Construction Secrets

Raine Gerber
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Welcome to the Construction Secrets podcast where we talk about signing better construction contracts, getting better project cash flow and making more profit per project, and the many mistakes and failures we have learned along the way. Powered by Quantum Contracts.

  1. The Harsh Truth About Construction Hiring (And How to Fix It) feat. Martin Preece | Ep. 399

    5 DAYS AGO

    The Harsh Truth About Construction Hiring (And How to Fix It) feat. Martin Preece | Ep. 399

    What does great leadership really look like in construction? In this episode of Construction Secrets, our CEO Raine Gerber sits down with Martin Preece to explore how the construction industry can evolve, not just through projects and profit, but through people. They discuss: Why the biggest challenge isn’t finding talent, but keeping itThe shift from command-and-control leadership to communication and empathyHow culture and flexibility attract the next generation of construction professionalsWhy leadership development is the missing piece in most construction businesses From leadership mindsets to team culture, this episode unpacks what it takes to build companies that people want to be part of, not just work for. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 02:16 - How Martin Got Into Recruitment07:00 - The Leadership Gap in Construction12:00 - Building Strong Teams, Not Just Filling Roles17:10 - How Poor Onboarding Destroys Engagement26:00 - Managing Gen Z and Millennial Talent32:20 - Why Information Shapes Expectations38:50 - Building a Brand People Want to Work For46:40 - Learning Through Tough Projects57:30 - Final Thoughts: Influence and Growth Connect & Learn More ⁠Quantum Contracts Website⁠⁠Raine Gerber⁠⁠Martin PreeceBuilding Environs.au DISCLAIMER: The content of this podcast does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice, and can not be relied upon as such. You should seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any matters you or your business may have. Follow our Socials and let's get connected! ⤵️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter

    1 hr
  2. The Hidden Trap in Every Construction Schedule (feat. Andy Alagappan)| Ep. 398

    21 OCT

    The Hidden Trap in Every Construction Schedule (feat. Andy Alagappan)| Ep. 398

    If your construction schedule keeps slipping and your profit keeps bleeding, this episode is for you. Our CEO, Raine Gerber, kicks off Season 2 of Construction Secrets with Andy Alagappan, Senior Planning Consultant and Delay Expert, to expose the hidden causes of project overruns and how to fix them. Together they unpack: Why bad programs destroy trust, cash flow, and margin How to spot early warning signs before delay turns into dispute The truth about float vs contingency Practical tools to plan smarter, recover time, and stay profitable “Time is way more valuable than money. You can make more money, but you can’t buy more time.” Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome to Season 2 01:20 – From Formula 1 Dreams to Construction Planning 05:40 – The Silent Profit Killer: Poor Planning 09:00 – Early Risk Detection & Forecasting 10:20 – Time Is Way More Valuable Than Money 12:50 – The Purpose of a Program 15:40 – Float vs Contingency: Clearing the Confusion 21:10 – Communication and Early Warnings 37:20 – The Myth of the “Dark Arts” of Scheduling  56:00 – The Future of Planning: AI and iBOQ Connect & Learn More Quantum Contracts WebsiteRaine GerberStrategic Planning WebsiteAndy Alagappan DISCLAIMER: The content of this podcast does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice, and can not be relied upon as such. You should seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any matters you or your business may have. Follow our Socials and let's get connected! ⤵️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter

    58 min

  3. 16 OCT

    The Construction Industry's Number ONE Problem [#ThrowbackThursday] | Ep. 397

    This episode is a re-run. It was originally published in April 2024. Where did all the tradies go? Construction is booming, but the workers are vanishing. Margins are getting crushed, projects are understaffed, and no one wants to get their hands dirty anymore. In this episode, we dig into why there’s a global skilled labor shortage, how AI might flip the script, and why trades could become the most secure jobs of the next decade. If you're wondering how this shift will impact your business, you need to hear this. Tune in now. Struggling with unfair contracts or slow payments in construction? With 6,000+ contracts reviewed and $20 billion in contracts managed, Quantum Contracts' proven framework is designed to help you negotiate fair contracts, secure faster payments, avoid disputes, and improve cash flow. Don’t let contract issues hold you back—gain the confidence to focus on growing your business. Ready to take control and make more profit per project? Click here to GRAB the FREE Industry Standards Guide: quantumcs.co/ISYt Click here to IMPROVE your contracts using the Quantum Contract System: quantumcs.co/Yt2025 Click here to GAIN expert advice weekly for FREE: quantumcs.co/YTNewsOptIn Timestamps: (1:32) - The biggest problem everyone's talking about is I can't get enough people (2:15) - Why is there a lack of skilled people? (3:23) - There is a lot of suicide in construction (5:17) - Construction was typically done by immigrants (6:19) - The white collar workers are going to become less and less valuable because AI is going to be able to do a lot of that work DISCLAIMER: The content of this podcast does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice, and can not be relied upon as such. You should seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any matters you or your business may have. Follow our Socials and let's get connected! ⤵️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter

    7 min

  4. 9 OCT

    New Construction Contractor: Start Here! [#ThrowbackThursday] | Ep. 396

    This episode is a re-run. It was originally published in April 2024. Most subcontractors waste their first five years learning lessons the hard way. They undercharge, chase every tender, stop marketing once the job starts, and get stuck in a cycle of low-margin work. In this episode, you'll get five practical strategies that can fast-track your growth, including how to dominate a niche, build powerful case studies, charge premium rates, and finally break free from competitive bidding. These are the same principles the top 1% use to grow faster, earn more, and win better work. Want to skip the trial and error? Hit the play button now. Struggling with unfair contracts or slow payments in construction? With 6,000+ contracts reviewed and $20 billion in contracts managed, Quantum Contracts' proven framework is designed to help you negotiate fair contracts, secure faster payments, avoid disputes, and improve cash flow. Don’t let contract issues hold you back—gain the confidence to focus on growing your business. Ready to take control and make more profit per project? Click here to GRAB the FREE Industry Standards Guide: quantumcs.co/ISYt Click here to IMPROVE your contracts using the Quantum Contract System: quantumcs.co/Yt2025 Click here to GAIN expert advice weekly for FREE: quantumcs.co/YTNewsOptIn Timestamps: (1:09) - You want to master your own little puddle, then expand to the pond, and then to the lake (2:56) - You've got to eat some dirt (4:27) - Buy back your time (5:59) - Understand where you have the most value in your business (8:23) - How do you move away from competitive bidding? DISCLAIMER: The content of this podcast does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice, and can not be relied upon as such. You should seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any matters you or your business may have. Follow our Socials and let's get connected! ⤵️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter

    10 min

  5. 2 OCT

    10 Construction Business Owners Questions Answered [#ThrowbackThursday] | Ep. 395

    This episode is a re-run. It was originally published in April 2024. Most new construction business owners are set up to fail before they even break ground. They sign risky contracts they don't understand, take on the wrong insurance, and agree to timelines that make zero sense for their scope. In this episode, we answer real questions from trades and subcontractors about certifications, pricing models, insurance traps, and contract clauses that can wreck your margin. You’ll learn how to protect your IP, set the right risk tolerance, and avoid being locked into 36-month nightmares.If you're thinking of starting a construction company or just want to make sure yours survives, you need to hear this. Tune in now. Struggling with unfair contracts or slow payments in construction? With 6,000+ contracts reviewed and $20 billion in contracts managed, Quantum Contracts' proven framework is designed to help you negotiate fair contracts, secure faster payments, avoid disputes, and improve cash flow. Don’t let contract issues hold you back—gain the confidence to focus on growing your business. Ready to take control and make more profit per project? Click here to GRAB the FREE Industry Standards Guide: quantumcs.co/ISYt Click here to IMPROVE your contracts using the Quantum Contract System: quantumcs.co/Yt2025 Click here to GAIN expert advice weekly for FREE: quantumcs.co/YTNewsOptIn Timestamps: (1:14) - What kind of training and certifications do you need to start your own construction company? (2:45) - What type of insurance cover or guarantee should I be taking out on my company? (5:42) - What would you say is the best sector to specialize in so that it doesn't happen to my business in a couple of months? (7:52) - When signing onto a project, what is an acceptable timeline of the project? What is the industry standard? (13:08) - How do I keep my IP to myself when I sign a new contract? (15:05) - Should my price be fixed price or an estimate, which option would give me the upper hand? (18:14) - Are there any courses you could recommend to my team and I can learn about clauses and contracts? DISCLAIMER: The content of this podcast does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice, and can not be relied upon as such. You should seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any matters you or your business may have. Follow our Socials and let's get connected! ⤵️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter

    19 min

  6. 25 SEPT

    Mastering Contract Administration in the Construction Industry [#ThrowbackThursday] | Ep. 394

