Contractor Success Forum

By Contractor Success Forum

Tips and advice to run a successful construction business from two long-term industry professionals: Wade Carpenter, a construction CPA, and Stephen Brown, a construction bond agent. Each host has

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FAQs about Contractor Success Forum:

How many episodes does Contractor Success Forum have?

The podcast currently has 257 episodes available.

Contractor Success Forum episodes:

February 24, 2026The Data Center Boom: Contractor Secrets to Navigating New Risks & Rewards
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🔗 LINKS
Email Stephen to get his Data Center Job Risk Checklist
Visit the episode page for more details and a transcript of the show.

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ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Data center construction is exploding with $3 trillion in global investment by 2030. Wade and Stephen break down the massive opportunities and serious risks contractors face in this booming sector.

From specialized labor shortages to complex insurance requirements, liquidated damages, and equipment delays, learn what you need to know before bidding on these high-stakes projects that could make or break your business.
⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:00 Why Construction Feels Different: The Data Center Boom Is Here
00:24 Meet the Hosts + The ‘Infrastructure Supercycle’ Numbers
01:38 What Makes Data Centers So Complex (Water, Power, MEP Trades)
04:28 Contract & Bonding Landmines: Risk Before, During, and After
07:08 Real-World Claims & Warranty Exposure
08:55 How to Manage the Risk: Teams, Communication, and Long Lead Times
12:21 Where the Growth Is + Power, Safety, and Community Pushback
15:50 Contractor Playbook: Insurance, Bonding, and a Practical Risk Checklist
21:32 Wrap-Up + Get the Checklist (Contact Info)
The Contractor Profit Blueprint is a complete guide that breaks down exactly how to identify where your money's going and start keeping more of it. This isn't theory. It's the same framework I use with contractors I work with every single day.
Head to profitfirstconstruction.com/blueprint to download your free copy.
Stop working for free. Let's get you keeping what you've earned.
Join the Profit First for Construction community!

Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com.

Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs

FIND US ONLINE
Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com
Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com
...more
24min
February 17, 2026From Confusion to Clarity: Unlocking the Power of WIP Reports
Send a text
🔗 LINKS
Get the free guide: The Contractor’s Guide to Work in Progress Reports
Email Stephen to get his WIP schedule
Visit the episode page for more details and a transcript of the show.

Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW!
Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live.

ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Stop the confusion between your accountant saying you owe taxes on invisible money and your bonding company cutting your credit line.

Wade Carpenter and Stephen Brown reveal how proper Work in Progress (WIP) reports transform your construction business from reactive to proactive.

Learn the essential components, avoid common mistakes, and discover why monthly WIP reports are your secret weapon for maximizing profitability, securing bonding capacity, and making smarter business decisions.
⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:00 Accountant vs. Bonding Company: Why Your Numbers Don’t Match
00:22 What a WIP Report Really Tells Underwriters (and You)
02:58 WIP Must Tie to Financials: Software Limits & Data Quality
04:43 Core WIP Inputs: Contract, Costs, Billings, Change Orders & Retainage
07:11 Percentage of Completion 101: Earned Revenue vs. Billed Cash
09:31 Overbillings vs. Underbillings: Balance Sheet Impact & Bonding Red Flags
13:09 Loss Jobs, GAAP Loss Recognition & Avoiding Underwriter Surprises
15:21 Stored Materials, Near-Completion Issues & Other GAAP Gotchas
17:21 Warning Signs on a WIP: Rising Costs, Missing Change Orders & Patterns
21:46 Common WIP Mistakes: Miscoded Costs, Unrecorded Invoices & Stale Estimates
24:13 Monthly WIP Best Practices + Checklists, Forms & How Often to Run It
30:20 Wrap-Up: Resources & Contact Info
The Contractor Profit Blueprint is a complete guide that breaks down exactly how to identify where your money's going and start keeping more of it. This isn't theory. It's the same framework I use with contractors I work with every single day.
Head to profitfirstconstruction.com/blueprint to download your free copy.
Stop working for free. Let's get you keeping what you've earned.
Join the Profit First for Construction community!

Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com.

Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs

FIND US ONLINE
Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com
Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com
...more
33min
February 10, 2026Why Bigger Isn't Always Better: The Truth About Job Margins
Send a text
🔗 LINKS
Get the free guide: How to Improve the Profitability of Your Construction Company
Visit the episode page for more details and a transcript of the show.

Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW!
Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live.

ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Discover why that big, high-margin job might actually hurt your bottom line. Wade and Stephen break down the throughput method, analyzing profit per week instead of just profit margins.

Learn how to evaluate job decisions based on speed of profit generation, cash flow timing, and operational constraints.

Plus real case studies showing when overtime, equipment investment, and hiring coordination staff actually increase profitability despite higher costs.
⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:00 Introduction: Choosing the Right Job Path
00:36 Recap of Previous Episodes
01:39 Profit Improvement Potential
03:23 Understanding Throughput
08:38 Case Studies and Practical Examples
20:15 Final Thoughts and Resources
The Contractor Profit Blueprint is a complete guide that breaks down exactly how to identify where your money's going and start keeping more of it. This isn't theory. It's the same framework I use with contractors I work with every single day.
Head to profitfirstconstruction.com/blueprint to download your free copy.
Stop working for free. Let's get you keeping what you've earned.
Join the Profit First for Construction community!

Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com.

Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs

FIND US ONLINE
Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com
Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com
...more
24min
February 03, 2026Contractor Wake-Up Call: What's Draining Your Revenue?
Send a text
🔗 LINKS
Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show.

Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW!
Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live.

ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

You can't fix what you can't see. Most contractors know their overall margin but have no idea which parts of their business actually make money.

Wade Carpenter and Stephen Brown break apart the 'green smoothie' of blended P&L statements to reveal hidden profit pockets.

Through real case studies, discover how segmentation helped contractors work fewer hours while increasing profit by $80,000-$137,000.

Learn why your proudest projects might be killing your business and how to identify your true profit makers.

⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:00 Introduction to Profit Visibility in Construction
01:13 Recap of Previous Episodes
03:15 Case Study: Commercial vs Residential Profit Margins
06:14 Case Study: Electrical Contractor's Profit Analysis
09:59 Case Study: Mechanical Contractor's Profit Breakdown
14:50 Case Study: Remodeling Group's Financial Insights
21:33 Conclusion and Next Steps
Join the Profit First for Construction community!

Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com.

Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs

FIND US ONLINE
Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com
Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com
...more
26min
January 27, 2026The Secret to Contractor Success: The Simple Math That Boosts Your Bottom Line
Send a text
🔗 LINKS
Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show.

Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW!
Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live.

ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Ready for the construction-specific math that transforms your bottom line?

In part 2, Wade reveals how different job types, pricing strategies, and cash flow cycles impact your real profitability. Discover why collecting receivables just 1 day faster could put $186K more in your bank, how job segmentation reveals hidden profit centers, and the simple scenarios that help you stop growing broke.

This isn't theory, it's practical math every contractor can use.

⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:00 Introduction to Profit Improvement Potential
00:01 Recap of the First Episode
00:10 Understanding Construction Project Mix
02:03 The Importance of Pricing Strategy
06:15 Segmentation in Construction Business
06:56 Analyzing Different Job Types
14:24 Cash Flow and Profitability
23:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Join the Profit First for Construction community!

Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com.

Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs

FIND US ONLINE
Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com
Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com
...more
25min
January 20, 2026Simple Math, Huge Results: What's Your Profit Improvement Potential?
Send a text
🔗 LINKS
Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show.

Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW!
Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live.

ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Discover the Profit Improvement Potential hiding in your construction business!

Wade reveals the simple math that shows why chasing revenue kills profits and how small 1% improvements across key areas can dramatically boost your bottom line.

Learn why lowering prices requires 50% more customers to break even, but raising prices 10% lets you lose 25% of customers and still profit more.

This CFO-level analysis will change how you think about pricing, customer acquisition, and business value forever.

⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:00 Introduction to Profit Improvement Potential
00:58 Understanding Business Metrics
02:41 Strategies to Increase Revenue
08:25 Cost Management Techniques
09:52 Valuing Your Business
13:32 The Impact of Pricing on Profitability
17:58 Conclusion and Next Steps
Join the Profit First for Construction community!

Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com.

Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs

FIND US ONLINE
Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com
Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com
...more
23min
January 13, 2026Backlog Doesn't Equal Growth: What Contractors Get Wrong About Risk Management
Send a text
🔗 LINKS
Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show.

Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW!
Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live.

ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Every contractor thinks growth is about backlog, but it's actually about how much damage your business can take without folding.

Wade Carpenter and Stephen Brown reveal why insurance isn't just another cost, it's your growth engine.

Learn how proper risk management unlocks bonding capacity, protects cash flow, and turns insurance from a necessary evil into a competitive advantage.

Discover the critical mistakes that kill contractor growth and how to design your business around risk instead of avoiding it.

⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:00 Introduction to Contractor Growth and Risk Management
00:28 The Role of Insurance in Managing Risk
02:25 Starting with Basic Insurance Coverage
03:52 Growth Challenges and Risk Mitigation
06:02 Advanced Insurance Strategies for Contractors
07:13 Insurance as a Tool for Market Access and Bonding
08:59 The Importance of Proactive Risk Management
17:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Join the Profit First for Construction community!

Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com.

Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs

FIND US ONLINE
Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com
Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com
...more
20min
January 06, 2026Why Most Construction M&A Deals Fail: Avoid These Common Pitfalls
Send a text
🔗 LINKS
Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show.

Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW!
Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live.

ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Construction M&A deals often fail after closing due to unknown risks and misrepresented warranties.

Wade Carpenter and Stephen Brown reveal how Representations & Warranties Insurance, Lost Profit Insurance, and proper surety planning protect both buyers and sellers.

Learn why insurance beats traditional escrow arrangements, how to maintain your bonding relationships through transitions, and essential due diligence steps that prevent costly surprises. Perfect for contractors considering buying, selling, or protecting their business value.

⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:00 Introduction to Construction M&A Challenges
00:39 Understanding the Risks in Construction M&A
02:11 Mitigating Risks in Construction M&A
05:04 Insurance Solutions for M&A Deals
09:47 The Role of Surety in M&A
17:43 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Join the Profit First for Construction community!

Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com.

Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs

FIND US ONLINE
Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com
Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com
...more
21min
December 30, 2025The Surprising Secret to Scaling Your Construction Business
Send a text
🔗 LINKS
Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show.

Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW!
Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live.

ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Ready to stop being the bottleneck in your own business? In this final episode of our scaling series, Wade and Stephen reveal the 6-step blueprint to transform from owner-operator to CEO.

Learn how to build your second layer of leadership, stabilize cash flow with Profit First, and delegate decisions without losing control. Stop working IN your business and start working ON it.

⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:00 Introduction to Financial Blind Spots
13:03 Common Misconceptions in Financial Management
13:08 Challenges in Tracking Work in Progress (WIP)
13:11 Distinguishing Job Expenses from Overhead Expenses
13:16 The Profit First Approach
13:18 Fear of Growth Due to Cash Risks
13:23 The Pitfalls of Cash Flow Management
Join the Profit First for Construction community!

Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com.

Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs

FIND US ONLINE
Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com
Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com
...more
19min
December 23, 2025From Stuck to Scaling: Which 10 Founder Habits Are Killing Your Profits?
Send a text
🔗 LINKS
Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show.

Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW!
Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live.

ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Feeling like your construction company is stuck in second gear? You might be the problem.

Wade and Stephen reveal the top 10 ways construction founders accidentally strangle their own businesses. From decision hoarding to hero syndrome, discover which founder habits are killing your growth and profitability.

This isn't about working harder—it's about working smarter and finally scaling your business beyond your personal capacity.

⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:00 Introduction to Financial Blind Spots
13:03 Common Misconceptions in Financial Management
13:08 Challenges in Tracking Work in Progress (WIP)
13:11 Distinguishing Job Expenses from Overhead Expenses
13:16 The Profit First Approach
13:18 Fear of Growth Due to Cash Risks
13:23 The Pitfalls of Cash Flow Management
Join the Profit First for Construction community!

Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com.

Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs

FIND US ONLINE
Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com
Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com
...more
21min

FAQs about Contractor Success Forum:

How many episodes does Contractor Success Forum have?

The podcast currently has 257 episodes available.