Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with James Russell, Founder of buildersVA. Throughout this episode, James shares his insights on how builders can reclaim their time, streamline operations, and scale more effectively by leveraging offshore talent. He breaks down the myths around delegation, explains why systems and people must work together, and reveals practical strategies that can help builders grow without burning out.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 201 YOU WILL DISCOVER

• Why delegation is more than just “handing tasks over”
• The biggest barriers that stop builders from outsourcing
• How asynchronous training beats traditional shadowing
• The types of tasks builders should outsource first
• How outsourcing increases consistency and customer experience
• and much, much more.

ABOUT JAMES RUSSELL

James Russell is the Founder of buildersVA, helping builders reclaim time and scale their businesses by combining offshore talent with simple systems. With over 15 years of experience in delegation, he empowers builders to outsource effectively and grow with confidence.

Connect with James: linkedin.com/in/processperfect/

TIMELINE

• 1:17 The business of delegation and why systems + people = superpowers
• 3:42 The biggest barrier stopping builders from outsourcing
• 6:13 Why asynchronous training beats traditional shadowing
• 8:15 The 10-80-10 principle for effortless delegation
• 19:33 The hidden cost of “chasing” contractors and suppliers
• 38:03 Why progress matters more than perfection in delegation

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Trevor Anderson, Co-Founder of Collaborative Construction Inc. Throughout this episode, Trevor shares how his unconventional background in finance and data intelligence shaped a fresh approach to running a construction company. From creating a values-driven culture to managing his company remotely, Trevor reveals the systems, strategies, and mindset shifts that have redefined what a professional building company can look like.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 200 YOU WILL DISCOVER

• How a background in finance and data drives better decisions
• The importance of building a strong culture around core values
• What it takes to successfully run a company remotely from another city
• How to design compensation and bonus systems that align with company goals
• Why working on the business, not in it, unlocks growth
• and much, much more.

ABOUT TREVOR ANDERSON

Trevor Anderson is the Co-Founder of Collaborative Construction Inc. based in Canada. With a background in finance and data analytics, he has built a values-driven company culture, pioneered remote leadership, and created systems that empower his team while redefining what a professional building company can look like.

Connect with Trevor: linkedin.com/in/trevor-anderson-8ba4281a/

TIMELINE

• 05:12 Trevor’s unconventional journey into construction
• 12:45 How core values drive tough decisions and strengthen culture
• 19:30 Running a building company remotely (and successfully)
• 27:05 Designing a unique compensation and bonus structure
• 34:50 Leveraging outsourcing and technology for growth
• 44:20 Why working on the business unlocks freedom

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode recorded live at the International Builders Show in Las Vegas with APB Co-founder, Sky Kolade. In this episode, Sky shares her proven strategies for winning more contracts at higher margins, reveals the costly mistakes that hold builders back, and explains the key shifts that separate struggling companies from thriving ones.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 199 YOU WILL DISCOVER

• The biggest mistakes builders make when trying to win work
• How to create a steady flow of high-quality leads
• Why having a sales process is the key to higher margins
• The role of urgency and scarcity in securing contracts
• The first step you should take today to improve your sales process
• and much, much more.

ABOUT SKY KOLADE

Sky Kolade is a Co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders, a business coaching company dedicated to improving the residential construction industry for both builders and consumers. Sky is a proud member of The National Association of Women in Construction and she was also recognised as one of the Top 100 Women in Construction.

Connect with Sky: linkedin.com/in/skycheristephens/

TIMELINE

• 0:45 Why sales are the lifeblood of your building company
• 4:30 The one thing that separates top-performing builders from the rest
• 9:15 The “100 to 1” lead ratio and what it means for your marketing
• 14:20 How to qualify leads and uncover emotional drivers
• 20:05 Using urgency & scarcity to secure contracts without pushy tactics
• 25:50 The first step to improving your sales process today

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

Professional Builders Secrets brings you a live episode from the International Builders Show in Las Vegas featuring Bob Cain, Business Unit Leader at BuildTools by ECI. In this episode, Bob shares powerful insights into understanding and exceeding modern client expectations, along with actionable strategies to streamline builder operations, boost profitability, and reduce risk.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 198 YOU WILL DISCOVER

• How to structure your first appointment to stand out from the competition
• How to deliver honest, timely communication
• The power of technology in closing more jobs and running smoother projects
• Best practices for managing change orders without losing profit
• How BuildTools simplifies job costing, WIP reporting, and net profit tracking
• And much, much more.

