Joe Mitchell of Finish Point Trim: Crew Leadership and Client Conflict

Yahara Vasquez of Built By Her Construction: Architectural Engineer to Spec Homes & Breaking with Tradition: Yahara Vasquez owns and operates Built By Her Construction @building_by_her out of Carson, Washington. With a degree in architectural engineering, she’s decided that the jobs that came with the degree were not for her. She loves working with her hands. Between that and wanting to be more available for her children, Yahara built her own home and she started a contracting company. She’s doing some work for the public but venturing into spec home building. While she says her role at home is fairly traditional, her career path is anything but traditional given her Mexican heritage. She doesn’t care because she wants young girls to see her in that position and is organizing to have young women to work Saturdays on her spec to learn skilled trades. I can’t wait to check in with Yahara Vasquez in a couple years to see where she’s gone! Host: Mike Knoche Website: The Contracting Han by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

33 min listen

Furious Fifteen: Randy Jones reurns to talk company growth, adding a sales manager, and his biggest challenges at 12 years...: Randy Jones revisits @thecontractinghandbook for a quick catch-up on the growth of his construction company @fineremodeling.de in this episode of Mike Knoche’s Furious Fifteen. Randy was my second guest on the podcast back in May 2021… We hit upon: -relying on a sales manager -qualifying subcontractors -challenges to growth -“letting go” -his most challenging project to date It’s an action packed 19 minutes with a bunch of random, yes/no, non-quantifiables at the end! It’s another great episode with a ton of insights for anyone operating a construction company, be it general contracting or specialty trade contracting. Host: Mike Knoche Website: The Contracting Handbook Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1 info@thecontractinghandbook.com Guest: Kyle Stumpenhorst Instagram: @rrbuildings YouTube: @rrbuildings Facilitating new cons by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

21 min listen

Kyle Stumpenhorst on "What's good enough", Saying "No", and Red Flags: Post frame builder, Kyle Stumpenhorst @rrbuildings, joins Mike Knoche @thecontractinghandbook where we hit upon, not only always doing our best but: -creating enduring video content that will always help -using social media to link up with the right customers -the incorporation of building science into the workflow and fiscal tradeoffs -having more knowledge than the inspector -why he no longer subs out work -not heeding the red flags It’s another great episode with a ton of insights for anyone operating a construction company, be it general contracting or specialty trade contracting. Host: Mike Knoche Website: The Contracting Handbook Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1 info@thecontractinghandbook.com Guest: Joe Mitchell Instagram: @joe w mitchell Facilitating new construction company startups, supporting the building community with new ideas and affirmation, and ushering in the next ge by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

83 min listen

Joe Canning, The Canadian Carpenter: The Impact of Influencers and His Entrance Into Trades by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

76 min listen

The Siding Guy, Desmond Tse: "Best practices for trade contractors" by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

99 min listen

The Nuance of Navigating Clients: The Nuance of Navigating Clients 1. When I started out in Season 1 of the podcast, I said I learned through trial by fire, I’m not from a construction family. It was the school of hard knocks all day long. I always strove for definition in my work so I could express what I was doing for clients i.e “know what you’re selling” and understand why I was doing it for myself i.e. a need to understand purpose. 2. When I started my business I wanted to be different. Yeah yeah, don’t we all but I meant in the sense that I wanted people to think about contractors differently where I live. To remove the stigma on some level. Was that idealistic, yes. Naïve, a bit. How exactly was I going to do this? Not be a sleazy contractor? Do good work? Follow through with what I said? Be reliable? That’s what everyone says. And, also, those were already characteristics I had. I’ve always been an if you’re on time you’re late kinda guy. Ok, I wanted to create a positiv by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

