We tackle the delicate balance of working with friends and family in the contracting business, focusing on proper pricing strategies to maintain both relationships and profitability.

• Never give upfront discounts to friends and family
• Always build in extra padding (35% profit minimum) for unexpected issues
• Story about refinishing hardwoods for a relative and the importance of having cushion
• If everything goes well, you can discount the final invoice down to 25% profit
• Minimum 25% profit necessary to cover business overhead (which averages 21%)
• Opportunity to be a "double hero" by giving unexpected discount after job completion
• Average contracting business has 21% overhead costs on every dollar
• Working at cost or minimal markup actually costs you money in the long run

Visit ProStruct360.com to learn more about our coaching services or to schedule a free 30-minute consultation. Our software can help run your contracting business from estimate to final invoice.

Have a question or an idea to improve the podcast?
Email us at [email protected]

Want to learn more about our software or coaching?
Visit our website at ProStruct360.com

We dive deep into the critical distinction between managing job site finances and company finances, revealing how separating these two areas creates the foundation for sustainable growth and profitability. Our systematic approach to money management transforms leaky financial buckets into predictable profit centers while eliminating the hidden costs that drain most contracting businesses.

• Identifying the biggest job site financial leaks: poorly written estimates and unclear client agreements
• Creating detailed estimates with clear scope boundaries prevents costly misunderstandings
• Job templating saves time while ensuring nothing gets missed in estimates
• Material management systems prevent multiple store trips and reduce PM time wasted on errands
• Implementing phone sales for crew purchases maintains financial control while improving efficiency
• Job costing connects every dollar spent to every dollar invoiced for complete financial visibility
• Company cash flow requires separating project funds and never borrowing more than accounts receivable
• Always Be Cutting (ABC) overhead even as profits grow to build financial stability
• Properly planning for jobs with extended payment terms or retainage

Go to ProStruct360.com and check the Contact Us link to set up a 30-minute phone call. We'd love to talk with you about your company and see if we're a good fit to help you implement these financial systems.

Struggling to grow your contracting business? The Foundations Program is designed to help contractors break free from the chaos and build a business that runs smoothly. You’ll get a customized training program, 1-on-1 coaching, and access to a full paperwork database—including contracts and the Client Engagement Agreement. Join the Foundations Program today! 🚀

Go to ProStruct360.com or s

Have a question or an idea to improve the podcast?
Email us at [email protected]

Want to learn more about our software or coaching?
Visit our website at ProStruct360.com

Successful contracting businesses are built on six fundamental pillars that form the KROFF framework: Knowledge, effective sales and marketing, Relationship management, Operating systems, Financial management, and Finding the right people. 

• Knowledge is the foundation – you must understand construction basics before managing others
• Effective sales requires consistent lead generation from referrals, online presence, and local marketing
• Systematic estimating and follow-up processes demonstrate professionalism to potential clients
• Relationship management with both customers and crews builds loyalty and prevents issues
• Operating systems and processes create repeatable success through documentation and accountability 
• Financial management through job costing and cash flow tracking prevents business failure
• Strategic hiring and employee management require different skills than contracting
• Bad financial management and poor hiring decisions are the two biggest company killers
• Low-hanging fruit (easy jobs) must be balanced with long-term business development
• Construction is a math game, not a casino – systems ensure predictable profitability

If you'd like personalized help implementing these fundamentals in your business, visit ProStruct360.com and contact us through the Contact Us page.

Struggling to grow your contracting business? The Foundations Program is designed to help contractors break free from the chaos and build a business that runs smoothly. You’ll get a customized training program, 1-on-1 coaching, and access to a full paperwork database—including contracts and the Client Engagement Agreement. Join the Foundations Program today! 🚀

Go to ProStruct360.com or s

Have a question or an idea to improve the podcast?
Email us at [email protected]

Want to learn more about our software or coaching?
Visit our website at ProStruct360.com

Money management is crucial for contractors, especially when it comes to documenting free work to protect final payments. We discuss strategies for tracking and leveraging unpaid work rather than simply accepting profit loss when clients negotiate at the end of a job.

