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. How AI Could Transform Construction Forever (Pros and Cons Inside)

    HÁ 18 H

    How AI Could Transform Construction Forever (Pros and Cons Inside)

    Send us a text 🔗 LINKS Join the group coaching program and Master Construction Cash Flow with Profit First Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show. Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW! ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE What if AI could run your entire construction company—from design to completion—with zero human workers? Wade and Stephen dive deep into this thought-provoking scenario, exploring an AI-generated story about a fully automated construction company.  They examine the pros and cons of AI in construction, discuss real-world applications available today, and reveal practical lessons you can implement now to improve profitability and cash flow. This eye-opening discussion will challenge your assumptions about the future of construction. Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live. ⌚️ Key moments in this episode: 00:20 Exploring AI's Role in Construction01:05 AI's Story: BuildBotics Construction04:16 Debating AI's Capabilities and Limitations14:29 AI in Project Management and Safety22:18 The Future of AI in Urban DevelopmentJoin 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

    33min
  2. How to Manage Materials & Supplies Risks and Protect Your Profit

    12 DE AGO.

    How to Manage Materials & Supplies Risks and Protect Your Profit

    Send us a text 🔗 LINKS Join the group coaching program and Master Construction Cash Flow with Profit First Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show. Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW! ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE Protect your construction business from materials and supply chain disasters that can tank profitable jobs. Wade and Stephen share proven strategies to manage vendor relationships, negotiate stronger contracts, handle overseas orders, and avoid costly delays.  Learn when to require supply bonds, how to document everything properly, and what to do when suppliers threaten bond claims. Essential tactics every contractor needs to safeguard cash flow and maintain project schedules. Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live. ⌚️ Key mistakes we cover in this episode: 00:19 The Challenges of Sourcing Materials01:47 Impact of Market Changes on Construction03:00 Vendor Relationships and Risk Management05:18 Best Practices for Managing Supply Risks06:31 Handling Supply Chain Issues and Legalities10:17 Proactive Measures and Documentation17:09 Dealing with Payment Bond ClaimsJoin 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

    21min
  3. 10 Guaranteed Ways to Go BROKE as a Contractor in 2025 (Don't Do This!)

    5 DE AGO.

    10 Guaranteed Ways to Go BROKE as a Contractor in 2025 (Don't Do This!)

    Send us a text 🔗 LINKS Join the group coaching program and Master Construction Cash Flow with Profit First Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show. Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW! ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE A satirical look at contractor failure! Wade and Stephen reveal the 10 most common mistakes that send construction businesses straight to bankruptcy. From pricing jobs like favors to ignoring cash flow, this reverse-psychology approach shows exactly what NOT to do to protect your profits. Learn why fancy trucks before profitability, poor bookkeeping, and chasing slow-paying jobs are business killers. Perfect for contractors who want to identify dangerous patterns in their own operations. Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live. ⌚️ Key mistakes we cover in this episode: 00:00 Introduction to the Satirical Guide00:49 Pricing Jobs Like Favors02:39 Buying Fancy Trucks Before Profit04:49 Keeping Your Bookkeeper in the Dark06:03 Paying Everyone Else Before Yourself07:18 Treating Tax Time Like a Surprise Party08:08 Chasing Big Jobs with Long Payment Terms08:53 Never Saying No to a Job09:53 Letting the Crew Manage Themselves10:44 Skipping Budgets for Tools11:53 Pretending Profit is a Bonus13:05 Bonus Tip: Ignoring Red FlagsJoin 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

    17min
  4. How Surety Companies Really Analyze Your Construction Financials

    29 DE JUL.

    How Surety Companies Really Analyze Your Construction Financials

    Send us a text 🔗 LINKS Join the group coaching program and Master Construction Cash Flow with Profit First Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show. Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW! ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE Ever wonder why your bonding agent scrutinizes your profitable financial statements like they're hiding serious flaws? In construction, your numbers tell completely different stories to banks versus bonding companies - and understanding this difference could make or break your business growth. Wade and Stephen break down the critical distinctions between how banks and bonding companies analyze your financials. You'll discover why taking cash out of your company tanks bonding capacity, how working capital calculations differ dramatically between the two, and what profit fades really cost you in credibility. This episode reveals practical strategies to strengthen your position with both lenders and bonding companies, plus the most common financial mistakes that destroy contractor relationships. Learn how to present your company's true financial strength instead of just looking good on paper. Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live. ⌚️ In this episode: 00:42 Common Financial Mistakes Contractors Make01:45 Differences Between Banks and Bonding Companies04:57 The Importance of Working Capital06:13 Paperwork and Financial Reports for Bonding15:10 Loans to Shareholders and Subordination Agreements19:26 Over and Under Billings: What You Need to Know22:50 Backlog Gross Profit and Profit FadesJoin 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

