Contractor Growth Network

Logan Shinholser
  • 4.8 (57)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Growing up as the son of a successful contractor, Logan experienced firsthand the benefits of a healthy contracting business: less stress, more money, and more time for family. Now Logan runs Contractor Growth Network to help guide you on your journey to create a strong and reliable contracting business for your family. Interested in learning more? Visit contractorgrowthnetwork.com or join our Facebook group, Common Sense Contracting, today.

  1. 22H AGO

    #479 How NS Builders Built a Massive Following While Building Luxury Homes

    *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-695e3993-df60-832e-b05f-24104cc874e3-2" data-testid= "conversation-turn-10" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Logan sits down with Nick Schiffer, founder of NS Builders, to unpack what it really takes to build a brand so strong that clients wait five years to hire you. With over 400,000 followers across platforms, NS Builders is widely recognized for high-end craftsmanship and polished content—but this conversation goes far beyond Instagram. Nick shares how intentionality drives everything: from floor transition details and branded clothing to proposal books, employee handbooks, and long-term trust with clients. If you want to understand how brand, systems, communication, and consistency compound over time to create real market leverage, this episode is a masterclass. 🎯 Timestamps: 00:00 — How NS Builders became a brand remodelers study 03:00 — What "intentionality" actually means in construction 07:30 — Content first: building high-end perception before high-end projects 11:00 — Turning storytelling into long-term client trust 15:30 — Communication as the true differentiator 18:45 — Imposter syndrome and leveling up internal systems 23:00 — The 14-month "Our Process" book and branded documents 30:00 — Cohesive branding across proposals, publications, and touchpoints 33:45 — Why uniforms and branded gear matter more than you think 40:45 — Should every builder build a brand? This episode breaks down the iceberg beneath the polished projects—showing how internal systems, communication discipline, and relentless brand consistency are what actually fuel the external reputation. Listen now to learn how intentional branding can transform your building business

    43 min

  2. FEB 4

    #478 Leadership Lessons From Closing My Remodeling Branch

    Logan sits down with Victor Lebegue, founder of VL Builders, to unpack one of the hardest leadership decisions a remodeler can face: when to shut something down to save what matters most. Victor shares the story of running two branches of his business in different states—and how market shifts, team dynamics, and leadership realities forced him to close the company he originally built from scratch. From there, the conversation dives deep into culture, hiring, EOS, and what it actually takes to lead people through uncertainty while building a business that can scale without burning out the owner. If you're navigating growth, leadership strain, or questioning whether your current structure is holding you back, this episode offers hard-earned lessons from the trenches. 🎯 Timestamps: 00:00 — Why leadership and systems matter more than hiring alone 03:00 — Victor's origin story and building VL Builders from necessity 06:15 — Running two companies in different states 09:45 — Why Victor chose to shut down one branch 13:00 — Identifying hunger, ownership, and leadership potential in a team 17:00 — Implementing EOS and creating a shared vision 21:00 — Hiring for want it and get it before skill 26:00 — Visionary vs. integrator roles (and wearing both hats) 31:00 — Culture breakdowns, core values, and leadership failure modes 38:45 — Clarity breaks, stepping back, and leading long-term This episode is a masterclass in leadership under pressure—covering what most remodelers only learn the hard way: the cost of misaligned teams, the power of shared vision, and why sometimes the strongest move is letting go.

