The Contractor Grow Show

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark chats with Ari Bacharach of Bacharach Construction LLC, a commercial general contractor specializing in tenant improvements across the Portland metro area and the Columbia Gorge. Ari breaks down how he grew from small residential projects into serious commercial and public work, why 90%+ of his jobs are referral-based, and what it really takes to build a reputation that keeps brokers, owners, and institutions coming back.

You’ll hear how Ari manages tight turnover deadlines and liquidated damages, coordinates work in occupied spaces without disrupting tenants, and leans on trusted trade partners while his in-house crew self-performs demo, framing, drywall, and finish carpentry. He also opens up about balancing growth with quality of life, the myth of “hands-off” ownership, and how community involvement shapes the way he shows up as a builder and business owner.

Whether you’re a contractor looking to move from residential into commercial, or a GC trying to reduce stress while staying profitable, Ari’s story offers practical insight into building a durable, relationship-driven business in a competitive market.

Key takeaways:

• How Ari transitioned from residential work to commercial and public projects step by step.
• What “tenant improvements” really involve in offices, retail, restaurants, and more.
• Strategies for working in occupied spaces without upsetting neighbors, tenants, or the public.
• How to think about turnover deadlines, liquidated damages, and “skeletons in the closet” on older buildings.
• Why 90%+ of Bacharach Construction’s jobs come from referrals, not online lead platforms.
• The role of community and faith-based networks in building long-term trust and opportunities.
• How Ari balances ambition with family time, and why he’s optimizing for efficiency over chasing nine-figure revenue.
• Practical advice for owners who want to grow through better relationships, not just more marketing.

How can contractors generate consistent leads online and grow their business in a competitive market?

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark sits down with Nick James of Renova Contractors LLC in Seattle, Washington, to discuss how his team built a strong online presence and adapted to a changing construction market.

Nick shares how approximately 95% of their incoming clients come through their website, ChatGPT, and organic online channels. He explains why investing in a professional website, transparent credentials, detailed estimates, and strong client communication has helped Renova stand out.

They also discuss the challenges of a slowing residential remodeling market and how the company is expanding into commercial contracting, government projects, and mitigation and restoration services.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Renova Contractors generates approximately 95% of its incoming clients online
• Why contractors should optimize their websites for AI search tools like ChatGPT
• How displaying licenses, insurance, bonds, and certifications builds trust
• Why detailed, line-item estimates help clients understand project costs
• How to adapt when residential remodeling demand slows down
• The importance of professionalism, communication, and responsiveness
• How referrals, YouTube, and online marketing work together to grow a contracting business
• Why expanding into commercial and government projects can create new opportunities

Nick also shares practical advice for contractors navigating rising material costs, increasing competition, and the expectations of today's customers.

Guest: Nick James

Company: Renova Contractors LLC

Location: Seattle, Washington

Website: https://renova.contractors

Phone: 206-255-2708

If you're a contractor looking to generate more leads, improve your online presence, and build a more resilient business, this episode is for you.

Subscribe to The Contractor Grow Show for more conversations with contractors about how they built and grew their businesses.

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From Marketing Nerd to 200+ Yards a Week: How Chance Scaled Plano Landscaping

Description

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark sits down with Chance Killian of Plano Landscaping Company in Plano, Texas to unpack how he went from a marketing agency desk job to running three install crews, three solo maintenance routes, and servicing 200+ homes every week across Plano, Frisco, and McKinney. Chance shares how he used SEO, reviews, and consistent content to drive 60% of his business from online marketing, then backed it up with systems, processes, and rock-solid customer service.

You’ll hear how COVID unexpectedly accelerated demand for outdoor living spaces, how Chance strategically schedules hardscape-heavy jobs in winter and plant-heavy work in spring/summer to stay busy year-round, and why he believes you must dial in operations before adding more trucks and guys. He also breaks down how he documents jobs in Jobber, tracks profit and loss on each project, and uses referrals as the “hottest leads” to keep high-quality work flowing in.

