The Construction Leading Edge Podcast

Todd Dawalt
  • 4.8 (259)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
The Construction Leading Edge Podcast Podcast

The Construction Leading Edge is a one stop shop for contracting professionals who want to be more effective entrepreneurs and leaders. Business owners, managers, project executives, project managers, and field leaders will all benefit from the interviews, resources, tools, and tips offered.

  1. Build Unbreakable Client Trust Even in Tough Times w/ Andrea and Ashley Fleschner | E353

    13 HR. AGO

    Build Unbreakable Client Trust Even in Tough Times w/ Andrea and Ashley Fleschner | E353

    EPISODE 353: Running a construction business with your spouse can be quite challenging, but Ashley and Andrea Fleschner of Fleschner Construction have mastered the art of building client trust through their partnership. In this week’s episode, Ashley and Andrea reveal the secrets behind the success of Fleschner Construction and how trust has been a cornerstone in their success. They discuss the strategies they’ve implemented to enhance client communication, streamline operations, and foster trust in their services. Additionally, we talk about the impact of our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program on their business and family life, how the accountability chart and revenue maximizer work, and more. Tune in now to learn how to strengthen your business relationships with clients and partners while working as a couple!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Andrea and Ashley Fleschner of Fleschner Construction (02:45) Ashley’s journey from high-tech sales to construction (07:50) Difference between commercial vs. residential design (13:49) Principles in designing hotel lobbies (18:50) Tips for married couples working together (24:59) Keys to building and rebuilding trust with clients (29:49) Impact of the Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program (34:19) Advice for those still giving out free estimates (38:41) Using the accountability chart and revenue maximizer (42:24) Life and business after the SYCB program (46:59) Having a positive community (51:22) Final thoughts (57:11)   Additional Resources: - Join our FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE  - Or send a text message to 877-755-2410 with the word “APPLY”   Check out Fleschner Construction: - Connect with Fleschner Construction on Facebook HERE - Visit their official page for more information HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    1h 3m
  2. Construction Accounting Mistakes Ruining Your Business with Chris Lee

    SEP 9

    Construction Accounting Mistakes Ruining Your Business with Chris Lee

    EPISODE 352: Do you feel like your business is growing but not necessarily increasing in value? Today’s guest learned it the hard way and now shares how he turned it around. Meet Chris Lee, a seasoned construction and technology entrepreneur who started a contracting business in Austin.  Revenue was doubling year after year–everything looked perfect for Chris’s contracting business. But when it was time for him to sell it, he learned that it was worth far less than he had imagined. In this week’s episode, Chris Lee shares the critical steps he took to transform his business, which was later acquired by Procore. He breaks down the biggest lessons he learned in creating a construction tech startup and the common accounting mistakes contractors must avoid. Furthermore, he reveals some of the construction technology trends you need to watch out for, how to get your team on board with new technologies, and more. Tune in now to learn how you can make your construction business not just bigger, but more valuable!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Lessons Chris Lee learned from selling his first business (03:05) Why focus on operational efficiency and profitability (10:59) From founding a construction tech startup to getting acquired (13:39) Important lessons in mergers and acquisitions (17:38) Launching CrewCost–the accounting software for construction (26:16) Why construction should stop using Quickbooks (30:19) Tips for implementing new technology (31:30) The shiny object syndrome (35:50) Trends in construction technology and AI (38:11) Misconceptions in construction business (45:35)  Rapid-fire questions (48:40) Episode wrap-up (52:47)   Additional Resources: - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE  - Or send a text message to 877-755-2410 with the word “APPLY” - Sign up for CrewCost’s 30-day FREE trial  HERE - Simplify your contracts with Document Crunch HERE - Improve your bookkeeping with Adaptive HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    57 min
  3. The Secret to Building a Self-Managing Construction Business w/ Eric Brownson

