Beers With Contractors

Beers with Contractors
  • 5.0 (11)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Beers with Contractors. We're cracking a cold one and taking a deep dive into the foundations of your construction business, pun intended, to unearth the strategies, techniques, and insider knowledge that can take your contracting business to the next level. So, grab your favorite beer, pull up a seat, and let's have a chat about the nuts and bolts of the construction industry.

  1. 6D AGO

    S2 E65 - Tech Trends and Trade Show Triumph

    In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Will and Terry share updates ranging from Terry’s restaurant renovation project—featuring a massive black walnut bar slab and plans for event/office space—to Terry’s trip to the AGC National Convention in Orlando with four OU Construction Science students. They discuss conference highlights including AI tools for bidding, accounting, inventory tracking, jobsite documentation, and safety reporting with translation and incident trend analysis, plus emerging ideas like integrating video capture. They also cover tool trends such as improved battery technology, manufacturers moving away from corded tools, and safety shutoff drills, along with the culture of swag and networking. Breakaway topics include the rapid growth of data centers, their increasing proximity to population bases due to latency, infrastructure needs, workforce shortages and immigration, and discussions of onsite power options including nuclear and micro-reactors. 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Terry Restaurant Project 01:24 Bar Build And Bargain Finds 03:41 Italy Trip And Conference Tease 04:09 Swag Stickers And Gifts 05:16 Why Orlando AGC Trip 07:11 AGC Convention Highlights 08:47 Coolest AI Tech For Bids 11:21 Battery Tools Going Cordless 15:09 Automation Robots And AI Mindset 16:27 AI Safety Software 19:41 Trench Safety Reality Check 24:01 Random Booths And Tool Gadgets 25:58 Missing Bits Chaos 27:13 Milwaukee Jenga Score 28:51 Old School Tool Brands 32:08 Battery vs Corded Power 36:44 AGC Data Center Boom 41:49 Workforce and Infrastructure 43:56 Micro Nuclear Power Talk 48:29 Industry Community Giveback 50:52 Wrap Up and Disclaimers Foundation Rescue Supply Link: https://www.foundationrescuesupply.com/ Contractors Kick Ass! Podcast Store Link: https://williamwalkerblake.com/store-1 The Worker Incentive Program that Contractors Love! - Per4mance Software https://per4mance.io - Pay for performance, not hours

    52 min

  2. MAR 26

    S2 E64 - Highlight Episode: The Next Era of Home Services

    In a combined episode featuring Christian Olson of Footprint Capital with hosts Terry and Will, the group explains the difference between private equity (PE) and investment banking and why contractors should understand it when considering a sale or partnership. Olson describes PE as capital raised from institutions to invest in privately held businesses on a 3–5 year return timeline, while investment bankers represent contractors to structure and run transactions (full exit, minority growth, control sale, ESOP) typically over 6–12 months, sometimes longer to build management depth and buyer-ready KPIs. They discuss a recent M&A slowdown tied to higher rates, consumer financing costs, and mild winters, followed by expectations for a more active 2025 if macro uncertainty stabilizes. Olson notes deal success depends on competitive processes, realistic owner succession, culture retention, and that PE usually keeps teams. They cover minimum scale (around $500K EBITDA), referral sources, LOI/diligence risks when sellers go direct, and how technology/AI, CRM/ERP “tech stacks,” and efficiency tools are accelerating consolidation expectations into 2026. 00:00 Private Equity vs Banking 01:51 Deal Timelines Explained 02:10 M&A Market Outlook 04:11 PE Partnership Options 07:41 Avoiding Fire Sale Exits 10:16 LOI to Close Process 12:36 Minimum Size for PE 13:44 Finding the Right Advisor 15:21 Tech and AI for Scale 17:41 2026 Consolidation Trends 30:25 What Buyers Want Fixed 30:58 Succession and Culture Wrap Contact Christian Olson at: Email: colson@footprintcapital.com Website: https://www.footprintcapital.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-olson-68329b6/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/footprintcapital/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/footprintcapital/ Foundation Rescue Supply Link: https://www.foundationrescuesupply.com/ Contractors Kick Ass! Podcast Store Link: https://williamwalkerblake.com/store-1 The Worker Incentive Program that Contractors Love! - Per4mance Software https://per4mance.io - Pay for performance, not hours

