Remodelers On The Rise

Kyle Hunt

Remodelers On The Rise by Kyle Hunt is a podcast designed to inspire remodeling entrepreneurs like yourself. Practical tips, high-level strategy, specific examples, and information that you can grab and implement into your remodeling business. The goal is to empower you to make your remodeling business more enjoyable, profitable, and enable you more freedom in your business and life.

  1. 19h ago ·  Video

    Your People Aren’t The Problem, Your Systems Might Be.

    When good employees leave or your team isn't performing the way you hoped, it's easy to assume you have a people problem. But what if the real issue is the systems behind them? This week, Kyle sits down with Ryan Englin of Core Matters to talk about what it takes to build a team that can succeed without the owner constantly stepping in. Ryan shares why turnover often starts with the systems inside the business and explains the difference between accountability and micromanagement. They also dig into why traditional performance reviews tend to fall short in the trades and how clearer expectations can make leadership a whole lot easier. If you want a team that knows what success looks like and can take more ownership without you hovering over every decision, this conversation will give you some practical places to start. Explore real client results and case studies at Contractor Growth Network Results, learn how they help remodelers build marketing that works at Contractor Growth Network, and check out their Podcast for weekly insights designed to help remodelers grow smarter. Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights! Key Takeaways  Turnover as a system problem, not a people problem Implementing pulse surveys for employee engagement Defining clear job descriptions and expectations Difference between accountability and micromanagement Using KPIs and real-time tracking for performance The role of systems in reducing turnover Effective communication and performance feedback The importance of caring for your team Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Building Better Teams in Remodeling 01:51 Turnover as a System Problem, Not a People Problem 04:02 The Power of Pulse Surveys for Engagement 09:00 Defining Clear Job Descriptions and Expectations 15:53 Understanding Accountability vs Micromanagement 23:03 Using KPIs and Real-Time Data for Performance 30:01 Why Performance Reviews Fail and What Replaces Them 39:01 Introducing Fieldcon.io for Performance Management 43:51 Caring for Your People and Building Trust

  2. Sep 10 ·  Video

    How to Actually Use AI in Your Remodeling Business with Eric Fortenberry

    This episode is a rebroadcast of a webinar Eric Fortenberry presented for the Remodelers on the Rise community. Kyle is joined by Eric, founder and CEO of JobTread, to discuss practical ways contractors can start using AI in their businesses. Eric explains how tools like Claude can connect with JobTread and use the information already inside your business to help take repetitive work off your plate. Throughout the webinar, Eric shares real examples of contractors already using AI in the field and in the office. You’ll hear how AI can help build an estimate before you leave a client’s house, turn jobsite notes into a polished daily log, catch potential issues in your budgets, and help you get more out of the information you already have in JobTread. The goal isn’t to overhaul your entire business overnight. Start with one task that takes too much of your time and see where AI can help. JobTread helps remodelers bring estimating, scheduling, job costing, and invoicing into one connected system, so they can clearly see where jobs stand and what’s actually profitable. We’ve watched members move from guessing to confidently knowing their numbers, which leads to better pricing, planning, and leadership. If you’re ready for better systems and better decisions, learn more at jobtread.com. Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights! Key Takeaways  AI integration in construction managementPractical use cases of AI in remodelingBest practices for AI prompting and safetyConnecting AI to JobTread via MCPUsing AI for estimating, scheduling, and reportingChapters 00:00 Introduction to AI's impact on construction management 02:08 Kyle and Eric discuss practical AI use cases 04:12 How to connect AI tools to JobTread 07:03 Best practices for prompting and safety with AI 10:13 Using AI for estimating, scheduling, and daily logs 14:57 Creating reports and analyzing data with AI 20:01 AI for vendor management and email automation 25:12 Training and customizing AI for your business 29:57 The importance of human oversight and ownership 35:14 Real-world examples of AI in action 39:57 Next steps for integrating AI into your business 45:06 Q&A and community insights

  3. Sep 3 ·  Video

    Creating Budget Clarity During the Design Process

    Budgets can move fast during design, especially once clients start making selections. This week, Kyle sits down with Audra Von Minden Gossage of LTD Builders to talk about the Budget Roadmap, the tool her team uses to keep clients clear on where their budget stands as design moves along. Audra shares how they account for changing selections and costs without redoing a full estimate each time, and how more planning up front has cut down change orders. If clarity in the project budget during design is a struggle for your clients, this episode has some great ideas for your team. Today's episode is sponsored by Builder Funnel! Click here to learn more about how Builder Funnel helps remodelers and home builders grow through strategic digital marketing. Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights! Key Takeaways  Introduction to the budget roadmap conceptThe importance of cycle time measurementManaging scope changes and scope differencesPresenting material selections without markupUsing the budget roadmap to keep clients informedReducing change order rates to below 2%Building trust through transparency and micro commitmentsThe role of client control and decision-makingChapters 00:00 Introduction and overview of the episode 03:50 Introduction to Audra and her business background 06:22 Challenges with scope and budget expectations 12:05 The origin of the budget roadmap concept 13:51 Explaining the budget roadmap to clients 17:44 Presenting material selections without markup 19:49 Tracking budget changes through revisions 27:36 Finalizing the project budget and client approval 30:47 Reducing change orders and maintaining profitability 33:41 Handling scope changes and client control 37:16 Wrapping up and key takeaways from the episode

