Drew got the chance to sit down with Mark Olson, who owns and operates SWI Fence and The Successful Contractor. Mark has a passion to lift up the constructin industry with business tips, life stories, and hard lessons that he learned and showcases them on his Youtube and Tiktok accounts.

Mark has valuable insight into how to run a contracting business, how to build a construction business in a new city, and how to become the premium choice in your location. 

If you're a contractor looking to make it on your own, check out this interview!

Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of The Contractor Commute crew:
Website for Estimating and Takeoff Software: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGenius
Facebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@contractorcommute

Email hello@thecontractorcommute for questions and feedback

Drew and Ben continue their conversation from the last episode on a five-step winning sales process and how estimates factor into it. The five-step process: 

Qualify
Scope
Items and Measurements
Estimate
Proposal

This episode covers steps 4 and 5, which is the estimate creation and the proposal steps. They also take into consideration how you can appear professional and get paid like a professional that has honed in their craft.

Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of The Contractor Commute crew:
Website for Estimating and Takeoff Software: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGenius
Facebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@contractorcommute

Email hello@thecontractorcommute for questions and feedback

Every successful sale should be built around an accurate estimate with excellent customer service. Drew and Ben talk about what a winning sales process looks like and how you can implement it in your construction business.

In Part One, they talk about qualifying potential clients, determining project scope, and solidifying items/materials. If you're a contractor who hasn't solidified or streamlined your sales process, then take a listen!

Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of The Contractor Commute crew:
Website for Estimating and Takeoff Software: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGenius
Facebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@contractorcommute

Email hello@thecontractorcommute for questions and feedback

Drew and Ben take this episode to start off our Building Accurate Estimate series as they talk about what pricing models are available to contractors to use when they are building estimates. 

Every pricing model has pros and cons, so expect to hear their victories, their defeats, and more stories about each. In this episode, we primarily cover the Cost Plus, Fixed Price, and Time/Material pricing models, with a brief discussion of other options.

Stay tuned for more episodes that will help you build more accurate estimates!

Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of The Contractor Commute crew:
Website for Estimating and Takeoff Software: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGenius
Facebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@contractorcommute

Email hello@thecontractorcommute for questions and feedback

In this episode of The Contractor Commute, Ben and Drew take some time to discuss how they have handled conflict in the past. If you work with people, especially in construction, you'll run up against conflict. Take some time on your commute to job the site and back to get better equipped for conflict when it rears its head.

Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of The Contractor Commute crew:
Website for Estimating and Takeoff Software: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGenius
Facebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@contractorcommute

Email hello@thecontractorcommute for questions and feedback

Staying organized on the job site and beyond will help make you a more successful contractor! Drew and Ben talk about how you can get organized in your business, client communication, team building, and site management. You can cover up a disorganized business when it is just you, but you will need to get organized if you ever gain a business partner, more clients, or employees!

Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of The Contractor Commute crew:
Website for Estimating and Takeoff Software: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGenius
Facebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@contractorcommute

Email hello@thecontractorcommute for questions and feedback

Loyal contractors and team members will help make you and your business more successful. In this episode, Drew and Ben talk through some things that you can do today to start building a reliable team or lean on the one that might be around you already. 

Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of The Contractor Commute crew:
Website for Estimating and Takeoff Software: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGenius
Facebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@contractorcommute

Email hello@thecontractorcommute for questions and feedback

Mastering finances is a skill set that every business owner needs. The economy will always have ups and downs, but there are steps that you can take while the economy and your business are thriving that will help set you up for success. In this episode, Drew and Ben discuss ways to prepare yourself and your business to thrive, even in changing market conditions.

Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of The Contractor Commute crew:
Website for Estimating and Takeoff Software: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGenius
Facebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@contractorcommute

Email hello@thecontractorcommute for questions and feedback

The unfortunate reality about most self-operated businesses is that you can't do everything yourself. In ways large and small, construction professionals need someone to help fill in the gaps in their business, and this often showcases itself in the finances of a business.

This episode, Drew and Ben discuss what an accountant COULD do for your business, and why you might want to start considering one today. A financial accountability partner for your business might help you stay afloat and become an industry leader when you otherwise might have had to close down shop. 

Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of The Contractor Commute crew:
Website for Estimating and Takeoff Software: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGenius
Facebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@contractorcommute

Email hello@thecontractorcommute for questions and feedback

Ben and Drew take this episode to cover four qualities and traits that contractors need to be successful. Many of these are easier said than done, but they are important for every contractor to keep in mind. Focusing on these traits will have clients view you in a more professional light, ultimately leaving a positive impact on your business.

4 Key Traits:
-Communication
-Site setup and organization
-Reliable team
-Expect the unexpected

Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of The Contractor Commute crew:
Website for Estimating and Takeoff Software: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGenius
Facebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@contractorcommute

Email hello@thecontractorcommute for questions and feedback