The Contractor Grow Show

Mark Lamberth

Are you a successful contractor, remodeler, or home service provider looking to elevate your business through smarter digital marketing? The Contractor Grow Show is your go-to resource for proven, actionable strategies to grow your business online. Hosted every two weeks, this podcast dives deep into the digital marketing techniques that can help home service providers like you reach new customers, optimize lead generation, and boost revenue. Each episode features exclusive interviews with industry-leading experts, digital marketing pros, and high-performing contractors who are sharing their real-world success stories and game-changing strategies. Whether you're already doing $1M in annual revenue or on your way, you'll learn how to leverage SEO, paid advertising, social media, and more to stand out in a competitive market. Get insights from entrepreneurs and contractors you’ve never heard from before—who are using digital marketing to push their business to the next level. If you're ready to take your business to the next level with the latest digital marketing techniques tailored specifically for remodelers and home service pros, the Contractor Grow Show is the podcast for you!

  1. 8h ago

    From Startup in a Recession to Community Staple: Service Plus Garage Doors

    In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, host Mark Lamberth sits down with Alan Ruttencutter of Service Plus Garage Doors in Seymour, Tennessee, to unpack how he built a thriving garage door company by doubling down on community, culture, and customer experience. Starting in 2009 at the height of the housing crisis with just himself and his wife, Alan has grown the business to a nine-person team serving a 50–60 mile radius around Knoxville, Gatlinburg, and the surrounding areas.​ Alan shares the simple systems and mindset shifts that turned Service Plus Garage Doors into a highly reviewed, referral-driven business, including how they collect Google reviews, why they invested in the largest garage door showroom in their market, and the community events that now function as local family traditions. If you’re a contractor or home service pro looking to stand out in your market without pushy sales tactics, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can swipe and deploy in your own company.​ Bullet Points (show notes / description bullets) How Alan launched a garage door company in 2009 during the housing crash and grew to a nine-person team.The “treat them like family” service philosophy that drives referrals without high-pressure sales.The exact review process they use with QR codes, tech business cards, and name recognition to consistently earn new Google reviews.Why they invested in the area’s largest garage door showroom and how it helps homeowners see, hear, and feel doors before buying.The community-first events (Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s, Mother’s and Father’s Day) that turned Service Plus into a local tradition.How involving employees’ families, company picnics, and Christmas outings has helped retain long-term team members.Simple mindset shifts contractors can use to build trust, earn referrals, and become a true staple in their community.

    From Startup in a Recession to Community Staple: Service Plus Garage Doors
  2. Jul 9

    From Accountant to “Elevator Chick”: Scaling an 8-Figure Elevator Company

    In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark sits down with Loannie “Luan” Reyes, co-founder and CEO of Authentic Elevator Services Corp., an eight-figure, family-owned elevator company serving New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico—with eyes on Florida and Connecticut next. Starting as an accountant with zero field experience, Luan learned the trade side-by-side with her husband, picked up the tools, became an inspector, and now leads a 25+ person team in one of the most specialized, male-dominated construction niches. You’ll hear how she builds a high-performing, loyal crew through intentional training, matching techs to the work they love, and treating people like humans—not numbers—while still maintaining strict safety and code compliance standards. Luan also breaks down how Authentic Elevator strategically expands into new markets without sacrificing service quality, why she invests heavily in education even when it means people may leave, and how that culture actually brings top talent back. Watch or listen in if you’re a contractor or trades business owner who wants to grow beyond a single location, create a culture people don’t want to leave, and build a company that clients and employees trust for the long haul. ​ Bullet points (6–8): How Luan went from CPA firm and admin background to hands-on elevator mechanic and inspectorThe moment she solo-fixed her first elevator and earned her place in a male-dominated fieldBuilding an eight-figure, multi-state elevator company with 25+ techs and strategic subcontractorsTheir in-house training “army” model and how they match mechanics’ strengths to the right roles​Why they invest heavily in education—even when trained techs leave—and why so many end up coming backNon-union, people-first culture: respect on the jobsite, zero yelling, and unwavering safety standardsStrategic growth into New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and future branches in Florida and Connecticut without diluting service qualityHow Authentic Elevator gives back through industry associations, inspector certification, and developing women in the elevator trade

    From Accountant to “Elevator Chick”: Scaling an 8-Figure Elevator Company
  3. Jul 3