    SEP 2

    The Secret to Building a Self-Managing Construction Business w/ Eric Brownson

    EPISODE 351: Imagine waking up every morning feeling like you’re three hours behind. Your phone is ringing nonstop and you haven’t even had your first cup of coffee. Sounds familiar? For over 20 years, this was the daily grind for our guest as a seasoned construction business owner. But everything changed when he joined our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program.  In this week’s episode, our Director of Customer Success, Leyah Hostetter, interviews Eric Brownson, owner of Sweet Homes of Colorado, a luxury home building company. Today, Eric shares how he transformed his business from a reactive mess to a self-managing contracting business. He discusses how the SYCB program not only helped him streamline his operations but also significantly improved his work-life balance. Want to make your business run seamlessly without you? Tune in now to discover how to set your construction business up for long-term success.   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Eric Brownson (02:26) Challenges before the SYCB program (04:24) The importance of pre-construction (08:55) Most impactful lesson from the SYCB program (13:52) Impact of delegating project management (15:52) Eric’s life after joining the SYCB program (17:35)   Additional Resources: - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE  - Or send a text message to 877-755-2410 with the word “APPLY”   Connect with Eric and his team - Check out Sweet Homes of Colorado on Instagram HERE - Visit their official website for more information HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    22 min
  4. Double Your Revenue While Cutting Work Hours in Half w/ Jacob Richmond

    AUG 26

    Double Your Revenue While Cutting Work Hours in Half w/ Jacob Richmond

    EPISODE 350: Is it really possible to double your revenue while cutting your work hours in half? Jacob Richmond didn’t believe it–until he made it happen. In this week’s episode, I interview Jacob Richmond, owner of Richmond Construction, a general contracting company based in Washington specializing in custom homes and large additions. Today, Jacob shares his journey from a labor-intensive role in commercial construction to becoming a strategic business owner who’s nearly doubled his revenue while cutting his work hours in half. He recounts how a motorcycle accident and a lack of business systems in his early ventures led him to enroll in our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program. Listen in as Jacob explains how implementing systems and processes allowed him to delegate effectively, focus on strategic growth, and achieve work-life balance. If you’re ready to take your business to the next level without sacrificing your personal life, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Let’s dive in!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Jacob Richmond and his construction journey (02:53) Why Jacob left his business and went back to work (06:01) Starting a construction business during the pandemic (12:39) One piece of advice Jacob regrets ignoring (16:27)  Jacob’s pivotal moment that led him to enroll in SYCB (19:29) Limiting beliefs that were holding Jacob back (23:07) What it’s like inside the SYCB program (24:53) 3 key processes that transformed Jacob’s business (27:53) Side effects of implementing systems and processes (33:39) Life and business before and after SYCB (36:50) Tips for effectively implementing systems and processes (44:10) The power of accountability, setting goals, and saying no (48:27) Final set of questions (55:50)   Additional Resources: - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE  - Or send a text message to 877-755-2410 with the word “APPLY”   Connect with Richmond Construction’s team - Follow them on Instagram and Facebook - Visit their website for more information HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    1h 6m
  5. How to Get Out of Estimating: A 5 Step Process | E349

    AUG 19

    How to Get Out of Estimating: A 5 Step Process | E349

    EPISODE 349: Are you tired of being chained to your desk, doing estimates, and feeling like your business can’t run without you?  It’s time to ditch the estimator hat once and for all and start putting on your CEO hat!  In this week’s episode, I’ll reveal a five-step process to help you construction business owners transition out of your estimating roles. We’ll discuss why transitioning from free estimates to paid pre-construction services is crucial, how this shift can turn your construction business into a profit center, and common mistakes you should avoid. If you’re a custom builder, remodeler, general contractor, or trade contractor who wants to get out of estimating and instead work on your business, this episode is packed with value to help you drive your business forward. Let’s jump right in!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Why do you want to get out of estimating (03:19) Step #1: Solve your head trash (05:26) Step #2: Stop giving out free estimates (13:43) Step #3: Nail the handoff (19:04) Step #4: Design the role of an estimator (24:43) Step #5: Answer the WWIT question (28:24) Final tips (30:49)   Additional Resources: - Join our FREE Get Paid for Estimates Masterclass HERE - Download the Get Out of Estimating Playbook HERE - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE  - Or send a text message to 877-755-2410 with the word “APPLY” -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    36 min
  6. This is How to Break Free from the Owner's Trap in Your Construction Business