25 min listen

Freddy Roman, The Period Craftsman, talks craft, how operating a business detracted from his art, and why we can't let correct terminology go.: Today, Freddy Roman @theperiodcraftsman and Mike Knoche @thecontractinghandbook podcast get into one of the most difficult parts of being a tradesman business owner, the business side interferes with the creativity. You already know Freddy is a diligent student and teacher of historic furniture restoration but in this episode, Freddy drops the most gangster statement on clients, or anything, ever said on a construction podcast before! This is a deep dive into Freddy’s journey and a bit more about my own. Too much to put on this caption. Spoiler at one hour I ask, “how are you doing on time, we are only about halfway through my questions”. Please join us! Freddy’s question: “Do you still love it?” by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

105 min listen

Kyle Zanetto of Zanetto Builders: Luxury homebuilding in Tasmania, self improvement, and preliminary planning: This week, in Episode in 117 of @thecontractinghandbook podcast, I am joined by Tasmanian luzury homebuilder, Kyle Zanetto of @zanettobuilders. Kyle always strives for perfection and keeps a close watch on the new potential clients. While the labor deficit pandemic has not left Tasmania unscathed, Kyle Zenatto and company have recently landed some new crew with values that align. Finding that help is key with a ~2 year wait list and 8-10 builds on deck for this year. What it really boils down to is preliminary planning and, you guessed it, client expectation. You know there’s aways more to each pod! Kyle’s question: “Where do you find the most value in business development?” by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

52 min listen

Furious Fifteen: "Setting Boundaries w/ Clients" Kali Sudbrook and Allyson Anderson Return: Today I'm joined by Kali Sudbrook and Allyson Anderson to talk about setting boundaries with clients. Recently, Kali reached out to me to ask about contract language to mitigate for client interference in the progress of work. She was conserned about a "Chatty Cathy" distracting her on an upcoming job. Allyson and myself share some advice and some of oour own experience. by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

21 min listen

Allyson Anderson, Founder and CEO of Integro Builders, talks client archtypes, project influence vs. management, the nuance of contracting and at least one change order more!: Allyson Anderson of at Integro Builders @integro_builders is now LIVE on @thecontractinghandbook podcast! In Episode 116: - an explosive backstory and rising from the ashes - laughing in the face of jobsite adversity - The Big Four characteristics of bad clients - the greatest achievement - favorite type of project - greatest challenge in leadership as she nears ten years in business - then, the fun questions Follow @thecontractinghandbook for more stories from real builders and trades in the construction industry from all over the world, building cool stuff and loving it! Please share this in your stories and/ or leave us a review (LINK IN BIO) by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

116 min listen

The Roofer Girl, Samanntha De Coteau on finding her trade, how it lifted her up, and being bags on!: Samanntha De Coteau @the.roofer.girl of Summit Sister’s Roofing is now LIVE on @thecontractinghandbook podcast! In Episode 114: - representing and endorsing products - being a bags-on-contractor - operating as a partner - hiring roofers - leadership - being a mom in construction - overcoming adversity - then, the fun questions by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

37 min listen

Furious Fifteen: Rachel Taylor of Rachel Builds out of Los Angeles returns!: Rachel Taylor pays Mike a second visit to talk about where her construction buisness is headed, one strong held belief that she's jettisoned, and asks Mike why he thinks its important to host women in construction on the podcast. To hear more about Rachel Taylor, check out out first episode in Season 2, Episode 21. by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

32 min listen

Allison Iantosca, Owner & President of FH Perry Builder talks humanity in business, leading by example, authenticity, optimism, emotional intelligence, mutuality in age, hard converstaions, and more...: President and Owner of Award Winning FH Perry Builder, Allison Iantosca @fhperrybuilder , joins Mike Knoche on @thecontractinghandbook podcast for a dive into the humanity of business. Authenticity, optimism, emotional intelligence, age, applying values, perfection, and hard conversations are just a few of the hooks, but it’s a deep dive for Mike and Allison after one set of email exchanges. Our conversation is not the typical “how to” run a multi-million-dollar construction company. It’s and exploration of her views, perceptions, and insights on “humans interacting with humans” as a focal point in developing and operating her construction business. In my recent call for stories of the event or moment you got into trades, I want you to hear what Allison said about “why do skilled trad by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

