The Build Line | Construction Business Podcast

Heather Tankersley & Jerry Brewer
  • 5.0 (23)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

The Build Line is the construction business podcast for contractors, remodelers, and builders who are done figuring it out the hard way. Hosted by Heather Tankersley, co-owner of a luxury residential remodeling company, and Jerry Brewer, a veteran drywall subcontractor with decades in the trades. Every episode is a real conversation about what it actually takes to build a profitable construction business. No theory. No fluff. Just honest talk about pricing, sales, hiring, managing subcontractors, growing a construction company, and moving into luxury remodeling markets. Topics include contractor profit margins, GC and sub relationships, construction business systems, leadership, client management, and what separates the builders who break through from the ones who stay stuck. If you're a general contractor, remodeler, custom home builder, or trade business owner trying to grow this is the show built for you. New episodes every other Tuesday.

  1. 4d ago ·  Bonus

    E23: Ask Us Anything: Lessons We've Learned Running a Construction Company

    Bonus Episode 23 of The Build Line Podcast puts Heather and Jerry in the hot seat as they answer real questions submitted by contractors, homeowners, and listeners. From knowing when to say no to a project to losing money on jobs, hiring the right people, and the biggest lessons they've learned from past guests, this candid conversation offers an unfiltered look at the realities of running a construction business. Heather shares the systems and mindset that have shaped Tankersley Build Co., while Jerry brings the subcontractor perspective on communication, relationships with general contractors, and what separates the companies he'll gladly work with again from the ones he'll avoid. This episode covers: • When it's finally okay to say no to a project • How to recognize red flags before signing a client • What makes subcontractors want to work with a GC again • The communication mistakes that strain contractor relationships • Lessons learned from projects that lost money • How post-project reviews improve future profitability • The Build Line guests who have had the biggest impact on Heather and Jerry • Business decisions they wish they'd made sooner • The mental side of leadership and running a construction company • Why your team is your greatest asset Whether you're a contractor, subcontractor, business owner, or entrepreneur, this Ask Us Anything episode is packed with practical lessons, honest stories, and real-world advice you can apply to your own business. Special thanks to our episode sponsors: Buildertrend https://www.buildertrend.com Republic Elite Integration https://www.republiceliteintegration.com Panoramic Doors https://www.panoramicdoors.com Katlyn Slocum Web Design https://www.katlynslocumdesign.com Build-Bar https://www.build-bar.com

  2. Jul 14

    E22: The Contract You Didn't Read Could Cost You Everything

    Episode 22 of The Build Line Podcast tackles one of the most overlooked risks in construction: the contracts you sign before the work ever begins. Hosts Heather Tankersley and Jerry Brewer sit down with construction attorney Greg Wayland to discuss the legal mistakes contractors make every day, why so many disputes could have been prevented, and how better documentation protects both contractors and clients. Greg breaks down complex legal concepts into plain English, explaining indemnification, subcontractor agreements, change orders, payment terms, and why communication failures are at the center of so many construction disputes. Heather shares how Tankersley Build Co. structures its contracts, purchase orders, and project documentation to reduce risk, while Jerry brings the subcontractor perspective on payment schedules, general contractor relationships, and the realities of working in the field. This episode covers: • Why contractors often sign agreements they don't fully understand • How strong contracts actually prevent disputes instead of causing them • Indemnification explained in plain English • Why written change orders are critical • The importance of master subcontractor agreements • Purchase orders and documenting scope clearly • The realities of pay-when-paid clauses • Why communication failures lead to legal disputes • How documentation can protect your business when projects go sideways • Practical ways both general contractors and subcontractors can reduce risk Whether you're a general contractor, subcontractor, or construction business owner, this episode offers practical advice that could save your business from costly disputes and strengthen the way you manage every project. Special thanks to our episode sponsors: Buildertrend https://www.buildertrend.com Republic Elite Integration https://www.republiceliteintegration.com Panoramic Doors https://panoramicdoors.com Katlyn Slocum Web Design https://www.katlynslocumdesign.com Build-Bar https://www.build-bar.com

  3. Jun 30

    E21: Cheap Is Killing Your Business | Candace & AJ Samrai

    Not every contractor earns a realtor's recommendation. And it's usually not about price. This week on The Build Line, Heather and Jerry sit down with luxury real estate team Candace and AJ Samrai to talk about what actually makes professionals referable. From creating an unforgettable client experience to protecting your reputation, qualifying clients, and knowing when to walk away from the wrong deal, this conversation is packed with lessons that apply far beyond real estate. Candace and AJ share how they brought a Southern California level of service to the Sacramento market, why the cheapest contractor often becomes the most expensive referral mistake, and how businesses can stand out by delivering value long after the transaction is complete. Whether you're a contractor, realtor, designer, or business owner, this episode will challenge the way you think about trust, communication, relationships, and building a business people can't stop recommending. In this episode: • Why reputation is your most valuable marketing asset • The power of creating an unforgettable client experience • Why the cheapest referral often becomes the most expensive mistake • How to qualify clients and protect your time • The difference between investing for resale and investing in your lifestyle • What contractors and realtors can learn from each other about building trust Special thanks to our episode sponsors: Buildertrend – The leading construction management software helping contractors streamline projects, improve communication, and grow their businesses. https://www.buildertrend.com Build-Bar – Helping contractors build stronger businesses through coaching, consulting, and proven operational systems. https://www.build-bar.com Panoramic Doors – Redefining indoor-outdoor living with beautifully engineered folding door systems. https://www.panoramicdoors.com If you're enjoying The Build Line, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone in construction or real estate. Your support helps us continue bringing real conversations with the builders, leaders, and entrepreneurs shaping our industry.

  4. Jun 16

    E20: What We Wish We Knew Before Our First $1M Project

    Episode 20 of The Build Line Podcast tackles one of the biggest myths in construction: bigger projects do not automatically mean bigger profits. Hosts Heather Tankersley and Jerry Brewer pull back the curtain on what really happens when contractors land their first million-dollar project and why many builders aren't as ready as they think they are. Heather shares hard-earned lessons from managing large-scale remodels, including the financial exposure, client expectations, staffing challenges, and operational demands that come with bigger jobs. Jerry brings the subcontractor perspective, discussing where communication breaks down, how mistakes become more expensive, and why many contractors underestimate what it takes to successfully manage work at this scale. This episode covers: • Why bigger jobs are often a stress test of your systems • The myth that million-dollar projects are easier money • How preconstruction can make or break a project • Why contingency planning matters more than most builders realize • The hidden cash flow challenges of large projects • Managing lender-funded construction projects • How human error becomes significantly more expensive at scale • The emotional toll of long-duration projects • Why some contractors should not take on bigger jobs yet • How to know when your business is actually ready to grow If you're chasing larger projects, this episode offers an honest look at the realities behind the numbers and the lessons every builder should learn before taking on their first million-dollar job. Special thanks to our episode sponsors: Buildertrend https://www.buildertrend.com Build Bar https://www.build-bar.com Panoramic Doors https://panoramicdoors.com

  5. Jun 2

    E19: The Hardest Skill in Construction Isn’t Construction With Jennifer Edwards

    Episode 19 of The Build Line Podcast turns into a much deeper conversation than construction and business alone. Hosts Heather Tankersley of Tankersley Build Co. and Jerry Brewer sit down with Jennifer Edwards to talk about communication, structure, leadership, relationships, and the psychology behind how people operate at a high level. The conversation explores why the brain craves clear expectations, how structure actually creates more freedom, and why emotional intelligence and communication are becoming some of the most valuable skills in business today. Heather shares how parenting mirrors leadership inside a company, Jennifer explains why people perform better when expectations are clearly defined, and Jerry opens up about discomfort, growth, and learning to navigate different rooms and personalities. This episode covers: • Why structure reduces stress and improves performance • The connection between communication and leadership • Why people resist uncomfortable conversations and growth • How clear expectations create trust with clients and employees • The psychology behind routines, habits, and accountability • Why emotional intelligence matters more than ever in business • How successful people optimize their mornings, schedules, and energy • The role curiosity plays in communication and relationships • Why the best leaders know how to adapt to different personalities If you are a contractor, entrepreneur, leader, or someone trying to improve how you communicate and show up for others, this episode is a candid conversation about the human side of performance, relationships, and business growth. Special thanks to our episode sponsors: Buildertrend https://www.buildertrend.com Build Bar https://www.build-bar.com Panoramic Doors https://panoramicdoors.com Stream Episode 19 now. Where to find Jennifer: Website: https://howtobridgethegap.com/about-us/about-jennifer/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-edwards-hbg/