    27min
  5. Where the Money’s Going: Top Construction Growth Sectors for 2025

    22 DE JUL.

    Where the Money’s Going: Top Construction Growth Sectors for 2025

    Send us a text 🔗 LINKS Join the group coaching program and Master Construction Cash Flow with Profit First Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show. Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW! ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE Data centers, manufacturing reshoring, energy projects, infrastructure builds—2025 could be a boom year for contractors, but only if you position your business to catch the wave. In this episode of Contractor Success Forum, Wade Carpenter and Stephen Brown break down exactly where construction dollars are flowing and how your company can win the most profitable work of the next decade. From federal contracts to high-margin data center jobs, this episode shows you how to pivot smartly and scale wisely—without overextending your business. Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live. ⌚️ In this episode: 00:30 Impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act01:41 Economic Trends and Market Sentiments02:36 Military and Infrastructure Spending04:23 Geographic Market Trends and Opportunities07:12 Federal Contracts and Small Business Participation14:29 Strategic Growth and Workforce ConsiderationsJoin 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

    20min
  6. Revolutionizing Construction: How AI is Transforming Job Sites

    15 DE JUL.

    Revolutionizing Construction: How AI is Transforming Job Sites

    Send us a text 🔗 LINKS Join the group coaching program and Master Construction Cash Flow with Profit First Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show. Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW! ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE In this episode, Wade and Stephen delve into the transformative impact of AI and technology on construction job sites. They discuss AI's role in improving safety, estimating, and project management, while highlighting real-world applications in job safety, video monitoring, predictive maintenance, and smart procurement.  The episode also explores the integration of AI for legal document analysis, bidding, and forecasting, ultimately showcasing how these advancements can save time, enhance efficiency, and increase profitability in the construction industry. The book is available now on Amazon! Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live. ⌚️ In this episode: 01:35 AI for Safety and Monitoring03:37 AI in Insurance and Legal Documentation06:56 AI for Project Management and Estimation14:12 AI in Equipment Maintenance and Theft Prevention24:01 AI for Procurement and Material 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

    27min
  7. Building Profits: Protect Your Construction Rights with SunRay's Ariela Wagner

    8 DE JUL.

    Building Profits: Protect Your Construction Rights with SunRay's Ariela Wagner

    Send us a text 🔗 LINKS Learn more about SunRay Notice and reach out to Ariela Wagner Join the group coaching program and Master Construction Cash Flow with Profit First Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show. Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW! ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE In this episode of The Contractor Success Forum, Wade Carpenter and Stephen Brown are joined once again by Ariela Wagner of Sunray Construction Solutions. They discuss the challenges contractors face when it comes to lien laws, contracts, and protecting their profits.  Ariela shares valuable insights on how to secure lien and bond claim rights, the importance of proper documentation, and the role of a strong credit and collections policy. Learn key strategies to avoid common pitfalls that could cost your business and ensure you're well-protected in every state. Don't miss this essential guide to maintaining your financial health in the construction industry. The book is available now on Amazon! Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live. ⌚️ In this episode: 00:16 Meet Ariela Wagner from SunRay Construction Solutions03:09 Importance of Contracts in Construction07:37 Credit and Collections Policies23:19 Navigating State-Specific Lien Laws28:05 Conclusion and Contact InformationJoin 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

    30min
  8. Is Federal Contracting Right for You? Takeaways from the Fed Con Convention

    1 DE JUL.

    Is Federal Contracting Right for You? Takeaways from the Fed Con Convention

    Send us a text 🔗 LINKS Join the group coaching program and Master Construction Cash Flow with Profit First Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show. Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW! ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE Is federal government contracting right for you? Wade and Stephen discuss the pros and cons, opportunities, and steps to get started in federal contracting. Fresh off attending the Fed Con Convention in Washington, D.C., Stephen shares valuable insights on the vast amount of construction work required by the federal government, primarily military and infrastructure projects.  He highlights the importance of small contractors, navigating the bidding process, and the potential for consistent, lucrative work in this realm. Tune in as they debunk common misconceptions and provide practical advice for anyone considering this path. The book is available now on Amazon! Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live. ⌚️ In this episode: 00:22 Insights from the Fed Con Convention01:52 Opportunities for Small Contractors03:24 Understanding Federal Contracting Processes06:19 Specializations and Partnerships in Federal Contracting10:48 Pros and Cons of Federal Government Contracting16:00 Getting Started with Federal ContractingJoin 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

    19min
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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. 

Informações

  • Criado por
    Contractor Success Forum
  • Anos de atividade
    2021 - 2025
  • Episódios
    230
  • Classificação
    Livre
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Contractor Success Forum
  • Site do podcast
    Contractor Success Forum