    49 min

  3. JAN 21

    #477 Building a Multi-Million $ Team in a Small Town (ft. Slate Creek Builders)

    Logan sits down with Sean Beliveau and Cassidy Jones of Slate Creek Builders to break down how they've built an award-winning remodeling team in a small college town—without relying on job boards, recruiters, or desperation hires. Based in Blacksburg, Virginia, Slate Creek Builders has grown to a 14-person team delivering multi-million-dollar remodels in a market of just 35,000 people. In this conversation, they unpack how community reputation, always-on recruiting, strong systems, and a clearly defined org chart allow them to attract talent before they ever need it. If you're struggling to hire, retain great people, or build a culture that recruits for you, this episode offers a real-world playbook—especially for remodelers operating in smaller or tighter markets. 🎯 Timestamps: 00:00 — Why Slate Creek attracts talent without actively recruiting 03:00 — Building a high-end remodeling business in a small market 06:30 — How community reputation fuels growth and referrals 10:45 — The pressure (and upside) of working in a small town 14:00 — Why most of Slate Creek's hires come from personal networks 17:00 — Always recruiting—even when you're not hiring 20:45 — Hiring a "unicorn" without a job opening 23:15 — Using org charts to justify new roles 27:30 — How systems give confidence to hire ahead of demand 31:15 — Dividing leadership: vision vs. execution 34:30 — Protecting work-life balance as a core cultural value 38:00 — Learning from bad hires (and why desperation hires fail) 42:00 — Turning a questionable hire into a long-term win 46:30 — Separating emotion from estimating and pricing 50:30 — What Slate Creek looks for in cultural fit 55:00 — Hiring for skilled roles vs. training from scratch 59:30 — Why people stay once they join the team 01:02:30 — The benefits of building a business in a tight-knit community If you want employees lining up before you post a job, systems that support confident growth, and a culture people genuinely want to be part of—this episode shows what that looks like in practice.

    1h 16m

  4. JAN 7

    #476 The Client Experience System Behind a $3M Remodeler (ft. Andrew Nuhfer)

    In this episode of the Contractor Growth Network Podcast, Logan sits down with Andrew Nuhfer, founder of AKN Interiors, to unpack how clear communication, structured systems, and expectation-setting fuel high-end remodeling growth. Andrew shares how he's scaled AKN Interiors to over $3M annually while running 15–20 active projects—without sacrificing the client experience. From pre-construction planning and interior design collaboration to daily logs, scheduling, and post-project follow-ups, this episode breaks down what it actually looks like to run a modern, client-first remodeling operation. If you're looking to reduce friction, avoid misaligned expectations, and build a repeatable communication process your team and clients can trust, this conversation is packed with real-world insight. 🎯 Timestamps: 00:00 — Andrew's background and why he started AKN Interiors 03:00 — Making the leap from employee to business owner 07:50 — Why planning and expectations matter more than craftsmanship alone 10:00 — Setting pricing expectations early (and why transparency wins) 14:00 — Using past projects to anchor budget conversations 17:20 — Integrating an interior designer into the remodel process 19:45 — Allowances, proposals, and preventing budget surprises 23:20 — Managing 15–20 projects at once without chaos 26:00 — How AKN uses JobTread for daily communication 28:30 — Daily logs, schedules, and keeping homeowners informed 31:10 — Hiring for communication skills, not just construction experience 34:40 — Getting subcontractors aligned with your systems 36:30 — Post-project follow-ups, warranties, and long-term trust 38:00 — Using JobTread as a sales tool before contracts are signed 42:00 — Lessons Andrew wishes he knew earlier about client experience 44:00 — Handling missed expectations and tough conversations honestly 48:30 — Treating remodeling as a partnership, not a transaction If you want to build smoother projects, stronger reviews, and happier clients—this episode is a masterclass in what that looks like in practice.

    51 min

  5. 12/17/2025

    #475 "How I Doubled my Close Rates with Design Proposals" (ft. AJ Ballantine)