• Three scenarios where contractors typically do free work: quick fixes you choose to cover, gray areas in contract interpretation, and disagreements over scope or quality
• Always calculate your actual costs before offering to do something for free
• Communicate clearly with clients when you're covering extra work at your expense
• Document the market value of free work in your estimate with a $0 charge
• Use documented free work as leverage during final payment negotiations
• This approach transforms your generosity from a profit loss into a strategic advantage
• Documentation creates boundaries while still demonstrating commitment to customer satisfaction

Ready to implement better documentation in your contracting business? Visit ProStruct360.com, reach the contact page, and I'll personally connect for a free 30-minute consultation. Try our software free with personalized onboarding to better document jobs, build estimates, and protect your profits and reputation.

Have a question or an idea to improve the podcast?
Email us at [email protected]

Want to learn more about our software or coaching?
Visit our website at ProStruct360.com

Clark and James explore how technology is reshaping the future of contracting, focusing on implementing tech solutions to grow construction companies efficiently and effectively.

• LIDAR technology ($2-5k service) can save thousands in construction costs by identifying underground obstacles before breaking ground
• Drones provide safer roof inspections, marketing material, and comprehensive site surveys without physical climbing
• AI-powered takeoff software helps with estimates but supplier services may be sufficient for occasional needs
• Chat GPT and AI assistants can enhance emails, presentations, and interior design visualization for client proposals
• Construction management software forms the backbone for systematizing processes and training employees
• The dual training approach: software teaches employees how to execute tasks while core values teach them how to think and make decisions
• 81% of clients will pay more for contractors with clear communication and processes
• Fear of technology disruption is balanced by recognizing that the human element remains essential in construction
• Signature services and niche marketing help contractors stand out in crowded markets

Try ProStruct360 construction management software free for two weeks to start systemizing your business processes and growing your contracting company.

Struggling to grow your contracting business? The Foundations Program is designed to help contractors break free from the chaos and build a business that runs smoothly. You’ll get a customized training program, 1-on-1 coaching, and access to a full paperwork database—including contracts and the Client Engagement Agreement. Join the Foundations Program today! 🚀

Go to ProStruct360.com or s

Have a question or an idea to improve the podcast?
Email us at [email protected]

Want to learn more about our software or coaching?
Visit our website at ProStruct360.com

The construction landscape of 2025 looks vastly different from years past, with labor shortages, material volatility, and regulatory changes creating a new normal for contractors. We explore what's changed, what will remain different, and how successful contractors are adapting their businesses to thrive in this environment.

• Labor shortages will continue as 40% of trades workers retire by 2031
• Material costs remain 36% higher than pre-COVID with no signs of returning to previous levels
• Volatile interest rates are causing project delays and financing challenges
• Successful contractors are buying and storing materials upfront to lock in prices
• Building relationships with inspectors is crucial as regulations increase
• Insurance coverage is becoming more confusing and expensive
• Focusing on specific niches rather than being a generalist contractor
• Forecasting your pipeline through December helps avoid desperation moves
• Creating "Kevlar" processes to protect against market volatility
• Maintaining profit margins is non-negotiable in today's environment

Visit ProStruct360.com to learn about our coaching programs designed to help your contracting business navigate 2025 and beyond.

Struggling to grow your contracting business? The Foundations Program is designed to help contractors break free from the chaos and build a business that runs smoothly. You’ll get a customized training program, 1-on-1 coaching, and access to a full paperwork database—including contracts and the Client Engagement Agreement. Join the Foundations Program today! 🚀

Go to ProStruct360.com or s

Have a question or an idea to improve the podcast?
Email us at [email protected]

Want to learn more about our software or coaching?
Visit our website at ProStruct360.com

The construction industry is evolving beyond traditional renovations and new builds, with emerging markets like ADUs, barndominiums, and multi-generational compounds becoming increasingly popular among homeowners. This shift reflects changing demographics and lifestyles, with the average age of independence now 27 years old and one in five adults between 25-34 still living with their parents.

• ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are typically cheaper to build than home additions because they're new construction rather than renovations
• Financing and property valuation remain significant challenges for alternative structures like barndominiums
• Multi-generational living is driving demand for compound-style properties with separate living spaces
• Sustainable living features like gardens, water retention systems, and animal habitats often accompany these alternative structures
• Research rural zoning laws and building requirements before entering this niche market
• Develop relationships with local permitting offices to navigate regulations more effectively
• Create preset designs and pricing for quick client proposals
• Energy efficiency knowledge can provide additional value through government subsidies and tax benefits
• Different labor crews with specialized experience are often needed for barndominium and ADU construction

Visit ProStruct360.com for contractor software, consulting, and business growth services tailored to help you break into these emerging construction markets.

