Built to Scale: Timely advice for scaling your construction biz!

Mason Brady
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Built to Scale is THE podcast for construction business owners looking to not just grow, but scale their business! Listen in for timely financial management and business strategy advice geared specifically for the construction industry. Learn how to increase your revenues and produce strong margins in your business. Let’s scale!

  1. AI, Automation and Systems for Construction Business Owners

    6D AGO

    AI, Automation and Systems for Construction Business Owners

    Are AI and automation the answer to your construction team challenges? Mason Brady sat down with Kendall Pouland, founder of Build Better Ways and construction operations consultant with over 20 years in the industry, to break down exactly how to build the systems, SOPs, and talent strategies that let your construction business execute at a high level without you being in the middle of everything. Topics We Cover 00:00 - Meet Kendall Pouland and what is Build Better Ways 04:33 - Training gaps, consistency and tribal knowledge in construction 10:36 - Why the owner is usually the bottleneck and how to fix it 14:43 - SOPs that work: the SOP vs. the training guide 22:07 - The top 4 processes to fix first: startup, change orders, closeout and scheduling 24:40 - The playbook strategy that makes your team actually use your SOPs 30:09 - AI and automation for construction: real use cases and data integrity 40:09 - Talent optimization: skills matrices and quarterly reviews Links & Resources • Build Better Ways: https://www.buildbetterways.com/ • Brady CFO — Fractional CFO Services for Construction Companies :https://bradycfo.com/ • 🤝 Connect with Kendall Pouland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendall-pouland/ • 🎤️ Connect with Mason Brady: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/ B Built to Scale is the podcast for construction business owners who want to scale — not just grow. Every episode brings you real financial strategy and business advice built specifically for the construction industry. Follow, rate, review, and share. Questions or topic ideas? Reach out at marketing@bradycfo.com #constructionbusiness #constructionchannel #constructionmanagement #constructionsystems #aiinconstruction

    46 min
  2. Wealth Management Planning Strategies for Contractors

    MAR 26

    Wealth Management Planning Strategies for Contractors

    You’re making money. But is your construction business actually building wealth? The truth is, most construction business owners have 70% to 80% of their wealth tied up in their business with no real plan for what happens when they can’t or don’t want to run it anymore. Mason Brady sat down with Jason Lee, vice president and wealth advisor at Exponent Prosperity Accelerator Advisors in Houston, to break down what true wealth planning actually looks like for construction business owners. This episode is for you if you’re a construction business owner who is making money but isn’t sure what to do with it, hasn’t thought seriously about exit planning, or wants to understand how to build real, lasting wealth, not just a business that pays the bills. Topics We Cover 00:00  - Why most contractors don’t have a real wealth manager 05:00  - Closing the wealth gap: the $7–10M number every owner needs to know 10:00 -  Lifestyle business vs. legacy business 15:00  - Frankenstein planning and why it backfires 20:00  - The J-curve and when to start planning 25:00  - The advisor board every construction owner needs 30:00  - Why your tax strategy might be costing you millions 35:00  - Construction as a wealth vehicle and the reality of GC margins Links & Resources Exponent Prosperity Advisors: https://exponentx.net/  Brady CFO: https://bradycfo.com/  🤝 Connect with Jason Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonleeexponent/  🎤️ Connect with Mason Brady: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/

    40 min
  3. ERP Implementation Done Right: How to Scale Your Construction Business Without the Horror Stories

    MAR 12

    ERP Implementation Done Right: How to Scale Your Construction Business Without the Horror Stories