    40 min

  3. MAR 19

    S2 E63 - What Actually Drives Success In Sales

    In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Will and Terry interview Jeff Peters, a national home service sales trainer and host of the Elevate In-Home Sales podcast, about what actually drives success in in-home sales. Jeff shares how he entered sales through a foundation and concrete repair company, became a top producer, and moved into coaching. He challenges common misconceptions that being “good with people” means talking more, arguing elite reps ask better questions, listen, and follow a consistent process—even when it’s boring—because process is scalable unlike owner-driven selling. He emphasizes building value before discussing price, rejecting “it won’t work in my market” thinking, and focusing on professional rather than social rapport. Jeff discusses training non-negotiables, role play with strong feedback, authenticity in interviews, and illustrates questioning techniques with stories from the field and a massage-chair sales experience. 00:00 Introduction 03:01 Jeff Sales Origin Story 05:19 Sales Myths and Listening 08:04 Trust the Process 10:15 Owners Breaking Process 13:27 Build a Process Fast 15:41 Mundane Wins in Sales 17:56 Market Mindset and Value 26:58 Pushing Sales Norms 29:11 Why Rapport Backfires 31:31 Professional Rapport Training 36:03 Golf House Wake Up Call 38:41 Interview Advice Authenticity 41:51 Sales Training Nonnegotiables 49:07 Power of Questions Story 54:54 Conclusion Elevate In-Home Sales Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elevate-in-home-sales/id1850173798 Foundation Rescue Supply Link: https://www.foundationrescuesupply.com/ Contractors Kick Ass! Podcast Store Link: https://williamwalkerblake.com/store-1 The Worker Incentive Program that Contractors Love! - Per4mance Software https://per4mance.io - Pay for performance, not hours

    57 min

  4. MAR 12

    S2 E62 - The Construction Labor Shortage: Causes and Solutions

    Hosts Will and Terry discuss construction workforce recruiting, arguing that young people aren’t lazy but approach work differently due to technology and changing expectations. Terry, now at the University of Oklahoma after OSU, shares how many students secure internships as early as freshman year and how companies that show loyalty often lock in top talent through repeat internships and part-time school-year work, with average starting salaries around $74,000 for OU grads. They emphasize culture fit, reputation, and being present at career fairs, including sending relatable recent graduates and providing branded swag. Terry explains what a formalized internship program can include—rotations through PM, superintendent, estimating, and presentations—and warns that poor intern treatment travels by word of mouth. They also cover licensed trades pathways in Oklahoma, merit vs. hour-based licensure, and the need for continuing education as technology changes. 00:00 Introduction 01:58 Nobody Wants to Work 03:22 Dad Jobsite Lessons 05:57 Gen Z Work Styles 07:25 Recruiting Top Talent Early 11:03 Culture and Loyalty 12:26 Building Internship Programs 16:30 Career Fairs and Headhunters 19:26 Pay Expectations and Degrees 21:49 Schools as Talent Pipeline 25:21 Speaking to Student Entrepreneurs 26:01 Employer Red Flags 26:55 Intern Feedback Loop 28:44 Trade Licensing Pathways 31:53 Merit vs Hour Requirements 33:30 Modernizing Licensure 38:19 Merit Based Storytime 43:52 Career Fairs and Branding 46:16 Recruiting Future Trends 50:41 Treat Hiring Like Sales 53:18 Conclusion Check Out Greenbaum Stiers Strategic Marketing Group: https://www.greenbaumstiers.com/ Foundation Rescue Supply Link: https://www.foundationrescuesupply.com/ Contractors Kick Ass! Podcast Store Link: https://williamwalkerblake.com/store-1 The Worker Incentive Program that Contractors Love! - Per4mance Software https://per4mance.io - Pay for performance, not hours

