

(30:15) – The three steps to start bidding on public projects

Links & Resources

So She Builds: https://soshebuilds.com  

Brady CFO: https://bradycfo.com/ – Fractional CFO services for construction companies

🤝 Connect with Karla: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlatalisse/ 

🎙️ Connect with Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/

If you’re a construction business owner looking to diversify revenue, strengthen compliance, and pursue public contracts the right way, be sure to follow, rate, review, and share Built to Scale so more contractors can scale smarter and grow sustainably.

And if you have questions or topics you’d like us to cover, reach out to [email protected] 

What has to change before a construction business can scale without breaking?

In this episode of Built to Scale, Mason Brady sits down with Jerry Aliberti, executive coach and operations consultant at Pro-Accel, to break down what actually fails when construction businesses try to grow. They explore why scaling exposes leadership gaps, weak planning, misaligned roles, and breakdowns between estimating and execution, and how owners often become the biggest constraint without realizing it.

Topics We Cover

(0:00) – Why growth exposes bottlenecks in construction companies

(4:30) – The estimating-to-execution gap that erodes profit

(8:30) – How owners unintentionally become the biggest constraint

(12:25) – What construction companies must have in place before scaling

(18:53) – Hiring for the next phase instead of today’s problems

(29:30) – Why systems and SOPs fail without the right people

(40:20) – The planning mistakes that break margins as companies grow

Links & ResourcesPro-Accel: https://www.pro-sl.com

Brady CFO: https://bradycfo.com/ Fractional CFO services for construction companies  

🤝 Connect with Jerry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-aliberti/ 

🎙️ Connect with Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/

If you’re a construction owner and want clearer numbers and guidance on how to scale your business, be sure to follow, rate, review, and share Built to Scale so more contractors can learn to grow smarter and scale with confidence.

And if you’ve got questions, ideas for future episodes, or topics you want us to dive into, reach out to us at [email protected]

Should contractors expand into real estate development or can it put their core business at risk?

In this episode of Built to Scale, Mason Brady and Rachel Glock break down when it actually makes sense for contractors looking to get their feet wet in real estate development. They explore the cash management, financing risks, and liquidity requirements that contractors often underestimate, along with the planning needed to ensure development strengthens, not jeopardizes, the core construction business.

Topics We Cover

• 0:00 – Why contractors are drawn to real estate development

• 2:23 – The entrepreneurial mindset and leveraging construction expertise

• 5:33 – The biggest risks contractors underestimate as developers

• 9:08 – Why cash management is critical in real estate development

• 13:07 – How much liquidity a construction business needs before investing

• 18:05 – Financing risks, equity requirements, and stress testing assumptions

• 23:39 – How contractors can prepare now for future development projects
  

Links & Resources

• HUD 221(d)(4) Program – Non-recourse financing option for new multifamily development: https://hud221d4.loan/

• Brady CFO – Fractional CFO services for construction companies: https://bradycfo.com/

🤝 Connect with Rachel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-glock-23090a74/ 

🎙️ Connect with Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/ 

If you’re a construction owner and want better clarity around your numbers and how to scale your business, be sure to follow, rate, review, and share Built to Scale so more contractors can learn how to grow smarter and scale with confidence.

And if you’ve got questions, ideas for future episodes, or topics you want us to dive into, reach out to us at [email protected]

When was the last time you finished a job and actually knew if you made money?

Many construction owners rely on cash in the bank or billing activity to judge performance. 

The problem? Cash flow does not equal profit. In this episode, Mason Brady sits down with Rachel Glock, construction finance expert and fractional CFO of Brady CFO, to explain why cash basis accounting often hides real job profitability and how accrual accounting and WIP (Work In Progress) reports give owners the financial visibility they actually need.

