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 255 episodes available.

Contractor Success Forum episodes:

December 02, 2025Why Your Construction Business Isn't Making Money: Avoid These Pitfalls!
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🔗 LINKS
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ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Feeling like your construction business is growing but your bank account isn't? You've hit the growth gap - that predictable wall between $2-10 million where contractors get stuck.

Wade and Stephen break down why your company might be running on an outdated foundation, causing cash flow problems, pricing breakdowns, and management chaos.

Learn the four key dynamics holding you back and actionable strategies to break through to profitable growth.

⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:00 Introduction: The Growth Gap in Construction
00:38 Understanding the Growth Paradox
02:16 Business Books on Growth Challenges
05:42 Identifying the Root Causes
11:12 Strategies for Overcoming Growth Barriers
17:27 Conclusion: Planning for Sustainable Growth
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
22min
November 25, 2025Survive the Slow Season: Winter Cash Flow Tips for Contractors
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🔗 LINKS
Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show.

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ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Every winter, broke contractors blame the weather while disciplined ones use the slow season to rebuild and prepare for spring.

Wade and Stephen share practical cash flow strategies to help you survive seasonal slowdowns, including the 'drip account' method, reverse calendar planning, and how to keep your crew paid when work slows down.

Learn to build financial reserves during good times so you can buy competitors' equipment at half price instead of taking predatory loans.

⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:26 Seasonal Challenges and Opportunities
01:11 Practical Tips for Winter Preparation
02:44 Financial Strategies for Contractors
04:52 Cash Flow Management Insights
07:24 Planning Ahead for Success
12:04 Creative Solutions 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
19min
November 18, 2025AI Can't Fix Chaos: Cut Through the Noise with These Tips
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🔗 LINKS
Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show.

Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW!
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ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Are you constantly chasing the next AI tool hoping it will magically fix your construction business? Wade and Stephen reveal why the real shortcut isn't smarter software - it's getting your systems and people to speak the same language.

Learn how to eliminate translation friction between estimators, project managers, CPAs, and bonding agents before you invest in more technology. Discover practical strategies to streamline your business operations and set the foundation for AI success.

⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:15 The Real Shortcut: Unified Communication
00:56 AI in Practice: Real-World Examples
01:16 The Evolution of AI: From ChatGPT to Today
01:38 Challenges in AI Adoption
03:39 The Language Barrier in Construction
05:25 Streamlining Systems with AI
09:05 Standardizing Work In Progress (WIP)
12:18 The Future of AI in Business
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
18min
November 11, 2025Private Equity's Secret Playbook: Building & Buying Construction Firms
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🔗 LINKS
Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show.

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ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Discover why private equity firms and consolidators are aggressively buying construction companies and what they're really looking for.

Wade and Stephen break down the secret playbook: how buyers evaluate EBITDA multiples, consolidate overhead for higher margins, and what happens during due diligence.

Learn the critical factors that drive valuations, from bonding relationships to recurring revenue streams, plus real stories of deals gone right and wrong. Essential listening for any contractor considering an exit strategy.

⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:29 The Surge of Private Equity in Construction
00:55 Valuation and Deal Considerations
03:18 Why Buy a Construction Company?
05:23 Challenges and Strategies in Mergers and Acquisitions
07:10 The Role of Due Diligence
09:50 Post-Acquisition Integration and 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
23min
November 04, 2025When Bids Go Bad: Contractor Horror Stories
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🔗 LINKS
Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show.

Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW!
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ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Ready for some real frights? Forget ghosts and goblins – these true contractor bid horror stories will keep you up at night checking your Excel formulas.

Wade and Stephen share spine-chilling tales of million-dollar spreadsheet errors, last-minute sub pullouts, and bid day disasters that cost contractors their profits (and sometimes their jobs).

Learn from these nightmares with practical tips to protect your business from bid day terror. Perfect Halloween listening for contractors who want to avoid their own estimating horror story.

⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
01:33 Setting the Stage for Bid Day
02:25 Common Bid Day Mistakes and Their Consequences
05:04 Real-Life Bid Day Horror Stories
14:04 Technical Issues and Their Impact
17:24 Preventing Bid Day Disasters
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
October 28, 2025Avoid These Tax Traps! Year-End Planning Guide for Construction Contractors
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🔗 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 faces year-end tax decisions, but spending money just to save on taxes can destroy your cash flow.

Join Wade Carpenter, Stephen Brown, and guest Maureen Weick as they reveal the biggest tax planning mistakes contractors make and share practical strategies for year-end planning that protects your cash flow, maximizes your financial statement, and keeps your bonding intact.

Learn how to plan smart, avoid emotional money decisions, and set your construction business up for success in the new year.

⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:32 Meet Our Special Guest: Maureen Weick
01:59 Common Contractor Mistakes
02:54 The Importance of Planning Ahead
04:32 Balancing Tax Savings and Cash Flow
05:57 Year-End Financial Planning Tips
07:16 Understanding Bonding and Financial Statements
09:30 Good Debt vs. Bad Debt
19:35 Seasonal Business Considerations
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
October 21, 2025The Ultimate Tech Stack for Construction Contractors
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🔗 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

Your construction business needs more than shiny apps - it needs a financial engine that works. We reveal how specialized tech stacks give contractors real-time job costing, streamlined workflows, and allow construction-focused accounting firms like Carpenter & CPAs to offer 30-50% cost savings over traditional accounting.

From receipt capture apps to automated purchase orders, discover the systems that turn your business from cash-burning chaos into a profit-generating machine. Perfect timing for your 2026 planning.

⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:00 Introduction: The Shiny New Truck Analogy
00:44 Understanding the Modern Tech Stack
01:09 Challenges with Traditional Accounting Software
01:55 Streamlining Financial Processes
04:24 Real-Time Job Costing and Cash Flow
07:40 The Importance of Efficient Receipt Management
10:35 Time Tracking and Labor Productivity
15:29 The Role of Purchase Orders in Cost Management
21:18 Conclusion: Building a Command Center for 2026
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
October 14, 2025How Job Site Culture Can Build or Break Your Business
Send us 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

Culture is the invisible hard hat everybody wears on your job site. When it's cracked, your whole business has a target on its head.

Join Wade Carpenter and Stephen Brown as they reveal how your crew's behavior when nobody's watching directly impacts your profitability, safety record, and cash flow.

Learn to spot the red flags of toxic culture and discover proven strategies to build a job site environment that protects your people and your profits.

⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:00 Introduction to Job Site Culture
00:22 Defining Culture in Construction
01:36 The Impact of Culture on Team Dynamics
03:17 Identifying and Addressing Red Flags
05:31 Safety as a Core Value
10:05 Communication Breakdown and Its Effects
12:18 Cowboy Mentality and Risk Management
13:34 Mental Health and Fatigue in Construction
14:59 Building a Strong Job Site Culture
20:40 Key Takeaways 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
23min
October 07, 2025From Failed Hires to Profit Gains: The Contractor's Guide to HR ROI
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🔗 LINKS
Learn more about People Processes and connect with Rhamy
Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show.

Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW!

ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Labor is your biggest expense but least understood profit driver. Wade Carpenter sits down with HR expert Rhamy Alejeal to reveal the hidden costs of poor hiring practices that are bleeding your construction business dry.

Discover the three critical metrics every contractor must track: turnover rate, time to hire, and time to productivity.

Learn why McDonald's takes 21 days to hire a fry cook and 41 days to get them productive - and what that means for your skilled trades.

Stop treating your workforce like expensive lawn ornaments and start maximizing your labor ROI.
Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live.

⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:19 Meet Rhamy Alejeal: People Processes
02:16 The Importance of Labor Productivity
07:04 Key Metrics for Labor Efficiency
13:36 Strategies to Improve Hiring and Retention
23:03 The Value of Outsourcing HR
28:16 Conclusion and Contact Information
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
30min
September 30, 2025Don't Crash Your Construction Business: Use FP&A to Navigate
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🔗 LINKS
Join the group coaching program and Master Construction Cash Flow with Profit First
Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show.

Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW!

ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Most contractors are flying blind, relying on gut feel and looking backward at old numbers. Wade and Stephen dive into Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) - your business headlights that help you see the road ahead instead of crashing.

Learn how to build forward-looking dashboards that track cash flow, crew capacity, equipment utilization, and pipeline health. Discover why construction businesses need different metrics than other industries and how FP&A can strengthen your bonding program.
Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live.

⌚️ Key moments in this episode:
00:32 What is FP&A?
00:50 The Importance of Financial Dashboards
01:45 Real-Time Data and Predictive Analysis
02:18 Traditional vs. Modern Dashboards
03:03 Holistic Business Operations
04:04 The Role of Cash Flow and HR
06:00 Sales, Marketing, and Business Development
08:51 Operations and Equipment Utilization
10:48 IT Systems and Automation
12:16 Procurement and Supply Chain Management
13:04 Unique Challenges in Construction
16:27 Key Takeaways and Conclusion
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
21min

FAQs about Contractor Success Forum:

How many episodes does Contractor Success Forum have?

The podcast currently has 255 episodes available.