Contractor Success Forum

Contractor Success Forum
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Tips and advice to run a successful construction business from two long-term industry professionals: Wade Carpenter, a construction CPA, and Stephen Brown, a construction bond agent. Each host has unique, but complementary views and advice from each of their 30+ years in the contracting industry. Their goal is to promote healthy, thought-provoking discussions and tips for running a better, more profitable, and successful company. Subscribe for new insights and discussion every week. Visit ContractorSuccessForum.com to view all episodes and find out more. 

  1. Contractor Wake-Up Call: What's Draining Your Revenue?

    4D AGO

    Contractor Wake-Up Call: What's Draining Your Revenue?

    Send us a text 🔗 LINKS Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show. Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW! Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live. ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE You can't fix what you can't see. Most contractors know their overall margin but have no idea which parts of their business actually make money.  Wade Carpenter and Stephen Brown break apart the 'green smoothie' of blended P&L statements to reveal hidden profit pockets.  Through real case studies, discover how segmentation helped contractors work fewer hours while increasing profit by $80,000-$137,000.  Learn why your proudest projects might be killing your business and how to identify your true profit makers. ⌚️ Key moments in this episode: 00:00 Introduction to Profit Visibility in Construction01:13 Recap of Previous Episodes03:15 Case Study: Commercial vs Residential Profit Margins06:14 Case Study: Electrical Contractor's Profit Analysis09:59 Case Study: Mechanical Contractor's Profit Breakdown14:50 Case Study: Remodeling Group's Financial Insights21:33 Conclusion and Next StepsJoin the Profit First for Construction community! Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com. Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs FIND US ONLINE Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com

    26 min
  2. The Secret to Contractor Success: The Simple Math That Boosts Your Bottom Line

    JAN 27

    The Secret to Contractor Success: The Simple Math That Boosts Your Bottom Line

    Send us a text 🔗 LINKS Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show. Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW! Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live. ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE Ready for the construction-specific math that transforms your bottom line?  In part 2, Wade reveals how different job types, pricing strategies, and cash flow cycles impact your real profitability. Discover why collecting receivables just 1 day faster could put $186K more in your bank, how job segmentation reveals hidden profit centers, and the simple scenarios that help you stop growing broke.  This isn't theory, it's practical math every contractor can use. ⌚️ Key moments in this episode: 00:00 Introduction to Profit Improvement Potential00:01 Recap of the First Episode00:10 Understanding Construction Project Mix02:03 The Importance of Pricing Strategy06:15 Segmentation in Construction Business06:56 Analyzing Different Job Types14:24 Cash Flow and Profitability23:14 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsJoin the Profit First for Construction community! Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com. Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs FIND US ONLINE Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com

    25 min
  3. Simple Math, Huge Results: What's Your Profit Improvement Potential?

    JAN 20

    Simple Math, Huge Results: What's Your Profit Improvement Potential?

    Send us a text 🔗 LINKS Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show. Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW! Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live. ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE Discover the Profit Improvement Potential hiding in your construction business!  Wade reveals the simple math that shows why chasing revenue kills profits and how small 1% improvements across key areas can dramatically boost your bottom line.  Learn why lowering prices requires 50% more customers to break even, but raising prices 10% lets you lose 25% of customers and still profit more.  This CFO-level analysis will change how you think about pricing, customer acquisition, and business value forever. ⌚️ Key moments in this episode: 00:00 Introduction to Profit Improvement Potential00:58 Understanding Business Metrics02:41 Strategies to Increase Revenue08:25 Cost Management Techniques09:52 Valuing Your Business13:32 The Impact of Pricing on Profitability17:58 Conclusion and Next StepsJoin the Profit First for Construction community! Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com. Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs FIND US ONLINE Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com

    22 min
  4. Backlog Doesn't Equal Growth: What Contractors Get Wrong About Risk Management

    JAN 13

    Backlog Doesn't Equal Growth: What Contractors Get Wrong About Risk Management

    Send us a text 🔗 LINKS Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show. Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW! Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live. ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE Every contractor thinks growth is about backlog, but it's actually about how much damage your business can take without folding.  Wade Carpenter and Stephen Brown reveal why insurance isn't just another cost, it's your growth engine.  Learn how proper risk management unlocks bonding capacity, protects cash flow, and turns insurance from a necessary evil into a competitive advantage.  Discover the critical mistakes that kill contractor growth and how to design your business around risk instead of avoiding it. ⌚️ Key moments in this episode: 00:00 Introduction to Contractor Growth and Risk Management00:28 The Role of Insurance in Managing Risk02:25 Starting with Basic Insurance Coverage03:52 Growth Challenges and Risk Mitigation06:02 Advanced Insurance Strategies for Contractors07:13 Insurance as a Tool for Market Access and Bonding08:59 The Importance of Proactive Risk Management17:36 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsJoin the Profit First for Construction community! Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com. Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs FIND US ONLINE Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com

