Contractor Secrets

Tanner Mullen

It's no secret that a large majority of contractors are too busy working "IN" their business instead of "ON" their business. As a 3rd generation painter, I've first-hand witnessed the struggle of a contractor (my father) as he attempted to manage all aspects of his House Painting Business while still painting and performing the jobs. My passion is to free contractors from the chains of their own business, and truly help them achieve greatness through creating systems, processes, and standards...TUNE IN! Follow @OfficialTannerMullen on Instagram!

  1. 3d ago

    If I Started a Painting Business From $0, I’d Do This... | Contractor Secrets Business Breakthrough

    How to start a painting business, get painting leads, win your first jobs, and grow without a huge marketing budget — Tanner Mullen breaks down what he would do starting a painting company from scratch. Lauren recently launched Wild Grain Painting and joins Tanner for a Business Breakthrough session to figure out exactly what she should focus on next. They cover everything from positioning and sales to organic marketing, reviews, Facebook Ads, hiring painters, and getting off the tools. In this episode, you'll learn: • How to look more professional on estimates • Why perceived value matters when you're brand new • How to use your personal story to differentiate your company • How to find your company's real value proposition • How to generate leads when you have almost no marketing budget • How Tanner would use local Facebook groups • Why every new painting company needs reviews • When to start investing in Facebook Ads • Why you shouldn't wait to build your CRM • How to avoid getting trapped doing all the painting yourself • How to sell the job first and find production second • What Tanner would do if he started over from $0 CHAPTERS: 00:00 Starting a Painting Business 01:18 Meet Lauren & Wild Grain Painting 02:27 What Should the Owner Actually Do? 04:13 Building Confidence as a New Contractor 05:18 Look Like a Professional Estimator 06:03 Perceived Value Matters 07:46 Lauren's First Commercial Estimate 08:39 Avoiding the Commercial & GC Trap 09:39 Marketing With Almost No Money 10:23 Your Biggest Competitive Advantage 11:30 Building a Story People Care About 14:17 What Makes Your Company Different? 17:28 Turning Your Story Into Marketing 19:55 Get Clear on the Mission 20:20 Why Marketing Means Being "Annoying" 20:48 Free Local Facebook Marketing 21:51 Build the Systems Before You Need Them 22:09 Setting Up a CRM 22:15 DripJobs Startup Program 23:33 When to Invest in Facebook Ads 24:21 Building Google Reviews 25:27 The Paint Trap 26:13 Why Tanner Wouldn't Pick Up a Paintbrush 27:07 Subcontractors vs Employees 27:57 Where Lauren Should Start 28:18 The Final Game Plan One of Tanner's biggest lessons: If you're starting a painting business, your highest-value job may not be painting. Sell a job. Schedule it. Find someone to produce it. Then go sell another one. At the beginning, you need to become resourceful. Tell your story. Build your reputation. Get reviews. Post locally. Sell. Build systems. Then reinvest your profits into marketing. If you're starting a painting company or trying to get your first consistent painting jobs, this episode gives you a practical roadmap to follow. Subscribe to Contractor Secrets with Tanner Mullen for more painting business growth, contractor marketing, sales, systems, and scaling. Free 14 Day Trial for Routemize - https://routemize.com/ Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthrough Purchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1 DripJobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemo Gusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269 OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aq Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen #PaintingBusiness #PaintingContractor #PaintingBusinessOwner #ContractorMarketing #PaintingLeads #ContractorSecrets

  2. 5d ago

    How He Closes 80% of Painting Estimates | Contractor Secrets (Ft. Durant Foote)

