February 03, 2022

IBS Sneak Peek: Defining the modern-day builder with Joe Christensen and Katie Kath

31 minutes

Construction’s never been easy. But in 2022, the job duties have expanded well-beyond building.

On this episode of “The Building Code,” Zach and Charley preview an insightful panel at next week’s International Builders’ Show with industry pros Joe Christensen of Cardinal Crest Homes and Katie Kath of Jkath Design Build + Reinvent.

Joe and Katie each share how they define the modern-day builder, the subject of an IBS 2022 panel they’re leading along with Buildertrend CEO Dan Houghton and Nick Schiffer of NS Builders Feb. 8 in Orlando, Florida.

Plus, listen in to hear about Katie’s first IBS experience and about a surprise Joe found during a client walkthrough that tested his resolve.

WHAT DEFINES THE MODERN-DAY BUILDER?

Katie: “In terms of what is a modern-day builder for me, that goes back to our brand. So for me, I feel like I am my client. Nine out of 10 clients are me in the sense of sort of demographic, where we are in our life. We have kids, we like to cook. We want an open floor plan. How many people have the ability and the want to take down these major projects, which is such a huge disruption in life? But it’s really no different than when you go to get a cup of coffee. They want the same thing from their build team. They want convenience. They want communication. They want a brand, period. So how are we creating a brand?”

WHAT MAKES THE MODERN-DAY BUILDER DIFFERENT FROM THE TRADITIONAL BUILDER?

Joe: “I always think is like it's our jobs in this industry to be the professionals. It's our job to, to, to steady the waters because people don't know like it's a messy process…It's a messy business. And I think the modern-day builder, the mountain that we have to climb is how do we make it a customer service-orientated business —not get railroaded by the clients, I'm not saying that. I'm just saying, ‘How do we calm the waters, be process systemized so it can be a fun experience at the end?’”

LINKS AND MORE

Related content:

Attending IBS 2022? Catch the panel, “Beyond Building: Mastering the Demands of a Modern-Day Builder” Feb. 8 at 1:45 p.m. ET at W307-C in the convention center.

Then swing by the Buildertrend booth – W6370. Demo our software, network, enter prize giveaways or network during our daily happy hours beginning at 2 p.m.

Got podcast topic suggestions for 2022? Reach out to us at [email protected].

New “Building Code” minisode drops Feb. 8. Listen as we dive into what’s next at Buildertrend. Subscribe here, and never miss an episode.

The Better Way, a podcast by Buildertrend:

Resolved to improve how your team plans projects with the world’s No. 1 construction management software this year? Pick up Buildertrend project planning pro tips on the newest season of “The Better Way, a podcast by Buildertrend.” Subscribe and stream all five bingeable episodes on your favorite listening app now.

Instagram and Facebook:

@Buildertrend

Listen to “The Building Code” on YouTube! And be sure to head over to Facebook to join The Building Code Crew fan page for some fun discussions with fellow listeners.

...more