    19 min
  5. Why Most Construction M&A Deals Fail: Avoid These Common Pitfalls

    JAN 6

    Why Most Construction M&A Deals Fail: Avoid These Common Pitfalls

    Send us a text 🔗 LINKS Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show. Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW! Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live. ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE Construction M&A deals often fail after closing due to unknown risks and misrepresented warranties.  Wade Carpenter and Stephen Brown reveal how Representations & Warranties Insurance, Lost Profit Insurance, and proper surety planning protect both buyers and sellers. Learn why insurance beats traditional escrow arrangements, how to maintain your bonding relationships through transitions, and essential due diligence steps that prevent costly surprises. Perfect for contractors considering buying, selling, or protecting their business value. ⌚️ Key moments in this episode: 00:00 Introduction to Construction M&A Challenges00:39 Understanding the Risks in Construction M&A02:11 Mitigating Risks in Construction M&A05:04 Insurance Solutions for M&A Deals09:47 The Role of Surety in M&A17:43 Final Thoughts and RecommendationsJoin the Profit First for Construction community! Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com. Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs FIND US ONLINE Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com

    21 min
  6. The Surprising Secret to Scaling Your Construction Business

    12/30/2025

    The Surprising Secret to Scaling Your Construction Business

    Send us a text 🔗 LINKS Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show. Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW! Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live. ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE Ready to stop being the bottleneck in your own business? In this final episode of our scaling series, Wade and Stephen reveal the 6-step blueprint to transform from owner-operator to CEO.  Learn how to build your second layer of leadership, stabilize cash flow with Profit First, and delegate decisions without losing control. Stop working IN your business and start working ON it. ⌚️ Key moments in this episode: 00:00 Introduction to Financial Blind Spots13:03 Common Misconceptions in Financial Management13:08 Challenges in Tracking Work in Progress (WIP)13:11 Distinguishing Job Expenses from Overhead Expenses13:16 The Profit First Approach13:18 Fear of Growth Due to Cash Risks13:23 The Pitfalls of Cash Flow ManagementJoin the Profit First for Construction community! Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com. Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs FIND US ONLINE Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com

    19 min
  7. From Stuck to Scaling: Which 10 Founder Habits Are Killing Your Profits?

    12/23/2025

    From Stuck to Scaling: Which 10 Founder Habits Are Killing Your Profits?

    Send us a text 🔗 LINKS Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show. Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW! Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live. ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE Feeling like your construction company is stuck in second gear? You might be the problem.  Wade and Stephen reveal the top 10 ways construction founders accidentally strangle their own businesses. From decision hoarding to hero syndrome, discover which founder habits are killing your growth and profitability.  This isn't about working harder—it's about working smarter and finally scaling your business beyond your personal capacity. ⌚️ Key moments in this episode: 00:00 Introduction to Financial Blind Spots13:03 Common Misconceptions in Financial Management13:08 Challenges in Tracking Work in Progress (WIP)13:11 Distinguishing Job Expenses from Overhead Expenses13:16 The Profit First Approach13:18 Fear of Growth Due to Cash Risks13:23 The Pitfalls of Cash Flow ManagementJoin the Profit First for Construction community! Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com. Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs FIND US ONLINE Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com

    20 min
  8. From Grit to Growth: How to Scale Your Construction Biz Without the Chaos

    12/16/2025

    From Grit to Growth: How to Scale Your Construction Biz Without the Chaos

    Send us a text 🔗 LINKS Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show. Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW! Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live. ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE Every construction contractor hits the same wall—they become the bottleneck. You can build a $2M business on grit, but you can't scale to $10M on caffeine and chaos. Wade and Stephen kick off a three-part series exploring how to scale your construction company by getting out of your own way.  Discover the growth stages that trip up contractors and why your business isn't outgrowing the market—it's outgrowing you. ⌚️ Key moments in this episode: 00:00 Introduction: The Bottleneck in Construction Businesses00:30 The Chaos of Winning Big Jobs01:46 Setting Goals and Realizing Bottlenecks03:16 The Founder’s Dilemma: Control vs. Growth04:43 The Importance of Delegation08:35 Recognizing and Overcoming Scaling Problems12:39 Conclusion: Identifying the Real ProblemJoin the Profit First for Construction community! Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com. Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs FIND US ONLINE Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com

    14 min
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About

Tips and advice to run a successful construction business from two long-term industry professionals: Wade Carpenter, a construction CPA, and Stephen Brown, a construction bond agent. Each host has unique, but complementary views and advice from each of their 30+ years in the contracting industry. Their goal is to promote healthy, thought-provoking discussions and tips for running a better, more profitable, and successful company. Subscribe for new insights and discussion every week. Visit ContractorSuccessForum.com to view all episodes and find out more. 

Information

  • Creator
    Contractor Success Forum
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    254
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Contractor Success Forum
  • Show Website
    Contractor Success Forum