The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

Yahara Vasquez owns and operates Built By Her Construction @building_by_her out of Carson, Washington. With a degree in architectural engineering, she’s decided that the jobs that came with the degree were not for her. She loves working with her hands. Between that and wanting to be more available for her children, Yahara built her own home and she started a contracting company. She’s doing some work for the public but venturing into spec home building. While she says her role at home is fairly traditional, her career path is anything but traditional given her Mexican heritage. She doesn’t care because she wants young girls to see her in that position and is organizing to have young women to work Saturdays on her spec to learn skilled trades. I can’t wait to check in with Yahara Vasquez in a couple years to see where she’s gone! Host: Mike Knoche Website: The Contracting Handbook Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook YouTube: @thecontractinghandbook TikTok: @tchmikeknoche Contribute: Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1 info@thecontractinghandbook.com Guest: Yahara Vasquez Instagram: @building_by_her Facilitating new construction company startups, supporting the building community with new ideas and affirmation, and ushering in the next generation of builders is the mission of The Contracting Handbook podcast. Through sharing information about how we operate our businesses and live our construction lives around the world, we elevate the construction life. Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts if you have an iPhone or on Podchaser if you are an Android to help spread the word about this 100% Independently Recorded and Produced Construction Podcast! Rate us on Spotify!

Post frame builder, Kyle Stumpenhorst @rrbuildings, joins Mike Knoche @thecontractinghandbook where we hit upon, not only always doing our best but: -creating enduring video content that will always help -using social media to link up with the right customers -the incorporation of building science into the workflow and fiscal tradeoffs -having more knowledge than the inspector -why he no longer subs out work -not heeding the red flags It’s another great episode with a ton of insights for anyone operating a construction company, be it general contracting or specialty trade contracting. Host: Mike Knoche Website: The Contracting Handbook Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1 info@thecontractinghandbook.com Guest: Kyle Stumpenhorst Facilitating new construction company startups, supporting the building community with new ideas and affirmation, and ushering in the next generation of builders is the mission of The Contracting Handbook podcast. Through sharing information about how we operate our businesses and live our construction lives around the world, we elevate the construction life. Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts if you have an iPhone or on Podchaser if you are an Android to help spread the word about this 100% Independently Recorded and Produced Construction Podcast! Rate us on Spotify!

Talk about dedication to team building, creating opportunity to learn skilled trades, and the future of craftsman, carpenter by trade, Joe Mitchell of Finish Point Trim. Finish Point has an incredible apprenticeship program and, if you think it sounds great, they are happy to share their blueprint with you. A testament to their dedication to recruiting more young people into the skilled trades. We dive into the idea that some people are unteachable, what it takes to coach, and why it ultimately boils down to our leadership. Joe Mitchell believes in having employee agreements instead of the standard set of rules. It there is a rotten apple, they escalate quickly to place them back in the open market rather than “horde a problem”. On clients, its on us to learn to serve them how they want, intently listening and executing. We serve to educate as well, and when they are wrong, we let them be wrong with dignity. This is one of the most inspiring talks about leadership and the need to focus on skilled trades that I have had to date. Don’t miss it and please leave a review! Host: Mike Knoche Website: The Contracting Handbook Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1 info@thecontractinghandbook.com Guest: Joe Mitchell Instagram: @joe w mitchell Facilitating new construction company startups, supporting the building community with new ideas and affirmation, and ushering in the next generation of builders is the mission of The Contracting Handbook podcast. Through sharing information about how we operate our businesses and live our construction lives around the world, we elevate the construction life. Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts if you have an iPhone or on Podchaser if you are an Android to help spread the word about this 100% Independently Recorded and Produced Construction Podcast! Rate us on Spotify!