    Roofing Right: How Mile High Built 15 Years of Trust in Hail Country

    In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark Lamberth sits down with Brian Huelsman of Mile High Roofing Services in Westminster, Colorado to unpack how a small, family-run roofing and exteriors company has stayed A+ rated and highly reviewed for over 15 years in one of the most competitive, storm-heavy markets in the country. Brian shares how a bad early experience in roofing sales shaped his “do the right thing” philosophy, why he built Mile High around honesty and referrals, and how he helps homeowners navigate hail damage and insurance without upselling work that isn’t storm-related. You’ll also hear how Mile High handles solar detach/reset, leverages Heather’s real estate background on timing and transactions, and plans to scale while keeping their hands-on, local reputation intact. If you’re a contractor looking to grow with integrity—or a homeowner in Colorado’s Front Range wanting a trustworthy roofer—this conversation is packed with practical, real-world insight. How Brian went from unpaid roofing salesman to launching Mile High Roofing in 2010 with an A+ BBB track record and long-term local presence.The “do the right thing” mindset that drives referrals, five-star reviews, and repeat business across Westminster and Denver’s north metro communities.Why every hail-damage homeowner should work with a general contractor who understands insurance language—not just a roofer bidding off the adjuster’s first estimate.How Mile High coordinates detach and reset of existing solar systems without getting tangled in the risks of full-blown solar installation.The role Heather’s real estate experience plays in nailing inspection deadlines, transaction timing, and communication with agents and buyers.Mile High’s flexible service area—from Westminster and the North Metro Front Range to occasional out-of-state commercial projects when the numbers make sense.Why Brian is shifting from a lifestyle business he largely ran solo into growth mode with more salespeople and managers, and what that means for future opportunities.

    Roofing Right: How Mile High Built 15 Years of Trust in Hail Country
  4. Jun 27

    From $1M to $195M: How AmeriTech Built a Veteran‑Driven Powerhouse

    Andrew “Drew” DiSilvestro Jr., President of AmeriTech Contracting, joins The Contractor Growth Show to reveal how a 2‑person SDVOSB exploded into an $195M inks / $85M+ revenue federal construction powerhouse in just a few years. Key takeaways include: How Drew took over a fledgling company from a sick founder and turned it into an 86‑person veteran‑focused operation with a massive federal backlog.Why systems—not heroes—are the real engine behind stratospheric growth, and how he built processes that don’t rely on any single person.​The smart financial strategy he used to scale: starting with low‑bond‑requirement service construction, stacking cash, and building banking and bonding credibility.Why culture and intangibles are non‑negotiable: hiring for attitude, training up, and firing fast when standards slip.​​How you can hire ahead of revenue—securing A‑player talent early, then creating a roadmap so they slot in at the right time.​​The role of veteran leadership in shaping accountability, adaptability, and execution across a 22‑state federal construction footprint.​​Drew’s vision for the next 5–7 years: moving into private healthcare and life‑science work, expanding outside the U.S., and targeting $500M+ annual collected revenue.How to reward loyalty without paying for it, and why true loyalty is earned through consistent culture, clear expectations, and leadership from the top

    From $1M to $195M: How AmeriTech Built a Veteran‑Driven Powerhouse
  5. Jun 21

    High-performance HVAC growth story: Culture, service & complex institutional projects

    Dynamic Air president Brad Carpenter shares how an employee-first culture, A‑player talent, and a “run to the fire” mindset helped DAC become a go‑to independent rep for complex institutional HVAC and energy recovery projects across labs, healthcare, and high-end commercial buildings in New England. How Dynamic Air grew from a founders’ vision into a leading Boston-based independent manufacturers’ rep for complex institutional HVAC systems.The employee-first, work–life balance culture that keeps elite sales engineers and technicians on the team in a highly competitive HVAC talent market.Why Brad organizes the company like a pro sports team so A players can do their best work and self-manage around shared standards and accountability.Real stories of going “all stops” for customers, from cross-border COVID supply chain workarounds to same-day site visits when critical projects are at risk.How DAC’s Local 537 pipefitters and Local 17 sheet metal service branches became the missing link between complex engineered systems and reliable field performance.Why owning service on high-spec, energy recovery and lab systems protects decades of brand equity and eliminates finger-pointing when something goes wrong.The unique “cradle to grave” sales-engineer model that keeps one accountable point of contact from design through installation, startup, and ongoing support.How large healthcare, lab, and institutional owners should engage their engineers and DAC together to get the right custom HVAC and energy recovery solution for their next project.