91 min listen

Furious Fifteen: Ella Star of Plumberella, Christchurch, NZ returns!: This is the maiden voyage of Mike Knoche's Furious Fifteen where I catch up with a previous guest for 15 minutes to find out whats new, how ya been, what are you up to before asking 15 non-qualifiable yes/no questions. Tune in, listen, laugh, write a review (links below), TELL A FRIEND that needs to hear this podcast! Check out Ella’s Stars first appearance, link in the episode notes below! by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

19 min listen

Kali Sudbrook of Beachside Interiors: how her previous career experience makes her a better contractor, how her wife deals with her, fitness, leadership and tools.: Join Kali Sudbrook of Beachside Interiors and Mike Knoche for Episode 110 of The Contracting Handbook podcast where we talk about the importance of bringing her previous career experience and expertise into her new venture as a contractor. As a former professor of fitness, we get some real insight into the working of the tradespersons body and a bit of advice. We get personal quick and take a look at how she and her wife navigated the career change together. Of course, we drop into the business side of things and where she acquired her skills to do the dirty work. What about being LGTBQ in construction? She loves her life and if you don’t like it, that’s on you. The fun, caffeine fueled questions at the end are a riot. It was a great way to start our Sunday and, for you, on Monday. by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

96 min listen

TCH Podcast re-Introduction, "they only say it once", and a question for you.: Episode 110 of The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction podcast: I’m going to streamline your listening experience for the time being and put the intro to the upcoming shows here and kind of update you. This here episode will provide my personal take on the intro to TCH for the foreseeable future or until I something changes. If it’s your first time listening to The Contracting Handbook podcast, I’m your host Mike Knoche, formerly known as the man who’s seen it all from season 1. I own and operate Straight Ahead Construction in Fairbanks, Alaska. Strictly ZONE 8 residential. I’m a fool construction sites. I can’t look away. I always want to know more about whats going on over there even if I come off like I don’t care. What can I say, I’m busy! This podcast is now the distillation of nearly 1000 years of collective construction industry knowledge and experiences through discussions with my gu by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

12 min listen

Jeff Kelley of JK Woodworks and Timber Framing shares how he's carved out a life through his craft, why going to college helped, and his process: In Episode 108 of The Contracting Handbook podcast, Jeff Kelley of Jeff Kelley Woodworks and Timber Framing joins Mike Knoche for another look inside the life of a builder. Jeff lives his life how he wants to but, like many, he came into the trades and construction a bit later. He doesn’t regret going to Uni and finds much of what he learned there applicable to his contracting business. He keeps things simple with the construction business and taps builder buddies for help on left days. As always, there is so much more in getting to know one of my guests, so please download this construction podcast episode that is NOW LIVE on all podcast platforms. by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

67 min listen

Greg Eicher of Consiglio Builders talks building luxury homes, the clients, self improvement, and his favorite tool: “Throw fear out the window, there’s so much more to live for than worrying about what might happen.” With 300-400 line items in the contract, a contract must fiercely manage expectations, in my opinion. For Greg Eicher, partner at Consiglio Builders, expectation management is at the forefront of the process. As I learned in my interview with Greg, building luxury homes ranging in the $2,800-3,200 sq foot price range, is different than my experience as a smaller custom remodeler and homebuilder. The details of these houses are many, we all know that it’s a rare bird that maintains there home, but with a price tag like this, there must be a plan…listen to the lengths they go to. Changes orders are par for the course for everyone involved…. Same old story, he’s not seeing interest in the trades despite high wages where he lives. We hit upon what he sees as the greate by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

79 min listen

Bryan and Timmy Uhler: "Don't take yourself so seriously.": On Monday December 19, Bryan and Tim Uhler of Pioneer Builders join Mike Knoche on The Contracting Handbook to talk shop about building on spec, reflecting on their trip to Switzerland, and what really matters in life. There are a bunch of questions for the Uhler’s from guest questioners Aron Jones, Ryan Smith and Michael Anschel before the “Uhler Speed Round”. Both Brian and Tim recommend not taking yourself to seriously in this life, and they broke all the rules on the favorite tools by giving multiple tools and classes of tools. They may not take themselves too seriously, but they are serious about their tools! by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