The Nuance of Navigating Clients 1. When I started out in Season 1 of the podcast, I said I learned through trial by fire, I’m not from a construction family. It was the school of hard knocks all day long. I always strove for definition in my work so I could express what I was doing for clients i.e “know what you’re selling” and understand why I was doing it for myself i.e. a need to understand purpose. 2. When I started my business I wanted to be different. Yeah yeah, don’t we all but I meant in the sense that I wanted people to think about contractors differently where I live. To remove the stigma on some level. Was that idealistic, yes. Naïve, a bit. How exactly was I going to do this? Not be a sleazy contractor? Do good work? Follow through with what I said? Be reliable? That’s what everyone says. And, also, those were already characteristics I had. I’ve always been an if you’re on time you’re late kinda guy. Ok, I wanted to create a positive overall experience. I started saying “specializing in kitchens, baths, full home remodels and client care.” A couple of my good friends laughed when they heard the ad. “Client care?” These are good and supportive friends that were just giving me a hard time but I meant it. I was diving into being a better builder at the human level. And guess what, it resonated. Incoming potential clients responded to it. There was a sense of trust built into the first conversation. Ok maybe some skepticism but just work with me people. The need for definition in my work and bettering my understanding of clients brings me here. What I know today is that, its not just money on the line, its not just a potential payday calling. It’s a person with a unique set of circumstances calling you. It cannot be dismissed as much as we would all like it to be black and white. Our interactions with clients are unique in that they are not familiar. They are not friends. They are not employees and staff. We use different language with those familiar to us. We talk openly about body language and nuance. We enjoy being able to read each other on a personal level and the person being read is often flattered by that level of understanding. So you know what Im talking about When something goes south or the wheels come off with clients, most of the time it can be traced back to communication. We as builders have the experience and its our choice whether to unlock our full experience and share it with our customers and benefit form this tool. We must lead. This is not about miscommunication, I mean, it is but it isn’t. It’s more about observation and, also, gut. Look, I believe in following my gut even though I don’t believe in being ruled by emotion. I follow information. This nuanced stuff can also be picked up by observation, but it’s often what informs our gut. Knowing that actually allows me to rationally say “follow your gut”. You were informed through some non-verbal communication. Now, if you’re present, you’re paying attention, you’re practicing, you’re putting in the time. You’re going to observe the nuance of your interactions which will improve your building game and keep building enjoyable. Because if you don’t like it, there’ no point in doing it. The hard knocks of working with clients is when it goes wrong. Nuance the subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound. We’ll take a look at this in the context of strangers on the phone and after a contract is signed and a remodel Obviously, psychology plays into our everyday interactions so lets get into the first impressions. I’m not going into “qualifying clients on the phone” per se in this podcast. I hit on that in episodes 9 and 10 of Season 1. Also, this episode is not specifically going to talk about red flags. This is not the “do they have money” conversation. It’s not “get it in writing” The contractor client relationship is complex. This is roots right here. You take a call Here are some factors shade your listening and response: For example Bias- towards say project type Naivity towards their set of circumstances or experience tired So, you’re listening largely to tone and how it effects the definition of the words being said -People are stupid- stop it- living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see Factors shading their interview of you Stigma Naivety of the construction process Bias in preference and experience tired So, the words start coming out You’re exploring meaning “what do they want?” and interpreting expression “what do they really need?” How do they sound? This is big. Patient? Decent? Serious? Experienced On the other end they may be sitting with the stigma, is this person honest? They’re listening to your tone and candor Is this a surly contractor, are they confident, are they listening? All of this is flavored by your moods, circumstances and you wanting to know whether they are qualified. And there are many permutations of how each side interprets the other. Self observation is key At this point, you are qualifying them via GUT and if your gut says yes, then, a set of qualifying questions. Note: keep your eyes peeled for my article coming out in Pro Remodeler Magazine about Qualifying your clients over the phone. It should be out shortly here and will be a good complement to this podcast episode. So, initial contact is mostly gut informed by nuance. Hey, the answers