    Painting contractor sales, painting estimates, close rates, and in-home sales — Durant breaks down the exact sales process he uses to close roughly 75–80% of his painting estimates. In this episode of Contractor Secrets, Durant shares how he approaches an estimate from the moment he walks through the door all the way to asking for the business and overcoming objections. His philosophy is simple: If you're already in the house, don't just send the customer a quote later. Build trust, show your expertise, present the proposal, handle the real objection, and try to close the job on the spot. In this presentation, you'll learn: • Why Durant gives customers their estimate on the spot • How to change your mindset before walking into an estimate • How to build rapport without sounding scripted • The questions to ask before you start selling • How to uncover the real reason behind the project • Why you should lead the customer during the walkthrough • How to "assume the sale" without being pushy • How to present your company and proposal • Why detailed photos can help you close • How Durant uses same-day incentives • How to handle "I need more quotes" • How to handle price objections • How to handle "I need to talk to my spouse" • Why "I need to think about it" isn't the real objection • How to ask for the business confidently CHAPTERS: 00:00 Routemize Launch Party 01:27 Meet Durant 02:49 Closing Painting Jobs on the Spot 04:30 Why You Should Give the Estimate Immediately 06:00 Change Your State Before the Appointment 07:50 Build a Repeatable Sales Process 09:00 Building Rapport & Asking Better Questions 11:08 Show Up Like an Expert 14:10 The Questions Durant Asks Customers 15:59 Tell Your Story 17:50 Set Expectations & Pre-Close 19:48 Assume the Sale During the Walkthrough 22:00 Building a Detailed Estimate 24:30 Presenting the Proposal 26:00 Finding the Real Objection 28:00 Handling Multiple Quotes 30:07 Handling Price Objections 32:30 Using Incentives Without Killing Margin 33:50 "I Need to Talk to My Spouse" 36:00 "I Need to Think About It" 37:16 Close the Deal Today 38:05 Tanner's Biggest Takeaways Durant's biggest point is that sales becomes much easier when you stop improvising and build a repeatable process. Show up sharp. Ask better questions. Build trust. Lead the walkthrough. Present with confidence. Find the real objection. Ask for the business. If you're a painting contractor looking to improve your close rate, sell more jobs, or build a better in-home sales process, this episode is packed with practical sales training you can use immediately. Start your Free 14 Day Trial for Routemize - https://routemize.com/ Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthrough Purchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1 DripJobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemo Gusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269 OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aq Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen #PaintingContractor #ContractorBusiness #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #PaintingBusiness #HomeServices #BusinessGrowth #ContractorSecrets

  3. Sep 4

    The #1 Lead-to-Estimate System for Painting Contractors | Contractor Secrets (Ft. Cayleb Pletos)

    Painting contractor leads, painting business marketing, Facebook Ads, Google LSA, and booked estimates — Cayleb Pletos reveals how painting contractors can build a predictable lead generation system. In this episode of Contractor Secrets, Cayleb breaks down his Ultimate Estimate Engine — a system designed to generate painting leads, automatically schedule qualified estimates, optimize routes, and create predictable growth. The system combines Google Local Services Ads + Facebook Ads + Routemize + DripJobs + appointment setting to move prospects from lead to booked estimate without relying on constant manual follow-up. In this episode, you'll learn: • How to generate more painting contractor leads • How to get more estimates booked on your calendar • How to improve Google Local Services Ads • How Facebook Ads work for painting companies • Why your ad creative needs to build a personal brand • How to target higher-quality painting leads • Why fast follow-up matters • How to automate appointment scheduling • How route optimization improves estimator efficiency • How to create consistent year-round lead flow The goal isn't just more leads. It's building a system that consistently turns: TRAFFIC → LEADS → BOOKED ESTIMATES → JOBS CHAPTERS: 00:00 Routemize Launch Party 01:27 Meet Cayleb Pletos 01:42 The Ultimate Estimate Engine 06:04 The Original Estimate Engine 07:30 What Happens When You Get More Leads 09:19 Why Appointment Setting Breaks Down 11:33 Google Local Services Ads 12:52 How to Get More LSA Leads 16:15 Facebook Ads for Painting Companies 18:40 How to Create Better Facebook Ads 20:00 Why Personal Branding Matters 22:27 Example of a Painting Facebook Ad 23:09 Why This Facebook Ad Works 24:52 Automating Lead-to-Estimate Scheduling 26:45 Building Predictable Lead Flow 27:34 The Ultimate Estimate Engine If you're a painting contractor or painting business owner looking for more leads, better marketing, more booked estimates, and predictable growth, this episode is for you. Subscribe to Contractor Secrets with Tanner Mullen for more on painting business growth, contractor marketing, lead generation, sales, systems, and scaling. #PaintingContractor #PaintingBusiness #PaintingLeads #ContractorMarketing #GoogleLSA #LeadGeneration #ContractorSecrets

  4. Sep 1

    The Painting Contractor Marketing Blueprint ($0 → $1M+) | Contractor Secrets (Ft. Brandon Pierpont)

