391 Stop Over-Explaining Your Price
Modern Craftsman
Money talks go sideways when you dodge the hard numbers, over-explain, or anchor too low just to “get the job.” Nick and Tyler break down how to lead with value and process, set a baseline early, and keep financial touchpoints steady so surprises don’t blow up trust. Show Notes:00:00:00 General contractors money talk 00:04:31 The $25K toilet problem 00:06:21 Confidence comes from numbers 00:09:26 Change orders set early 00:17:39 Stop over-explaining price 00:23:51 Qualify the client fast 00:29:31 “White glove” expectations 00:35:18 Baseline pricing strategy 00:59:13 Regular budget...
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Stop Bidding, Start Screening Leads
Modern Craftsman
If a client pushes back on your price or process, that’s not a negotiation, it’s information. Tyler breaks down how to use that pushback to screen leads faster, protect your time, and land clients who actually want how you run jobs. Show Notes:00:00 Pushback is the filter 09:18 Rebuilding the intake 11:15 Overdelivering broke the model 14:10 Chase the 5% leads 17:27 Systems fit beats budget 21:56 “How’d you hear about me?” 24:56 The tattoo test 34:34 Consulting, newsletter, wrap Video Version: Partners: Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear...
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390 Selling Isn’t the Job. Vetting Is.
Modern Craftsman
Most jobs don’t go sideways because the build is hard, they go sideways because you said yes before you had real alignment. Nick and Tyler lay out the questions, red flags, and money reality checks that help you protect your time and only take projects that fit your program. Show Notes: 00:00 Stop filling the void 04:20 Highlighters, systems, and getting focused 06:47 Why “bad clients” are usually on you 12:24 Revenue forecast or you’re guessing 20:28 Reset your baseline and set a minimum 25:00 Numbers vs vibes, both matter 31:07 Selling vs vetting, stop pitching so early 41:02 Red...
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Stop Letting Ballparks Become the Budget
Modern Craftsman
Ballpark numbers can save you time or burn you when the client treats them like a contract. We get into how to give ranges, spell out what’s included, and use pre construction to lock expectations before the job gets weird. Show Notes: 00:00:00 Ballpark gone wrong 00:01:09 Sponsors and newsletter 00:04:14 2026 reset and jumping back in 00:08:49 The ballpark trap 00:12:04 Handling the first call 00:26:52 What’s included and what isn’t 00:36:10 Explain the cost drivers 00:44:03 Test the budget early 00:46:30 Sell honesty, not a deal 00:51:51 Break scope into buckets 00:53:01...
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Set the Price Bar Before the Phone Rings
Modern Craftsman
Ballpark pricing doesn’t start on the first call, it starts way before the client ever dials your number. Tyler talks through how to set expectations early, filter out price shoppers, and stop letting a rough number haunt the whole project. Show Notes: 00:00 The profit flip 01:06 Ballpark numbers haunt you 02:47 Getting shopped 07:52 Set expectations early 10:51 Build the funnel 13:19 Range plus assumptions 20:03 Handling sticker shock 25:02 Make more, do less 30:02 After the ballpark Video Version: Partners: Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear...
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Ballpark Pricing Without Overcommitting
Modern Craftsman
Ballpark pricing can save you hours or trap you in a number you never should’ve agreed to. Tyler lays out how to give ranges with real context, explain the cost drivers, and use early budget talk to qualify the right clients and move cleanly into precon. Show Notes:00:00 Don’t Apologize 00:44 The Ballpark Question 04:14 SWAG & Scope 07:27 Give a Range 12:07 Cost Drivers 15:47 Lead Red Flags 26:01 From Ballpark to Precon 33:49 2026 Updates Video Version: Partners: Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear The : Find Our : ...
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388 The Owner’s Manual for Every Build
Modern Craftsman
Most builders “finish” a job and disappear, but Nick and Tyler break down how to hand off a project like an owner’s manual, with the right info in the right format so clients are supported without getting overwhelmed. They get into O&M manuals, 30/90 day check-ins, and how post-build care turns into fewer headaches and more referrals. Show Notes: 00:00 Owner’s manual mindset 01:36 Sponsor reads 04:22 Platform switch & shop talk 05:21 Listener question: after the keys 12:45 Closeout standards and expectations 17:08 O&M manual, what goes in it 22:06 AI and cliff notes...
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387 Busy Isn't Productive, Stop Multitasking Your Business
Modern Craftsman
Nick breaks down why his calendar can look “full” while the real priority list stays untouched, and how hiring an assistant forced him to protect time instead of feeding distractions. Tyler pushes on the bigger question: are we building systems to grow, or just cramming more into the same day for no payoff. Show Notes: 00:00 Too many balls 03:29 Inbox takeover 08:58 One thing focus 16:47 Busy vs productive 27:35 Precon time sinks 35:23 Buying your way in 44:05 Risk stories 50:33 Simple systems win 1:00:18 AI, but for what 1:06:15 Wrap and tease Video Version: Partners: ...
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How to Track a Job Budget in Real Time
Modern Craftsman
Stay out of the cold with these hot budget tips as Tyler breaks down exactly how he budgets a real porch job, from the precon fee and deposit strategy to tracking every cost day by day. The big takeaway is how to communicate “extras” without panic, keep cashflow protected, and still finish strong without rushing. Show Notes:00:00 Cold office, hot topic 02:05 Precon fee and setting the budget 05:15 Deposits and staying out of the red 08:40 Daily tracking and invoice cycles 13:55 Calling out extras without change-order chaos 20:45 Reconciling budget vs real costs 27:35 Don’t rush the...
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386 Jobsite Photos That Actually Work For You
Modern Craftsman
Builders already have thousands of jobsite photos on their phones, but most of those shots are not protecting them, selling future work, or showing what they really do. In this episode we break down a simple way to use your phone, a few habits, and better organization so your photos become insurance, a sales tool, and a real portfolio instead of digital clutter. Show Notes: 00:00:00 The Shot That Saves You 00:04:20 Meet Dave 00:08:00 How This All Started 00:10:28 Photos That Win Work 00:12:47 CYA Before You Demo 00:17:03 Your Phone Can Do This 00:23:32 Make It Look Expensive 00:39:16...
info_outlineIn this follow-up to the previous episode the guys expand on their discussion of 'buying your peace'. They get blunt about arrival fallacy, hustle-as-band-aid, and where to buy back time instead of chasing the next dollar.
Show Notes:
00:00 Money vs. Life: Who’s in Charge?
04:36 Arrival Fallacy: ‘I’ll Be Happy When…’
05:17 Fixer-Upper Reality Check
07:49 Time Tradeoffs with Young Kids
09:36 Working More = Seeing Them Less
11:20 What’s ‘Necessary’ vs. Nice-to-Have
14:02 Non-Negotiables: Housing & Healthcare
17:22 House Math: 4% Then, 8–9% Now
18:01 When Interest Eats $40K/Year
32:40 Hustle Culture—What It’s Hiding
33:49 I Hustled Because Things Were Broken
38:31 Beware Hustle “Advice” That’s Selling You
51:00 Buying Back Time: Help at Home?
53:13 Everyday Chores, Real Costs (Well Water Life)
57:01 Wrap-Up: What Are You Optimizing For?
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