    55 min

  5. MAR 5

    S2 E61 - The Exact KPIs You Need to Grow Past $1M

    In this episode of Beers with Contractors, host Will answers the common question “how do I scale my construction company?” by explaining a simplified “flywheel” model for home services businesses: starter gear (cash, assets, technology) drives marketing, then call center, sales, production/installs, accounting, and sometimes service, with leftover money reinvested to keep the wheel spinning. He emphasizes scaling departments evenly to avoid financial strain and outlines key KPIs for each: marketing (total qualified leads, cost per lead, marketing spend as % of installed revenue), call center (lead-to-appointment conversion, speed to lead, follow-up rate), sales (total sales, average dollar per lead, cancellation rate), production (installed volume, gross profit margin, install volume per week, install rate, reviews), accounting (AR, AP, break-even, spread), and service (average dollar per stop, service sales, churn). 00:00 Introduction 00:18 Scaling Question Framed 01:46 Flywheel Model Explained 04:09 Starter Gear Basics 05:46 Departments Overview 11:15 KPIs Dashboard Mindset 12:46 Marketing KPIs 17:09 Call Center KPIs 20:18 Sales KPIs and ADL 25:40 Production KPIs Intro 26:30 Scaling With Suppliers 28:07 Gross Profit Margin KPI 29:42 Install Volume Metrics 30:41 Accounting Department KPIs 34:10 Service Department Metrics 37:58 Flywheel Recap 40:21 Hiring By Department 46:57 Investments And Debt 49:37 Final Takeaways Link to e-book: https://app.typeset.com/play/014G6E Foundation Rescue Supply Link: https://www.foundationrescuesupply.com/ Contractors Kick Ass! Podcast Store Link: https://williamwalkerblake.com/store-1 The Worker Incentive Program that Contractors Love! - Per4mance Software https://per4mance.io - Pay for performance, not hours

    51 min

  6. FEB 26

    S2 E60 - Why Most Contractors Misunderstand Commercial Buyers

    In this episode of Beers with Contractors, host Will and Terry joke about which trades bash each other the most, then welcome return guest Brandon Sprenger, a former field tech and now commercial/industrial HVAC outside sales executive with Intech Solutions in Atlanta. Brandon explains key differences between residential and commercial HVAC especially identifying the real buyer across owners, property managers, and tenants—and how selling has shifted from pressure to consultative to an “intelligence era” focused on psychology and qualifying questions. They discuss efficiency claims vs real ROI, the importance of detailed digital reporting, and new AI tools that can capture asset data and generate quotes quickly while risking an overly transactional sales process. Brandon shares how ongoing sales training (e.g., Jeremy Miner, Alex Hormozi) and simplifying technical concepts for decision-makers help him sell outcomes, and they close with trade labor trend and rising technician pay. 00:00 Introduction 00:14 Which Trades Talk the Most 00:41 Concrete Guys and Online Critiques 01:14 MEP Blame Game and Finishers 03:37 Introducing Brandon Sprenger 04:56 Moving to Atlanta Culture Shock 06:24 Residential vs Commercial HVAC Buyers 08:42 Modern Selling and Amazon Mentality 10:42 Efficiency Talk and Owner Attitudes 15:00 Low Hanging Fruit Digital Reporting 18:30 AI Reporting and Auto Quoting 21:19 Will AI Replace Salespeople? 23:57 From Technician to Sales Skills 26:01 Sales Turning Point and School Board 26:48 Rejection To Skillbuilding 27:48 Words Mean Different Things 29:52 Selling Outcomes Not Products 30:42 Training For Mastery 35:25 Technical Knowledge In Sales 40:25 Trade Careers And Pay 43:21 Private Equity Disruption 51:15 Wrap Up And Listener Shoutouts Contact Brandon Sprenger on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-sprenger-293299220/ Foundation Rescue Supply Link: https://www.foundationrescuesupply.com/ Contractors Kick Ass! Podcast Store Link: https://williamwalkerblake.com/store-1 The Worker Incentive Program that Contractors Love! - Per4mance Software https://per4mance.io - Pay for performance, not hours