88 min listen

Aaron Butt: Deconstructing the 4 year college scheme, benefits for tradespeople, the mentor/mentee realtionship: “I think we are currently deconstructing the concept that a 4 year degree is the only way” Your guy, Aaron, and I launch into a talk about the labor crisis. I’m deeply concerned, he thinks its going to work itself out. Find out his source of hope in the pod. We dive into the mentor/ mentee relationship. As a teacher, his vision is crystal clear. As a site supervisor and lead carpenter with vast experience, I ask what he (or you) should look for in a good employer. Then we hear what his employer offers. We end up in a social media/ mental health talk. Then its tool talk and mentors. What do you look for in an employer? by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

68 min listen

Barbie the Welder: The Art of the Business and The Business of Art: “I’m only as good as the last thing I did, that’s the only thing that matters to me” Is it the Art of the Business or The Business of the Art? Today, the tale of a woman who started her trade career in a vocational program for auto mechanics then found her passion as a self-taught welder. Listen for the aha moment when Barbie knows its not just something she made, it’s art. Now, she believes all tradespeople are artists. Do you guys know Barbie has pieces in 15 different countries worldwide? She’s not the type to tell you how to live, but as a community, she believes we need to honor our skills by making sure we’re compensating part for our time. Michelangelo might have had a small army of sculptors under him but, not Barbie. Her creations, her hands! We get into some cool mentors in this one! What a real pleasure we had killing an hour for this podcast. Please join us! Please save this post so you can come ba by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

52 min listen

Fiona Plett of Herself Contracting: House healing and a builder at a crossroads: “Learn from everything, every experience is an opportunity to learn.” Fiona Plett @herselfcontracting loves working close with her clients to heal their homes. She wants to rid them of the “irritants” that plague their space. Upcycling and re-purposing materials rank high in what to use for projects, but you know the catch, it costs more than buying that factory built hollow core door, 100%. So how to do you get the client on board with the idea? Physical time: Waste time- your choice On communication: anticipating the conversation and scripting in a sense. Lessons: Bookeeping Time off Buy the stuff you need The goal: Making “one of’s” The direction? Getting more creative with what she knows which may incorporate the new timber framing. Advice: don’t volunteer your time, get paid for your time. Join us for another podcast episode on self-determination! by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

57 min listen

Michael Anschel of OA Design Build on the Cost of Project Execution (C.O.P.E.) method of estimating: Today, Michael Anschel of @oabuilds joins Mike Knoche for a raucous discussion in the explanation of the Cost of Project Execution (C.O.P.E.) method for estimating. We immediately drop into the issues surrounding single margin multipliers, a general misunderstanding of knowing profit from overhead and a general lack of trust that comes with not wanting to talk about project costs with clients. It’s an uncomfortable topic so, we avoid it. We walk through a number of examples the make the C.O.P.E. method accessible to spec homes builder, custom home builders, remodelers, and sub trade contractors. There are no markups using C.O.P.E. But Mike, this flies in the face of anything I’ve ever known about estimating. Mike casts doubt on Michael and this blasphemous method throughout. This is a fun and interesting look at a different approach to estimating with Michael Anschel on his secon by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

82 min listen

Jon Hilgenberg of JCH Cabinets talks his Craftsman Program, love of teaching, apprentice years and the circumstance that shaped him: “If you can’t explain something simply to someone else, then you don’t quite have mastery of it.” In episode 101 of The Contracting Handbook podcast, it’s Jon Hilgenberg’s “Craftsmanship 101” on educating and evolving his business. We drop into the universal issue for contractors, how much to charge? Knowing his worth came with a decade of problem solving while subbing out to designer that provided drawings with limited details. Know your worth people! While Jon is clearly a master of his craft, he didn’t start on this path. I echo his statement for my self “nobody would have expected me to go into the trades.” Sharing his craft online has made him better. He knows there’s always someone better and he must be one his game. If you can’t communicate your process quickly and succinctly, you haven’t mastered it. There are lessons that carry from startin by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

83 min listen

Episode 100: TCH Halloween Podcast Special- Tales from the Jobsite: Meet my story telling crew! Twenty-two skilled professionals from all walks sent me their stories in their voices to share in this 100th episode of The Contracting Handbook podcast. As of prepping this post, I have not heard the stories in their entirety. by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

66 min listen

Harvey Jesso of Maritime Carpentry & Maritime Electrical talks running two construction companies, stepping away from work at night, the retirement plan and more: “It’s important to build a strong reputation and do such good work so you don’t have to work for the sheep.” For those of you who know Harvey Jesso, you know he’s a positive force and reputable contractor, for those who don’t, you’re in for a treat. He’s running two contracting businesses, loves what he does and takes weekends off for family time. He started in the business at 9 y.o., so it’s in his blood. I (Mike) want to know why clients are perfectly happy to pay electrical quotes but balk at the price of custom carpentry. Harvey generates quotes for both trades but agrees that carpenters are under-rated! We hit on the greatest challenge of a tradesman becoming a businessman. Harvey seems comfortable in his shoes today and has a plan to retire. Harvey’s father-in-law showed up at the BBQ fully decked out in Maritime by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

52 min listen

Larry Clay of Clay Construction: Foundation to Finish- Building Your Company and Brand: “You must have a number of stories, based on your experience, of how you are going to build a better home so that your clients are going to have piece of mind and less issues.” He may make being an award-winning custom homebuilder in Vancouver look easy, but it wasn’t always that way. Today, your guy, Larry Clay, owner & operator of Clay Construction talks behind the scenes of what he overcame to be the recipient of the prestigious Grand Georgie Award for best custom home. It was October, 2009 (if that doesn’t give you chills….) …an accident, a planning glitch, then, the Great Recession…and re-inventing himself. He became the reluctant custom home builder. Reluctant because he had been a custom builder before, and spec houses were more straight forward. How do you sell your client on the added cost of high-performance homes? (I’m asking, answer below) It’s all about the language with Larry Cl by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

70 min listen

Tom Lawson of Straight Up Stairs: Pricing, Innovating, Sobriety: “If you’re gonna do something, do it right.” Most of you already know that Tom Lawson is a straight shooter and in this new podcast, we talk life lessons in many capacities. We head straight into billing for experience and not time. We got their from a previous conversation with Brant Taylor @thetoolhacker where the jist was the ole “potential client doubting our price”. What and when to charge? It’s there! Part of this process is instilling confidence. We 100% agreed on this one and shared some experience. Tom’s rocketed to incredible heights in a short period of time. He may have had valuable industry experience under his belt that helps him focus on his craft, but alcohol stood in the way. It wasn’t an easy ride, but the man is in control and he knows what matters to him. The education system didn’t suit Tom, so he chose the trades. That’s surprise coming from this country boy who has been inventing and teaching by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

60 min listen

Janeen Oliver is a Third Generation Family Concreter and Advocate for Trade Recruitment: Janeen Oliver is “not your average concrete rep” because it’s all about being hands on, boots on the ground with the crew and then working her day job. You already know this if you follow @concrete_diva and if you don’t, today Mike Knoche of The Contracting Handbook podcast hosts Janeen to hear her story as a third generation concreter, leaving the family biz, returning after a couple few careers and repping for the company that eventually bought her dad’s company. The labor deficit in North America (and everywhere) fueled Janeen’s push to help found the Crew Collaborative @the.crew.collab , an organization formed to recruit more youth into the trades through classroom talks and outreach programs. Janeen is all about her relationships on the ground. She shows up before the (mega) pour starts, helps keep the ball rollin’, keeps the crew fed with food and support and it does not go unnoticed when by The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

76 min listen

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Joe Mitchell of Finish Point Trim: Crew Leadership and Client Conflict

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