    AUG 12

    This is How to Break Free from the Owner's Trap in Your Construction Business

    EPISODE 348: Do you find yourself working late into the night, constantly putting out fires in your construction business? This week’s episode might be just what you need. Meet Travis Balcom, owner of TAB Construction LLC, a custom home-building company based in upstate New York. Travis shares his transformative journey from being the bottleneck in his business to implementing effective systems that empower his team. After his wife's pregnancy with their first child, he realized he needed to change his approach after feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. Travis realized he was the bottleneck in his business. Everything was in his head, and he needed to be involved in every aspect. This led to reactive mode, dealing with constant fires and working late nights to compensate for the lack of planning. If you're feeling overwhelmed in your construction business and want to break free from being the bottleneck, tune in to learn how you can transform your operation into a well-oiled machine.   Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00) Travis introduces his custom home-building business (03:12) Recognizing himself as the bottleneck in the business (10:55) The negative effects of the "just enough to start" approach (12:54) Implementing the "Big Five" system for daily tasks (15:02) Importance of the "nail the handoff" process (23:28) Delegating planning to the team closest to the problem (30:02) Working on the business instead of in the business (41:18) You can't manage people; you can only manage a process (51:48)   Additional Resources: - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE  - Or send a text message to 877-755-2410 with the word “APPLY”   Check out Tab Construction LLC - Follow on Instagram HERE - Visit their website HERE for more information   Book Mentioned The Gap and The Gain -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    1h 1m
  7. Growth Tactics For Your Family-Owned Construction Business with Ashlee & Alexis of MDT Inc.

    AUG 5

    Growth Tactics For Your Family-Owned Construction Business with Ashlee & Alexis of MDT Inc.

    EPISODE 347: Running a construction business is tough. It even gets challenging when you’re doing it with your family. However, these two sisters found a way around to turn chaos into order. In this week’s episode, I sit down with sisters Ashlee Mejia and Alexis Izquierdo of MDT Inc., a contracting firm based in Southern California and students of our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) Program. They share their journey of transitioning from remodeling to larger-scale projects, using Instagram for marketing, and the crucial role of pre-construction planning. We also dive into the challenges of working with family, their strategies for overcoming these, the impactful changes they’ve made to their business, and more. Tune in now to learn how you can transform your family-owned construction business into a success!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Ashlee and Alexis from MDT Inc. (02:52) How they got into the construction industry (04:13) From corporate to entrepreneurship (09:34) Common Instagram marketing mistakes (15:28) Effective social media marketing strategies (17:40) Symptoms of lack of business structure (24:26) Dealing with profit bleeds and free estimates (26:51) Challenges in implementing systems and processes (29:25) Benefits of pre-construction planning (30:57) Most impactful changes made in the business (37:22) How MDT Inc. looks now (42:43) Advice for those who are working ON their business (50:14) Life after systematizing their construction business (53:23) Rapid fire questions answered (1:00:58) Final advice (1:03:24) Keep up with Ashlee and Alexis (1:06:06) Additional Resources: - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE  - Or send a text message to 877-755-2410 with the word “APPLY”   Check out MDT Inc. - Follow MDT Inc. on Instagram HERE - Visit their website HERE for more information -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    1h 9m
  8. How Technology Can Efficiently Scale Your Construction Business

    JUL 29

    How Technology Can Efficiently Scale Your Construction Business

    EPISODE 346: Are you tired of the chaos in your construction business? Do you wake up at night worrying about project management and cash flow? Today’s guest might have the solution you need. Meet Eric Fortenberry, the founder and CEO of JobTread, an all-in-one construction project management software for builders and contractors. Today, Eric shares his journey from transforming a chaotic construction company into an organized, scalable operation using systematization and technology. Learn how to implement real-time cost management, use templates to streamline operations, get your team on board with new technology, and more Ready to take control of your business and turn it into a well-oiled machine? Let’s dive in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) From software to construction (02:05) How Eric Fortenberry started JobTread (06:36) What happens when you don’t manage your cash flow effectively (13:09) Stop digging yourself out of a hole (16:39) Acknowledge and take action (21:30) Challenges construction companies are dealing with (24:28) Is your business designed to succeed or fail? (30:05) The importance of financial planning (32:10) How to get your team on board with new technology (38:25) Ways to leverage JobTread for efficiency (46:04) Surprising construction trends (53:05)  Unconventional business belief (58:59) Keep up with Eric (1:03:25) Episode wrap-up (1:06:15)   Additional Resources: - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE  - Or send a text message to 877-755-2410 with the word “APPLY”   Keep up with Eric Fortenberry - Connect with Eric on LinkedIn HERE - Check Out JobTread on YouTube HERE - Visit JobTread HERE to schedule a demo -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    1h 9m
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4.8
out of 5
259 Ratings

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The Construction Leading Edge is a one stop shop for contracting professionals who want to be more effective entrepreneurs and leaders. Business owners, managers, project executives, project managers, and field leaders will all benefit from the interviews, resources, tools, and tips offered.

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