Topics We Cover

0:00 – Why Construction Owners Struggle to Know Job Profitability

2:27 – Cash vs Accrual Accounting Explained for Construction

4:15 – What a WIP Report Is and Why It Matters

7:29 – Why Bankers and Sureties Require Accrual Financials

9:28 – When Cash Basis Accounting Still Makes Sense

13:45 – Key Triggers for Switching to Accrual Accounting

17:51 – What’s Involved in Moving from Cash to Accrual

20:00 – Accrual Reporting vs Cash-Basis Taxes

24:34 – When to Bring in a Fractional CFO or Financial Advisor

🤝 Connect with Rachel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-glock-23090a74/ 

🎙️ Connect with Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/ 

If you’re a construction owner and want better clarity around your numbers and how to scale your business, make sure you’re following the podcast.

And if you’ve got questions, ideas for future episodes, or topics you want us to dive into, reach out to us at [email protected]

Are your construction KPIs actually driving better decisions or just filling dashboards?

In this episode of Built to Scale, Mason Brady sits down with Ted Turner, a leadership coach with 40 years of experience in construction operations from the jobsite to the C-suite.Ted shares what truly matters when it comes to KPIs and metrics in the construction industry and how to use data as a tool for leadership, not punishment.

They discuss how contractors can move beyond “gut feel,” create actionable scorecards, and build company cultures that understand what their numbers actually mean. From cash flow forecasting and earned value to leadership behaviors and forecasting accuracy.

Topics We Cover

00:00 – Welcome & Ted’s 40-year journey in construction

06:06 – Why KPIs matter (and how data can become a trap)

13:00 – The key metrics that actually drive profitability

19:00 – Forecasting accuracy and smarter bidding decisions

36:00 – Cash flow strategies every construction company needs

43:53 – Earned Value explained: why more hours ≠ more profit

54:36 – The human side of KPIs: leadership, culture, and people

If you’re a construction business owner who’s ready to make data your advantage, not your headache, follow Built to Scale for more conversations on cash flow, leadership, and growth in the construction industry.

Visit https://Bradycfo.com/ For financial strategy for blue jeans and boots businesses

Links from the show:

ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors): https://www.abc.org/

AGC (Associated General Contractors): https://www.agc.org/

Intelligent Leadership Executive Coaching: https://www.ilecfranchise.com/

🤝 Connect with Ted: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-turner-58612621/

🎙️ Connect with Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/

In this episode of Built to Scale, host Mason Brady talks with Christopher Daugherty of Ryan LLC, a global corporate tax firm, about how contractors, developers, and construction businesses can save money through property tax appeals and exemptions. Chris explains how Texas’s unique tax system works, why property taxes are so high, and how business owners can ensure they’re paying only what’s fair.

Topics we cover:

02:30 – Why property taxes are so high in Texas compared to other states.

07:00 – Real property vs. personal property — what contractors should know.10:15 – How the property tax appeal process works and key filing deadlines.

16:00 – Common misconceptions about lowering property value through appeals.

23:30 – Tips for contractors and developers to reduce property tax liabilities.

28:00 – Hidden tax savings: green energy incentives, R&D credits, and exemptions.

Links from the show:

Ryan LLC – Property Tax Services: https://ryan.com/

Texas Comptroller – Property Tax Resources: https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/

IRS – Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credit Overview: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/research-credit

🤝 Connect with Christopher:💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-daugherty-b892394/

🎙️ Connect with the Mason:💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/

Could your construction or engineering firm be sitting on massive tax savings without even realizing it?

In this eye-opening episode, Mason Brady is joined by Layton Johns and Jacob Wood from Capstan Tax to break down the major changes to R&D tax credits in the wake of the "Big Beautiful Bill." Learn how construction, engineering, and design-build firms can now reclaim massive deductions, avoid IRS pitfalls, and even unlock retroactive cash. If you’ve ignored R&D incentives before, 2025 may be your golden opportunity.

Topics we cover:

(02:23) – What qualifies as R&D for construction and design-build firms.

(07:20) – Differences between tax deductions and credits for R&D.

(14:24) – How the 2025 tax law eliminates amortization for domestic R&D.

(22:27) – Retroactive tax relief for small businesses under $31M.

(28:55) – Industry sectors contractors should target for R&D-heavy projects.

Links from the Show:

Capstan Tax Strategies: https://capstantax.com/

Jacob Wood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-prentis-wood-7b206431

The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OB3): https://capstantax.com/the-one-big-beautiful-bill-act-ob3/

If you’re tired of surprise costs and shrinking margins, let’s fix it. Brady CFO helps construction business owners like you gain financial visibility and control. Learn more at ⁠https://bradycfo.com⁠

Let’s connect on LinkedIn 👇

🔨 Mason Brady: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady

📊 Layton Johns: https://www.linkedin.com/in/layton-johns

Are you leaving bigger projects on the table because of bonding limits?

In this Built to Scale episode, Mason Brady sits down with Chris Kolkhorst, Surety & Bonding leader at Higginbotham, to demystify bonding for construction companies. They break down the three types of bonds, how underwriters actually view your financials, and the smart moves you can make today to protect your bonding capacity and win bigger jobs.

Topics we cover:

05:25 – Bonding basics: performance, payment & maintenance

07:50 – Why bonding works like credit, not insurance

11:22 – First-time contractors: how to qualify15:28 – CPA reviews vs. audits (and real costs)

19:06 – Predictability beats promises with underwriters

29:34 – Contract clauses that protect your margins

33:20 – Working capital rules: LOC vs. refinance

37:02 – $1 cash = $20 in bonding capacity41:33 – Tax write-offs that hurt

bondingResources:https://www.higginbotham.com/Connect with Chris Kolkhorst: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckolkhorst/

If you’re tired of surprise costs and shrinking margins, let’s fix it. Brady CFO helps construction business owners like you gain financial visibility and control. Learn more at ⁠https://bradycfo.com⁠

Let’s connect on LinkedIn 👇 🔨 Mason Brady –https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/

📊 Layton Johns – /layton-johns

In this Built to Scale episode, Mason Brady and Layton Johns break down how the updated 2025 tax law changes the game for Opportunity Zones. They reveal where to build, how to invest smartly, and why rural zones now offer even greater tax advantages.

Topics we cover:

00:00 – What are Opportunity Zones and how they’ve evolved in the 2025 tax bill

01:55 – How capital gains deferral works and what’s new for investors

06:12 – Why investing through a certified Opportunity Fund is critical

09:40 – New incentives for rural zones and how they increase deductions

11:52 – What builders need to know about development in low-income areas

15:00 – Why multifamily housing is likely to lead in rural zone development

20:00 – Who these tax plays are really for: high-net-worth vs. general contractors

25:00 – How stacking Opportunity Zones with QPP bonus depreciation creates big wins

27:14 – Final takeaways: where to market, who to connect with, and why this matters

Resources:

https://taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/what-are-opportunity-zones-and-how-do-they-work

If you’re tired of surprise costs and shrinking margins, let’s fix it. Brady CFO helps construction business owners like you gain financial visibility and control. Learn more at https://bradycfo.com

Let’s connect on LinkedIn 👇

🔨 Mason Brady – linkedin.com/in/masonbrady

📊 Layton Johns – linkedin.com/in/layton-johns

In this post-bill breakdown episode of Built to Scale, Mason Brady and Layton Johns dive deep into the implications of the newly signed tax law, with a sharp focus on bonus depreciation. They walk through real-world examples, explain how contractors can use the law to strategically grow, and caution against common pitfalls.

Topics we cover:

00:00 – Why bonus depreciation is back at 100% and what it means for contractors

1:59 – How to expense vehicles, machinery, and gear in year one

7:10 – When accelerated write-offs can hurt in a slow year

11:14 – What qualifies and when to use Section 179 vs. bonus depreciation

17:29 – What qualifies as production property under the new law

26:13 – How new facilities may drive regional building demand

If you’re tired of surprise costs and shrinking margins, let’s fix it. Brady CFO helps construction business owners like you gain financial visibility and control.

Learn more at https://bradycfo.com/

Let’s connect on LinkedIn 👇

🔨 Mason Brady – https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/

📊 Layton Johns – https://www.linkedin.com/in/layton-johns/