This episode is all about the client/contractor relationship.  Why are some relationships harmonious and productive while others are highly strained (to put it nicely)?  Our guest, Shawn Van Dyke, is a construction business coach, keynote speaker, and author of two books - Profit First for Contractors and The Paperwork Punch List. Most contractors are not profitable which makes them feel uncertain about what they need to do to grow their construction businesses. Shawn believes construction business owners should be as good at business as they are at their craft. That's why, after twenty-plus years of owning and operating multiple construction businesses, he now works with construction business owners, executives, and managers all over the world and shows them how to stop losing profits and wasting time. He is the CEO of the Built to Build Academy® which creates confident construction business owners by providing operational systems to streamline their construction business, and get their life back.
Rob Young of Heritage Custom Builder also joins us to share his experience and insight on the Client/Contractor relationship.
Let's get to it!

How does a custom builder formulate a price for your renovation project?  Generally speaking, there are 2 approaches to pricing a custom renovation  – Cost Plus & Fixed Cost.  In this episode of Ready, Set, Renovate! Steve Carson and Larry Myers compare and contrast these 2 methods.

Both are reputable builders and have well thought out reasons for their chosen approach to pricing.  Spoiler alert, neither approach fits all circumstances, although you may discover one is preferable to you, your personality and circumstances.  

Only one way to find out.  Listen and decide!

At 106 East Benson St in downtown Anderson SC you'll find a building from the 1800s. You probably wouldn't guess it's that old though.  The place doesn't look it's aged a day.  Daniel Builders helped reverse the affects of time by performing a historic renovation. The success of this project was recognized by the state of South Carolina Historic Preservation Society. 
Joining us on this episode of  Ready, Set, Renovate! is Allie Walker, owner of Katherine Marie Weddings and Bridal Boutique.  She provided the creative direction behind this renovation.  Allie tells how she took a building full of historical charm and turned it into a beautiful bridal shop.  Let's climb into the proverbial time machine  and explore the history behind this renovation!

What would life without utility bills be like?
Maybe you’ve heard legend of these "off-grid" people and their homes, but do that actually exist? And if they do exist, what modern conveniences are they sacrificing to achieve this feat? In this episode of Ready, Set, Renovate! our guest Derek Zearley discusses his modern “off grid” home, which he and his family have been living in since 2020.  Derek reveals the power source for his home (*spoiler alert* Tesla batteries are part of the power supply equation) and what it took to get the whole system up & running.  Derrick's story was also covered in this Solar Power World article, where you can see photos of home.

Why are custom windows taking months to arrive on the job site?
Who knows?  And when you're able to make them yourself, who cares?
In this episode of Ready, Set, Renovate! we speak with a contractor who wasn't about to wait around on his windows, and be at the mercy of supply chain chaos.  He found a way to get exactly the windows he needed, exactly when he needed them.  You can hear his story and from his highly specialized craftsman, Stu McConnell of Resonant Woodworks, as they embark on a window making adventure as part of this mid-century modern renovation.  Let's get to it! 

You can't mess up demo, right?  Wrong!  Doing demo poorly can absolutely cause substantial collateral damage.  Contrary to HGTV’s portrayal (i.e. young couple gleefully wielding a sledgehammer), demo actually requires serious forethought.  Recently, we recorded a podcast with, Sam Parkinson of Daniel Builders and Ezra Green of Ezra Construction, two people who know demo.  Listen as they discuss “construction in reverse”.

You've likely heard the phrase "Design-Build".  It's a time tested process for getting architect and builder on the same page so the finished product is built efficiently.  At Daniel Builders we've taken the Design-Build process and enhanced it by adding a preliminary phase referred to as the Guide Phase.  We're calling our process "Guide-Design-Build".  In this episode we take a look at what a Project Guide does?  And more importantly how they benefit clients by translating big renovation ideas into a buildable Designs.  You'll hear from Project Guide Director, Daniel Jachens, as he shares his passion for providing sound renovation guidance and eliminating manipulative sales tactics.  Let's Get To It!  

Daniel Builders was honored to have 3  well respected guests on this first episode.  These local industry leaders include Taylor Lyles, CEO of the Home Builders Association of Greenville; Greg Gambrell, VP-Sales GBS Building Supply; Dustin Hughes, Corporate Sales Director for Jeff Lynch Appliance.  You’ll get a "30,000 ft view" of the housing market in upstate South Carolina - a truly wonderful place to live!  Recommended listening for all who wonder what is happening in this local housing market, and especially good info for those considering a custom home or Guide-Design-Build renovation here.  Enjoy!