you get to your qualifying questions may also inform your gut but they generally inform the mechanics and finances of your business. They check other boxes. If there are red flags or they don’t pass muster, done. If not, we move on to the next box. As an aside here, because its happened recently If, during that conversation, if I have heard experience, earnestness to do the job, or enthusiasm, those are ringing my bell (qualifiers notwithstanding) I may not even like everything I’m hearing but here’s some “think again” influenced by that nuance, there might be a shift in my head from “I would never do that kind of project” to a “hell ya” based on the tone and expression of that person on the phone. I love when people change my mind, but I digress. Let’s fast forward. They passed muster through your qualification process. You’ve met. You’ve estimated, provide a quote and contract. You’ve charmed them. You’ve explained your, possibly, transparent contract. You have signed the contract. Qualifiers and red flags be damned, it’s showtime! Did hearing all that at once make you a little anxious? Good. It shows you’re open to suggestion. Still teachable. So here you are with project underway: You: have built trust, secured your clients confidence, and now you manage expectations, check-in, and monitor. From their end: We are excited and happy with our choice, he has all our money Let’s just say for kicks, it’s a new home. It’s raining, things are moving slow with framing, the yard is a mud bath and you are meeting your clients, Phil and Claire, on site where there is no shelter. Of course, this is just a bad permutation. No one is in a good mood. You’re a bit short with Phil and Claire bc the framers aren’t telling you what you want to hear but you didn’t transcend that mood, you’re transmitting it. Your state of being made Phil and Claire uncomfortable to ask you all the questions that were excited to ask. They heard your words, you sounded different. You did’nt sound like Mr. or Mrs. I love Building Houses today. Your body language and tone expressed that you, in fact, didn’t love building houses today. You didn’t transcend your mood. You didn’t blow it off, whatever you wanna call it. On your own time, you allow yourself to go back and forth between I love it and if I never build again I don’t give a crap bc we have the right to simultaneously hold two opposing positions. On our own time. However, Phil and Claire are not your friends, they don’t need to experience this, they are the opposite side of a nuanced transaction and you are their leader. Phew, the sun comes out, the yard dries up despite to ruts, the roof tin is on the windows are in. Its time for a walk through and a landmark payment. You’re beaming when your Phil and Claire roll up. They are smiling too but their expressions are subdued. They love seeing their windows in. Hopefully you are reminding them of the special custom items, how the rooms will be used, cool switching, and finishes as you do the walk through. When you get the check, the handshakes are weak and the smiles forced. The change in tone and expression are unmistakable. But you both brush it off. Its just words, just a blip. To them Moody Mark, your new nickname, they say “he’s a pretty good guy”. And you think, “it’s nothin”. But you all experienced a shift. Your facial expression showed absolute discomfort that didn’t match your exuberance. Their smiles, forced. Ok, hopefully it’s not a big deal. This custom home relationship is long term. If you were just dating, you might have just got dumped right there. But, you’re not dating. You’re the leader. When you pick up on a shift like this do you act on it or just let it go? Tell me in an email to info@thecontractinghandbook.com, a dm on Instagram, or in a review I would argue that you act on it. Is any of this sounding familiar? Can you extrapolate this to a situation in your life? If so, tell me about it in a review of this independently produced podcast. I enjoy putting this podcast together and if you find value or affirmation in the content, help me out by sharing it on social, texting it to a friend like Bergie did, or write the review. Next situation: On a remodel simultaneously going on, you’re explaining to Lily and Marshall why a radiant field in poured concrete is a better option than just removing a step up into the bedroom and replacing the subfloor. Marshall acting like he knows what you’re talking about, full BBQ Bob mode, she’s glazing over. You finish your explanation and move on to your next appointment. The couple calls that night and says they don’t want to spend the extra money to bring the bathroom in plane with the bedroom despite your best efforts to explain why it would make the bathroom universally accessible if someone becomes disabled. That it will be a fraction of the price to do it now instead of when someone becomes disabled and its an emergency and that it is a big selling point should they want to ever sell that house. “Screw it”, you think to yourself, “their money, their house” but you’re simultaneously recalling that they were not really listening to your rational, to your wisdom, to your experience. Marshall was saying he understands as if he had experience, but was in fact annoying you and you let it get to you, so you disengaged. Lily was not engaged for whatever the reason might be that day. Fast forward 5 weeks, the bathroom is ready for tile. Lily says, I thought the bathroom and bedroom were going to be the same height, isn’t this why we are doing this?” I know id didn’t give you all the details, that’s bc some were ignored. And there you were all smug thinking you had explained yourself, communicated. You had been talking about it from the get-go. Lily, in particular, had never understood. Is this the clients fault, hardly. Is this episode about miscommunication. Hardly. Its about nuance. Picking up on expression, tone, and meaning. Moody Mark ignored the fact that Marshall’s “yes” actually meant “no, I’m not clear on this.” He watched Lily blink and lose eye contact when talking about elevation details, mostly bc her enthusiasm for finish materials gave him false assurance that she was “getting it”. Now, he’s in a jam because, guess what, he has to explain why he and they had different expectations, figure out how to fix it, re-schedule a lot of stuff, and money. As abstract an issue as arose here, the question is do you want to have your client say “I didn’t know it was going to look like that.” But I ask you, is Lily right or is he right? You tell me. Same deal as above. Email, dm, review, no matter where you are listening in the world. Ya know, I didn’t know exactly where this “nuance” rabbit hole would go but I want to give a positive example too. You may know that when I am dealing with a couple, I like to identify the boss, the spokesperson, the representative of the couple as my single point of regular contact. At the same time, I am also careful to make sure that everyone feels included in the conversation, particularly if one person is shy or quiet. So, let’s talk about the shy one. Their communication is essentially non-verbal. In a meeting, you’re tossing out ideas and see eyes light up but no words from shy one. Type A partner is telling you the plan but shy partner frowns. Ok, here’s also that fine line between navigating clients and couples counseling. Do not couples council! Do not comment on someone’s relationship, ever! Hey. That ones on me, no charge. Ok, now I’m putting out ideas and watching body language. I’m politely listening Type A partner and feeding shy partner. You get the picture, just picking up on some signals can give you an opportunity to take a project in a direction that is better for your clients and potentially more interesting for you. Just from looking beyond the words or lack thereof. When you get in a room with people, you have a small window of opportunity to learn about them and inform them. When you are inquisitive and speak candidly about the project at hand, the client notices. The sooner you build trust, the stronger the trust is. The better the project outcome. So, are you an observer of your clients? Are you listening for the nuance in the conversation? Are you willing to take the risk and say, “this is what I am seeing, this is what I am hearing, or are you going to assume there is understanding. Trust me when I say that stepping outside of your comfort zone to ask if you are reading something correctly will garner respect. No one likes to put themselves in a position of vulnerability but when you do, your clients will see it as a strength, not a weakness. It’s coming from a point of wisdom and being confident about that position. Aside from reaching out with your answers or feedback in whatever form it takes, I want to do something else, if you’re not already. Start zooming out, after your conversations with clients. You can call it replay, rewind, whatever. Observe yourself in the conversation, you will be more informed about the conversation, and be more practiced for future conversations. The sooner you start to practice new habits in the business, the quicker they will become second nature, fortifying your foundation, avoiding deferred maintenance, and allowing you to build upon that. BEING A GOOD CONTRACTOR IS A NECCESSITY FOR ME, its not just about chasing the dollar. It’s not just a promise of quality at a fair price. It’s about a positive experience for my client and enjoying my work. If I don’t dissect the interactions to understand them better, I create blind spots, I make mistakes, I miss opportunities, and set myself up for not enjoying my work. At the end of the day, I try to self-examine when something goes wrong. Before I look to point my finger at someone else. Ive done it. I love building and I want to enjoy it because when I’m happy, the money follows. I love what I do my friends. Next week: Desmond Tse. The Siding Guy joins me to talk about best practices in operating a trade contracting business, financial responsibility, how he got started in trades and, of course, his favorite hack. In two weeks: Joe Mitchell of Finish Point Trim and Millwork joins me to talk about taking ownership of the project, leading clients, their apprenticeship program and how to prepare for a prospective employer in construction if you are leaving your career at a desk job for a life in the trades. If you want to support this podcast financially, please click support at the contracting handbook.com, donations of any size are appre ciated, you can sign up for my email list there as well. Remember, what you do each day is part of your legacy, so create a legacy that matters. That’s all I got. Later