  6. May 19

    E18: Why Contractors Lie to Win Jobs and Why It Always Backfires

    Episode 18 of The Build Line Podcast dives into one of the biggest problems in construction: telling clients what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear. Hosts Heather Tankersley of Tankersley Build Co. and Jerry Brewer break down the real cost of unrealistic budgets, impossible timelines, and cutting corners just to win a project. They share firsthand stories about losing jobs by being honest, why some contractors overpromise early, and how those decisions almost always catch up to the client later. This episode covers: • Why clients are naturally drawn to the lowest bid and fastest promise • The long term damage caused by unrealistic expectations • Why honest conversations often lose early but win long term • The difference between pre qualifying and pre judging clients • How experienced contractors communicate realistic budgets without killing the relationship • Why trust becomes one of the most valuable assets in construction If you are a contractor, business owner, or homeowner navigating a construction project, this episode is a candid conversation about why honesty matters more than ever in today’s market. Special thanks to our episode sponsors: Buildertrend https://www.buildertrend.com Build Bar https://www.build-bar.com Panoramic Doors https://panoramicdoors.com

  7. May 12 ·  Bonus

    E17: Your Bank Account is Your Scorecard - and Why You're Losing - With Tom Reber

    Tom Reber from The Contractor Fight joins The Build Line for a blunt conversation about the uncomfortable truths contractors need to face around margins, money, mindset, and growth. Heather, Jerry, and Tom get into revenue versus profit, why being busy does not mean being profitable, how contractors underprice out of fear, and why your bank account is one of the clearest scoreboards in your business. This episode covers pricing, sales, cash flow, job costing, labor burden, client boundaries, and the head trash that keeps contractors playing small. If you are growing fast but still feel broke, defending your price, avoiding your numbers, or wondering why the business feels harder than it should, this one is worth the listen. Special thanks to our episode sponsors: Buildertrend https://www.buildertrend.com Build Bar https://www.build-bar.com Panoramic Doors https://panoramicdoors.com Find Tom: https://thecontractorfight.com/

  8. May 5

    E16: Why A Players Quit Construction Companies - And How to Keep Them

    What does it actually take to build a strong management team in construction—and why do so many owners struggle to find great leaders? In this episode of The Build Line, we break down the real reason most companies can’t attract or retain high-level managers. It’s not a recruiting issue. It’s a leadership issue. The best operators evaluate your business before they ever consider joining it—and if there’s no clarity, discipline, or direction, they’re out. This conversation is about raising the standard—starting with yourself. We dig into what strong leadership actually looks like under pressure and why your habits set the ceiling for your entire organization. From there, we unpack why resumes can be misleading, how to spot true ownership and hunger in candidates, and what separates operators who drive results from those who just participate. We get into: What top-level managers are really evaluating before they join your companyWhy most hiring processes fail to identify ownership and accountabilityHow to distinguish polish from real hunger in interviewsWhat it takes to intentionally develop leaders instead of hoping they emergeHow to create accountability without killing cultureWhy many owners become the bottleneck—and how to fix itIf you’re trying to build a company that can run without you, this episode is a direct look at what’s required—and where most owners fall short. No shortcuts. No theory. Just how it actually works.

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5
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About

The Build Line is the construction business podcast for contractors, remodelers, and builders who are done figuring it out the hard way. Hosted by Heather Tankersley, co-owner of a luxury residential remodeling company, and Jerry Brewer, a veteran drywall subcontractor with decades in the trades. Every episode is a real conversation about what it actually takes to build a profitable construction business. No theory. No fluff. Just honest talk about pricing, sales, hiring, managing subcontractors, growing a construction company, and moving into luxury remodeling markets. Topics include contractor profit margins, GC and sub relationships, construction business systems, leadership, client management, and what separates the builders who break through from the ones who stay stuck. If you're a general contractor, remodeler, custom home builder, or trade business owner trying to grow this is the show built for you. New episodes every other Tuesday.

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