    Painting contractor marketing, painting business marketing, Facebook Ads, Google Ads, SEO, and painting leads — which marketing strategy should you actually use to grow your painting company? Brandon Pierpont, founder of Painter Marketing Pros, breaks down exactly which marketing channels painting contractors should focus on at each stage of growth — from starting at $0 to scaling beyond $1 million in annual revenue. Instead of throwing money at every new marketing strategy, Brandon lays out a roadmap for choosing between free marketing, Facebook Ads, Google Local Services Ads, Google PPC, SEO, referrals, social media, and more. In this episode, you'll learn: • The marketing fundamentals every painting company needs • How to market a painting business from $0–$500K • When painting contractors should start running paid ads • Facebook Ads vs Google Ads for painting leads • Why some contractors think Facebook Ads “don't work” • When Google PPC actually makes sense • How to use Google Local Services Ads • Why reviews and referrals are so valuable • When to invest in SEO • How to build long-term brand equity • Why your sales system matters just as much as lead generation • How local Facebook groups can generate painting leads Start your Free 14 Day Trial for Routemize - https://routemize.com/ Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthrough Purchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1 DripJobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemo Gusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269 OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aq Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen #PaintingContractor #ContractorBusiness #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #PaintingBusiness #HomeServices #BusinessGrowth #ContractorSecrets

  5. Aug 26

    How to Solve ANY Problem in Your Business | Contractor Secrets (Feat. Austin Houser)

    Entrepreneur mindset, business mindset, problem solving, and business leadership are essential when you’re trying to overcome business problems and grow as a business owner. In this episode, Austin Houser shares his framework for solving problems, overcoming fear, and staying calm under pressure. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor at 34 years old, Austin was forced to confront extreme uncertainty. The experience changed how he approaches fear, failure, leadership, and the challenges that come with entrepreneurship. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How to solve business problems • How to develop a stronger entrepreneur mindset • How to stay calm under pressure • The 3 types of problems business owners face • Why failure is required for success • How to focus on what you can control • The 1-3-1 problem-solving rule • How to build team accountability • How to prioritize problems and avoid overwhelm • Why success is 90% mindset and 10% skill set Start your Free 14 Day Trial for Routemize - https://routemize.com/ Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthrough Purchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1 DripJobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemo Gusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269 OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aq Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen #PaintingContractor #ContractorBusiness #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #PaintingBusiness #HomeServices #BusinessGrowth #ContractorSecrets

  6. Aug 20

    Why Your Facebook Ads Aren’t Getting Painting Leads | Contractor Secrets

    Facebook Ads for painting contractors can generate consistent painting leads — but only if your ads, marketing message, and follow-up system are built correctly. In this episode of the Contractor Secrets Podcast, Tanner Mullen audits Axel’s Facebook Ads and explains why his painting business marketing is getting clicks but failing to turn those clicks into painting leads and booked jobs. Axel spent roughly $350–$400 on Facebook Ads and generated around 700 clicks, but received almost no meaningful leads. Tanner pulls up the actual ad and breaks down exactly what’s going wrong. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How to run better Facebook Ads for painting contractors • Why painting ads get clicks but no leads • How to generate more painting leads • Why your marketing message must match your ideal customer • How authentic video builds trust with homeowners • Why AI-generated ads can hurt your marketing • How speed-to-lead affects conversions • How a CRM helps turn leads into booked estimates • How to budget for contractor marketing • When to DIY marketing vs. hire a marketing agency Tanner explains that successful painting contractor marketing isn’t just about getting clicks. Your ads need to attract the right homeowners, build trust, generate qualified painting leads, and have a system behind them that follows up immediately. If you’re a painting contractor trying to grow your painting business with Facebook Ads, Meta Ads, lead generation, contractor marketing, or digital marketing, this episode will show you what to fix. VIDEO CHAPTERS: 00:00 Why Painting Ads Fail 01:16 Meet Axel & His Painting Business 02:17 Building the Foundation 04:34 Axel’s Facebook Ads Strategy 05:03 700 Clicks, Almost No Leads 06:17 Tanner Audits the Facebook Ad 07:09 What’s Wrong With the Ad? 09:12 The Cost of DIY Marketing 10:05 How to Build Trust With Facebook Ads 11:31 Stop Trying to Be Perfect on Camera 14:37 Should Contractors Hire a Marketing Agency? 15:55 Why Speed-to-Lead Matters 17:47 Investing in Your Painting Business 19:43 Why You Need a Marketing System 21:12 CRM & Follow-Up Systems 22:28 Building a Better Estimating System 25:12 Why Consistent Marketing Matters 27:32 How Much Should You Spend on Marketing? 31:42 Systems That Free the Business Owner Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthrough Purchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1 DripJobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemo Gusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269 OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aq Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen #roofing #roofingbusiness #contractormarketing #localseo #roofingcontractor #homeservices #businessgrowth