    In this episode, Logan sits down with AJ Ballantine to break down how Cornerstone Remodeling grew from $2M to $10M in five years—without hiring five times the people. The secret? A radically optimized design process, driven by empathy mapping, technology, and sales finesse. AJ walks through the systems, tools, and scripts he used to cut his sales cycle, boost his close rate, and wow clients—all while keeping a high-touch, boutique feel. If you're a design-build remodeler struggling with lengthy sales processes, low perceived value, or slow growth, this episode is your blueprint for change. 🔑 Key Takeaways Optimize, Don't Overhire → AJ's sales team used to close $3M/year—now they close at a $10M pace with the same team → The shift: 6–10 hours to build a high-impact "first pass" proposal that converts faster Perceived Value > Just Deliverables → AJ's team builds proposals in Canva with floor plans, mood boards, and personalized designer quotes → Clients feel like they're already halfway through the project before competitors even send a bid Use Tech to Speed Trust → Render's "Invite to Capture" feature lets homeowners scan their space remotely → Clients feel empowered, and your team gets measurements without stepping foot in the home Empathy Mapping = Sales Gold → AJ's team mapped out client pain points like option overload and lack of clarity → Solutions like curated samples, mood boards, and visual timelines de-stress the process Charge to Impress → Clients pay 1% upfront for a first pass proposal, then 5% more before design revisions → Conversion after that second payment? 100% (outside of rare exceptions) 🧰 Tools & Tactics Mentioned Render – 3D space scanning tool AJ co-developed Canva – Used for building visually stunning proposals Calendly – Streamlined consult scheduling JobTread – Estimating and construction management DocuSign – Seamless proposal signing + payments Loom – For walking clients through proposals remotely 🕒 Timestamps 00:00 – Why growing a business doesn't mean hiring more people 01:30 – AJ's background: design + build = natural fit 04:00 – How Render's space scanning changed the game 07:45 – How to ask clients to scan their space without losing trust 10:35 – Case study: A $75K bathroom turned $150K with the right process 13:00 – The power of the phone call as a pattern interrupt 15:30 – What goes in a "first pass" proposal and how it's delivered 20:00 – Using the Moscow Report to align budget and finishes 24:00 – Proposal design: how aesthetics drive perceived value 26:50 – Creating speed and momentum to outpace competitors 30:00 – Including designer mood boards and personal touches 35:00 – The metrics: 76% close rate, $1M–$2M months, 6–10 hours per proposal 39:00 – The second phase: formal measurements, structural confirmation 44:00 – No-surprises contract pricing explained 48:00 – Selection process: curated samples over option overload 51:00 – Designing for the busy, not the picky 54:00 – Solving for process friction: empathy + accountability 57:00 – The sales and marketing adjustments that made it all work 1:02:00 – Why everything is digital (except the printed permit plans) 1:05:00 – How AJ got team buy-in on massive change 1:11:00 – 40X and driving a culture of accountability 1:14:00 – Start with WHY if you want your new process to stick 💬 Quote of the Episode "We used to spend $2,000 worth of effort on a proposal and hand over a spreadsheet. Now, we hand them a deliverable that looks like a million bucks—and they're halfway to signing." — AJ Ballantine

    1h 20m

  6. 12/03/2025

    #474 Lessons from 30 Years in Residential Architecture (ft. Chris Landis)

    Logan sits down with Chris Landis, co-founder of the award-winning Landis Architects/Builders in Washington, D.C. With over 35 years of experience, Chris shares how his architecture background shaped the firm's design-build approach—and what remodelers can learn from their detailed, phased design process. From feasibility studies and pre-construction agreements to hiring in-house designers and scaling team structure, this episode is a masterclass in how to elevate the design side of your remodeling business. Whether you're just starting to charge for design or scaling up to larger, more complex projects, Chris offers clear takeaways on how to structure your process, train your team, and charge what you're worth. 🔑 What You'll Learn Why Landis' design process includes 3 clear phases: schematic, DD, and CD How feasibility studies help pre-qualify projects and set expectations What to look for when hiring designers—and how to train them How a team leader role bridges sales and design for smoother execution Why charging properly for design leads to better clients, work, and profits How Landis keeps clients excited and engaged throughout long design timelines What it looks like to run a design department that actually makes money ⏱️ Key Timestamps 00:00 – Intro to Chris Landis + Landis Architects & Builders 01:30 – From Wall Street offices to handyman work: how the business started 05:30 – Why drawings matter (and why they should never be free) 11:00 – Overview of Landis' design services: feasibility, pre-construction, full design 15:00 – Three phases of design: schematic, DD, and CD 20:00 – Aligning sales and design with a "team leader" role 27:00 – How Landis prices design and stays ahead on billing 30:00 – In-house vs outsourced design teams: pros and cons 36:00 – Matching designers to project types and geographic regions 38:00 – Keeping clients excited during long design and permitting windows 45:00 – How Landis markets high-end projects (and the power of awards) 47:00 – Design isn't a loss leader—it's a profit center 52:00 – Why charging for design leads to better hires, better clients, and a stronger brand

    54 min

  7. 11/19/2025

    #473 Improving your Remodeling Sales with Assignment Selling

    Logan and Aaron unpack one of the most powerful but underused sales strategies in remodeling: assignment selling. Originally coined by Marcus Sheridan, this method bridges the gap between marketing and sales—by arming prospects with the right information before they ever get on a call. You'll learn how to apply this approach in your own sales process—whether it's sending project walkthroughs before a meeting, using content to pre-qualify leads, or walking clients through your website in real-time. If you've been creating great content but aren't sure how to use it to actually close deals, this episode will show you how.  What You'll Learn What assignment selling is (and isn't) Why content belongs in your sales process, not just your marketing How to reduce unqualified leads and shorten the sales cycle What kinds of content work best at different sales stages How to personalize resources based on each prospect The difference between automations vs one-on-one communication How to ask clients to consume content—without sounding pushy  Key Timestamps 00:00 – What is assignment selling (and why does it matter)? 03:00 – Mapping your sales process to identify content gaps 06:30 – The difference between marketing automation and sales enablement 12:30 – Why production quality matters in sales content 18:00 – Examples of content that actually move the sale forward 25:00 – What happens when a prospect doesn't do their assignment 32:00 – Using your website like a live sales deck 37:00 – Emotional buy-in vs logical overload 43:00 – How to map your process and assign content that supports it 48:00 – How CGN uses this strategy in their own sales calls

    50 min

  8. 11/05/2025

    #472 Top-of-Funnel Marketing: Truck Wraps, Social Media, and More

    In this episode of the Contractor Growth Network podcast, Logan and Aaron break down what it takes to build a memorable, recognizable remodeling brand in your community—before prospects are even ready to hire. From truck wraps to social media ads, they walk through the most common "top of funnel" marketing strategies, explain when to use them, and how to measure impact over time. If your goal is to become the remodeler people think of first, this episode is your blueprint. Key Topics: Understanding the marketing funnel and where branding fits Truck wraps, yard signs, and how they signal trust Why remodelers should use social media—even without going viral The new way Meta ads work (and why they're easier than ever) The role of email marketing in nurturing leads Direct mail that doesn't feel like junk Trade shows, magazine ads, and when (and when not) to use them How to measure success when ROI isn't immediate 🎯 Timestamps: 00:00 — Why household-name remodelers dominate neighborhoods 04:00 — Who "top of funnel" marketing is really for 10:00 — Truck wraps, yard signs, and company shirts as branding tools 23:20 — Using social media effectively (paid and organic) 30:00 — How to turn high-performing posts into local ads 40:00 — Building and nurturing your email list 49:55 — Direct mail: how to make it worth the cost 54:58 — Trade shows and community event sponsorships 57:21 — Billboards, magazine ads, and long-term brand recall 01:00:46 — Tracking top-of-funnel performance through branded searches

    1h 9m
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4.8
out of 5
57 Ratings

About

Growing up as the son of a successful contractor, Logan experienced firsthand the benefits of a healthy contracting business: less stress, more money, and more time for family. Now Logan runs Contractor Growth Network to help guide you on your journey to create a strong and reliable contracting business for your family. Interested in learning more? Visit contractorgrowthnetwork.com or join our Facebook group, Common Sense Contracting, today.

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