    54 min

  7. FEB 19

    S2 E59 - The Future of Masonry: Robots, Prefab & Glass Brick

    In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Will and Terry sit down with fourth-generation mason and Trinity Brick sales pro Zach Easley. They discuss why brick usually shouldn’t be painted, how masonry has evolved amid labor shortages, and efforts to rebuild interest in the trades through programs like Construct My Future, OU Construction Science, and Mid-Del Tech. Zach shares how hands-on training builds confidence and career pathways for students, from local competitions to nationals. The conversation also covers automation trials like the SAM bricklaying robot, prefab trends, and the growing use of thin brick for cost and logistics, while full-depth brick remains strong. They explore high-strength glass brick, its extreme cost and precision installation, architect-driven creative designs, and close with Zach’s brick-themed artwork, including massive brick-count pieces, and a shout-out to those supporting masonry education. 00:00 Introduction 01:37 Zach’s Background & Industry Role 04:22 Should You Paint Brick? 06:49 Masonry’s Future: Labor & Tools 09:18 Masonry Robots on the Jobsite 11:52 Training the Next Generation 17:23 Masonry as Art & Design 20:52 Thin Brick on the Rise 24:11 Thin vs. Full Brick 27:51 Prefab & Labor Impact 29:22 Prefab Pods Installed 30:17 Evolving Trade Skills 31:48 Old-School Jobsite Culture 38:25 Glass vs. Traditional Brick 40:11 Amsterdam Glass Brick Build 45:54 Brick Art & Massive Drawings 53:44 Conclusion Contact Zack Easley at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brickartistzack/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zack-easley-ba6300b5/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brickartistzacke/ Email: zack@trinitybrick.com Foundation Rescue Supply Link: https://www.foundationrescuesupply.com/ Contractors Kick Ass! Podcast Store Link: https://williamwalkerblake.com/store-1 The Worker Incentive Program that Contractors Love! - Per4mance Software https://per4mance.io - Pay for performance, not hours

    58 min

  8. FEB 12

    S2 E58 - Top Contractors Are Using This AI Tool

    In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Will and Terry welcome Mark Winhoffer, head of the customer success team at Rilla, an AI-driven feedback tool for sales teams. The discussion includes the importance of using polite language with AI, Rilla's application in improving sales performance, and how it provides real-time, actionable feedback. The team also dives into humorous anecdotes from sales calls, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the tangible results businesses can achieve using Rilla. The conversation touches on the challenges of implementing AI in sales, legal considerations, and the importance of human involvement in utilizing AI technology effectively. 00:00 Introduction 00:47 AI Etiquette and Humor 03:16 Deep Dive into Rilla's Features 06:46 Sales Techniques and AI Feedback 14:21 Personal Stories and Sales Insights 27:02 AI Integration in Daily Life 28:21 Hilarious Sales Objection Stories 35:03 Privacy and Legal Concerns 38:15 The Human Element in Sales 42:14 Customer Success and Data Utilization 46:24 Future of AI in Sales 51:20 Conclusion Contact Mark Winhoffer on: Website:https://www.rilla.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-winhoffer-%F0%9F%87%B5%F0%9F%87%AD%E2%9A%BD%EF%B8%8F-b36282189/ LinkedIn (Rilla): https://www.linkedin.com/company/rilla-co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092587457445 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RillaMedia Foundation Rescue Supply Link: https://www.foundationrescuesupply.com/ Contractors Kick Ass! Podcast Store Link: https://williamwalkerblake.com/store-1 The Worker Incentive Program that Contractors Love! - Per4mance Software https://per4mance.io - Pay for performance, not hours

    55 min
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Welcome to Beers with Contractors. We're cracking a cold one and taking a deep dive into the foundations of your construction business, pun intended, to unearth the strategies, techniques, and insider knowledge that can take your contracting business to the next level. So, grab your favorite beer, pull up a seat, and let's have a chat about the nuts and bolts of the construction industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Beers with Contractors
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    121
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Beers with Contractors
  • Show Website
    Beers With Contractors

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