This week, in Episode in 117 of @thecontractinghandbook podcast, I am joined by Tasmanian luzury homebuilder, Kyle Zanetto of @zanettobuilders. Kyle always strives for perfection and keeps a close watch on the new potential clients. While the labor deficit pandemic has not left Tasmania unscathed, Kyle Zenatto and company have recently landed some new crew with values that align. Finding that help is key with a ~2 year wait list and 8-10 builds on deck for this year. What it really boils down to is preliminary planning and, you guessed it, client expectation. You know there’s aways more to each pod! Kyle’s question: “Where do you find the most value in business development?”

Allyson Anderson of at Integro Builders @integro_builders is now LIVE on @thecontractinghandbook podcast! In Episode 116: - an explosive backstory and rising from the ashes - laughing in the face of jobsite adversity - The Big Four characteristics of bad clients - the greatest achievement - favorite type of project - greatest challenge in leadership as she nears ten years in business - then, the fun questions Follow @thecontractinghandbook for more stories from real builders and trades in the construction industry from all over the world, building cool stuff and loving it! Please share this in your stories and/ or leave us a review (LINK IN BIO)

Rachel Taylor pays Mike a second visit to talk about where her construction buisness is headed, one strong held belief that she's jettisoned, and asks Mike why he thinks its important to host women in construction on the podcast. To hear more about Rachel Taylor, check out out first episode in Season 2, Episode 21.

This is the maiden voyage of Mike Knoche's Furious Fifteen where I catch up with a previous guest for 15 minutes to find out whats new, how ya been, what are you up to before asking 15 non-qualifiable yes/no questions. Tune in, listen, laugh, write a review (links below), TELL A FRIEND that needs to hear this podcast! Check out Ella’s Stars first appearance, link in the episode notes below!