    This episode is a re-run. It was originally published in April 2024. Most contract administrators are leaving money on the table without even realising it. If you think your job is just submitting change orders and delay notices, you're missing the real opportunity. Great contract admins do more than push paper. They improve cash flow, increase margins, and protect the company from costly disputes. In this episode, learn how to become the kind of contract administrator who gets noticed, promoted, and rewarded while helping your company thrive. Listen in and discover how the top 1 percent actually operate. Struggling with unfair contracts or slow payments in construction? With 6,000+ contracts reviewed and $20 billion in contracts managed, Quantum Contracts' proven framework is designed to help you negotiate fair contracts, secure faster payments, avoid disputes, and improve cash flow. Don’t let contract issues hold you back—gain the confidence to focus on growing your business. Ready to take control and make more profit per project? Click here to GRAB a copy of our book The Subcontractor's Edge: quantumcs.co/SubEdgePreYt Click here to IMPROVE your contracts using the Quantum Contract System: quantumcs.co/Yt2025 Click here to GAIN expert advice weekly for FREE: quantumcs.co/YTNewsOptIn Timestamps: (1:26) - One of the key things that you have to remember as a contracts administrator is it's not about. pushing paper from A to B (3:19) - Lawyers understand everything in the clauses for sure, of course they do, and they understand the risks, but they don't understand how it actually plays out on site (5:34) - The biggest problem in construction is doing work for free (7:10) - How do you be contractual without being aggressive? How do you do it in such a way is that they don't think you're combative? (8:15) - Contracts administrators are not paper pushers. They're switched on commercially DISCLAIMER: The content of this podcast does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice, and can not be relied upon as such. You should seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any matters you or your business may have. Follow our Socials and let's get connected! ⤵️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter

    9 min

  7. 18 SEPT

    The ONE Thing That Can Bankrupt Your Construction Business [#ThrowbackThursday] | Ep. 393

    This episode is a re-run. It was originally published in March 2024. You might think you're signing a fair contract… but you’re not. Most contractors believe they’re agreeing to standard terms, when in reality, they’ve been handed a heavily amended document that quietly shifts all the risk onto them. These “wolf in sheep’s clothing” contracts look safe until something goes wrong. Suddenly, you're hit with hidden clauses, tight time bars, and zero entitlement to variations or delays. In this episode, we break down how this happens, why it’s so common, and what you can do to protect your margins and cash flow. Tune in now and find out if your contracts are quietly setting you up to fail. Struggling with unfair contracts or slow payments in construction? With 6,000+ contracts reviewed and $20 billion in contracts managed, Quantum Contracts' proven framework is designed to help you negotiate fair contracts, secure faster payments, avoid disputes, and improve cash flow. Don’t let contract issues hold you back—gain the confidence to focus on growing your business. Ready to take control and make more profit per project? Click here to GRAB a copy of our book The Subcontractor's Edge: quantumcs.co/SubEdgePreYt Click here to IMPROVE your contracts using the Quantum Contract System: quantumcs.co/Yt2025 Click here to GAIN expert advice weekly for FREE: quantumcs.co/YTNewsOptIn Timestamps: (2:08) - The thing about this is contracts typically are not really designed to be fair (3:06) - What they do is if they can push the risk, if they can have you finance the project on their behalf, their cashflow is a lot better (4:38) - What actually happens is they use the standard form contract, and then they amend that contract and then give you that contract (5:40) - They can manipulate time bars DISCLAIMER: The content of this podcast does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice, and can not be relied upon as such. You should seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any matters you or your business may have. Follow our Socials and let's get connected! ⤵️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter

    6 min

  8. 11 SEPT

    How a Single Misstep Can Bring Your Construction Company Down [#ThrowbackThursday] | Ep. 392

    This episode is a re-run. It was originally published in March 2024. One mistake in construction can wipe out 20 years of hard work. It sounds extreme, but it happens every day. Rising interest rates, skyrocketing material costs, and a shortage of skilled workers are creating the perfect storm. On top of that, most contractors are blindly signing risky contracts that shift all the pressure onto them. If you're not negotiating smarter and protecting your margins, you're playing a dangerous game. In this episode, find out what’s really killing construction companies and how the top 1% are protecting themselves while making more profit on every project. Listen up! Struggling with unfair contracts or slow payments in construction? With 6,000+ contracts reviewed and $20 billion in contracts managed, Quantum Contracts' proven framework is designed to help you negotiate fair contracts, secure faster payments, avoid disputes, and improve cash flow. Don’t let contract issues hold you back—gain the confidence to focus on growing your business. Ready to take control and make more profit per project? Click here to GRAB a copy of our book The Subcontractor's Edge: quantumcs.co/SubEdgePreYt Click here to IMPROVE your contracts using the Quantum Contract System: quantumcs.co/Yt2025 Click here to GAIN expert advice weekly for FREE: quantumcs.co/YTNewsOptIn Timestamps: (1:44) - What is the problem in construction and why do so many construction companies end up going out of business? (3:16) - Most people lost a lot of money if they were locked into contracts (4:20) - How do we make sure that one false step isn't going to put us out of business? (5:41) - If you're not playing the contracts game, you're going to lose (6:28) - Construction is a game about longevity DISCLAIMER: The content of this podcast does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice, and can not be relied upon as such. You should seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any matters you or your business may have. Follow our Socials and let's get connected! ⤵️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter

    7 min
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About

Welcome to the Construction Secrets podcast where we talk about signing better construction contracts, getting better project cash flow and making more profit per project, and the many mistakes and failures we have learned along the way. Powered by Quantum Contracts.

Information

  • Creator
    Raine Gerber
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    399
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Raine Gerber
  • Show Website
    Construction Secrets

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