    Your software vendor promises a smooth implementation. So why do so many construction companies end up with a $70K mistake and a team ready to quit? In this episode of Built to Scale, Mason is joined by Bryan Burkholder, founder of Cadence and a specialist in ERP implementation and change management for construction and lower middle market businesses. Bryan breaks down why so many technology implementations go off the rails and what companies between $10M and $100M in revenue can do to make sure their next systems upgrade actually delivers the ROI they were promised. From the real cost of skipping change management, to the chicken-and-egg question of fixing your books before or after going live, to why AI is about to force every construction business to rethink their entire tech stack.    Topics We Cover 00:00 - Why SaaS implementation teams aren’t enough and what’s missing from every software rollout 05:34 - A real $70K Sage implementation nightmare and what Brady CFO walked into 11:07 - The ROI of systems upgrades: scalability, visibility, and revenue per FTE 17:29 - Chicken or egg: fix broken accounting first, or implement the ERP? •      22:26 - Why technology upgrades are a continuous evolution, not a one-time event •      24:56 - The role of a fractional CIO and why your “techie guy” isn’t the answer •      32:40 - AI, agentic tools, and why garbage in still means garbage out     Links & Resources •      Cadence — ERP Implementation & Change Management: https://cadenceconsultants.com/  •      Brady CFO — Fractional CFO Services for Construction: https://bradycfo.com/   •      🤝 Connect with Bryan Burkholder: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanburkholder1/  •      🎤️ Connect with Mason Brady: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/    Built to Scale is the podcast for construction business owners who want to scale — not just grow. Every episode brings you real financial strategy and business advice built specifically for the construction industry. Follow, rate, review, and share. Questions or topic ideas? Reach out at marketing@bradycfo.com

    36 min
  4. Construction Government Contracts Explained: Federal, State & Local Opportunities

    FEB 26

    Construction Government Contracts Explained: Federal, State & Local Opportunities

    Should your construction company pursue government contracts or avoid them altogether? In this episode of Built to Scale, Mason Brady sits down with Karla Talisee, government contracting specialist and founder of So She Builds, to break down how construction companies can successfully enter public works without damaging cash flow, compliance, or profitability. Topics We Cover (0:00) – Why construction companies consider government contracts (6:07) – Should public work be diversified or your main focus? (9:03) – Federal vs state vs local contracts explained (13:42) – Mentor-protégé programs and how they actually help (17:36) – Certified payroll and prevailing wage realities (21:30) – Biggest government opportunities in 2026 (24:26) – What it takes to become GovCon ready (30:15) – The three steps to start bidding on public projects Links & Resources So She Builds: https://soshebuilds.com   Brady CFO: https://bradycfo.com/ – Fractional CFO services for construction companies 🤝 Connect with Karla: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlatalisse/  🎙️ Connect with Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/ If you’re a construction business owner looking to diversify revenue, strengthen compliance, and pursue public contracts the right way, be sure to follow, rate, review, and share Built to Scale so more contractors can scale smarter and grow sustainably. And if you have questions or topics you’d like us to cover, reach out to marketing@bradycfo.com

    36 min
  5. What Actually Breaks When Construction Companies Try to Scale And How to Prevent It

    FEB 12

    What Actually Breaks When Construction Companies Try to Scale And How to Prevent It

    What has to change before a construction business can scale without breaking? In this episode of Built to Scale, Mason Brady sits down with Jerry Aliberti, executive coach and operations consultant at Pro-Accel, to break down what actually fails when construction businesses try to grow. They explore why scaling exposes leadership gaps, weak planning, misaligned roles, and breakdowns between estimating and execution, and how owners often become the biggest constraint without realizing it. Topics We Cover (0:00) – Why growth exposes bottlenecks in construction companies (4:30) – The estimating-to-execution gap that erodes profit (8:30) – How owners unintentionally become the biggest constraint (12:25) – What construction companies must have in place before scaling (18:53) – Hiring for the next phase instead of today’s problems (29:30) – Why systems and SOPs fail without the right people (40:20) – The planning mistakes that break margins as companies grow Links & ResourcesPro-Accel: https://www.pro-sl.com Brady CFO: https://bradycfo.com/ Fractional CFO services for construction companies   🤝 Connect with Jerry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-aliberti/  🎙️ Connect with Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/ If you’re a construction owner and want clearer numbers and guidance on how to scale your business, be sure to follow, rate, review, and share Built to Scale so more contractors can learn to grow smarter and scale with confidence. And if you’ve got questions, ideas for future episodes, or topics you want us to dive into, reach out to us at marketing@bradycfo.com

    47 min
  6. Real Estate Development for Contractors: When Building a Real Estate Development Company Makes Sense

    JAN 29

    Real Estate Development for Contractors: When Building a Real Estate Development Company Makes Sense

    Should contractors expand into real estate development or can it put their core business at risk? In this episode of Built to Scale, Mason Brady and Rachel Glock break down when it actually makes sense for contractors looking to get their feet wet in real estate development. They explore the cash management, financing risks, and liquidity requirements that contractors often underestimate, along with the planning needed to ensure development strengthens, not jeopardizes, the core construction business. Topics We Cover 0:00 – Why contractors are drawn to real estate development 2:23 – The entrepreneurial mindset and leveraging construction expertise 5:33 – The biggest risks contractors underestimate as developers 9:08 – Why cash management is critical in real estate development 13:07 – How much liquidity a construction business needs before investing 18:05 – Financing risks, equity requirements, and stress testing assumptions 23:39 – How contractors can prepare now for future development projects Links & Resources HUD 221(d)(4) Program – Non-recourse financing option for new multifamily development: https://hud221d4.loan/ Brady CFO – Fractional CFO services for construction companies: https://bradycfo.com/ 🤝 Connect with Rachel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-glock-23090a74/  🎙️ Connect with Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/  If you’re a construction owner and want better clarity around your numbers and how to scale your business, be sure to follow, rate, review, and share Built to Scale so more contractors can learn how to grow smarter and scale with confidence. And if you’ve got questions, ideas for future episodes, or topics you want us to dive into, reach out to us at marketing@bradycfo.com

    34 min

  7. JAN 15

    Construction Finances: Cash vs Accrual and How to Know If Your Jobs Are Profitable

    When was the last time you finished a job and actually knew if you made money? Many construction owners rely on cash in the bank or billing activity to judge performance.  The problem? Cash flow does not equal profit. In this episode, Mason Brady sits down with Rachel Glock, construction finance expert and fractional CFO of Brady CFO, to explain why cash basis accounting often hides real job profitability and how accrual accounting and WIP (Work In Progress) reports give owners the financial visibility they actually need. Topics We Cover 0:00 – Why Construction Owners Struggle to Know Job Profitability 2:27 – Cash vs Accrual Accounting Explained for Construction 4:15 – What a WIP Report Is and Why It Matters 7:29 – Why Bankers and Sureties Require Accrual Financials 9:28 – When Cash Basis Accounting Still Makes Sense 13:45 – Key Triggers for Switching to Accrual Accounting 17:51 – What’s Involved in Moving from Cash to Accrual 20:00 – Accrual Reporting vs Cash-Basis Taxes 24:34 – When to Bring in a Fractional CFO or Financial Advisor 🤝 Connect with Rachel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-glock-23090a74/  🎙️ Connect with Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/  If you’re a construction owner and want better clarity around your numbers and how to scale your business, make sure you’re following the podcast. And if you’ve got questions, ideas for future episodes, or topics you want us to dive into, reach out to us at marketing@bradycfo.com

    32 min

  8. 10/23/2025

    5 Construction KPIs Every Contractor Should Track (and What They Actually Mean)

    Are your construction KPIs actually driving better decisions or just filling dashboards? In this episode of Built to Scale, Mason Brady sits down with Ted Turner, a leadership coach with 40 years of experience in construction operations from the jobsite to the C-suite.Ted shares what truly matters when it comes to KPIs and metrics in the construction industry and how to use data as a tool for leadership, not punishment. They discuss how contractors can move beyond “gut feel,” create actionable scorecards, and build company cultures that understand what their numbers actually mean. From cash flow forecasting and earned value to leadership behaviors and forecasting accuracy. Topics We Cover 00:00 – Welcome & Ted’s 40-year journey in construction 06:06 – Why KPIs matter (and how data can become a trap) 13:00 – The key metrics that actually drive profitability 19:00 – Forecasting accuracy and smarter bidding decisions 36:00 – Cash flow strategies every construction company needs 43:53 – Earned Value explained: why more hours ≠ more profit 54:36 – The human side of KPIs: leadership, culture, and people If you’re a construction business owner who’s ready to make data your advantage, not your headache, follow Built to Scale for more conversations on cash flow, leadership, and growth in the construction industry. Visit https://Bradycfo.com/ For financial strategy for blue jeans and boots businesses Links from the show: ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors): https://www.abc.org/ AGC (Associated General Contractors): https://www.agc.org/ Intelligent Leadership Executive Coaching: https://www.ilecfranchise.com/ 🤝 Connect with Ted: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-turner-58612621/ 🎙️ Connect with Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/

    59 min
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Built to Scale is THE podcast for construction business owners looking to not just grow, but scale their business! Listen in for timely financial management and business strategy advice geared specifically for the construction industry. Learn how to increase your revenues and produce strong margins in your business. Let’s scale!

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