  7. Aug 17

    Why Your Painting Sales Funnel SUCKS (And How to Fix It) | Contractor Secrets

    Want to close more painting leads and grow your painting business? Aiden Smith breaks down the exact painting contractor sales funnel his company uses to close around 60% of leads and consistently sell more painting jobs. In this episode of the Contractor Secrets Podcast, we're joined by Aiden Smith, founder of Smith & Co Painting and Paint Pro Coaching, to reveal how he generates painting leads, pre-qualifies prospects, builds trust before the estimate, and closes more painting jobs. Aiden recently sold roughly $50,000 in painting jobs in one week at a 60% close rate. He even shares how he closed a $9,000 painting project over the phone without ever visiting the property. In this episode, you'll learn: • How to build a painting contractor sales funnel • How to close more painting leads • How to pre-qualify homeowners before an estimate • Why speed-to-lead matters for painting contractors • Facebook Ads and Google leads for painting companies • How to build trust before the sales appointment • How Aiden uses "What to Expect" videos to increase sales • How to improve your painting sales closing rate • How to close painting jobs on the spot • How to systemize your painting sales process The goal is simple: win the painting job before the sales appointment even begins. If you're a painting contractor or painting business owner looking to generate better leads, improve your sales process, increase your close rate, and grow your painting company, this episode is for you. Start your Free 14 Day Trial for Routemize - https://routemize.com/ Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthrough Purchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1 DripJobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemo Gusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269 OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aq Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen #PaintingContractor #ContractorBusiness #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #PaintingBusiness #HomeServices #BusinessGrowth #ContractorSecrets

  8. Aug 14

    Why You Can’t Find Good Employees (And How to Fix It) | Contractor Secrets

    If you're a painting contractor struggling to find good employees, this episode breaks down how to hire painters, retain great employees, and build a painting business that can grow without relying on the owner. In this episode of the Contractor Secrets Podcast, Tanner Mullen sits down with Mason from Progressive Painting to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing painting contractors and home service businesses: hiring skilled painters and building a reliable team. Mason helps operate a $1M+ commercial painting business in New Hampshire and is working to solve the people problem inside the company. After scaling to a 30-person painting crew for a massive commercial project, the business experienced employee turnover and struggled to maintain the team needed to continue growing. Tanner breaks down the painting contractor hiring system he's used to recruit W-2 painters, find better applicants, develop crew leaders, and build a painting company that doesn't require the owner to constantly be on the job site. We cover: • Why a random hiring process creates random results • Where contractors should actually be looking for employees • My Indeed hiring strategy • How to properly interview and filter applicants • Why character matters more than skill alone • Creating a career path from apprentice to leadership • How compensation impacts employee retention • Rewarding employees as their skills increase • Using job profitability to create performance bonuses • Why your best employees need to see a future with your company • Building a business that doesn't depend on the owner • Commercial vs. residential painting opportunities • Navigating change inside a family business If you're constantly saying, "There are no good employees out there," this episode might change the way you think about hiring entirely. Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthrough Purchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1 DripJobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemo Gusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269 OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aq Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen #PaintingContractor #PaintingBusiness #HiringPainters #ContractorBusiness #PaintingCompany #ContractorHiring #BusinessGrowth #HomeServices #EmployeeRetention #ContractorSecrets

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4.9
out of 5
51 Ratings

About

It's no secret that a large majority of contractors are too busy working "IN" their business instead of "ON" their business. As a 3rd generation painter, I've first-hand witnessed the struggle of a contractor (my father) as he attempted to manage all aspects of his House Painting Business while still painting and performing the jobs. My passion is to free contractors from the chains of their own business, and truly help them achieve greatness through creating systems, processes, and standards...TUNE IN! Follow @OfficialTannerMullen on Instagram!

Information

  • Creator
    Tanner Mullen
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    560
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Tanner Mullen
  • Show Website
    Contractor Secrets