  4. Aug 27 ·  Video

    Kyle's Reminders from The Rise Conference

    Running a great remodeling business is not about one magic bullet. It is a combination of a lot of little things done consistently well! Coming off the Rise Conference 2026, Kyle shares several ideas and reminders from the two days spent with 100+ remodelers. From thinking through what your biggest constraint is right now, to how delegation can unlock growth, to why tracking the right KPIs matters more than tracking everything, Rise 2026 was full of great sessions and ways you can strengthen your remodeling business. 

There was no shortage of great content and even better conversation and Kyle is already looking forward to making 2027 even better! Explore real client results and case studies at Contractor Growth Network Results, learn how they help remodelers build marketing that works at Contractor Growth Network, and check out their Podcast for weekly insights designed to help remodelers grow smarter. Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights! Key Takeaways  Systematic marketing of projects to local neighborhoodsImportance of post-project reviewsUsing story selling to build trustImplementing EOS for business managementTracking KPIs for project successBatching tasks to improve focusAdjusting gross profit margins for profitabilityBuilding a strong team through training and delegationThe power of peer groups and roundtablesMindset shifts for overcoming challenges

  5. Aug 20 ·  Video

    How to Hire Better and Build a Stronger Remodeling Team

    Finding great people is one of the biggest challenges remodelers face, but the answer isn't posting another job ad and hoping the right person comes along. In this episode, Kyle is joined by Justin Landry of JL Talent Solutions and Peer Group Coach Bryan Sebring for a practical conversation about creating a more intentional hiring process.  Bryan shares how his approach to hiring has changed after working with Justin and why slowing down has helped him avoid costly hiring mistakes. They dig into what a strong recruiting process actually looks like, from defining the role before you start searching to using assessments and structured interviews to better understand each candidate. Justin also explains why the right people are out there, even when it feels impossible to find them, and how looking beyond the usual job boards can open up a much stronger candidate pool. If hiring has felt rushed, frustrating, or inconsistent in your remodeling business, this episode will help you think differently about how you find people and set them up to succeed! Running a remodeling company can feel lonely, but you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. The Remodelers On The Rise Peer Groups connect you with non-competing remodelers who understand the challenges you’re facing and are committed to helping each other grow. Learn more at  https://remodelersontherise.com/live-training-events-for-remodelers/remodelers-peer-group/ Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights! Key Takeaways  Building clear role definitions Implementing a systematic hiring process Using assessments like DISC and preview Creating a strong onboarding experience Fostering a positive company culture Leadership and conflict resolution in teams The importance of patience in hiring Using data and science in recruitment Onboarding best practices for success Chapters 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 01:10 Start with the end in mind in hiring 02:07 Justin Landry introduces JL Talent Solutions 04:46 Brian Sebring shares his background and path to Justin 08:25 The importance of patience in hiring 10:15 Justin explains the vetting process and assessments 13:25 Proactive vs reactive hiring strategies 16:34 Best practices for posting and attracting candidates 18:47 Using data science and assessments to select candidates 22:42 Effective interview questions and techniques 30:57 The significance of clear role definitions 35:58 Onboarding best practices and 30-60-90 plan 40:56 Leadership, culture, and team integration 42:46 Continuous improvement and learning in hiring

  6. Aug 14 ·  Video

    How One Remodeler Is Practically Using AI

    AI isn't just about writing emails or asking ChatGPT a few questions. When it's thoughtfully integrated into your business, it can become a practical tool that saves time and helps your team work more efficiently. This week, Kyle sits down with Jeremy Maher of Phoenix Home Remodeling to talk about how his team is actually using AI in the business. Jeremy shares real workflows they've built to reduce repetitive work and get more value from the information they're already collecting. You'll also hear how AI has become part of their sales process. Jeremy even shares how his team is using it to handle missed calls more effectively. If you've been wondering what AI can actually look like inside a remodeling company, this episode gives you a practical look at what Jeremy's team is doing and what they've learned along the way. JobTread helps remodelers bring estimating, scheduling, job costing, and invoicing into one connected system, so they can clearly see where jobs stand and what’s actually profitable. We’ve watched members move from guessing to confidently knowing their numbers, which leads to better pricing, planning, and leadership. If you’re ready for better systems and better decisions, learn more at jobtread.com. Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights! Key Takeaways  AI integration in remodelingAutomation of client communication and project managementUsing AI for call analysis and employee coachingAutomating review collection and reputation managementLeveraging AI for pre-visit prep and scope of work creationRemote team management and outsourcing in constructionAdapting AI tools for business growth and efficiencyChapters 00:00 Introduction to Jeremy Maher and AI in Remodeling 02:00 Jeremy's background and how he got into AI 04:02 The importance of strategy before automation 06:00 Using AI to enhance customer journey and communication 07:49 Voice AI for call handling and appointment scheduling 13:48 Automated client photo collection process 20:52 AI-generated pre-visit prep and scope of work 26:57 AI analysis of employee performance and coaching 35:05 Automated review management and reputation building 44:07 Role-specific GPTs for team productivity 50:01 Outsourcing and managing remote teams with AI 50:51 Final thoughts and encouragement for remodelers