    High-performance HVAC growth story: Culture, service & complex institutional projects
  6. Jun 15

    From 15 to 25 Lawn Clients: How Richard Built Nature’s Lawn Care in Denver

    In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark sits down with Richard Safo, founder of Nature’s Lawn Care in Lakewood, Colorado, to unpack how he turned a small COVID side hustle into a growing local lawn care business serving Denver, Lakewood, Littleton, and Aurora. You’ll hear how Richard quit his full-time job with just 15 clients, pushed through losing nearly half of them, and still managed to grow to about 25 recurring customers by focusing on relationships, word of mouth, and relentless hustle. We dig into his simple but effective sales process, why he insists on visiting every property in person, and how listening first (instead of talking over customers) has become his secret weapon. Richard also shares how he cobbles together marketing—Nextdoor ads, EDDM postcards, door hangers, and even putting cards on cars at the park—to keep his phone ringing. For lawn and landscape pros, his first winter going full time is a must-listen segment, from slow snow seasons to budgeting and saving enough in the busy months to make it through. If you’re a lawn care or landscaping contractor wondering when to go all in, how far to travel for jobs, or how to keep revenue coming in a seasonal business, this conversation will give you real-world insight from someone in the trenches right now. Bullet points: How Richard turned a COVID side hustle into Nature’s Lawn Care in Lakewood, COQuitting his full-time job with 15 clients, losing nearly half, and rebuilding to 25Simple, relationship-first sales process from first text or call to on-site estimateWhy in-person property visits and truly listening to customers set him apartGrassroots marketing mix: word of mouth, Nextdoor ads, EDDM, door hangers, and moreNavigating Colorado’s slow winter season with minimal snow work and smart savingDialing in service area to cut travel costs while still serving Denver, Lakewood, Littleton, and AuroraHow to contact Nature’s Lawn Care via phone, Instagram, and LinkedIn to book services

    From 15 to 25 Lawn Clients: How Richard Built Nature’s Lawn Care in Denver
  7. Jun 3

    How a 100-Year-Old Builder Kills Change Orders with Pre-Construction Mastery

    Description In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark talks with Marc Heiman, President/CEO of New York–based builder Richter+Ratner, a 100+ year construction firm known for complex museums, schools, and civic projects—and for their bold promise of no fee on change orders. Marc unpacks how their T.E.A.R.™ (Technical Evaluation, Analysis, Recommendation) process transforms pre-construction from an afterthought into a profit-protecting advantage for owners, architects, and builders. You’ll learn how shifting from lump-sum bidding to cost-plus/GMP, leaning into fast-track and complex work, and obsessing over constructability and logistics has allowed Marc’s team to deliver high-profile projects with fewer surprises and stronger relationships. In this episode, we cover: Why Marc pivoted a legacy retail-focused firm into museums, schools, and civic workHow the T.E.A.R.™ method reduces change orders through deep pre-construction collaborationThe real difference between lump sum vs. cost-plus/GMP—and why some owners are misledWhy Richter+Ratner charges no fee on change orders and still protects marginsHow referrals from long-term relationships (including a rabbi client) drive $5B+ in workWhy chasing revenue without the right resources can destroy a referral-based businessHow Marc uses teaching, lecturing, and board work to influence the industryThe personal boundaries and mental-health habits that keep a CEO effective long term

    How a 100-Year-Old Builder Kills Change Orders with Pre-Construction Mastery

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Are you a successful contractor, remodeler, or home service provider looking to elevate your business through smarter digital marketing? The Contractor Grow Show is your go-to resource for proven, actionable strategies to grow your business online. Hosted every two weeks, this podcast dives deep into the digital marketing techniques that can help home service providers like you reach new customers, optimize lead generation, and boost revenue. Each episode features exclusive interviews with industry-leading experts, digital marketing pros, and high-performing contractors who are sharing their real-world success stories and game-changing strategies. Whether you're already doing $1M in annual revenue or on your way, you'll learn how to leverage SEO, paid advertising, social media, and more to stand out in a competitive market. Get insights from entrepreneurs and contractors you’ve never heard from before—who are using digital marketing to push their business to the next level. If you're ready to take your business to the next level with the latest digital marketing techniques tailored specifically for remodelers and home service pros, the Contractor Grow Show is the podcast for you!