383 Money, Anxiety, and Mental Health in the Trades
Modern Craftsman
This episode gets real about money stress, comparison, and the head noise that comes with trying to run a construction business and still show up at home. We talk through how we handle the dark season — from boundaries and better systems to finding people you can actually be honest with. Show Notes: 00:00 Intro, sponsors and setup 04:10 Why we are talking about mental health 05:35 Comparison trap and feeling behind 09:44 Money stress and your relationship with cash 16:07 Why this season hits builders so hard 24:20 Taking inventory, boundaries and time off 30:14 All in on the 45 White Oak...
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382 Stop Wasting Time on the Wrong Leads
Modern Craftsman
Nick and Tyler sit down live at CCS in Chicago to walk through how they go from 100 inquiries to one real client and why risk is the number one reason people never build. They break down self-qualifying leads, budget reality checks, and using precon and VE to protect both your business and the homeowner before anyone signs. Show Notes: 00:00 Why clients don’t build 04:48 Live from CCS in Chicago 05:58 From lead gen to lead conversion 09:28 Getting clients to self-qualify 18:00 When the budget and scope don’t match 22:09 Using precon to de-risk the job 30:33 Converting right way Video...
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It’s Not the Lattes. It’s the Math.
Modern Craftsman
Tyler tears into the “stop buying lattes” take and runs the numbers that actually break buyers and clients. The squeeze lands on builders too - changing bids, quality, and what projects even pencil out. Show Notes: 00:00 The meme and why it’s off 04:00 Life costs vs “coffee” costs 06:30 1981 starter home vs today’s code & specs 07:25 Rates, prices, and the real math 10:35 How this hits builders and quality 12:05 Healthcare, childcare, and budgets 13:45 Remodel numbers that don’t work 16:10 Myths Tyler hears vs reality on site 20:00 The human toll and what needs to...
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381 Should You Stay in Your Lane?
Modern Craftsman
The guys dig into the real split between self-performing and running a GC outfit and what actually moves a build when design runs headfirst into the schedule. From Bugatti-level brand lessons to field fixes (bracing, factory edges, install expectations), this one’s about picking a lane and building like you mean it. Show Notes: Anderson Windows and Big Doors Promotion (0:00) Builder Trend and Client Management (2:13) Harnish Workwear and Personal Experiences (3:47) Self-Performing vs. General Contractor (5:42) Building the Bugatti of Homes (8:50) Balancing Hands-On Work and Management...
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What I’ve Learned Since Buying the Excavator
Modern Craftsman
Show Notes: Initial Investment and Purchase Details (0:00) Financing and Tax Benefits (3:56) Usage and Maintenance (5:59) Cost Considerations and Insurance (32:58) Operational Efficiency and Tax Strategy (33:44) Consulting and Future Plans (37:49) Video Version: Partners: Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear The : Find Our : Podcast By:
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Stop Pricing by Square Foot - You're losing so much money!
Modern Craftsman
Pricing by square foot is how budgets blow up. Tyler breaks down the real process—scope first, design up front, WAGs, SWAGs, and contingency noted so the numbers hold once you hit the job. Show Notes: 00:00 Understanding client priorities and personal update 01:35 Consulting call and estimating process 02:54 Client communication and zoning variance 06:07 Budget creation and design iterations 07:24 Detailed budgeting and cost tracking 09:01 Handling unexpected costs and client communication 13:23 Scope of work and subcontractor coordination 17:08 Managing client expectations and budget...
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380 How We Actually Price a Job
Modern Craftsman
The guys get into the messy reality of pricing—no templates, no magic—just expectations, scope, and the triangle of quality, budget, and time. We cover scope gaps, site protection, and how pre-con (plus a little AI) de-risks the job so your estimate actually matches how the work gets built. Show Notes: 00:00:00 Intro & our awesome sponsors 00:05:22 Sick kids and water bottles 00:08:51 Welcome & rapid-fire plan 00:09:51 Estimating process overview 00:13:45 Row house example & takeoffs workflow 00:17:21 Automation vs AI in estimating 00:21:17 Using AI as an assistant, not a black...
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I Tried to Scale Up and Hated It
Modern Craftsman
Tyler lays out why he still self-performs—from demo and drainage to framing and trim—and where he draws the line with subs, risk, and bandwidth. We get into scaling by margin instead of volume, keeping quality tight when you’re the one on the tools, and how to make a good living without taking the belt off. Show Notes: 00:00 Keep the belt on and make a living 02:01 Screened porch demo grading and concrete sub 05:16 Framing plan and roof timing 09:43 One job at a time and scale by margin 15:51 Frame to finish pride and profit 20:31 Back to craft and flying the self performer flag...
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379 Stop Overbuilding What You Can’t Maintain
Modern Craftsman
From airtight envelopes to oversized HVAC, the guys unpack the sexy internet details versus what actually survives install and warranty. They get into service cavities, exterior insulation, window boxes, and why simplifying details, coordinating early, and charging to manage risk keeps you out of trouble. Show Notes: 00:00 Perfection Doesn’t Scale 04:44 Hiring: Attitude vs Skill 12:59 When a Great Fit Stops Fitting 39:54 HVAC Reality: Gear That Doesn’t Fit 42:43 Energy Code vs Exterior Insulation Hype 46:34 Window Boxes, Cladding & Real Failure Points 59:24 Charge to Manage, Not...
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Why "No" is a Magic Word (and why you should say it more)
Modern Craftsman
Dependability is the quiet backbone of every project—show up, follow through, communicate. Tyler breaks down how to be the person no one has to chase: say “no” to protect your best “yes,” model reliability for your crew, build simple systems, and rebuild trust when you drop the ball. Show Notes: Dependability in Leadership and Business (0:00) Contractor Coalition Summit Announcement (1:25) Personal Commitment to Dependability (3:25) Dependability in Business and Employment (8:43) Leadership and Dependability (11:14) Maintaining Dependability to Oneself (13:46) Rebuilding Trust...
info_outlineIn this episode, Tyler talks about the disconnect between what builders show in an estimate and what clients truly need to understand. He dives deep into why leading with transparency, breaking down the budget, and walking clients through each line item creates trust, protects your margins, and actually helps win more jobs. By shifting from defending your price to explaining your value, you transform how clients perceive your worth—and how your business operates.
Show Notes:
Transparency in Pricing and Client Trust (0:00)
Differences in Contractor Approaches (3:47)
Value Proposition and Client Education (6:12)
Justifying Costs and Building Trust (9:05)
Protecting Margins and Meeting Client Needs (14:20)
Client Education and Value Engineering (24:11)
Community Support and Personal Reflections (29:17)
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