  7. Aug 6 ·  Video

    Building Something Bigger Than Remodeling

    Great remodeling companies aren't built by accident. They're built through intentional leadership, clear values, and a commitment to serving both your team and your clients. This week, Kyle sits down with Jimmy Moore of Petra Custom Builders, a longtime Builder Funnel client, to talk about the principles that have shaped his company from day one. They discuss creating a culture people want to be part of, why servant leadership matters, building core values that actually guide decisions, and how investing in marketing has given Jimmy's team the freedom to be more selective about the projects they take on. If you're trying to build a company that lasts, this conversation is full of practical ideas that go far beyond remodeling. Jimmy's experience is also a great example of what can happen when remodelers treat marketing as a long term investment and partner with a team like Builder Funnel. Today's episode is sponsored by Builder Funnel! Click here to learn more about how Builder Funnel helps remodelers and home builders grow through strategic digital marketing. Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights! Key Takeaways  Jimmy Moore's transition from remodeler to builderThe importance of core values and cultureThe role of intentionality and discipline in leadershipStrategic marketing and lead generation with BuilderFunnelThe impact of consistent branding and content marketingBuilding a team that reflects company valuesThe significance of pipeline management and ROI measurementThe biblical inspiration behind Petra's name and missionChapters 00:00 Introduction and Jimmy Moore's background 02:02 Jimmy's perspective on intentionality and discipline 04:05 The story behind Petra's name and mission 07:03 Leadership as service and building company culture 11:58 Jimmy's journey from a young remodeler to a business owner 17:02 The fulfillment found in impactful work 23:00 The evolution of Petra and its core values 27:06 Leadership qualities and servant leadership 35:51 Marketing strategy and partnership with BuilderFunnel 48:00 Results and ROI from BuilderFunnel's marketing efforts 01:00:05 Advice for business owners on marketing investment 01:08:10 The importance of culture and core values in business 01:10:01 Closing thoughts and final advice

  8. Jul 30 ·  Video

    Building a Company Clients Remember

    Great client experiences don't happen by accident. They're built through dozens of intentional decisions before, during, and after every project. This week, Kyle sits down with Darin Kuns of DK Construction to share how his team has intentionally designed an experience that stands out. From customer confidence checkups and post-project interviews to thoughtful job site standards and small gestures that make clients feel valued, Darin explains how the little details create lasting trust. If you're looking for practical ideas on building a company people can't wait to recommend, this episode is packed with ideas you can start using right away. Want to keep in touch with past clients and prospects without the hassle of writing content yourself? That’s exactly what Remodelers AutoPilot does — each month you get a done-for-you email newsletter and social media posts, ready to send. Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights! Key Takeaways Fix pre-construction bottlenecksImprove planning before productionDelegate to increase capacityTrack client confidenceCreate memorable client experiencesGather post-project feedbackSet clear job-site standardsRecognize and support employeesChapters 00:00 Introduction and Episode Context 00:33 Celebrating 400 Episodes and Guest Suggestions 01:02 Highlighting Todd DeWalt and Construction Leading Edge 01:48 DK Construction's Market and Business Focus 02:11 Identifying Business Heartburns and Bottlenecks 03:07 Addressing Capacity and Process Challenges 04:22 Strategies for Smoother Project Handoffs 05:15 Handling Change Orders and Project Variances 06:04 Time Management and Capacity Planning 07:11 Setting Small Wins in Project Selection 07:53 Focusing on Capacity and Focused Work 08:56 Company History and Market Overview 11:01 Developing Client Relationships and Expectations 12:06 The Three Uniques of DK Construction 14:48 Employee Recruitment and Incentives 20:08 Client Experience and Customer Confidence 24:58 Enhancing Client Delight and Little Things 30:12 Implementing Client Feedback and Post-Project Surveys 34:50 Company Culture and Employee Recognition 39:58 Team Communication and Meeting Optimization 44:52 Signage and Job Site Respect 50:03 Letting Go of Control and Delegation 51:52 Building a High-Performance Team 55:00 Final Thoughts on Customer Service and Business Growth

5
out of 5
65 Ratings

About

Remodelers On The Rise by Kyle Hunt is a podcast designed to inspire remodeling entrepreneurs like yourself. Practical tips, high-level strategy, specific examples, and information that you can grab and implement into your remodeling business. The goal is to empower you to make your remodeling business more enjoyable, profitable, and enable you more freedom in your business and life.

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