Struggling to grow your contracting business? The Foundations Program is designed to help contractors break free from the chaos and build a business that runs smoothly. You’ll get a customized training program, 1-on-1 coaching, and access to a full paperwork database—including contracts and the Client Engagement Agreement. Join the Foundations Program today! 🚀

Go to ProStruct360.com or s

Have a question or an idea to improve the podcast?
Email us at [email protected]

Want to learn more about our software or coaching?
Visit our website at ProStruct360.com

We explore the essential differences between personal and professional relationships and how this understanding transforms dealing with customer conflicts in contracting businesses.

• Friend relationships are reciprocal with mutual expectations, while customer relationships require professional boundaries
• Contractors must set clear expectations from the beginning, not assuming customers will give benefit of the doubt
• Creating a Client Engagement Agreement establishes how the relationship will operate
• 80% of project work should happen before the first hammer swings through proper planning
• When conflicts arise, approach as an objective third party rather than becoming defensive
• Real-life flooring dispute example demonstrates choosing between protecting money or reputation
• Losing control of projects often happens when skipping due diligence to accommodate tight timelines
• Clear communication boundaries prevent customer resentment and contractor burnout
• With overseas clients, setting deadlines for decisions helps maintain timeline accountability
• Even with timeline slippage, maintaining professional communication preserves the relationship

Remember, we aren't selling the renovation—we're selling the customer's experience of receiving it.

Struggling to grow your contracting business? The Foundations Program is designed to help contractors break free from the chaos and build a business that runs smoothly. You’ll get a customized training program, 1-on-1 coaching, and access to a full paperwork database—including contracts and the Client Engagement Agreement. Join the Foundations Program today! 🚀

Go to ProStruct360.com or s

Have a question or an idea to improve the podcast?
Email us at [email protected]

Want to learn more about our software or coaching?
Visit our website at ProStruct360.com

We dive deep into the essential elements of launching major construction projects, focusing on the crucial pre-construction planning that prevents costly surprises and unhappy clients.

• Determining jurisdiction (city vs. county) is the first critical step in understanding permit requirements
• Professional expertise needed often includes structural engineers, civil engineers, arborists, and MEP specialists
• Foundation work and excavation represent the largest variables in estimating with potential for significant cost swings
• Utility connections require careful planning for water, power, gas/propane, and septic systems
• Implementing a structured pre-construction due diligence process protects both contractors and clients
• Transparent client communication about potential variables and change orders builds trust
• Construction logistics planning prevents unexpected property damage and restoration costs
• Leveraging subcontractor expertise helps create accurate preliminary estimates
• Experience is crucial - new contractors should work under established GCs before taking on large projects independently

Communication is key and education is how you get customers to not be upset with you. When clients understand the process, they become partners rather than adversaries when challenges arise.

Struggling to grow your contracting business? The Foundations Program is designed to help contractors break free from the chaos and build a business that runs smoothly. You’ll get a customized training program, 1-on-1 coaching, and access to a full paperwork database—including contracts and the Client Engagement Agreement. Join the Foundations Program today! 🚀

Go to ProStruct360.com or s

Have a question or an idea to improve the podcast?
Email us at [email protected]

Want to learn more about our software or coaching?
Visit our website at ProStruct360.com

The perfect email structure can dramatically improve estimate conversions and payment times while reducing back-and-forth communications with clients. Clark Turner breaks down his proven four-paragraph estimate email formula and two-paragraph invoice email approach that builds trust, answers questions before they're asked, and moves clients toward decisions.

• Estimate emails should follow a four-paragraph structure: excitement, explanation, next steps, excitement
• First paragraph creates personal connection and shows genuine enthusiasm for their project
• Second paragraph explains estimate details, addresses potential questions, and clarifies assumptions
• Third paragraph lays out clear next steps and gently pushes for the next decision
• Final paragraph reinforces enthusiasm and personal connection
• Invoice emails should first update clients on project status before explaining invoice details
• Proactively addressing questions saves time by avoiding multiple follow-up emails
• These structured emails build trust by demonstrating professionalism and attention to detail
• AI can help polish language, but can't replace the strategic thinking in crafting these communications
• Two extra minutes of email writing can significantly improve conversion rates and client relationships

For questions on client communication strategies or other business coaching assistance, visit prostruct360.com and use the contact page to get in touch with Clark directly.

Have a question or an idea to improve the podcast?
Email us at [email protected]

Want to learn more about our software or coaching?
Visit our website at ProStruct360.com