Episode 110 of The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction podcast: I’m going to streamline your listening experience for the time being and put the intro to the upcoming shows here and kind of update you. This here episode will provide my personal take on the intro to TCH for the foreseeable future or until I something changes. If it’s your first time listening to The Contracting Handbook podcast, I’m your host Mike Knoche, formerly known as the man who’s seen it all from season 1. I own and operate Straight Ahead Construction in Fairbanks, Alaska. Strictly ZONE 8 residential. I’m a fool construction sites. I can’t look away. I always want to know more about whats going on over there even if I come off like I don’t care. What can I say, I’m busy! This podcast is now the distillation of nearly 1000 years of collective construction industry knowledge and experiences through discussions with my guests in over 100 episodes. It’s a grass roots effort to share knowledge, empower contractors and tradespeople with knowledge and affirmation. Its also 100% independently recorded and produced. Like Jeff Pacheco at Sweet Buzz Woodworks out of Maine said in his review, it’s a podcast of the trades and for the trades. I’m a carpenter that became a businessman. It was hard and like Robin Clevett so deftly put it on our interview for his own experience, he was a tradesperson with a business problem. That’s where this podcast started out, as a mission to make the business side of running a contracting business easier. The running of the business is nuanced. There’s making time for family, long days on the jobsite, irrational clients, stress, mental health issues, cool ideas, setting standards, honesty, integrity, respect, professionalism, and an absolute need to pull together to recruit more people in the trades, women in particular. We need more builders. It started out mostly oriented towards that business but it has evolved as I’ve spoken to builders around the world. As builders we are connected by the universal experiences, food, problem solving, laughter, failure, skills, jobsite banter, tools and our favorite jobsite jams. We’re not that different no matter where we live. If you’re out there struggling, I’ve been there, we’ve been there. If you’re out there winning, I’ve been there too. The storms pass and the blue bird days return. Like Ryan Smtih, the roof slayer, pointed out in our talk, WERE ALL THE SAME Ok, ok, we’re all fiercely independent individuals but at the end of the day, we have the same experiences over and over and when you boil it down we want to do the very best we can with what we’ve got. We’re builders, we’re problem solvers, we create our communities, we maintain them and like The Tool Hacker, Brant Taylor said, it’s in our blood, it’s in our DNA. Speaking of jobsite banter, the language is staying family friendly on the podcast going forward. It’s not always like that in my real life but you know what? When I started this thing, I wanted all you small human taxi drivers to be able to listen with your kids present. Like Paul Urdell of Erdell Construction out of Edmonton does with his little girl. I want him to keep posting pics like the one he did with his kids superimposed on a pic of Tim and Bryan uhler when they were boys that I pilfered from Bryan to use as episode art. So that’s how its going to stay. I didn’t know I’d still be doing this podcast coming up on two years later. I didn’t know that you all were gonna listen. I cold called Sean Franis of Apex Home design and then Randy Jones of Fine Remodeling on a Friday afternoon in April 2021 to ask them to join me for a podcast. Those were actually pretty good episodes, mostly due to the guest talent. Though have radio broadcasting experience, my interviewing experience was limited to interviewing potential employees, clients, and my mom in sixth grade. They took a chance on the random dude from Alaska. Then a couple episodes later, Steve Dunne coined the hashtag worldwide construction tribe. And, so, it was. The show must go on. Let’s go back to my beginnings of self-employment. I never thought I’d be self-employed but it turns out it was a requirement. I was and am unfit for employment by others. With every task I saw what I thought was a better way. Right or wrong, the writing was always on the wall. I’ve created a life that I love through my trade and business development. It allows me to live how I want. I like other peoples rules about as much as the next guy does… I like to live by my own. And here I am, turning 50 in May, at another crossroads in my building career, excited to be building, and hosting a highly rated and ranked construction podcast. I’ve never craved the spotlight. Even when I was in a rock and roll band. I’ve never wanted it. Dramatic pause You know what the best part of being in a band it? It’s seeing people dance to music I wrote. Is this allegory? I think I see a parallel BTW- we’re putting the band back together man! Another thing about starting out. Mentoring was not envogue like it is today. It was a word I heard in high school on mentoring day which I probably made other plans for. I now recognize many mentors I had along the way and I want to say this. I missed a lot of their messages at the time because I was talking or thought I knew or maybe I thought they would always be there or pride. Here’s the distillation- though much of that advice came unsolicited- they only said it once. (dramatic pause) Keep your ears open people. Your elders and peers, both mentors, are planting seeds. Be vigilant, don’t let pride get in your way. To go out I have a simple question for you and I want written answers. It only requires a few word answer and it was posed by Jeff Kelley of JK Timberframing in our recent talk. You can answer in a review on itunes, a review on podchaser if you are an adroid person, you can email me from my website…I will read the answers on air in an upcoming episode or over a series of episodes and participation might lag due to when you listen. This is a unique opportunity for me to get an even larger and more diverse crossection of the construction community involved in the conversation. You guys know everyone is welcome. There no gatekeeper. Its open. I don’t care if you’re on social media, I don’t care about your account size if you are. You know all of my guests are not just insta famous or magazine famous, it’s a slice straight across anyone and everyone. You’re listening to me and I’m just a dude at the end of the road, in the oddly wonderful Fairbanks Alaska and I want to know more about you all. Ok, phew, here we go…. What was the event or moment the led you to the trades or knew you were destined for the trades? Where are you reporting this from? Ok, start sending those responses and stayed tuned for my new segement called “The Furious Fifteen”. Sign up for my newsletter at thecontracting handbook . com and of course write a review on itunes if you have an iphone and on podchaser if you have an android. If you have learned something here, please take a few minutes to help promote this 100% independently recorded and produced commercial free yayhoo production. Posting on those site will auto post to my website but you can leave individual reviews directly on my website too. Your answers to the question are great reviews too! A big thank you from the land of the midnight sun That all Ii got Later