ABOUT BOB CAIN

Bob(Robert) Cain is the Business Unit Leader at BuildTools by ECI Software Solutions. With over 26 years in the construction industry, he’s worked with thousands of builders and trade contractors, helping them streamline operations, implement technology, and improve profitability through smarter project management and client communication.

Connect with Bob: linkedin.com/in/bobcain/

TIMELINE

• 3:30 Why most construction software doesn’t fit small builders
• 8:00 The hidden costs of poor estimating practices
• 12:30 How live supplier integrations save time and money
• 17:00 The power of AI to catch costly mistakes
• 23:00 Streamlining ordering and logistics in one click
• 28:30 What the future of construction technology looks like

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive live episode from the International Builders Show in Las Vegas, featuring Andy Skarda, Head Coach at APB. In this episode, Andy dives deep into how builders can strategically use construction slots to create urgency, drive profitability, improve cash flow, and create a more seamless client experience.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 197 YOU WILL DISCOVER

• How to create scarcity and urgency using construction slots
• Why defining construction capacity improves both sales and delivery
• The ripple effects of well-planned construction slots on your cash flow
• How to align your start dates with financial goals and client expectations
• The tools APB provides to streamline construction slot planning
• And much, much more.

ABOUT ANDY SKARDA

Head Coach at the Association of Professional Builders, Andy specialises in helping business owners in the building industry identify and implement the skills and systems they need to be successful, without needing to go back to school. Or more importantly, without going bust.

Connect with Andy: linkedin.com/in/andy-skarda-92a6875/

TIMELINE

• 2:15 What construction slots are and why they matter
• 6:40 How slots improve the sales process, not just scheduling
• 10:55 Using scarcity and urgency to drive buyer confidence
• 14:20 What to do when clients miss their slot deadline
• 19:35 Linking construction slots with your cash flow plan
• 24:50 The real cost of not implementing this systemr

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Russ Stephens, Co-founder of APB. In this episode, Russ goes head-to-head with his digital twin, AI Russ, in a unique test of experience versus artificial intelligence. Discover how a decade of coaching insights, action plans, and builder-specific content have been distilled into APB’s newest innovation, APB Brain.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 196 YOU WILL DISCOVER

• What APB Brain is and how it helps builders
• The key steps to generating better leads for your building company
• How to price and operate for higher profit margins
• Why delegation is essential for sustainable growth
• The most critical financial numbers every builder should track
• How to scale your building company without burning out

ABOUT RUSS STEPHENS

Co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders, Russ is a data analysis expert who has introduced data-driven decision making to the residential construction industry. Russ is also a proud member of the Forbes Business Development Council.

Connect with Russ:linkedin.com/in/russstephens

TIMELINE

• 1:10 What is APB Brain and how does it work?
• 5:50 Russ vs AI, how to get better leads
• 14:30 Russ vs AI, how to make more profit
• 22:40 Russ vs AI, how to delegate tasks to your team
• 33:10 Russ vs AI, what financial numbers to track in your building company
• 41:55 Russ vs AI, how to scale without burning out

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website:associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards:associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram:instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook:facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube:youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Steve Yates, CEO of Buildxact. Throughout this episode, Steve sheds light on why so many builders struggle with technology that doesn’t fit their needs and shares how purpose-built software and AI can transform estimating, planning, and profitability in custom home building.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 195 YOU WILL DISCOVER

• Why technology designed for production builders fails custom home builders
• How to pinpoint the software that addresses your pain points
• The power of live supplier integrations and AI
• How improving pre-planning and information flow drives profitability
• How to leverage new technology as a competitive advantage
• And much, much more.

ABOUT STEVE YATES

Steve Yates is the CEO of Buildxact, a construction management platform built for custom builders and remodelers. With nearly 20 years in the construction supply space and a global perspective, he’s focused on delivering tech solutions that simplify estimating, improve planning, and drive builder profitability.