Whether you’re a landscaper, hardscaper, or any home service contractor, this conversation is packed with practical insights on building a marketing engine, systemizing your workflows, and growing without burning out your team or your reputation.

• How Chance leveraged a marketing background to launch and grow Plano Landscaping Company
• Using SEO, Google reviews, and content so 60% of leads come from online search
• Staying busy year-round by scheduling hardscape vs. plant-heavy work by season
• Building systems and processes before scaling crews to avoid growing “too fast”
• How Jobber, photos, and detailed notes keep crews aligned and jobs profitable
• Tracking margins on every job to know when to raise or lower prices
• Turning exceptional service into repeat work and high-converting referral leads
• Balancing rapid growth with personal life while serving 200+ homes weekly

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark sits down with TJ Iacobucci of Mountain View Landscaping in Cromwell, Connecticut to unpack how a pickup truck and a 48" mower grew into a 40-person landscape team and a 120-person commercial snow operation across much of the state. TJ shares how his family business carved out a lucrative niche in large-scale maintenance and 24/7 snow removal for hospitals, convalescent homes, and major distribution centers—and why overservicing and smart equipment investments are central to their model. You’ll hear how he leads crews from weed‑whacker operators to six‑figure salespeople, why core values and culture now drive their hiring, and how mentorship through SIMA helps them systemize growth instead of chasing it blindly. If you’re a contractor looking to scale profitably without losing your soul—or your team—this conversation is packed with practical leadership, operations, and growth insights you can apply right away.

Bullet points (6–8)

• How Mountain View evolved from a small family outfit into a multi-crew commercial maintenance and snow operation across Connecticut.
• The systems, staffing model, and equipment strategy that let them manage multi-acre sites and 24/7 snow for hospitals and distribution centers.
• Why TJ believes you must “want it to snow” to win in commercial snow and how SIMA mentorship shaped their approach.
• Leadership lessons from running 30–40 landscape staff and ramping to 120+ snow team members without losing culture.
• Using organization, margins, and capacity planning to grow without letting payroll and equipment costs erase profit.
• How treating every role—from litter pickup to six‑figure sales—with equal respect builds loyalty and word‑of‑mouth recruiting.
• Why TJ is formalizing core values now and using them as a filter for hiring, promotion, and tough decisions.
• The vision for Mountain View’s next 5–10 years and how they’re preparing the systems first so growth doesn’t break the business.

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark sits down with Colby Couch of TPMC (now part of Titan Industrial Group) to unpack how he went from being $250K in the hole to leading a $130M+ industrial construction and metal fabrication company—and why he’s now doubling down on focused, “good” growth instead of chasing everything that moves. You’ll hear how Colby builds food and beverage manufacturing facilities for giants like Tyson Foods and Gatorade, why this niche is so hard to break into, and the leadership moves that let him scale fast without blowing up his team or his margins. Whether you’re trying to get past $5M, stuck between $50M–$75M, or just want a clearer playbook for sustainable growth, this conversation is a masterclass in niching down, hiring better, and investing in true subject‑matter experts instead of trying to do it all yourself.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How Colby grew his previous company from ‑$250K to $130M+ in just five and a half years
• Why niching into food and beverage manufacturing (instead of “doing everything”) led to faster, better growth
• The difference between “good growth” and “bad growth” for contractors trying to scale past $30M–$50M
• How to use subject‑matter experts and executive leadership training to level up your team
• Practical ways to retain road‑warrior field crews and communicate better with welders, fabricators, and installers
• Why breaking into large enterprise clients is mostly about reputation, relationships, and deep process knowledge
• The hidden pain of scaling from $50M to $100M—and why Colby is targeting a sustainable $30M–$40M first
• How TPMC combines in‑house stainless fabrication, process piping, CSA work, and construction management under one roof

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark sits down with Jay Moore of Jay Moore Landscaping in Omaha, Nebraska, to unpack what it really takes to turn a bare lot or tired yard into a custom outdoor living space that fits how you actually live. Jay shares how his design-build-maintain team handles everything from new construction installs and total renovations to drainage fixes, privacy screening, pools, outdoor kitchens, and more—all tailored to each homeowner’s lifestyle and long-term plans. He also explains how 3D landscape design software has transformed his sales process, allowing him to present immersive designs, make changes fast, and keep projects moving without endless site visits. Along the way, Jay talks about building a reputation over decades, why he’ll lose money on a line item before leaving a client unhappy, and how that mindset keeps referrals and reviews strong in a competitive market. If you’re a contractor or landscape pro looking to elevate your design-build offering—or a homeowner wondering what’s possible in your own backyard—this conversation is packed with practical insights and real-world experience you can put to work right away.

Bullet points (6–8)

• How Jay structures a design-build-maintenance landscaping company around lifestyle-driven outdoor spaces.
• New construction vs. renovation: assessing existing landscapes, what to keep, what to remove, and how to plan years ahead.
• Using 3D landscape design software to wow homeowners, speed up approvals, and close projects faster with fewer meetings.
• Designing and installing outdoor kitchens, pools, turf areas, privacy screening, drainage solutions, and high-impact hardscapes.
• Seasonal maintenance systems Jay uses to keep projects looking sharp and clients coming back year after year.
• The customer-first philosophy that has built Jay’s reputation in Omaha—even if it means sacrificing margin on a project.
• How Jay runs multiple crews, manages manpower, and still answers his own phone as the company’s lead designer.
• Why combining great work on-site with smart web presence and reviews keeps Jay Moore Landscaping at the top locally.

Calvin Winters of Bird Dog Construction Co. shares how he walked away from a stable county government procurement career to build a high-performance custom home and remodeling company serving the Green Bay, Wisconsin area. He breaks down his sub-based, low-overhead business model, how he stays hands-on without employees, and why communication and punctuality have become his key differentiators with homeowners who are tired of no-shows and ghosting contractors. You’ll also hear how his love of upland bird hunting inspired the Bird Dog brand, why he recently rebranded to better reflect his higher-end custom focus, and the building science and energy-efficiency details that set his projects apart in a market full of “standard” builds.

• Walking away from a county government procurement job to go all-in on construction flips and self-employment
• Running a sole proprietor, sub-based model that keeps overhead low while still delivering full custom homes and remodels
• What Calvin’s day actually looks like as CEO, salesperson, project manager, and finish carpenter on new builds
• The communication and punctuality systems that win him projects when other contractors don’t even show up or follow through
• How Bird Dog’s brand evolved from an outdoors-inspired logo to a higher-end identity that matches their custom, high-performance work
• The building science behind LP WeatherLogic sheathing, blown-in blanket insulation, and advanced air-sealing to prevent air and water infiltration in Wisconsin’s climate
• Why remodeling everything from 5-year-old homes to 1890s houses is a true niche — and how that shapes Bird Dog’s growth plans over the next few years

Discover how seminary‑trained owner Chris Tyrrell built Chris’ Garage Doors into a purpose‑driven, award‑winning garage door company serving the Greater Denver area while donating 3% of top‑line revenue to local nonprofits. In this episode, Chris shares how a “divine intervention” job installing 41 doors in Steamboat Springs launched his business, why his mission is to “make Colorado a better place to live,” and how he integrates faith, ethics, and community impact into every decision. You’ll hear how he balances profitability with integrity, grows slowly and intentionally, and turns a small W‑2 team into a long‑term asset that delivers nearly 300 five‑star reviews while supporting causes like food insecurity and mental health across Colorado.

Key topics:

• How Chris went from earning a Master of Divinity to launching a residential garage door company with a mission bigger than profit.
• The origin story of landing a 41‑door apartment complex job that funded tools, truck, and launch with no debt or overhead.
• Why Chris donates 3% of gross revenue to Colorado nonprofits and has given more than $100,000 since 2019 to make the state a better place to live.
• The mindset and systems behind earning nearly 300 five‑star Google reviews as a small team serving the Denver metro area.
• How a clear purpose and ethical framework led to honors like the BBB Torch Award for Ethics and recognition as a CO—100 Community Champion by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
• Practical tactics for asking customers for reviews, using software for automated follow‑up, and keeping the process ethical and customer‑friendly.
• Why Chris prefers W‑2 employees over subs, how he thinks about slow growth, and what “trimming the fat” looks like during a reset season.
• How skills from running a small business translate into stronger leadership, preaching, and service inside his local church and the broader community.

Discover how Ken Foster built Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping into a 16‑person, full‑service ecological landscape company serving the Monterey Bay area with design, install, and maintenance since 1988. In this episode, Ken shares how his organic farming roots and permaculture teaching at Cabrillo College shaped a business that designs landscapes in harmony with nature while aligning deeply with Santa Cruz’s eco‑conscious community. You’ll also hear the story behind his bicycle‑powered maintenance service, his decades‑long ride to the Ecological Farming Conference, and his new book, “Confessions of a Bicycle Powered Landscaper,” now available through Bookshop Santa Cruz. If you’re a contractor or landscaper looking to differentiate with sustainability, or a homeowner wanting non‑toxic, wildlife‑friendly, fossil‑free landscaping, this conversation is packed with practical inspiration you can apply in your own market.

Key topics:

• How Terra Nova grew from a two‑person partnership into a 16‑employee ecological landscaping company in Santa Cruz County.
• What “design, build, install, and maintain” looks like in a truly ecological, permaculture‑driven landscape business model.
• The origin story and operations of their bicycle‑powered maintenance service and why trucks are still used strategically for larger installs.
• How Ken’s advocacy helped secure a citywide ban on gas leaf blowers in Santa Cruz and why Terra Nova took the “no leaf blower” pledge.
• Ken’s annual 25‑year tradition of biking from Santa Cruz to the Ecological Farming Conference and how it fueled his new book.
• The evolution of his book from “Landscaping a New Earth” to “Confessions of a Bicycle Powered Landscaper” and how he finally got it published.
• How Terra Nova’s design questionnaire, raised bed installs, drip irrigation, and sheet mulching support low‑impact, food‑producing landscapes.
• Ways contractors can align their values with their branding, services, and local community to attract the right clients and team members.

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark sits down with Alan Lochridge, owner of The Stone Man in Charlotte, NC, to unpack how he’s built a highly reviewed, design‑build outdoor living company that homeowners love working with. Alan shares how he bought an existing stonework business, expanded into full backyard transformations, and positioned his team as a premium, reputation‑driven brand in a competitive market. You’ll hear how The Stone Man uses 3D design, daily communication, and rock‑solid systems to command higher prices, generate five‑star reviews, and keep great subcontractor crews for the long haul. Alan also talks about why outsourcing marketing was a game‑changer, how the Charlotte market shaped their service mix, and why serious fitness is part of how he shows up as a calm, decisive leader for his team and clients. If you’re a growth‑minded contractor who wants to elevate your brand, improve your client experience, and think bigger about the future of your company, this one’s for you.

Bullet points

• How Alan bought The Stone Man and turned a custom stone shop into a full outdoor living brand.
• The 3D design and pre‑construction process that creates raving‑fan clients before the first shovel hits the ground.
• Why they’re unapologetically not the lowest bid—and how they still win great projects at premium prices.
• Systems for communication, daily site visits, and subcontractor relationships that keep projects smooth and profitable.
• How Charlotte’s climate and demographics shaped their move into pools, landscaping, and “holistic backyard” projects.
• Why Alan outsources marketing instead of DIY‑ing SEO and ads—and what that frees him up to focus on.
• The role of endurance training and early‑morning workouts in managing stress and leading with energy as an owner.
• Future growth plans, from maximizing the Charlotte market to potentially expanding into new cities like Raleigh or Greenville.