“Throw fear out the window, there’s so much more to live for than worrying about what might happen.” With 300-400 line items in the contract, a contract must fiercely manage expectations, in my opinion. For Greg Eicher, partner at Consiglio Builders, expectation management is at the forefront of the process. As I learned in my interview with Greg, building luxury homes ranging in the $2,800-3,200 sq foot price range, is different than my experience as a smaller custom remodeler and homebuilder. The details of these houses are many, we all know that it’s a rare bird that maintains there home, but with a price tag like this, there must be a plan…listen to the lengths they go to. Changes orders are par for the course for everyone involved…. Same old story, he’s not seeing interest in the trades despite high wages where he lives. We hit upon what he sees as the greatest issues in the residential building industry and one thing we agreed on was the presentation of some technology is weak or impractical. In hindsight, I’m going to say it’s much like the impractical approach of the public schools we attended (sorry Ms. Kelner), huh, go figure. Greg is all about personal growth and embracing whatever is around him to better himself on all fronts. He’s also about, you guessed it, family. You know there’s always some hidden gems, please join us!

“I think we are currently deconstructing the concept that a 4 year degree is the only way” Your guy, Aaron, and I launch into a talk about the labor crisis. I’m deeply concerned, he thinks its going to work itself out. Find out his source of hope in the pod. We dive into the mentor/ mentee relationship. As a teacher, his vision is crystal clear. As a site supervisor and lead carpenter with vast experience, I ask what he (or you) should look for in a good employer. Then we hear what his employer offers. We end up in a social media/ mental health talk. Then its tool talk and mentors. What do you look for in an employer?

“Learn from everything, every experience is an opportunity to learn.” Fiona Plett @herselfcontracting loves working close with her clients to heal their homes. She wants to rid them of the “irritants” that plague their space. Upcycling and re-purposing materials rank high in what to use for projects, but you know the catch, it costs more than buying that factory built hollow core door, 100%. So how to do you get the client on board with the idea? Physical time: Waste time- your choice On communication: anticipating the conversation and scripting in a sense. Lessons: Bookeeping Time off Buy the stuff you need The goal: Making “one of’s” The direction? Getting more creative with what she knows which may incorporate the new timber framing. Advice: don’t volunteer your time, get paid for your time. Join us for another podcast episode on self-determination!

“If you can’t explain something simply to someone else, then you don’t quite have mastery of it.” In episode 101 of The Contracting Handbook podcast, it’s Jon Hilgenberg’s “Craftsmanship 101” on educating and evolving his business. We drop into the universal issue for contractors, how much to charge? Knowing his worth came with a decade of problem solving while subbing out to designer that provided drawings with limited details. Know your worth people! While Jon is clearly a master of his craft, he didn’t start on this path. I echo his statement for my self “nobody would have expected me to go into the trades.” Sharing his craft online has made him better. He knows there’s always someone better and he must be one his game. If you can’t communicate your process quickly and succinctly, you haven’t mastered it. There are lessons that carry from starting JCH cabinets into the Craftsman Program. Got debt? As tradespeople, we take for granted our mobility until the dreaded injury. It can bring on fears, heighten mental health issues but sometimes there can be a silver lining. The irony of Jon’s injury and how it brought him to a better place. The logical progression here is taking care of your body as you age in the trades…stay fit but have a plan for when you can do it anymore. Jon has killer advice to tradespeople transitioning into business operation, this is above and beyond the helpful reels you see here on IG. He loves mentoring and says pay for one if you don’t have one. Jon is a pragmatist when it comes to stress, execute what needs to be done. Enjoy the process and problem solve! His question to all of you. What can you do to make your business more successful? The answer he was given years ago is inside this podcast. Which leads us to reducing our load and keep mental health in check. We both are happy with our lives but we agree that seeing a therapist sooner would not have hurt, lol! The notion that going into trades was not a respectable path was what we were told when we were young. You never quite know what someone is going to say when I ask why skilled trades matter! Jon is passionate about teaching and it is palpable in the audio! Please download and enjoy!