Connect with Steve: linkedin.com/in/ceobuildxact/

TIMELINE

• 3:30 Why most construction software doesn’t fit small builders
• 8:00 The hidden costs of poor estimating practices
• 12:30 How live supplier integrations save time and money
• 17:00 The power of AI to catch costly mistakes
• 23:00 Streamlining ordering and logistics in one click
• 28:30 What the future of construction technology looks like

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Andy Skarda, Head Coach at APB. In this live recording from the International Builders Show in Las Vegas, Andy unpacks the art and science of cash flow mastery for building companies. Andy shares why cash flow is the number one reason builders struggle to scale, and explains how to create a sustainable system that protects your business long term.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 194 YOU WILL DISCOVER

• Why cash flow is the lifeblood of any construction business
• The biggest mistakes builders make with their cash and financial risk
• How to build 12 months of cash reserves
• The critical role of an experienced bookkeeper and what questions to ask them
• How understanding your true numbers will change how you operate
• And much, much more.

ABOUT ANDY SKARDA

Head Coach at the Association of Professional Builders, Andy specialises in helping business owners in the building industry identify and implement the skills and systems they need to be successful, without needing to go back to school. Or more importantly, without going bust.

Connect with Andy: linkedin.com/in/andy-skarda-92a6875/

TIMELINE

• 2:00 Why cash flow is the lifeblood of a building company
• 5:30 How builders accidentally run a Ponzi scheme
• 9:00 The importance of daily and weekly cash monitoring
• 13:00 The consequences of not knowing your numbers
• 17:30 Building cash reserves for peace of mind
• 21:00 Practical tips for finding the right bookkeeper

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode recorded live at the International Builders Show (IBS) 2025 with Jim Schneider of Schneider Construction. In this episode, Jim shares his journey from struggling with profitability to running a lean, high-performance building company.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 193 YOU WILL DISCOVER

• What makes a high-performance home
• The critical financial mistakes that were draining profits from Jim’s business
• How to confidently define your ideal client and say no to the wrong jobs
• Why openness, vulnerability, and peer accountability accelerated Jim’s success
• How implementing construction slots, pricing for profit, and work in progress tracking transformed his margins
• And much, much more.

ABOUT JIM SCHNEIDER

Jim is the owner of Schneider Construction, LLC. He is a master builder, and builds and remodels high-value custom homes in Virginia’s Eastern Shore that stand as exemplars of quality, design and coastal living.

Connect with Jim: linkedin.com/in/schneiderconstructionva

TIMELINE

• 1:46 What a high-performance home really is
• 5:56 The turning point that forced Jim to change how he ran his business
• 11:11 Why chasing every project drained his profits
• 15:26 How defining his ideal client improved margins and reduced stress
• 19:41 The power of collaboration and openness with your team
• 23:14 Jim’s number one piece of advice for builders who want to get out of survival mode

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an essential episode featuring Glen Fitzgerald, Co-founder and Safety Manager of Worx Safety. In this episode, Glen gets into how systemising your on-site safety and compliance processes is about more than just ticking a box; it’s a growth strategy that directly impacts your building company's efficiency, risk management, and bottom line.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 192 YOU WILL DISCOVER

• Why most builders are unintentionally exposing themselves to risk
• The consequences of poor subcontractor compliance
• How a digital system can safeguard your business
• The link between safety systems and site quality, efficiency, and scalability
• Why builders should see safety as a competitive advantage
• And much, much more.

ABOUT GLEN FITZGERALD

Glen Fitzgerald is the Co-founder of Worx Safety and has over two decades of experience in the residential construction industry. Having owned and operated multiple trade businesses, Glen understands the real-world challenges builders face. Today, he helps building companies streamline their safety and compliance processes through digital solutions.

Connect with Glen: linkedin.com/in/glen-fitzgerald-09b46b221/

TIMELINE

• 3:40 The real cost of poor safety systems
• 6:15 Why safety is a business strategy, not just compliance
• 9:00 Glen’s journey from plumber to safety software founder
• 14:20 Subcontractor risks that could cost you thousands
• 18:30 How to systemise your on-site safety processes
• 24:00 The future of digital safety in residential construction

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders