Remodelers On The Rise

Running a great remodeling business is not about one magic bullet. It is a combination of a lot of little things done consistently well! Coming off the Rise Conference 2026, Kyle shares several ideas and reminders from the two days spent with 100+ remodelers.

From thinking through what your biggest constraint is right now, to how delegation can unlock growth, to why tracking the right KPIs matters more than tracking everything, Rise 2026 was full of great sessions and ways you can strengthen your remodeling business. 

There was no shortage of great content and even better conversation and Kyle is already looking forward to making 2027 even better!

Explore real client results and case studies at Contractor Growth Network Results, learn how they help remodelers build marketing that works at Contractor Growth Network, and check out their Podcast for weekly insights designed to help remodelers grow smarter.

Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!

Key Takeaways 

• Systematic marketing of projects to local neighborhoods
• Importance of post-project reviews
• Using story selling to build trust
• Implementing EOS for business management
• Tracking KPIs for project success
• Batching tasks to improve focus
• Adjusting gross profit margins for profitability
• Building a strong team through training and delegation
• The power of peer groups and roundtables
• Mindset shifts for overcoming challenges

Finding great people is one of the biggest challenges remodelers face, but the answer isn't posting another job ad and hoping the right person comes along. In this episode, Kyle is joined by Justin Landry of JL Talent Solutions and Peer Group Coach Bryan Sebring for a practical conversation about creating a more intentional hiring process. 

Bryan shares how his approach to hiring has changed after working with Justin and why slowing down has helped him avoid costly hiring mistakes. They dig into what a strong recruiting process actually looks like, from defining the role before you start searching to using assessments and structured interviews to better understand each candidate. Justin also explains why the right people are out there, even when it feels impossible to find them, and how looking beyond the usual job boards can open up a much stronger candidate pool.

If hiring has felt rushed, frustrating, or inconsistent in your remodeling business, this episode will help you think differently about how you find people and set them up to succeed!

Running a remodeling company can feel lonely, but you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.

The Remodelers On The Rise Peer Groups connect you with non-competing remodelers who understand the challenges you’re facing and are committed to helping each other grow.

Learn more at  https://remodelersontherise.com/live-training-events-for-remodelers/remodelers-peer-group/

Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!

Key Takeaways 

Building clear role definitions

Implementing a systematic hiring process

Using assessments like DISC and preview

Creating a strong onboarding experience

Fostering a positive company culture

Leadership and conflict resolution in teams

The importance of patience in hiring

Using data and science in recruitment

Onboarding best practices for success

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and episode overview

01:10 Start with the end in mind in hiring

02:07 Justin Landry introduces JL Talent Solutions

04:46 Brian Sebring shares his background and path to Justin

08:25 The importance of patience in hiring

10:15 Justin explains the vetting process and assessments

13:25 Proactive vs reactive hiring strategies

16:34 Best practices for posting and attracting candidates

18:47 Using data science and assessments to select candidates

22:42 Effective interview questions and techniques

30:57 The significance of clear role definitions

35:58 Onboarding best practices and 30-60-90 plan

40:56 Leadership, culture, and team integration

42:46 Continuous improvement and learning in hiring

AI isn't just about writing emails or asking ChatGPT a few questions. When it's thoughtfully integrated into your business, it can become a practical tool that saves time and helps your team work more efficiently.

This week, Kyle sits down with Jeremy Maher of Phoenix Home Remodeling to talk about how his team is actually using AI in the business. Jeremy shares real workflows they've built to reduce repetitive work and get more value from the information they're already collecting. You'll also hear how AI has become part of their sales process. Jeremy even shares how his team is using it to handle missed calls more effectively.

If you've been wondering what AI can actually look like inside a remodeling company, this episode gives you a practical look at what Jeremy's team is doing and what they've learned along the way.

JobTread helps remodelers bring estimating, scheduling, job costing, and invoicing into one connected system, so they can clearly see where jobs stand and what’s actually profitable. We’ve watched members move from guessing to confidently knowing their numbers, which leads to better pricing, planning, and leadership. If you’re ready for better systems and better decisions, learn more at jobtread.com.

Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!

Key Takeaways 

• AI integration in remodeling
• Automation of client communication and project management
• Using AI for call analysis and employee coaching
• Automating review collection and reputation management
• Leveraging AI for pre-visit prep and scope of work creation
• Remote team management and outsourcing in construction
• Adapting AI tools for business growth and efficiency

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jeremy Maher and AI in Remodeling

02:00 Jeremy's background and how he got into AI

04:02 The importance of strategy before automation

06:00 Using AI to enhance customer journey and communication

07:49 Voice AI for call handling and appointment scheduling

13:48 Automated client photo collection process

20:52 AI-generated pre-visit prep and scope of work

26:57 AI analysis of employee performance and coaching

35:05 Automated review management and reputation building

44:07 Role-specific GPTs for team productivity

50:01 Outsourcing and managing remote teams with AI

50:51 Final thoughts and encouragement for remodelers

Great remodeling companies aren't built by accident. They're built through intentional leadership, clear values, and a commitment to serving both your team and your clients.

This week, Kyle sits down with Jimmy Moore of Petra Custom Builders, a longtime Builder Funnel client, to talk about the principles that have shaped his company from day one. They discuss creating a culture people want to be part of, why servant leadership matters, building core values that actually guide decisions, and how investing in marketing has given Jimmy's team the freedom to be more selective about the projects they take on.

If you're trying to build a company that lasts, this conversation is full of practical ideas that go far beyond remodeling.

Jimmy's experience is also a great example of what can happen when remodelers treat marketing as a long term investment and partner with a team like Builder Funnel.

Today's episode is sponsored by Builder Funnel! Click here to learn more about how Builder Funnel helps remodelers and home builders grow through strategic digital marketing.

Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!

Key Takeaways 

• Jimmy Moore's transition from remodeler to builder
• The importance of core values and culture
• The role of intentionality and discipline in leadership
• Strategic marketing and lead generation with BuilderFunnel
• The impact of consistent branding and content marketing
• Building a team that reflects company values
• The significance of pipeline management and ROI measurement
• The biblical inspiration behind Petra's name and mission

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Jimmy Moore's background

02:02 Jimmy's perspective on intentionality and discipline

04:05 The story behind Petra's name and mission

07:03 Leadership as service and building company culture

11:58 Jimmy's journey from a young remodeler to a business owner

17:02 The fulfillment found in impactful work

23:00 The evolution of Petra and its core values

27:06 Leadership qualities and servant leadership

35:51 Marketing strategy and partnership with BuilderFunnel

48:00 Results and ROI from BuilderFunnel's marketing efforts

01:00:05 Advice for business owners on marketing investment

01:08:10 The importance of culture and core values in business

01:10:01 Closing thoughts and final advice

Great client experiences don't happen by accident. They're built through dozens of intentional decisions before, during, and after every project.

This week, Kyle sits down with Darin Kuns of DK Construction to share how his team has intentionally designed an experience that stands out. From customer confidence checkups and post-project interviews to thoughtful job site standards and small gestures that make clients feel valued, Darin explains how the little details create lasting trust.

If you're looking for practical ideas on building a company people can't wait to recommend, this episode is packed with ideas you can start using right away.

Want to keep in touch with past clients and prospects without the hassle of writing content yourself? That’s exactly what Remodelers AutoPilot does — each month you get a done-for-you email newsletter and social media posts, ready to send.

Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!

Key Takeaways

• Fix pre-construction bottlenecks
• Improve planning before production
• Delegate to increase capacity
• Track client confidence
• Create memorable client experiences
• Gather post-project feedback
• Set clear job-site standards
• Recognize and support employees

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Episode Context

00:33 Celebrating 400 Episodes and Guest Suggestions

01:02 Highlighting Todd DeWalt and Construction Leading Edge

01:48 DK Construction's Market and Business Focus

02:11 Identifying Business Heartburns and Bottlenecks

03:07 Addressing Capacity and Process Challenges

04:22 Strategies for Smoother Project Handoffs

05:15 Handling Change Orders and Project Variances

06:04 Time Management and Capacity Planning

07:11 Setting Small Wins in Project Selection

07:53 Focusing on Capacity and Focused Work

08:56 Company History and Market Overview

11:01 Developing Client Relationships and Expectations

12:06 The Three Uniques of DK Construction

14:48 Employee Recruitment and Incentives

20:08 Client Experience and Customer Confidence

24:58 Enhancing Client Delight and Little Things

30:12 Implementing Client Feedback and Post-Project Surveys

34:50 Company Culture and Employee Recognition

39:58 Team Communication and Meeting Optimization

44:52 Signage and Job Site Respect

50:03 Letting Go of Control and Delegation

51:52 Building a High-Performance Team

55:00 Final Thoughts on Customer Service and Business Growth

Every business owner eventually runs into a question that has nothing to do with sales, marketing, or operations: Is it ever enough?

This week, Kyle riffs on a conversation with a coaching client that led to a deeper discussion about ambition, contentment, and what success really looks like. He shares why entrepreneurs are wired to keep moving the goalposts and the importance of creating a business that supports the life you want to live instead of a business that takes over your life.

If you've ever found yourself chasing the next milestone without stopping to ask why, this episode will give you plenty to think about.

JobTread helps remodelers bring estimating, scheduling, job costing, and invoicing into one connected system, so they can clearly see where jobs stand and what’s actually profitable. We’ve watched members move from guessing to confidently knowing their numbers, which leads to better pricing, planning, and leadership. If you’re ready for better systems and better decisions, learn more at jobtread.com.

Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!

Key Takeaways

• Define success on your own terms.

• Ask if your business is supporting the life you want to live.

• Stop constantly moving the goalposts.

• Don't let business success come at the expense of your personal life.

• Pursue financial security, not endless accumulation.

• Run your own race instead of comparing yourself to others.

• Give yourself grace and learn from past mistakes.

• Revisit your "why" as your life and business evolve.

Chapters

00:00 Kyle's Approach to Podcast Content and Riffing

01:01 Reflecting on a Recent Client Conversation

02:00 The Question: Is It Ever Enough?

02:59 The Impact of Age and Season of Life

03:57 Growth Culture and the 'More, More' Mindset

04:51 Evaluating if Your Business Supports Your Life

05:52 Success at Home vs. Business Growth

06:50 Designing a Business for Life Balance

08:13 Guarding Against Money and Materialism

09:12 The Importance of Contentment and Vision

10:06 Financial Goals and Retirement Planning

11:02 The Balance Between Growth and Peace

11:57 Practical Steps to Find Contentment

13:05 Reflecting on Personal and Business Priorities

14:00 Long-term Vision and Short-term Adjustments

14:56 Retirement Savings and Financial Security

15:46 Aligning Business Success with Personal Values

17:14 Healing Past Mistakes and Moving Forward

18:12 The Power of Responsibility and Grace

19:12 The Core Question: What Is Enough?

20:11 Running Your Race and Defining Success

21:07 Final Reflections and Personal Invitation

Not every episode follows a single thread, and this one does not try to. Paul McManus of McManus Kitchen and Bath pulls back the curtain on navigating a down market, building a generous PTO policy that keeps great people around, rethinking his website from the ground up, using AI to strengthen process instead of replace it, and opening a brand new showroom with some genuinely creative ideas inside. If you want an honest look at how a seasoned remodeler is thinking and building right now, this one delivers.

Today's episode is sponsored by Builder Funnel! Click here to learn more about how Builder Funnel helps remodelers and home builders grow through strategic digital marketing.

Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!

Key Takeaways

• Track lead flow and KPIs to anticipate market shifts.
• Use a flexible PTO policy to boost team loyalty.
• Invest in showroom expansion and new services.
• Leverage AI for process improvement and data organization.
• Focus on process improvement before adopting new AI tools.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and market overview for 2026

02:02 Current market challenges and lead flow issues

04:11 Financial management and preparing for a down year

06:08 Using KPIs to anticipate market trends

07:57 PTO policies and employee engagement

12:00 Website strategies and copywriting tips

20:02 Embracing AI and process automation

38:00 Showroom expansion and new service offerings

50:05 Future market opportunities and growth areas

57:55 Closing thoughts and key takeaways

Effective websites sell your projects before a prospect ever picks up the phone!

This week, Kyle sat down with Logan Shinholser of Contractor Growth Network to dig into why featured project pages have become the centerpiece of every website CGN builds. They cover what needs to go on these pages to actually build trust, how to use them in your sales conversations before you ever sit down with a client, and why great photography is still the single most important investment you can make in your marketing. 

If you want your marketing to do a better job of attracting the right clients, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can start using right away!

Explore real client results and case studies at Contractor Growth Network Results, learn how they help remodelers build marketing that works at Contractor Growth Network, and check out their Podcast for weekly insights designed to help remodelers grow smarter.

Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!

Key Takeaways

• Featured project pages build trust faster than photo galleries.
• Document what makes your company different.
• Tell the homeowner's story, not just the remodeler's.
• Use featured projects throughout your sales process.
• Show the design journey—not just the finished result.
• Focus on the projects you want more of.
• Professional photography is one of your best marketing investments.
• Specific examples sell better than generic claims.

Chapters

• 00:00 Intro & Welcome
• 05:18 Why Marketing Remodeling Is Different
• 08:20 Why Featured Project Pages Matter
• 13:56 What Makes a Great Project Page
• 15:37 Choosing the Right Projects to Feature
• 21:33 How Project Pages Improve Sales Conversations
• 24:56 Why Professional Photography Matters
• 32:20 A Better Way to Showcase Before & After Transformations
• 39:55 Marketing Lessons Every Remodeler Should Apply
• 42:14 The Two Marketing Assets Every Remodeler Needs
• 44:27 Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

Most remodelers know they need to move faster through Design and Project Development. Fewer know exactly where the time is going or how to get it back. Kyle walks through specific ideas for reducing cycle time, from building out a Design & Project Development schedule to setting clear client expectations up front, so your projects keep moving and your pipeline stays healthy!

JobTread helps remodelers bring estimating, scheduling, job costing, and invoicing into one connected system, so they can clearly see where jobs stand and what’s actually profitable. We’ve watched members move from guessing to confidently knowing their numbers, which leads to better pricing, planning, and leadership. If you’re ready for better systems and better decisions, learn more at jobtread.com.

Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!

Key Takeaways

• Time kills deals. Faster design and development leads to more signed contracts.
• Measure your design-to-contract cycle time.
• Create a structured design and development schedule.
• Set expectations that major decisions happen before construction begins.
• Hold weekly client meetings to maintain momentum.
• Always schedule the next meeting before ending the current one.
• Limit the number of active design projects to protect capacity.
• Simplify client decisions and clearly communicate budget impacts and changes.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Topic Overview

02:08 Understanding Cycle Time in Project Development

04:05 Strategies for Reducing Cycle Time

07:01 Setting Clear Expectations with Clients

08:59 Effective Client Engagement Strategies

11:54 Managing Project Capacity and Expectations

14:47 Streamlining Design Choices for Clients

18:10 Utilizing Technology for Communication

21:03 Budget Management and Client Transparency

AI agents are not as complicated as they sound, and Peter Ranney and Elliott Wittstruck of DataX are proof. They walk through exactly how remodelers are using AI agents inside JobTread right now to automatically clean up field notes, process receipts, cost jobs, and land a daily project health report in their inbox every evening. They also share a seven-level framework for AI adoption that takes all the pressure off and helps you figure out exactly where to start! If you have been curious about AI but not sure where to begin, this one gives you a clear and practical first step.

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Today's episode is sponsored by Builder Funnel! Click here to learn more about how Builder Funnel helps remodelers and home builders grow through strategic digital marketing.

Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!

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Key Takeaways

• Start with a specific problem, not AI itself.
• Think micro. Small use cases create big wins.
• AI is not a magic button. It takes time to learn.
• AI agents work automatically without manual prompts.
• Reporting is one of the most valuable AI applications.
• Better data in = better insights out.
• Focus on your current level of AI adoption.
• Don't let AI distract you from serving clients and improving your business.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

06:39 Managing Multiple Ventures

10:16 Interacting with AI: The Basics

12:09 Automation and AI Agents

14:38 Practical Applications of AI in Business

19:40 Email Automation and Receipt Processing

21:52 Job Performance Analysis with AI

24:52 Self-Updating AI Agents

26:43 AI Models and Security Concerns

29:34 Advanced AI Prompts and Use Cases

34:18 Creating Contracts and Estimates with AI

38:16 Bridging the Knowledge Gap in AI

40:13 Understanding AI Levels of Interaction

49:21 Future of AI in Business