https://simplecast.com The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast 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 a review on iTunes, your Apple podcast app, or if you’re in the android world, rate it on Spotify and leave a review on Podchaser or directly on the website. 2020-2024 The Contracting Handbook Podcast en Mon, 19 Jun 2023 09:25:00 +0000 Thu, 7 Nov 2024 03:10:47 +0000 https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/e35ff095-0562-4a54-a3af-85aca0c7f7a6/c340914b-2738-461a-abd0-fbdca25023c6/3000x3000/912daad5-018e-4bbf-bd85-78fda81ae776.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com episodic 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 a review on iTunes, your Apple podcast app, or if you’re in the android world, rate it on Spotify and leave a review on Podchaser or directly on the website. W/ Mike Knoche of Straight Ahead Construction false https://feeds.simplecast.com/IsDFXJSJ construction, skilled trades, remodel business, construction business, construction company, remodeling company, construction management, career, how to, remodeler, contractor, construction podcast, women in construction Mike Knoche info@thecontractinghandbook.com 205ceb59-86b6-4f37-85e6-e01ee5d17b22 Yahara Vasquez of Built By Her Construction: Architectural Engineer to Spec Homes & Breaking with Tradition 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

 

Email: 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!

]]> Mon, 19 Jun 2023 09:25:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Yahara Vasquez, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/yahara-vasquez-of-built-by-her-construction-architectural-engineer-to-spec-homes-breaking-with-tradition-DNM9MfXI 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

 

Email: 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!

]]> Yahara Vasquez of Built By Her Construction: Architectural Engineer to Spec Homes & Breaking with Tradition Yahara Vasquez, Mike Knoche 00:33:10 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! 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! management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 7 5 265e27c0-5d7a-4068-ac5d-43d02b5fae46 Furious Fifteen: Randy Jones returns to talk company growth, adding a sales manager, and his biggest challenges at 12 years... Randy Jones revisits @thecontractinghandbook for a quick catch-up on the growth of his construction company @fineremodeling.de in this episode of Mike Knoche’s Furious Fifteen. Randy was my second guest on the podcast back in May 2021…

We hit upon:

-relying on a sales manager

-qualifying subcontractors

-challenges to growth

-“letting go”

-his most challenging project to date

 

It’s an action packed 19 minutes with a bunch of random, yes/no, non-quantifiables at the end! 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: Randy Jones

Instagram: @fineremodeling.de

 

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!

]]> Mon, 12 Jun 2023 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Randy Jones, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/furious-fifteen-randy-jones-reurns-to-talk-company-growth-adding-a-sales-manager-and-his-biggest-challenges-at-12-years-wedy6XpY Randy Jones revisits @thecontractinghandbook for a quick catch-up on the growth of his construction company @fineremodeling.de in this episode of Mike Knoche’s Furious Fifteen. Randy was my second guest on the podcast back in May 2021…

We hit upon:

-relying on a sales manager

-qualifying subcontractors

-challenges to growth

-“letting go”

-his most challenging project to date

 

It’s an action packed 19 minutes with a bunch of random, yes/no, non-quantifiables at the end! 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: Randy Jones

Instagram: @fineremodeling.de

 

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!

]]> Furious Fifteen: Randy Jones returns to talk company growth, adding a sales manager, and his biggest challenges at 12 years... Randy Jones, Mike Knoche 00:20:31 Randy Jones revisits @thecontractinghandbook for a quick catch-up on the growth of his construction company @fineremodeling.de in this episode of Mike Knoche’s Furious Fifteen. Randy was my second guest on the podcast back in May 2021… We hit upon: -relying on a sales manager -qualifying subcontractors -challenges to growth -“letting go” -his most challenging project to date It’s an action packed 19 minutes with a bunch of random, yes/no, non-quantifiables at the end! 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 Instagram: @rrbuildings YouTube: @rrbuildings 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! Randy Jones revisits @thecontractinghandbook for a quick catch-up on the growth of his construction company @fineremodeling.de in this episode of Mike Knoche’s Furious Fifteen. Randy was my second guest on the podcast back in May 2021… We hit upon: -relying on a sales manager -qualifying subcontractors -challenges to growth -“letting go” -his most challenging project to date It’s an action packed 19 minutes with a bunch of random, yes/no, non-quantifiables at the end! 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 Instagram: @rrbuildings YouTube: @rrbuildings 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! management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 6 5 ed08567e-e9d0-445b-89d4-52cdebc3c6d9 Kyle Stumpenhorst on "What's good enough?", Saying "No", and Red Flags 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

Instagram: @rrbuildings

YouTube: @rrbuildings

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!

 

]]> Mon, 5 Jun 2023 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Kyle Stumpenhorst, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/kyle-stumpenhorst-on-whats-good-enough-saying-no-and-red-flags-j_PC9ku1 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

Instagram: @rrbuildings

YouTube: @rrbuildings

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!

 

]]> Kyle Stumpenhorst on "What's good enough?", Saying "No", and Red Flags Kyle Stumpenhorst, Mike Knoche 01:23:17 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! 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! management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 5 5 7382b1a6-337b-46e1-b5ca-3019838c81f5 Joe Canning, The Canadian Carpenter: The Impact of Influencers and His Entrance Into Trades Meet Joe Canning aka @canadiancarpenter and hear the story of how a guy with a degree in 3D graphic arts leaves that life behind for a career in skilled trades. With a wife, four mouths to feed, and no work available in his field, Joe went to work as the laborer under 13 framers..it’s another case of the 4-year degree fallacy. So tune into to hear about Joe as an apprentice and the journey to the beard we all know and love.

 

Then, we take a stab at the impact of Instagram influencing on the industry as a whole. At the end of the day, Joe wants to make the framing process easier for anyone willing to listen and learn. He’s been reviewing tools long before Instagram was a thing and points out some flaws in that sort of promotion. Is he teaching the kids if its cool to be in the trades or that its cool to be an influencer.

 

We don’t dwell on the labor deficit but take a look the reasons why it seems like “everyone is soft”. We were raised to be tough but that has lead to a generation of parents that don’t challenge their kids. 

 

Joe is not afraid to talk about his ADHD. It’s not a block. It’s just a different way of thinking. He also empathizes with those suffering from anxiety but you got to deal with it in what ever way possible. Bottom line: Discipline, people!

 

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Joe Canning

Instagram: @canadiancarpenter

 

Music Credit: Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

 

 

]]> Mon, 22 May 2023 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Joe Canning, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/joe-canning-the-canadian-carpenter-the-impact-of-influencers-and-his-entrance-into-trades-PdrihTW3 Meet Joe Canning aka @canadiancarpenter and hear the story of how a guy with a degree in 3D graphic arts leaves that life behind for a career in skilled trades. With a wife, four mouths to feed, and no work available in his field, Joe went to work as the laborer under 13 framers..it’s another case of the 4-year degree fallacy. So tune into to hear about Joe as an apprentice and the journey to the beard we all know and love.

 

Then, we take a stab at the impact of Instagram influencing on the industry as a whole. At the end of the day, Joe wants to make the framing process easier for anyone willing to listen and learn. He’s been reviewing tools long before Instagram was a thing and points out some flaws in that sort of promotion. Is he teaching the kids if its cool to be in the trades or that its cool to be an influencer.

 

We don’t dwell on the labor deficit but take a look the reasons why it seems like “everyone is soft”. We were raised to be tough but that has lead to a generation of parents that don’t challenge their kids. 

 

Joe is not afraid to talk about his ADHD. It’s not a block. It’s just a different way of thinking. He also empathizes with those suffering from anxiety but you got to deal with it in what ever way possible. Bottom line: Discipline, people!

 

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Joe Canning

Instagram: @canadiancarpenter

 

Music Credit: Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

 

 

]]> Joe Canning, The Canadian Carpenter: The Impact of Influencers and His Entrance Into Trades Joe Canning, Mike Knoche 01:15:30 Meet Joe Canning aka @canadiancarpenter and hear the story of how a guy with a degree in 3D graphic arts leaves that life behind for a career in skilled trades. With a wife, four mouths to feed, and no work available in his field, Joe went to work as the laborer under 13 framers..it’s another case of the 4-year degree fallacy. So tune into to hear about Joe as an apprentice and the journey to the beard we all know and love. Then, we take a stab at the impact of Instagram influencing on the industry as a whole. At the end of the day, Joe wants to make the framing process easier for anyone willing to listen and learn. He’s been reviewing tools long before Instagram was a thing and points out some flaws in that sort of promotion. Is he teaching the kids if its cool to be in the trades or that its cool to be an influencer. We don’t dwell on the labor deficit but take a look the reasons why it seems like “everyone is soft”. We were raised to be tough but that has lead to a generation of parents that don’t challenge their kids. Joe is not afraid to talk about his ADHD. It’s not a block. It’s just a different way of thinking. He also empathizes with those suffering from anxiety but you got to deal with it in what ever way possible. Bottom line: Discipline, people! 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! Host: Mike Knoche Website: The Contracting Handbook Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1 info@thecontractinghandbook.com Guest: Joe Canning Instagram: @canadiancarpenter Music Credit: Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast Drew Frick- lead guitar Scott Crass- bass Brady Anderson- drums Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals Meet Joe Canning aka @canadiancarpenter and hear the story of how a guy with a degree in 3D graphic arts leaves that life behind for a career in skilled trades. With a wife, four mouths to feed, and no work available in his field, Joe went to work as the laborer under 13 framers..it’s another case of the 4-year degree fallacy. So tune into to hear about Joe as an apprentice and the journey to the beard we all know and love. Then, we take a stab at the impact of Instagram influencing on the industry as a whole. At the end of the day, Joe wants to make the framing process easier for anyone willing to listen and learn. He’s been reviewing tools long before Instagram was a thing and points out some flaws in that sort of promotion. Is he teaching the kids if its cool to be in the trades or that its cool to be an influencer. We don’t dwell on the labor deficit but take a look the reasons why it seems like “everyone is soft”. We were raised to be tough but that has lead to a generation of parents that don’t challenge their kids. Joe is not afraid to talk about his ADHD. It’s not a block. It’s just a different way of thinking. He also empathizes with those suffering from anxiety but you got to deal with it in what ever way possible. Bottom line: Discipline, people! 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! Host: Mike Knoche Website: The Contracting Handbook Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1 info@thecontractinghandbook.com Guest: Joe Canning Instagram: @canadiancarpenter Music Credit: Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast Drew Frick- lead guitar Scott Crass- bass Brady Anderson- drums Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 4 5 e5482daa-a3a9-4fc6-b0b3-a6efaf3db23f Joe Mitchell of Finish Point Trim: Crew Leadership and Client Conflict 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!

 

 

]]> Mon, 15 May 2023 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Joe Mitchell, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/joe-mitchell-of-finish-point-trim-crew-leadership-and-client-conflict-4YkGO9Ag 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!

 

 

]]> Joe Mitchell of Finish Point Trim: Crew Leadership and Client Conflict Joe Mitchell, Mike Knoche 01:11:04 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! 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! management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 3 5 aef4e255-5bab-4345-9f09-a3e28c7be829 The Siding Guy, Desmond Tse: "Best practices for trade contractors" 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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Desmond Tse

Instagram: @thesidingguy

]]> Mon, 8 May 2023 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Desmond Tse, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/the-siding-guy-desmond-tse-best-practices-for-trade-contractors-JdvazPGQ 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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Desmond Tse

Instagram: @thesidingguy

]]> The Siding Guy, Desmond Tse: "Best practices for trade contractors" Desmond Tse, Mike Knoche 01:38:42 If you’ve ever wanted to start your own trade contracting business or level up the one you have, you need to hear Des’s story. From the Home Depot pamphlet that taught him the siding installation techniques to picking up a couple contractors and building a business with 10 install crews running simultaneously. Part of learning the ropes was observing the mistakes of others to avoid those errors down the road. Des takes inventory. He focused his crews on a consistent product that was bonus driven for reduced waste and beating deadlines. Des also got in front of another common issue for trade contractors- cashflow. He saved and accrued a company “float” that allowed Sublime Siding to always keep the ball rolling. It also allowed him to carry on when one of his partners went under and couldn’t pay him. Now, financially secure he’s downsized and become the guy you’re all familiar with, The Siding Guy. The Siding Guy was intended to be fun, a creative outlet, but has become a bit of a pain for owner, Des, because everyone wants the siding guy on their job! Des is a man with a plan. It didn’t take him long to know he was business oriented, despite the stigma of shame surrounding being a tradesperson he felt when he started out. As you may have seen on social, he is always strategizing and trying to shave seconds off every task. If you’ve ever wanted to start your own trade contracting business or level up the one you have, you need to hear Des’s story. From the Home Depot pamphlet that taught him the siding installation techniques to picking up a couple contractors and building a business with 10 install crews running simultaneously. Part of learning the ropes was observing the mistakes of others to avoid those errors down the road. Des takes inventory. He focused his crews on a consistent product that was bonus driven for reduced waste and beating deadlines. Des also got in front of another common issue for trade contractors- cashflow. He saved and accrued a company “float” that allowed Sublime Siding to always keep the ball rolling. It also allowed him to carry on when one of his partners went under and couldn’t pay him. Now, financially secure he’s downsized and become the guy you’re all familiar with, The Siding Guy. The Siding Guy was intended to be fun, a creative outlet, but has become a bit of a pain for owner, Des, because everyone wants the siding guy on their job! Des is a man with a plan. It didn’t take him long to know he was business oriented, despite the stigma of shame surrounding being a tradesperson he felt when he started out. As you may have seen on social, he is always strategizing and trying to shave seconds off every task. management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 2 5 b09b22d6-5bc7-4006-a7f2-5725f5df4176 S5: E1 The Nuance of Navigating Clients The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Music Credit: Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Mon, 1 May 2023 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/the-nuance-of-navigating-clients-9Pn1s5Sp The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Music Credit: Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> S5: E1 The Nuance of Navigating Clients Mike Knoche 00:25:04 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 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 management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 1 5 ce9f06a9-b1ac-47cc-b8dc-0e8b0c23b0b4 Freddy Roman, The Period Craftsman, talks craft, how operating a business detracted from his art, and why we can't let correct terminology go. The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Freddy Roman

Instagram: @periodcraftsman

 

Music Credit: Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Mon, 10 Apr 2023 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Freddy Roman, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/freddy-roman-the-period-craftsman-talks-craft-how-operating-a-business-detracted-from-his-art-and-why-we-cant-let-correct-terminology-go-c0mQbIJl The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Freddy Roman

Instagram: @periodcraftsman

 

Music Credit: Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Freddy Roman, The Period Craftsman, talks craft, how operating a business detracted from his art, and why we can't let correct terminology go. Freddy Roman, Mike Knoche 01:45:11 Today, Freddy Roman @theperiodcraftsman and Mike Knoche @thecontractinghandbook podcast get into one of the most difficult parts of being a tradesman business owner, the business side interferes with the creativity. You already know Freddy is a diligent student and teacher of historic furniture restoration but in this episode, Freddy drops the most gangster statement on clients, or anything, ever said on a construction podcast before! This is a deep dive into Freddy’s journey and a bit more about my own. Too much to put on this caption. Spoiler at one hour I ask, “how are you doing on time, we are only about halfway through my questions”. Please join us! Freddy’s question: “Do you still love it?” Today, Freddy Roman @theperiodcraftsman and Mike Knoche @thecontractinghandbook podcast get into one of the most difficult parts of being a tradesman business owner, the business side interferes with the creativity. You already know Freddy is a diligent student and teacher of historic furniture restoration but in this episode, Freddy drops the most gangster statement on clients, or anything, ever said on a construction podcast before! This is a deep dive into Freddy’s journey and a bit more about my own. Too much to put on this caption. Spoiler at one hour I ask, “how are you doing on time, we are only about halfway through my questions”. Please join us! Freddy’s question: “Do you still love it?” management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 13 4 bf6fd4f9-328f-49c3-9cfc-58e56b273838 Kyle Zanetto of Zanetto Builders: Luxury homebuilding in Tasmania, self improvement, and preliminary planning The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Kyle Zanetto

Instagram: @zanettobuilders

 

Music Credit: Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Mon, 3 Apr 2023 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Kyle Zanetto, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/kyle-zanetto-of-zanetto-builders-luxury-homebuilding-in-tasmania-self-improvement-and-preliminary-planning-CjVtxKXy The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Kyle Zanetto

Instagram: @zanettobuilders

 

Music Credit: Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Kyle Zanetto of Zanetto Builders: Luxury homebuilding in Tasmania, self improvement, and preliminary planning Kyle Zanetto, Mike Knoche 00:52:24 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?” 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?” management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 12 4 a6bab3c7-2820-413a-922e-7ad910a704ee Furious Fifteen: "Setting Boundaries w/ Clients" Kali Sudbrook and Allyson Anderson Return The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Allyson Anderson

Website: Integro Builders

Instagram: @integro builders

 

Guest: Kali Sudbrook

Instagram: @kalithecontractor

 

Music Credit: Village Right Behind Him (Mike Knoche's Furious Fifteen theme song) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar, vocals

Scott Crass- bass, vocals

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Fri, 31 Mar 2023 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Allyson Anderson, Kali Sudbrook) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/furious-fifteen-setting-boundaries-w-clients-kali-sudbrook-and-allyson-anderson-return-eBC1nZ6A The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Allyson Anderson

Website: Integro Builders

Instagram: @integro builders

 

Guest: Kali Sudbrook

Instagram: @kalithecontractor

 

Music Credit: Village Right Behind Him (Mike Knoche's Furious Fifteen theme song) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar, vocals

Scott Crass- bass, vocals

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Furious Fifteen: "Setting Boundaries w/ Clients" Kali Sudbrook and Allyson Anderson Return Mike Knoche, Allyson Anderson, Kali Sudbrook 00:21:05 Today I'm joined by Kali Sudbrook and Allyson Anderson to talk about setting boundaries with clients. Recently, Kali reached out to me to ask about contract language to mitigate for client interference in the progress of work. She was conserned about a "Chatty Cathy" distracting her on an upcoming job. Allyson and myself share some advice and some of oour own experience. Today I'm joined by Kali Sudbrook and Allyson Anderson to talk about setting boundaries with clients. Recently, Kali reached out to me to ask about contract language to mitigate for client interference in the progress of work. She was conserned about a "Chatty Cathy" distracting her on an upcoming job. Allyson and myself share some advice and some of oour own experience. management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 11 4 a9688a23-a8b9-4490-a1b7-6bb8a80788e4 Allyson Anderson, Founder and CEO of Integro Builders, talks client archetypes, project influence vs. management, the nuance of contracting and at least one change order more! The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Allyson Anderson

Website: Integro Builders

Instagram: @integro builders

 

Music Credits: 

"Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme)" original by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Mon, 27 Mar 2023 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Allyson Anderson, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/allyson-anderson-founder-and-ceo-of-integro-builders-talks-client-archtypes-project-influence-over-management-io_Q62mb The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Allyson Anderson

Website: Integro Builders

Instagram: @integro builders

 

Music Credits: 

"Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme)" original by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Allyson Anderson, Founder and CEO of Integro Builders, talks client archetypes, project influence vs. management, the nuance of contracting and at least one change order more! Allyson Anderson, Mike Knoche 01:56:28 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) 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) management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 10 4 36d83bf2-b47c-4171-9374-4e22d6b2638b The Roofer Girl, Samanntha De Coteau on finding her trade, how it lifted her up, and being bags on! The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Sam De Coteau

Instagram: @the.roofer.girl

 

Music Credits: 

"Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme)" by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Tue, 21 Mar 2023 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Samanntha De Coteau, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/the-roofer-girl-samanntha-de-coteau-on-finding-her-trade-and-how-it-lifted-her-up-LbDKlAJO The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Sam De Coteau

Instagram: @the.roofer.girl

 

Music Credits: 

"Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme)" by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> The Roofer Girl, Samanntha De Coteau on finding her trade, how it lifted her up, and being bags on! Samanntha De Coteau, Mike Knoche 00:36:53 Samanntha De Coteau @the.roofer.girl of Summit Sister’s Roofing is now LIVE on @thecontractinghandbook podcast! In Episode 114: - representing and endorsing products - being a bags-on-contractor - operating as a partner - hiring roofers - leadership - being a mom in construction - overcoming adversity - then, the fun questions Samanntha De Coteau @the.roofer.girl of Summit Sister’s Roofing is now LIVE on @thecontractinghandbook podcast! In Episode 114: - representing and endorsing products - being a bags-on-contractor - operating as a partner - hiring roofers - leadership - being a mom in construction - overcoming adversity - then, the fun questions management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 9 4 0305a75a-3c8e-4013-b101-b3253f4e194d Furious Fifteen: Rachel Taylor of Rachel Builds out of Los Angeles returns! The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Rachel Taylor Season 2, Episode 21 !!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Rachel Taylor

Instagram: @rachelbuilds

 

Music Credit: Village Right Behind Him (Mike Knoche's Furious Fifteen theme song) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

Show Less

]]> Fri, 17 Mar 2023 21:15:47 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Rachel Taylor) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/furious-fifteen-rachel-taylor-of-rachel-builds-out-of-los-angeles-returns-q_G6gTG4 The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Rachel Taylor Season 2, Episode 21 !!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Rachel Taylor

Instagram: @rachelbuilds

 

Music Credit: Village Right Behind Him (Mike Knoche's Furious Fifteen theme song) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

Show Less

]]> Furious Fifteen: Rachel Taylor of Rachel Builds out of Los Angeles returns! Mike Knoche, Rachel Taylor 00:32:00 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. 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. management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 8 4 1cfacaa2-960d-4a5e-870c-7aa769fb9bf7 Allison Iantosca, Owner & President of FH Perry Builder on leadership, client relationships, and authenticity The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Allison Iantosca

Website: FH Perry Builder

Instagram: @fhperrybuilder

 

Music Credits: 

"Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme)" by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Mon, 13 Mar 2023 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Allison Iantosca, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/allison-iantosca-owner-president-of-fh-perry-builderon-leadership-client-relationships-and-authenticity-3jHdfodu The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Allison Iantosca

Website: FH Perry Builder

Instagram: @fhperrybuilder

 

Music Credits: 

"Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme)" by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Allison Iantosca, Owner & President of FH Perry Builder on leadership, client relationships, and authenticity Allison Iantosca, Mike Knoche 01:30:45 President and Owner of Award Winning FH Perry Builder, Allison Iantosca @fhperrybuilder , joins Mike Knoche on @thecontractinghandbook podcast for a dive into the humanity of business. Authenticity, optimism, emotional intelligence, age, applying values, perfection, and hard conversations are just a few of the hooks, but it’s a deep dive for Mike and Allison after one set of email exchanges. Our conversation is not the typical “how to” run a multi-million-dollar construction company. It’s and exploration of her views, perceptions, and insights on “humans interacting with humans” as a focal point in developing and operating her construction business. In my recent call for stories of the event or moment you got into trades, I want you to hear what Allison said about “why do skilled trades matter?” RESPECT “The vulnerability of imperfection is what brings us together as people.” Allisons’s question to my next guest…. “with all of the possibilities in front of you, what made you stay the course?” President and Owner of Award Winning FH Perry Builder, Allison Iantosca @fhperrybuilder , joins Mike Knoche on @thecontractinghandbook podcast for a dive into the humanity of business. Authenticity, optimism, emotional intelligence, age, applying values, perfection, and hard conversations are just a few of the hooks, but it’s a deep dive for Mike and Allison after one set of email exchanges. Our conversation is not the typical “how to” run a multi-million-dollar construction company. It’s and exploration of her views, perceptions, and insights on “humans interacting with humans” as a focal point in developing and operating her construction business. In my recent call for stories of the event or moment you got into trades, I want you to hear what Allison said about “why do skilled trades matter?” RESPECT “The vulnerability of imperfection is what brings us together as people.” Allisons’s question to my next guest…. “with all of the possibilities in front of you, what made you stay the course?” management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 7 4 52d0687c-9466-4377-8dfe-84a766db4e49 Furious Fifteen: Ella Star of Plumberella, Christchurch, NZ returns! The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

 

 

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!

 

Ella Star Season 2, Episode 23 !!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

 

Guest: Ella Star

Instagram: Plumberella

 

Music Credit: Village Right Behind Him (Mike Knoche's Furious Fifteen theme song) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Fri, 10 Mar 2023 15:20:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Ella Star) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/furious-fifteen-ella-star-of-plumberella-christchurch-nz-returns-G6uPatV4 The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

 

 

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!

 

Ella Star Season 2, Episode 23 !!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

 

Guest: Ella Star

Instagram: Plumberella

 

Music Credit: Village Right Behind Him (Mike Knoche's Furious Fifteen theme song) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Furious Fifteen: Ella Star of Plumberella, Christchurch, NZ returns! Mike Knoche, Ella Star 00:18:32 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! 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! management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy true full 6 4 71318977-114b-4f84-b456-fe01319573e7 Kali Sudbrook of Beachside Interiors: how her previous career experience makes her a better contractor, how her wife deals with her, fitness, leadership and tools. The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Kali Sudbrook

Instagram: @kalithecontractor

 

Music Credits: 

"Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme)" by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

 

"Pining for Jordon", "Kikuyu" by Mike Knoche

]]> Mon, 6 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Kali Sudbrook) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/kali-sudbrook-of-beachside-interiors-and-how-her-previous-career-experience-makes-her-a-better-contractor-how-her-wife-deals-with-her-fitness-leadership-and-tools-FPUiylmx The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Kali Sudbrook

Instagram: @kalithecontractor

 

Music Credits: 

"Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme)" by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

 

"Pining for Jordon", "Kikuyu" by Mike Knoche

]]> Kali Sudbrook of Beachside Interiors: how her previous career experience makes her a better contractor, how her wife deals with her, fitness, leadership and tools. Mike Knoche, Kali Sudbrook 01:35:55 Join Kali Sudbrook of Beachside Interiors and Mike Knoche for Episode 110 of The Contracting Handbook podcast where we talk about the importance of bringing her previous career experience and expertise into her new venture as a contractor. As a former professor of fitness, we get some real insight into the working of the tradespersons body and a bit of advice. We get personal quick and take a look at how she and her wife navigated the career change together. Of course, we drop into the business side of things and where she acquired her skills to do the dirty work. What about being LGTBQ in construction? She loves her life and if you don’t like it, that’s on you. The fun, caffeine fueled questions at the end are a riot. It was a great way to start our Sunday and, for you, on Monday. Join Kali Sudbrook of Beachside Interiors and Mike Knoche for Episode 110 of The Contracting Handbook podcast where we talk about the importance of bringing her previous career experience and expertise into her new venture as a contractor. As a former professor of fitness, we get some real insight into the working of the tradespersons body and a bit of advice. We get personal quick and take a look at how she and her wife navigated the career change together. Of course, we drop into the business side of things and where she acquired her skills to do the dirty work. What about being LGTBQ in construction? She loves her life and if you don’t like it, that’s on you. The fun, caffeine fueled questions at the end are a riot. It was a great way to start our Sunday and, for you, on Monday. management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 5 4 ad38eba9-2a84-4362-8ca9-540482571adf When was the moment, the event, when you knew you were destined for the trades? The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

]]> Fri, 3 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/tch-podcast-re-introduced-and-a-question-for-you-AtrLED__ The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

]]> When was the moment, the event, when you knew you were destined for the trades? Mike Knoche 00:12:13 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 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 management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 5 4 66382eba-0957-4575-a7e7-9c01752725b4 Jeff Kelley of JK Woodworks and Timber Framing shares how he's carved out a life through his craft, why going to college helped, and his process The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Jeff Kelley

Instagram: @jeffkelleywoodworks

Music: Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Mon, 27 Feb 2023 09:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Jeff Kelley, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/jeff-kelley-of-jk-woodworks-and-timberframing-shares-how-hes-carved-out-a-life-through-his-craft-why-going-to-college-helped-and-his-process-sroJq5rt The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

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!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Jeff Kelley

Instagram: @jeffkelleywoodworks

Music: Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Jeff Kelley of JK Woodworks and Timber Framing shares how he's carved out a life through his craft, why going to college helped, and his process Jeff Kelley, Mike Knoche 01:06:37 In Episode 108 of The Contracting Handbook podcast, Jeff Kelley of Jeff Kelley Woodworks and Timber Framing joins Mike Knoche for another look inside the life of a builder. Jeff lives his life how he wants to but, like many, he came into the trades and construction a bit later. He doesn’t regret going to Uni and finds much of what he learned there applicable to his contracting business. He keeps things simple with the construction business and taps builder buddies for help on left days. As always, there is so much more in getting to know one of my guests, so please download this construction podcast episode that is NOW LIVE on all podcast platforms. In Episode 108 of The Contracting Handbook podcast, Jeff Kelley of Jeff Kelley Woodworks and Timber Framing joins Mike Knoche for another look inside the life of a builder. Jeff lives his life how he wants to but, like many, he came into the trades and construction a bit later. He doesn’t regret going to Uni and finds much of what he learned there applicable to his contracting business. He keeps things simple with the construction business and taps builder buddies for help on left days. As always, there is so much more in getting to know one of my guests, so please download this construction podcast episode that is NOW LIVE on all podcast platforms. management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 4 4 7646786d-f5d1-4961-b593-045a1f72da54 Greg Eicher of Consiglio Builders talks building luxury homes, the clients, self improvement, and his favorite tool The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Greg Eicher

Instagram: @consiglio builders

Website: Consiglio Builders

 

Music: Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Mon, 20 Feb 2023 09:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Greg Eicher, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/greg-eicher-of-consiglio-builders-talks-building-luxury-homes-the-clients-self-improvement-and-his-favorite-tool-GT7fMKTl The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Greg Eicher

Instagram: @consiglio builders

Website: Consiglio Builders

 

Music: Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

Drew Frick- lead guitar

Scott Crass- bass

Brady Anderson- drums

Mike Knoche- rhythm guitar and vocals

]]> Greg Eicher of Consiglio Builders talks building luxury homes, the clients, self improvement, and his favorite tool Greg Eicher, Mike Knoche 01:18:33 “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! “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! management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 3 4 dcfad740-e8fd-4de5-a053-e313ae26ca8e Bryan and Timmy Uhler: "Don't take yourself so seriously." My name is Mike Knoche and I’m a general contractor and reformed remodeler representing Zone 8 in Fairbanks, Alaska, I’m on a mission to catalyze the conversation in construction and give a platform to voices from across the industry at all levels of experience. The TCH podcast is a distillation of nearly 1000 years of collective construction industry knowledge and experiences through discussions with my guests over 102 episodes. It’s a grass roots effort to share knowledge, empower contractors and tradespeople with knowledge and affirmation. It started off as a mission to make the business side of running a contracting business easier, but running 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. What’s more, the experiences are universal across the building community we’re not that different no matter where we live. Since the podcast launch in May 2021, the podcast has been downloaded in over 70 countries and I am proud to tell you the TCH is now in the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. I may independently record and produce the podcast, but every GC needs good talent. Thanks to an A list of guests, we were able to build it, and the people came, as they say. Before the podcast launch, I was cynical about the construction industry with a good dash of hope. Now this hopeful cynic has found inspiration from the genuine nature of my guests, their stories, and feedback from my listeners.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guests: Tim Uhler @awesomeframers

Bryan Uhler @pioneerbuilders

]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2023 09:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Tim Uhler, Bryan Uhler, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/bryan-and-timmy-uhler-of-pioneer-builders-and-awesome-framers-dont-take-yourself-so-seriously-ygz_YfAI My name is Mike Knoche and I’m a general contractor and reformed remodeler representing Zone 8 in Fairbanks, Alaska, I’m on a mission to catalyze the conversation in construction and give a platform to voices from across the industry at all levels of experience. The TCH podcast is a distillation of nearly 1000 years of collective construction industry knowledge and experiences through discussions with my guests over 102 episodes. It’s a grass roots effort to share knowledge, empower contractors and tradespeople with knowledge and affirmation. It started off as a mission to make the business side of running a contracting business easier, but running 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. What’s more, the experiences are universal across the building community we’re not that different no matter where we live. Since the podcast launch in May 2021, the podcast has been downloaded in over 70 countries and I am proud to tell you the TCH is now in the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. I may independently record and produce the podcast, but every GC needs good talent. Thanks to an A list of guests, we were able to build it, and the people came, as they say. Before the podcast launch, I was cynical about the construction industry with a good dash of hope. Now this hopeful cynic has found inspiration from the genuine nature of my guests, their stories, and feedback from my listeners.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guests: Tim Uhler @awesomeframers

Bryan Uhler @pioneerbuilders

]]> Bryan and Timmy Uhler: "Don't take yourself so seriously." Tim Uhler, Bryan Uhler, Mike Knoche 01:28:25 On Monday December 19, Bryan and Tim Uhler of Pioneer Builders join Mike Knoche on The Contracting Handbook to talk shop about building on spec, reflecting on their trip to Switzerland, and what really matters in life. There are a bunch of questions for the Uhler’s from guest questioners Aron Jones, Ryan Smith and Michael Anschel before the “Uhler Speed Round”. Both Brian and Tim recommend not taking yourself to seriously in this life, and they broke all the rules on the favorite tools by giving multiple tools and classes of tools. They may not take themselves too seriously, but they are serious about their tools! On Monday December 19, Bryan and Tim Uhler of Pioneer Builders join Mike Knoche on The Contracting Handbook to talk shop about building on spec, reflecting on their trip to Switzerland, and what really matters in life. There are a bunch of questions for the Uhler’s from guest questioners Aron Jones, Ryan Smith and Michael Anschel before the “Uhler Speed Round”. Both Brian and Tim recommend not taking yourself to seriously in this life, and they broke all the rules on the favorite tools by giving multiple tools and classes of tools. They may not take themselves too seriously, but they are serious about their tools! management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 2 4 7c2a2488-4f00-483b-828c-fd049447f0ca Aaron Butt: Deconstructing the 4 year college scheme, benefits for tradespeople, the mentor/mentee relationship The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Aaron Butt

Instagram: @aaronthomasaquinas

Music: Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

]]> Mon, 6 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Aaron Butt) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/aaron-butt-dismantling-the-4-year-college-scheme-benefits-for-tradespeople-the-mentor-mentee-realtionship-mfV2MU7g The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world and has recently reached the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Aaron Butt

Instagram: @aaronthomasaquinas

Music: Tell Nobody (The Contracting Handbook theme) by Tiny Pancake Breakfast

]]> Aaron Butt: Deconstructing the 4 year college scheme, benefits for tradespeople, the mentor/mentee relationship Mike Knoche, Aaron Butt 01:07:53 “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? “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? contracting company, construction business management, construction podcast, how to, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 1 4 a7557dc1-d35f-404d-a969-a89860570ffa Barbie the Welder: The Art of the Business and The Business of Art Episode Notes

The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Barbie The Welder

Instagram: @barbiethewelder

LinkedIn: Barbie The Welder

e1Xg1ABHekjJhmoKRVCa

]]> Mon, 5 Dec 2022 09:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Barbie The Welder, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/barbie-the-welder-the-art-of-the-business-and-the-business-of-art-scuViA2d Episode Notes

The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Barbie The Welder

Instagram: @barbiethewelder

LinkedIn: Barbie The Welder

e1Xg1ABHekjJhmoKRVCa

]]> Barbie the Welder: The Art of the Business and The Business of Art Barbie The Welder, Mike Knoche 00:51:53 “I’m only as good as the last thing I did, that’s the only thing that matters to me” Is it the Art of the Business or The Business of the Art? Today, the tale of a woman who started her trade career in a vocational program for auto mechanics then found her passion as a self-taught welder. Listen for the aha moment when Barbie knows its not just something she made, it’s art. Now, she believes all tradespeople are artists. Do you guys know Barbie has pieces in 15 different countries worldwide? She’s not the type to tell you how to live, but as a community, she believes we need to honor our skills by making sure we’re compensating part for our time. Michelangelo might have had a small army of sculptors under him but, not Barbie. Her creations, her hands! We get into some cool mentors in this one! What a real pleasure we had killing an hour for this podcast. Please join us! Please save this post so you can come back and share your thoughts after you hear the pod and/ or share this pic and quote in your stories to help spread the word about the pod. If you don’t already follow @thecontractinghandbook podcast, do it now to get more advice or insight from your peers and hear the stories about how we all got here. Follow @barbiethewelder for daily inspiration, elevation of the trades, and her masterpieces in the making! “I’m only as good as the last thing I did, that’s the only thing that matters to me” Is it the Art of the Business or The Business of the Art? Today, the tale of a woman who started her trade career in a vocational program for auto mechanics then found her passion as a self-taught welder. Listen for the aha moment when Barbie knows its not just something she made, it’s art. Now, she believes all tradespeople are artists. Do you guys know Barbie has pieces in 15 different countries worldwide? She’s not the type to tell you how to live, but as a community, she believes we need to honor our skills by making sure we’re compensating part for our time. Michelangelo might have had a small army of sculptors under him but, not Barbie. Her creations, her hands! We get into some cool mentors in this one! What a real pleasure we had killing an hour for this podcast. Please join us! Please save this post so you can come back and share your thoughts after you hear the pod and/ or share this pic and quote in your stories to help spread the word about the pod. If you don’t already follow @thecontractinghandbook podcast, do it now to get more advice or insight from your peers and hear the stories about how we all got here. Follow @barbiethewelder for daily inspiration, elevation of the trades, and her masterpieces in the making! contracting company, welder, management, construction business management, women in trades, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy, contracting business false full 17 3 f0c80b58-b17d-45f6-bf23-1d7bcf6e635c Fiona Plett of Herself Contracting: House healing and a builder at a crossroads The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Fiona Plett

Instagram: @herself_contracting

]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2022 10:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Fiona Plett) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/fiona-plett-of-herself-contracting-house-healing-and-a-builder-at-aa-crossroads-AUnayHP3 The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Fiona Plett

Instagram: @herself_contracting

]]> Fiona Plett of Herself Contracting: House healing and a builder at a crossroads Mike Knoche, Fiona Plett 00:57:24 “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! “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! management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 16 3 e46c02bb-bac6-452b-8d0c-eafb61bc6388 Michael Anschel of OA Design Build on the Cost of Project Execution (C.O.P.E.) method of estimating My name is Mike Knoche and I’m a general contractor and reformed remodeler representing Zone 8 in Fairbanks, Alaska, I’m on a mission to catalyze the conversation in construction and give a platform to voices from across the industry at all levels of experience. The TCH podcast is a distillation of nearly 1000 years of collective construction industry knowledge and experiences through discussions with my guests over 102 episodes. It’s a grass roots effort to share knowledge, empower contractors and tradespeople with knowledge and affirmation. It started off as a mission to make the business side of running a contracting business easier, but running 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. What’s more, the experiences are universal across the building community we’re not that different no matter where we live. Since the podcast launch in May 2021, the podcast has been downloaded in over 70 countries and I am proud to tell you the TCH is now in the Top 5% of all podcasts globally. I may independently record and produce the podcast, but every GC needs good talent. Thanks to an A list of guests, we were able to build it, and the people came, as they say. Before the podcast launch, I was cynical about the construction industry with a good dash of hope. Now this hopeful cynic has found inspiration from the genuine nature of my guests, their stories, and feedback from my listeners.

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and/ or a rating on Spotify to help spread the word for this free content!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Michael Anschel 

Website: C.O.P.E.

Instagram: @oabuilds

]]> Mon, 14 Nov 2022 10:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Michael Anschel, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/michael-anschel-of-oa-design-build-on-the-cost-of-project-execution-cope-method-of-estimating-axIv3IOD My name is Mike Knoche and I’m a general contractor and reformed remodeler representing Zone 8 in Fairbanks, Alaska, I’m on a mission to catalyze the conversation in construction and give a platform to voices from across the industry at all levels of experience. The TCH podcast is a distillation of nearly 1000 years of collective construction industry knowledge and experiences through discussions with my guests over 102 episodes. It’s a grass roots effort to share knowledge, empower contractors and tradespeople with knowledge and affirmation. It started off as a mission to make the business side of running a contracting business easier, but running 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. What’s more, the experiences are universal across the building community we’re not that different no matter where we live. Since the podcast launch in May 2021, the podcast has been downloaded in over 70 countries and I am proud to tell you the TCH is now in the Top 5% of all podcasts globally. I may independently record and produce the podcast, but every GC needs good talent. Thanks to an A list of guests, we were able to build it, and the people came, as they say. Before the podcast launch, I was cynical about the construction industry with a good dash of hope. Now this hopeful cynic has found inspiration from the genuine nature of my guests, their stories, and feedback from my listeners.

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and/ or a rating on Spotify to help spread the word for this free content!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Michael Anschel 

Website: C.O.P.E.

Instagram: @oabuilds

]]> Michael Anschel of OA Design Build on the Cost of Project Execution (C.O.P.E.) method of estimating Michael Anschel, Mike Knoche 01:22:00 Today, Michael Anschel of @oabuilds joins Mike Knoche for a raucous discussion in the explanation of the Cost of Project Execution (C.O.P.E.) method for estimating. We immediately drop into the issues surrounding single margin multipliers, a general misunderstanding of knowing profit from overhead and a general lack of trust that comes with not wanting to talk about project costs with clients. It’s an uncomfortable topic so, we avoid it. We walk through a number of examples the make the C.O.P.E. method accessible to spec homes builder, custom home builders, remodelers, and sub trade contractors. There are no markups using C.O.P.E. But Mike, this flies in the face of anything I’ve ever known about estimating. Mike casts doubt on Michael and this blasphemous method throughout. This is a fun and interesting look at a different approach to estimating with Michael Anschel on his second appearance on TCH. Michael is teaching a 6-week class starting December 1. Details at www.costofprojectexecution.com Today, Michael Anschel of @oabuilds joins Mike Knoche for a raucous discussion in the explanation of the Cost of Project Execution (C.O.P.E.) method for estimating. We immediately drop into the issues surrounding single margin multipliers, a general misunderstanding of knowing profit from overhead and a general lack of trust that comes with not wanting to talk about project costs with clients. It’s an uncomfortable topic so, we avoid it. We walk through a number of examples the make the C.O.P.E. method accessible to spec homes builder, custom home builders, remodelers, and sub trade contractors. There are no markups using C.O.P.E. But Mike, this flies in the face of anything I’ve ever known about estimating. Mike casts doubt on Michael and this blasphemous method throughout. This is a fun and interesting look at a different approach to estimating with Michael Anschel on his second appearance on TCH. Michael is teaching a 6-week class starting December 1. Details at www.costofprojectexecution.com management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy true full 15 3 4101dd16-3dd0-46db-8bd9-629b8a0c4be0 Jon Hilgenberg of JCH Cabinets talks his Craftsman Program, love of teaching, apprentice years and the circumstance that shaped him The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Jon Hilgenberg

IG: @jchcabinets

 

]]> Mon, 7 Nov 2022 10:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Jon Hilgenberg, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/jon-hilgenberg-of-jch-cabinets-talks-his-craftsman-program-love-of-teaching-apprentice-years-and-the-circumstance-that-shaped-him-mdl2IAGV The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Jon Hilgenberg

IG: @jchcabinets

 

]]> Jon Hilgenberg of JCH Cabinets talks his Craftsman Program, love of teaching, apprentice years and the circumstance that shaped him Jon Hilgenberg, Mike Knoche 01:23:23 “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! “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! management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 14 3 16f5bd79-b5cb-42ce-bc74-2f115eddea17 Episode 100: TCH Halloween Podcast Special- Tales from the Jobsite The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: 

Andy Bannister @earthtoneconstruction

Gena Hoyt @bigdoglifex3

Krystal Brookes @_paintchick_

Jasper Liles @proficientbuilders

Lizardo Martinez @a_builders_world

Jeff Pacheco @sweet_buzz_woodworks

Andy Steel @frsbuilders

Beau Wheelock @thebeaubuiltco

Aron Jones @bigdogconstruction.gm

Niya Doncheva @girlwithpowertoolsss

Mike Falzon @mikes_tool_fun

Tony McKlem @Hollywood Decks

Harvey Jesso @maritimecarpenter

Bennett Lyster @builderbennett

Doug Roberts @nextlevelhandymanservice

Nate Schuele @full.tilt.timber.framing

Paris Benay @waka_wahine

Aaron Butt @aaronthomasaquinas

Kali Sudbrook @kalithecontractor

Michael Anschel @oabuilds

Ryan Smith @roofslayer2681 

Brant Taylor @thetoolhacker

 

Thanks to Pixabay for music and sound effects

Photo Credit: @david w shaw

]]> Mon, 31 Oct 2022 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Jasper Liles, Lizardo Martinez, Jeff Pacheco, Andy Steele, Beau Wheelock, Mike Falzon, Tony McKlem, Bennett Lyster, Doug Roberts, Nate Schuele, Paris Benay, Kali Sudbrook, Ryan Smith, Michael Anschel, Harvey Jesso, Niya Doncheva, Andy Bannister, Brant Taylor, Aron Jones, Gena Hoyt, Krystal Brookes, Aaron Butt) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/tch-halloween-podcast-special-GBpDLDLX The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: 

Andy Bannister @earthtoneconstruction

Gena Hoyt @bigdoglifex3

Krystal Brookes @_paintchick_

Jasper Liles @proficientbuilders

Lizardo Martinez @a_builders_world

Jeff Pacheco @sweet_buzz_woodworks

Andy Steel @frsbuilders

Beau Wheelock @thebeaubuiltco

Aron Jones @bigdogconstruction.gm

Niya Doncheva @girlwithpowertoolsss

Mike Falzon @mikes_tool_fun

Tony McKlem @Hollywood Decks

Harvey Jesso @maritimecarpenter

Bennett Lyster @builderbennett

Doug Roberts @nextlevelhandymanservice

Nate Schuele @full.tilt.timber.framing

Paris Benay @waka_wahine

Aaron Butt @aaronthomasaquinas

Kali Sudbrook @kalithecontractor

Michael Anschel @oabuilds

Ryan Smith @roofslayer2681 

Brant Taylor @thetoolhacker

 

Thanks to Pixabay for music and sound effects

Photo Credit: @david w shaw

]]> Episode 100: TCH Halloween Podcast Special- Tales from the Jobsite Mike Knoche, Jasper Liles, Lizardo Martinez, Jeff Pacheco, Andy Steele, Beau Wheelock, Mike Falzon, Tony McKlem, Bennett Lyster, Doug Roberts, Nate Schuele, Paris Benay, Kali Sudbrook, Ryan Smith, Michael Anschel, Harvey Jesso, Niya Doncheva, Andy Bannister, Brant Taylor, Aron Jones, Gena Hoyt, Krystal Brookes, Aaron Butt 01:06:22 Meet my story telling crew! Twenty-two skilled professionals from all walks sent me their stories in their voices to share in this 100th episode of The Contracting Handbook podcast. As of prepping this post, I have not heard the stories in their entirety. Meet my story telling crew! Twenty-two skilled professionals from all walks sent me their stories in their voices to share in this 100th episode of The Contracting Handbook podcast. As of prepping this post, I have not heard the stories in their entirety. management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy true full 13 3 7d3ac502-7713-41a0-86b2-e56a23f8c2cb Harvey Jesso of Maritime Carpentry & Maritime Electrical talks running two construction companies, stepping away from work at night, the retirement plan and more The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Harvey Jesso

IG: @maritimecarpenter

@maritimeelectrical

 

 

 

]]> Mon, 24 Oct 2022 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Harvey Jesso, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/harvey-jesso-of-maritime-carpentry-maritime-electrical-talks-running-two-construction-companies-stepping-away-from-work-at-night-the-retirement-plan-and-more-oEgg42lH The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Harvey Jesso

IG: @maritimecarpenter

@maritimeelectrical

 

 

 

]]> Harvey Jesso of Maritime Carpentry & Maritime Electrical talks running two construction companies, stepping away from work at night, the retirement plan and more Harvey Jesso, Mike Knoche 00:52:14 “It’s important to build a strong reputation and do such good work so you don’t have to work for the sheep.” For those of you who know Harvey Jesso, you know he’s a positive force and reputable contractor, for those who don’t, you’re in for a treat. He’s running two contracting businesses, loves what he does and takes weekends off for family time. He started in the business at 9 y.o., so it’s in his blood. I (Mike) want to know why clients are perfectly happy to pay electrical quotes but balk at the price of custom carpentry. Harvey generates quotes for both trades but agrees that carpenters are under-rated! We hit on the greatest challenge of a tradesman becoming a businessman. Harvey seems comfortable in his shoes today and has a plan to retire. Harvey’s father-in-law showed up at the BBQ fully decked out in Maritime Carpentry swag. What was he angling for? Find out the best tools and the best live concert he’s been to! “It’s important to build a strong reputation and do such good work so you don’t have to work for the sheep.” For those of you who know Harvey Jesso, you know he’s a positive force and reputable contractor, for those who don’t, you’re in for a treat. He’s running two contracting businesses, loves what he does and takes weekends off for family time. He started in the business at 9 y.o., so it’s in his blood. I (Mike) want to know why clients are perfectly happy to pay electrical quotes but balk at the price of custom carpentry. Harvey generates quotes for both trades but agrees that carpenters are under-rated! We hit on the greatest challenge of a tradesman becoming a businessman. Harvey seems comfortable in his shoes today and has a plan to retire. Harvey’s father-in-law showed up at the BBQ fully decked out in Maritime Carpentry swag. What was he angling for? Find out the best tools and the best live concert he’s been to! management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, career, diy false full 12 3 ba959330-cb65-48e3-836b-a8eba4b6bb60 Larry Clay of Clay Construction: Foundation to Finish- Building Your Company and Brand The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Larry Clay

Instagram: @theclayway

]]> Mon, 17 Oct 2022 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Larry Clay) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/larry-clay-9cO4WsBn The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Larry Clay

Instagram: @theclayway

]]> Larry Clay of Clay Construction: Foundation to Finish- Building Your Company and Brand Mike Knoche, Larry Clay 01:09:38 “You must have a number of stories, based on your experience, of how you are going to build a better home so that your clients are going to have piece of mind and less issues.” He may make being an award-winning custom homebuilder in Vancouver look easy, but it wasn’t always that way. Today, your guy, Larry Clay, owner & operator of Clay Construction talks behind the scenes of what he overcame to be the recipient of the prestigious Grand Georgie Award for best custom home. It was October, 2009 (if that doesn’t give you chills….) …an accident, a planning glitch, then, the Great Recession…and re-inventing himself. He became the reluctant custom home builder. Reluctant because he had been a custom builder before, and spec houses were more straight forward. How do you sell your client on the added cost of high-performance homes? (I’m asking, answer below) It’s all about the language with Larry Clay, he captivates his clients with his vision, not the price tag. Last year, he met one of his mentors, Harold Orr, who schools his new student Larry on vapor barriers (and me too, I’m still scratching my head). The marketing isn’t just hiring it out. It’s knowing your building science, walking the walk, and going for the big awards. Larry’s big four for fellow contractors: Leadership, awards, education and working on your brand. But Larry asks: If you could start your business over, what would you start doing sooner, what would you stop doing sooner? “You must have a number of stories, based on your experience, of how you are going to build a better home so that your clients are going to have piece of mind and less issues.” He may make being an award-winning custom homebuilder in Vancouver look easy, but it wasn’t always that way. Today, your guy, Larry Clay, owner & operator of Clay Construction talks behind the scenes of what he overcame to be the recipient of the prestigious Grand Georgie Award for best custom home. It was October, 2009 (if that doesn’t give you chills….) …an accident, a planning glitch, then, the Great Recession…and re-inventing himself. He became the reluctant custom home builder. Reluctant because he had been a custom builder before, and spec houses were more straight forward. How do you sell your client on the added cost of high-performance homes? (I’m asking, answer below) It’s all about the language with Larry Clay, he captivates his clients with his vision, not the price tag. Last year, he met one of his mentors, Harold Orr, who schools his new student Larry on vapor barriers (and me too, I’m still scratching my head). The marketing isn’t just hiring it out. It’s knowing your building science, walking the walk, and going for the big awards. Larry’s big four for fellow contractors: Leadership, awards, education and working on your brand. But Larry asks: If you could start your business over, what would you start doing sooner, what would you stop doing sooner? management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 11 3 4dcfc38a-6716-4dbc-90ce-0a71cff3ac3a Tom Lawson of Straight Up Stairs: Pricing, Innovating, Sobriety The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Tom Lawson

Instagram: @straight up stairs

]]> Mon, 10 Oct 2022 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Tom Lawson, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/tom-lawson-of-straight-up-stairs-pricing-innovating-sobriety-ZCmAEiGv The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Tom Lawson

Instagram: @straight up stairs

]]> Tom Lawson of Straight Up Stairs: Pricing, Innovating, Sobriety Tom Lawson, Mike Knoche 00:59:56 “If you’re gonna do something, do it right.” Most of you already know that Tom Lawson is a straight shooter and in this new podcast, we talk life lessons in many capacities. We head straight into billing for experience and not time. We got their from a previous conversation with Brant Taylor @thetoolhacker where the jist was the ole “potential client doubting our price”. What and when to charge? It’s there! Part of this process is instilling confidence. We 100% agreed on this one and shared some experience. Tom’s rocketed to incredible heights in a short period of time. He may have had valuable industry experience under his belt that helps him focus on his craft, but alcohol stood in the way. It wasn’t an easy ride, but the man is in control and he knows what matters to him. The education system didn’t suit Tom, so he chose the trades. That’s surprise coming from this country boy who has been inventing and teaching himself the ropes since age 7 Today, “standards”, #tomlawsonstyle! So, how do you instill confidence? That’s my question to you. If you could do anything in life, what would it be? That’s Tom’s question to you all. Please answer one or both in the comments below. Please save this post so you can come back and share your thoughts after you hear the pod and/ or share this pic and quote in your feed to help spread the word about the pod. If you don’t already follow @thecontractinghandbook podcast, do it now to get more advice or insight from your peers and hear the stories about how we all got here and follow. “If you’re gonna do something, do it right.” Most of you already know that Tom Lawson is a straight shooter and in this new podcast, we talk life lessons in many capacities. We head straight into billing for experience and not time. We got their from a previous conversation with Brant Taylor @thetoolhacker where the jist was the ole “potential client doubting our price”. What and when to charge? It’s there! Part of this process is instilling confidence. We 100% agreed on this one and shared some experience. Tom’s rocketed to incredible heights in a short period of time. He may have had valuable industry experience under his belt that helps him focus on his craft, but alcohol stood in the way. It wasn’t an easy ride, but the man is in control and he knows what matters to him. The education system didn’t suit Tom, so he chose the trades. That’s surprise coming from this country boy who has been inventing and teaching himself the ropes since age 7 Today, “standards”, #tomlawsonstyle! So, how do you instill confidence? That’s my question to you. If you could do anything in life, what would it be? That’s Tom’s question to you all. Please answer one or both in the comments below. Please save this post so you can come back and share your thoughts after you hear the pod and/ or share this pic and quote in your feed to help spread the word about the pod. If you don’t already follow @thecontractinghandbook podcast, do it now to get more advice or insight from your peers and hear the stories about how we all got here and follow. contracting company, management, construction business management, construction podcast, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy, contracting business false full 10 3 4ea74348-3b12-4c53-bf96-0e9405b6dc4e Janeen Oliver is a Third Generation Family Concreter and Advocate for Trade Recruitment The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and/ or a rating on Spotify to help spread the word for this free content!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Janeen Oliver

]]> Mon, 3 Oct 2022 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Janeen Oliver, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/janeen-oliver-is-a-third-generation-family-concreter-and-advocate-for-trade-recruitment-ppTfmWM1 The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and/ or a rating on Spotify to help spread the word for this free content!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Janeen Oliver

]]> Janeen Oliver is a Third Generation Family Concreter and Advocate for Trade Recruitment Janeen Oliver, Mike Knoche 01:16:06 Janeen Oliver is “not your average concrete rep” because it’s all about being hands on, boots on the ground with the crew and then working her day job. You already know this if you follow @concrete_diva and if you don’t, today Mike Knoche of The Contracting Handbook podcast hosts Janeen to hear her story as a third generation concreter, leaving the family biz, returning after a couple few careers and repping for the company that eventually bought her dad’s company. The labor deficit in North America (and everywhere) fueled Janeen’s push to help found the Crew Collaborative @the.crew.collab , an organization formed to recruit more youth into the trades through classroom talks and outreach programs. Janeen is all about her relationships on the ground. She shows up before the (mega) pour starts, helps keep the ball rollin’, keeps the crew fed with food and support and it does not go unnoticed when she’s not onsite) as indicated by texts she received just before we recorded on a Monday morning…). The tough days start at 1:30 am on site, working through the 9-5 part of the day, returning to a pour, napping and then back at it in the middle of the night. Are you getting a sense of “not you’re average sales rep? She’s part of a crew that’s building the Los Angeles skyline but Mike can’t help but wonder out loud how they deal with extreme heat and concrete curing. She uses ice, Mike uses blankets. A cool contrast, lol! She’s content where she’s at and leaving the door open for opportunity. Then, a brief dive into whether tradies should need to take on side jobs to make ends meet and how price cutting during bad economic times is incredibly difficult to recover from. Skilled trades, values, tools (very specific!), best jobsite jams (we’ve got a first folks!) and you know there’s always those nuggets! Janeen Oliver is “not your average concrete rep” because it’s all about being hands on, boots on the ground with the crew and then working her day job. You already know this if you follow @concrete_diva and if you don’t, today Mike Knoche of The Contracting Handbook podcast hosts Janeen to hear her story as a third generation concreter, leaving the family biz, returning after a couple few careers and repping for the company that eventually bought her dad’s company. The labor deficit in North America (and everywhere) fueled Janeen’s push to help found the Crew Collaborative @the.crew.collab , an organization formed to recruit more youth into the trades through classroom talks and outreach programs. Janeen is all about her relationships on the ground. She shows up before the (mega) pour starts, helps keep the ball rollin’, keeps the crew fed with food and support and it does not go unnoticed when she’s not onsite) as indicated by texts she received just before we recorded on a Monday morning…). The tough days start at 1:30 am on site, working through the 9-5 part of the day, returning to a pour, napping and then back at it in the middle of the night. Are you getting a sense of “not you’re average sales rep? She’s part of a crew that’s building the Los Angeles skyline but Mike can’t help but wonder out loud how they deal with extreme heat and concrete curing. She uses ice, Mike uses blankets. A cool contrast, lol! She’s content where she’s at and leaving the door open for opportunity. Then, a brief dive into whether tradies should need to take on side jobs to make ends meet and how price cutting during bad economic times is incredibly difficult to recover from. Skilled trades, values, tools (very specific!), best jobsite jams (we’ve got a first folks!) and you know there’s always those nuggets! management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 9 3 5f93709f-afff-4418-b68e-28cf9c93ff89 Jason Bekebrede of Monticello Custom Homes on non-competitive bidding, non-negotiable components of a custom home, building a legacy and more. The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Jason Bekebrede

Website: Monticello Custom Homes

Instagram: @monticellocustom

]]> Mon, 26 Sep 2022 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Jason Bekebrede, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/jason-bekebrede-of-monticello-custom-homes-on-not-competitive-bidding-non-negotiable-components-of-a-custom-home-building-a-legacy-and-more-7P2l1c6l The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Jason Bekebrede

Website: Monticello Custom Homes

Instagram: @monticellocustom

]]> Jason Bekebrede of Monticello Custom Homes on non-competitive bidding, non-negotiable components of a custom home, building a legacy and more. Jason Bekebrede, Mike Knoche 00:52:23 “I’ve got two kids and when they are my age, I want them to be able to drive by the houses and show their kids, Grandpa built that. That’s as important to me as anything.” Jason Bekebrede, of Monticello Custom Homes, has his client process dialed. He likes to get with the clients before the design process starts. They save time on client intake with detailed videos of expectations on their website. He knows the challenges of budget tracking and has honed his team to keep up with them. Some components are nonnegotiable such as wall assemblies and rain screens. The homes we leave behind are our part of our legacy. The client chooses the bells and whistles but leaves the basic components up to us. The clients choose Monticello because they know the other builders aren’t offering the same product. The value of an office manager, one more step in scaling up that you should hear. Gut instinct and warranty of work. The times they are a-changing’! We are in a new era of scheduling. “I’ve got two kids and when they are my age, I want them to be able to drive by the houses and show their kids, Grandpa built that. That’s as important to me as anything.” Jason Bekebrede, of Monticello Custom Homes, has his client process dialed. He likes to get with the clients before the design process starts. They save time on client intake with detailed videos of expectations on their website. He knows the challenges of budget tracking and has honed his team to keep up with them. Some components are nonnegotiable such as wall assemblies and rain screens. The homes we leave behind are our part of our legacy. The client chooses the bells and whistles but leaves the basic components up to us. The clients choose Monticello because they know the other builders aren’t offering the same product. The value of an office manager, one more step in scaling up that you should hear. Gut instinct and warranty of work. The times they are a-changing’! We are in a new era of scheduling. management, contractor, construction business management, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 8 3 5f120ffd-9b6e-4031-b9f3-359c0a486128 Dan Ford of Ford Custom Renovation: Removing himself from the field and scaling up The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Dan Ford

Instagram: @ford.custom.renovation

]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2022 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Dan Ford, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/dan-ford-of-ford-custom-renovations-removing-himself-from-the-field-and-scaling-up-P9a7N1JZ The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Dan Ford

Instagram: @ford.custom.renovation

]]> Dan Ford of Ford Custom Renovation: Removing himself from the field and scaling up Dan Ford, Mike Knoche 01:29:31 “If you think you’re there, then you need to check yourself because you’ll never be, there’s always new materials comin out, new ways of doing things, a new trick… always learning.” For those of you that don’t know Dan Ford, Dan started as a one-man freelance carpenter band and now he’s got a design build firm. I love that Dan describes being a GC as chaos! It’s familiar because I always say it’s “trying to control chaos”. There is no one I’ve had on that I feel more parallels the experience as a GC. This is a tale of scaling up, building relationships and nurturing those relationships. Self-observation and personal growth (check) Learning trust and delegating (check) Cooperation and respect for the knowledge of the staff Diet, sleep, and stress Checking ego at the door And the last one rings true throughout this podcast episode. Dan knows he’s a work in progress and he’s humble when he shares his experience. “If you think you’re there, then you need to check yourself because you’ll never be, there’s always new materials comin out, new ways of doing things, a new trick… always learning.” For those of you that don’t know Dan Ford, Dan started as a one-man freelance carpenter band and now he’s got a design build firm. I love that Dan describes being a GC as chaos! It’s familiar because I always say it’s “trying to control chaos”. There is no one I’ve had on that I feel more parallels the experience as a GC. This is a tale of scaling up, building relationships and nurturing those relationships. Self-observation and personal growth (check) Learning trust and delegating (check) Cooperation and respect for the knowledge of the staff Diet, sleep, and stress Checking ego at the door And the last one rings true throughout this podcast episode. Dan knows he’s a work in progress and he’s humble when he shares his experience. management, contractor, construction business management, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 7 3 0b2d4c2f-b76d-4728-a7c6-09c8942d656d Adam Corneil Of Unbuilders: Deconstructing the Demolition Mindset The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Adam Corneil

Instagram: @unbuildersdeconstruction

Website: Unbuilders Deconstruction

]]> Mon, 12 Sep 2022 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Adam Corneil, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/adam-corneil-of-unbuilders-deconstructing-the-demolition-mindset-wB_2HsrG The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Adam Corneil

Instagram: @unbuildersdeconstruction

Website: Unbuilders Deconstruction

]]> Adam Corneil Of Unbuilders: Deconstructing the Demolition Mindset Adam Corneil, Mike Knoche 00:48:49 “We know that people make the decision based on money and not the environment but there is this beautiful environmental narrative that is very impactful” This is a talk how the building industry decided that installed resources no longer had value. It was a time of abundance. It’s the economics of “unbuilding” instead of going to the landfill. It’s not a new idea, but a return to a lost practice. Getting contractors on board takes a while. If you’ve gutted a place, you can understand why. Price, but will it become affordable? Adam doesn’t just see the money, it’s a passion for salvage and preserving the earth’s resources and best illustrated by his teaching classes that will educate his competition in the industry. Adam is at the frontier of, not just waste, but standards of practice for abatement. His crew goes into buildings after asbestos has been removed, but current standards are not high enough to protect his crew, the neighbors and bystanders. Current legislation that backs deconstructing are a “greenwashing” of the issue. Adam’s most useful tool? You’ve never heard of it! You know there’s always more so please join us and see what you find! “We know that people make the decision based on money and not the environment but there is this beautiful environmental narrative that is very impactful” This is a talk how the building industry decided that installed resources no longer had value. It was a time of abundance. It’s the economics of “unbuilding” instead of going to the landfill. It’s not a new idea, but a return to a lost practice. Getting contractors on board takes a while. If you’ve gutted a place, you can understand why. Price, but will it become affordable? Adam doesn’t just see the money, it’s a passion for salvage and preserving the earth’s resources and best illustrated by his teaching classes that will educate his competition in the industry. Adam is at the frontier of, not just waste, but standards of practice for abatement. His crew goes into buildings after asbestos has been removed, but current standards are not high enough to protect his crew, the neighbors and bystanders. Current legislation that backs deconstructing are a “greenwashing” of the issue. Adam’s most useful tool? You’ve never heard of it! You know there’s always more so please join us and see what you find! management, contractor, construction business management, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 6 3 6f637e17-3000-43a0-b07d-dc49cf19215f Krystal Brookes of ASC Painting talks lining up your values for success, social presence, expectation management, her worst client, hiring, leadership and staying mentally fit. The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and/ or a rating on Spotify to help spread the word for this free content!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Krystal Brookes

IG: @ paintchick_

]]> Mon, 5 Sep 2022 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Krystal Brookes, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/krystal-brookes-of-affordable-sunshine-coast-painting-talks-lining-up-your-values-for-success-social-presence-expectation-management-her-worst-client-hiring-leadership-and-staying-mentally-fit-_UQSzQaz The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and/ or a rating on Spotify to help spread the word for this free content!

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Krystal Brookes

IG: @ paintchick_

]]> Krystal Brookes of ASC Painting talks lining up your values for success, social presence, expectation management, her worst client, hiring, leadership and staying mentally fit. Krystal Brookes, Mike Knoche 01:31:47 “My values are in the right order… my children come first, above anything else and that is why I went into business, to create freedom in my world, to turn up better as a mother.” If you know Krystal Brookes, you know she values family first and being balanced. Line up your values in the right order. In this now available podcast episode between painter, Krystal Brookes, and Mike Knoche of The Contracting Handbook podcast, the conversation hits upon those values, the side hustle, the nuance of relationships, mental health, leadership, scaling up via hiring and the best tools! While Krystal acknowledges that the movement to support women in the trades, Krystal gives a shout out to the men who have passed their knowledge to her. We dive straight into her growing social media presence, is it Affordable Sunshine Coast Painting or @_paintchick_ ? I’m not going to give it all away here but it’s a good exploration of creating content and why, potential for monetizing, and the pitfall of social media as a marketing tool for business. Krystal’s clients appreciate and admire her intention to be a better mum through self-determination and financial freedom and, though the vast majority are excellent, there are those occasionals that can’t be managed. Try as we might fellow contractors, expectation management is not black and white… Krystal and Mike debate (not really a debate) word of mouth vs other means of drawing in clients but this quickly turns into a chat on red flags and the interior dialogue when they’re on the phone! Krystal has a vision for scaling up her business and draws on her experience gained managing projects for one of her mentors who saw her natural talent for leadership and detail orientation. We wade into leadership from here… Krystal is all about routine and keeping stress in check with all kinds of extracurricular activities! She’s a creature of habit and that’s how the balance happens. Before the “speed round”, we drop into the nuances of the dietary habits of tradespeople, how to treat & read people and learning from the mistakes of others! Then we rip through the speed questions (6:55am her time) because she’s got to get the boys off to school and roll to work! Her question to you business owners “Do you need a social presence in order to run your business?” “My values are in the right order… my children come first, above anything else and that is why I went into business, to create freedom in my world, to turn up better as a mother.” If you know Krystal Brookes, you know she values family first and being balanced. Line up your values in the right order. In this now available podcast episode between painter, Krystal Brookes, and Mike Knoche of The Contracting Handbook podcast, the conversation hits upon those values, the side hustle, the nuance of relationships, mental health, leadership, scaling up via hiring and the best tools! While Krystal acknowledges that the movement to support women in the trades, Krystal gives a shout out to the men who have passed their knowledge to her. We dive straight into her growing social media presence, is it Affordable Sunshine Coast Painting or @_paintchick_ ? I’m not going to give it all away here but it’s a good exploration of creating content and why, potential for monetizing, and the pitfall of social media as a marketing tool for business. Krystal’s clients appreciate and admire her intention to be a better mum through self-determination and financial freedom and, though the vast majority are excellent, there are those occasionals that can’t be managed. Try as we might fellow contractors, expectation management is not black and white… Krystal and Mike debate (not really a debate) word of mouth vs other means of drawing in clients but this quickly turns into a chat on red flags and the interior dialogue when they’re on the phone! Krystal has a vision for scaling up her business and draws on her experience gained managing projects for one of her mentors who saw her natural talent for leadership and detail orientation. We wade into leadership from here… Krystal is all about routine and keeping stress in check with all kinds of extracurricular activities! She’s a creature of habit and that’s how the balance happens. Before the “speed round”, we drop into the nuances of the dietary habits of tradespeople, how to treat & read people and learning from the mistakes of others! Then we rip through the speed questions (6:55am her time) because she’s got to get the boys off to school and roll to work! Her question to you business owners “Do you need a social presence in order to run your business?” management, contractor, construction business management, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 5 3 4ac0304a-90cf-45e5-a04c-63375d724fc0 E.S. Sparks: Service manager in title, COO in function! The life of an unlicensed sparky. The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Evan Sparks

Handle: @e s sparks

]]> Mon, 29 Aug 2022 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, E.S. Sparks) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/es-sparks-service-manager-in-title-coo-in-function-the-life-of-an-unlicensed-sparky-YCnicnEL The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Evan Sparks

Handle: @e s sparks

]]> E.S. Sparks: Service manager in title, COO in function! The life of an unlicensed sparky. Mike Knoche, E.S. Sparks 01:38:41 “Get good at your trade and then worry about how you’re going to manage people. If I didn’t know what to do in the field, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing now” You guys might know Evan Sparks @e_s_sparks from his previous handle where he was a budding IG influencer, but did you know he’s reluctant to call himself an electrician? Since many of you last saw him publicly, life has changed for Evan. He got this new andthought he was going to be a service manager leading a couple dudes. It turned into bids, chases down regulations, hiring & firing, negotiating with clients and essentially running the company he works for. It’s not where he thought he’d be right despite always knowing that he would one day make moves to climb the ladder in addition to learning his trade. Managing people is different today than it was just a short time ago. Evan’s first boss used the brutal techniques of leadership from a past age. It’s also the expectations of the incoming crew. Service manager in title only, Evan acts as fill blown COO for his company. Evan salutes the tradespeople and community he befriended on Instagram and their dedication to passing the torch to those who follow into the trades. Despite acknowledging that IG was a creative outlet, it doesn’t look like that “second job” at IG is in the cards…. Evan knows many truths about himself, he observes his limitations, and that’s where the progress happens. As for the future, baby steps. This current position is a learning opportunity, and a future will come of it, plus, babies. He and the company just promoted one of their hands to foreman. I’m looking forward to watching them grow! This show is dedicated to the late, Mark “The Foot” Rosser, out of the Fairbanks, Alaska Laborers’s Union Local 942. “If you wanna keep the boss happy, walk fast and look worried.” LOL, thank you, sir. “Get good at your trade and then worry about how you’re going to manage people. If I didn’t know what to do in the field, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing now” You guys might know Evan Sparks @e_s_sparks from his previous handle where he was a budding IG influencer, but did you know he’s reluctant to call himself an electrician? Since many of you last saw him publicly, life has changed for Evan. He got this new andthought he was going to be a service manager leading a couple dudes. It turned into bids, chases down regulations, hiring & firing, negotiating with clients and essentially running the company he works for. It’s not where he thought he’d be right despite always knowing that he would one day make moves to climb the ladder in addition to learning his trade. Managing people is different today than it was just a short time ago. Evan’s first boss used the brutal techniques of leadership from a past age. It’s also the expectations of the incoming crew. Service manager in title only, Evan acts as fill blown COO for his company. Evan salutes the tradespeople and community he befriended on Instagram and their dedication to passing the torch to those who follow into the trades. Despite acknowledging that IG was a creative outlet, it doesn’t look like that “second job” at IG is in the cards…. Evan knows many truths about himself, he observes his limitations, and that’s where the progress happens. As for the future, baby steps. This current position is a learning opportunity, and a future will come of it, plus, babies. He and the company just promoted one of their hands to foreman. I’m looking forward to watching them grow! This show is dedicated to the late, Mark “The Foot” Rosser, out of the Fairbanks, Alaska Laborers’s Union Local 942. “If you wanna keep the boss happy, walk fast and look worried.” LOL, thank you, sir. electrician, management, contractor, construction business management, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, sparky, diy false full 4 3 5494056a-73d5-4bc8-bed5-f05c37f34453 International Flashing Awareness Day with Big Dog Construction and The Life of Bub The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guests:

Gena Hoyt

Aron Jones 

Garret Davis

]]> Mon, 22 Aug 2022 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Aron Jones, Mike Knoche, Gena Hoyt, Garret Davis) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/international-flashing-awareness-day-with-big-dog-construction-and-the-life-of-bub-3cvXR7fi The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guests:

Gena Hoyt

Aron Jones 

Garret Davis

]]> International Flashing Awareness Day with Big Dog Construction and The Life of Bub Aron Jones, Mike Knoche, Gena Hoyt, Garret Davis 01:08:05 management, contractor, construction business management, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 3 3 1e1d34d3-de73-4e5d-a97a-1f4a8e9f563a Niya Doncheva of Faux & Finish discusses leaving that higher education track career, the mind of a tradeswoman, client expectations and life. The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Niya Doncheva

Instagram: @girlwithpowertoolsss

]]> Mon, 15 Aug 2022 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Niya Doncheva, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/niya-doncheva-of-faux-finish-discusses-leaving-that-higher-education-track-career-the-mind-of-a-tradeswoman-client-expectations-and-life-l5QnYtX9 The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Niya Doncheva

Instagram: @girlwithpowertoolsss

]]> Niya Doncheva of Faux & Finish discusses leaving that higher education track career, the mind of a tradeswoman, client expectations and life. Niya Doncheva, Mike Knoche 00:54:31 “The more people tell you no and the more challenging it seems, the more you’re going to thanks yourself later on for growing as a person” Niya gave it a go in a career that has included advertising, health care and accounting… but they were boring. As soon as she mastered what was required, they were deeply unsatisfying. Sound familiar anyone? As soon as she was shadowing a finisher, it was off to the races! She picked up her own sprayer and compressor. It quells the ADHD and the dyslexia is a superpower. She’s sees things the client cannot, she copes and doesn’t let the stigma stand in the way. Work life balance is a work in progress but, she is goal oriented and moves between her life like one of her pieces… there’s a bit of sanding, touch up, and drying time involved so move the next piece and return later. One of my favorite moments is the interpretation of the word “new” for the contractor (her) and one of her clients. A classic nuance in the art of communication! Back to the shop space, it’s L.A. size! So, the balancing act between drying times and the client expectations grows. What’s good about being Bulgarian? We find some parallels between the Bulgarian and the German upbringing, lol! This episode comes with a guarantee of laughs and smiles! “The more people tell you no and the more challenging it seems, the more you’re going to thanks yourself later on for growing as a person” Niya gave it a go in a career that has included advertising, health care and accounting… but they were boring. As soon as she mastered what was required, they were deeply unsatisfying. Sound familiar anyone? As soon as she was shadowing a finisher, it was off to the races! She picked up her own sprayer and compressor. It quells the ADHD and the dyslexia is a superpower. She’s sees things the client cannot, she copes and doesn’t let the stigma stand in the way. Work life balance is a work in progress but, she is goal oriented and moves between her life like one of her pieces… there’s a bit of sanding, touch up, and drying time involved so move the next piece and return later. One of my favorite moments is the interpretation of the word “new” for the contractor (her) and one of her clients. A classic nuance in the art of communication! Back to the shop space, it’s L.A. size! So, the balancing act between drying times and the client expectations grows. What’s good about being Bulgarian? We find some parallels between the Bulgarian and the German upbringing, lol! This episode comes with a guarantee of laughs and smiles! management, contractor, construction business management, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 2 3 78b1944d-75bc-4622-be1a-9802e9c838a4 Jake Bruton of Aarow Building: Act like a real company! The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Jake Bruton

Instagram: @jake.bruton

]]> Mon, 8 Aug 2022 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (jake bruton, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/jake-bruton-of-aarow-building-act-like-a-real-company-O7Pq98ud The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Jake Bruton

Instagram: @jake.bruton

]]> Jake Bruton of Aarow Building: Act like a real company! jake bruton, Mike Knoche 01:03:07 “I want my employees to retire happy someday, same as I do.” Are you acting like a real company? You guys that know your guy, Jake Bruton, know he does so with his company @aarowbuilding . For the rest of you who don’t know him… Jake is a high-performance home builder, and he knows and wants it to be clear to everyone that tradespeople should be treated as professionals. Flex week Paid time off Paid training Truck, phone, and tools Retirement account My market won’t support it!!?! How can I afford to act like areal company AND build high performance homes? That’s a lot of money, Jake! He quotes buddy Steve @stevebaczekarchitect “Is there a Mercedes dealer within 100 miles of the house? If there is, then your market is supported by people that want something that costs more because they seek value…” Look out! LIVE CALCULATIONS (insert nerd face) of additional overhead costs of the benefits package relative to gross income per employee. If you meet wit your client and at the end of the meeting, the only thing they are concerned about is the bottom line, this might not be your client. Recall Season 1: Episode 6- “Everyone is not your client”. With the speed round comes a Mom joke (insert teeth face)! “I want my employees to retire happy someday, same as I do.” Are you acting like a real company? You guys that know your guy, Jake Bruton, know he does so with his company @aarowbuilding . For the rest of you who don’t know him… Jake is a high-performance home builder, and he knows and wants it to be clear to everyone that tradespeople should be treated as professionals. Flex week Paid time off Paid training Truck, phone, and tools Retirement account My market won’t support it!!?! How can I afford to act like areal company AND build high performance homes? That’s a lot of money, Jake! He quotes buddy Steve @stevebaczekarchitect “Is there a Mercedes dealer within 100 miles of the house? If there is, then your market is supported by people that want something that costs more because they seek value…” Look out! LIVE CALCULATIONS (insert nerd face) of additional overhead costs of the benefits package relative to gross income per employee. If you meet wit your client and at the end of the meeting, the only thing they are concerned about is the bottom line, this might not be your client. Recall Season 1: Episode 6- “Everyone is not your client”. With the speed round comes a Mom joke (insert teeth face)! management, contractor, construction business management, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 1 3 ce9033e9-fc44-41da-bdaa-7223310fc902 Introducing: Season 3 Guests! The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

]]> Mon, 25 Jul 2022 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Garret Davis, Larry Clay, Tom Lawson, Mike Knoche, E.S. Sparks, Aron Jones, Harvey Jesso, Jason Bekebrede, Dan Ford, jake bruton, Gena Hoyt, Barbie The Welder, Greg Eicher, Aaron Butt, Michael Anschel, Fiona Plett) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/season-3-introduction-bz_zyaDj The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

]]> Introducing: Season 3 Guests! Garret Davis, Larry Clay, Tom Lawson, Mike Knoche, E.S. Sparks, Aron Jones, Harvey Jesso, Jason Bekebrede, Dan Ford, jake bruton, Gena Hoyt, Barbie The Welder, Greg Eicher, Aaron Butt, Michael Anschel, Fiona Plett 00:11:30 In this episode, Mike introduces a bunch of his guest from the upcoming season. It's all the fun, sincere, off the cuff typical sounds bits you've come to know! Please listen and share in your stories! In this episode, Mike introduces a bunch of his guest from the upcoming season. It's all the fun, sincere, off the cuff typical sounds bits you've come to know! Please listen and share in your stories! management, contractor, construction business management, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false trailer 3 a1e19e72-d578-4b6d-aa5e-9ec740a59ea7 The Contracting Handbook: Greatest Hits of Season Two The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

]]> Mon, 11 Jul 2022 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/the-top-15-most-popular-episodes-of-tch-season-2-QwoXYDls The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

]]> The Contracting Handbook: Greatest Hits of Season Two Mike Knoche 00:24:49 Today, I highlight some of the comments from episodes that got a lot of feedback from the audience. Personally, I would never rank these pods. They are all hits on there own! Listen to these inspiring moments and bits of advice from our construction business owners and tradespeople from our building community. We are all experts at what we do in construction where live, but the business and operations of managing a construction company are universal. Here we talk about the challenges, overcoming those challenges and moving ever closer to excellence. Thanks for joining us! Today, I highlight some of the comments from episodes that got a lot of feedback from the audience. Personally, I would never rank these pods. They are all hits on there own! Listen to these inspiring moments and bits of advice from our construction business owners and tradespeople from our building community. We are all experts at what we do in construction where live, but the business and operations of managing a construction company are universal. Here we talk about the challenges, overcoming those challenges and moving ever closer to excellence. Thanks for joining us! management, contractor, construction business management, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy false full 34 2 7bdd5b81-fe4a-459c-b0f2-115adb26ac46 What to do if your IG gets hacked, Alaska Wildfire Season, and reflecting on Africa The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

]]> Wed, 6 Jul 2022 18:55:12 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/please-report-my-instagram-account-alaska-wildfire-season-and-reflecting-on-africa-mQCc0snq The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

]]> What to do if your IG gets hacked, Alaska Wildfire Season, and reflecting on Africa Mike Knoche 00:08:09 Today I'm asking everyone who has an instagram account to go my @thecontractinghandbook and report it. Scroll down for instructions. I'm also gonna tell you about a crazy Alaskan Wildfire Season and a story about my travels in Africa. Here is the contents of my email to the crew! Dear TCH friends and guests, Much to my dismay, there is no obvious recourse for hacked IG accounts, believe me, I’m an expert now. As a result, I am hoping that by a group effort of reporting the account, it will either be returned to me or deleted. Those are my preferred outcomes. This might be the only way to trigger the Metaverse algorithm. Here is how you can report my account on Instagram: 1.Go to account 2.Tap bubbles upper right 3.Tap "Report" 4.Tap "Report Account" 5.Tap "Pretending to be someone else" 6.Tap "Someone I know" or "Public Figure” I have also attached “episode art” that can be shared in your stories if you want to go the extra mile. This will also show up on Spotify. Please DO NOT tag @thecontractinghandbook as to keep this covert from the hackers. Here is a link to the pod I just dropped with more details. It also has an update about the over 200 wildfires burning in Alaska and one story about my travel from Nairobi to Kampala. Thank you all for your help. It’s a shame that this happened but, that’s life. We’ll see how this plays out and I’ll be in touch soon after. I’m pumped for Season 3. One final note, because of your dedicated listenership, the podcast remains in the Top 5 in the USA (I can’t see how it does outside the US) under “construction management” and in the Top 10 under “construction business”. That is incredible for a one man show. Zero technical support, zero compensation. Ok, let’s take these hackers out! Please report me ASAP! Hey, and don’t get hacked, it sucks. Get two factor authentication now! Thanks again Mike Today I'm asking everyone who has an instagram account to go my @thecontractinghandbook and report it. Scroll down for instructions. I'm also gonna tell you about a crazy Alaskan Wildfire Season and a story about my travels in Africa. Here is the contents of my email to the crew! Dear TCH friends and guests, Much to my dismay, there is no obvious recourse for hacked IG accounts, believe me, I’m an expert now. As a result, I am hoping that by a group effort of reporting the account, it will either be returned to me or deleted. Those are my preferred outcomes. This might be the only way to trigger the Metaverse algorithm. Here is how you can report my account on Instagram: 1.Go to account 2.Tap bubbles upper right 3.Tap "Report" 4.Tap "Report Account" 5.Tap "Pretending to be someone else" 6.Tap "Someone I know" or "Public Figure” I have also attached “episode art” that can be shared in your stories if you want to go the extra mile. This will also show up on Spotify. Please DO NOT tag @thecontractinghandbook as to keep this covert from the hackers. Here is a link to the pod I just dropped with more details. It also has an update about the over 200 wildfires burning in Alaska and one story about my travel from Nairobi to Kampala. Thank you all for your help. It’s a shame that this happened but, that’s life. We’ll see how this plays out and I’ll be in touch soon after. I’m pumped for Season 3. One final note, because of your dedicated listenership, the podcast remains in the Top 5 in the USA (I can’t see how it does outside the US) under “construction management” and in the Top 10 under “construction business”. That is incredible for a one man show. Zero technical support, zero compensation. Ok, let’s take these hackers out! Please report me ASAP! Hey, and don’t get hacked, it sucks. Get two factor authentication now! Thanks again Mike management, contractor, construction business management, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy, hacked instagram accounts false bonus 3 6cea1132-76e8-4a08-a18a-59a0a7f7bb8c I was hacked, what's next, and how to protect yourself from these predators The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: n/a

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

If you're Instagram was hacked: Click here

]]> Fri, 1 Jul 2022 20:21:02 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/i-was-hacked-whats-next-and-how-to-protect-yourself-from-these-predators-8CmwsQQ5 The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: n/a

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

If you're Instagram was hacked: Click here

]]> I was hacked, what's next, and how to protect yourself from these predators Mike Knoche 00:10:43 My IG was hacked Remember those phishing scams where a Nigerian Prince would tell you that he wanted to share his fortune with you, just send bank information.. Well, he’s got a new focus! Alas, the Nigerian Prince has taken over my Instagram account. I never thought it could happen to me. By the end of this pod, I’ll make sure you know how to not let it happen to you. But first, let me tell you what its like to have your IG get hacked… BTW- I’m currently seeing the importance of my newsletter. Keeping in touch with you all. My website and email are secure, so please go to thecontractinghandbook.com now where to will be prompted to join my crew. I wont spam you, ever. Just occasional updates and behind the scenes stuff. If you did sign up and didn’t get an email announcing this episode titled “I was hacked, what’s next and how to protect yourself”, please check spam folder Now back to that hack If you’re like me, you put a lot of yourself into everything you do. You’re not always sure of the yourself but you have the confidence to take the leap. You probably bet yourself up a bit in striving for excellence. Anyhow, back to how it felt. You know that feeling when you reach for your phone and its not there, when your sitting in an airport and smack your pocket to double check you have your passport, forget to buy fishing license just before heading out, realize the charger cord for your laptop is at home and not in your bag, forget you notebook, leave your phone somewhere, misplace your car keys and you’re now gonna be late…. Any other juicy ones out there? Well getting hacked is like all of that at once. Its wretched. Hmm, at first, I thought I would get the account right back. Then the texts from my Nigerian Prince stared coming in. My stomach sank. I wrote an email to anyone I could that knows me on IG. Would I get it back? But, oddly, worse was a sense of being locked out. I could see the account on my laptop but could not control or interact. I couldn’t talk to my virtual homies. First notification: Email changed- did you do this? If not click this link. The link was useless. There is not a “revert this change” option as they say there should or would be. Second notification: Phone number changed- did you do this? If not click this link. Again, the link was useless. Then the worst notification: You activated two factor authetication Then late that first night, I experienced grief. Another text from the hacker, retracing the notifications from Instagram and realizing that all that work now belongs to my Nigerian Prince. He, or she, mustn’t assume, had set up two factor authentication with my own IG accounts. My construction company and this here podcast. That’s right. I lost both accounts. I felt like I was gonna puke. I looked at how the presentation had improved during the second season of the pod and all of the recent participation on the posts between Seasons 2 and 3. I knew I needed a new plan. I’ve got some more feelers out to Instagram but I’m losing hope. So many good things came to be from this handle, many friends were made. Many people came and experienced affirmation while others just shared thoughts. We grew a community of builders that really don’t give a crap about how it was done in the past, no trade secrets, just making a better building community. Now, how you can avoid this predicatment Here’s the deal. 1.At least have two factor authentication on your account 2. Don’t respond to odd requests, even if it’s a good friend. 3. Have pics of your face on IG so they can use a selfie video of you to identify you on your page. This absolutely got denied even though you guys know my face is there. 4. It is also suggested online to Connect IG to an FB account. Now, I’m not entirely sure what happened to mine but here’s where I got hosed. I’ve been trying to sign out of one of my three accounts for weeks. I have a handle I’ve never used, @built in Alaska (Straight Ahead Construction) and @thecontractinghandbook. They are all connected to the same password. I’d been trying to sign out so I could get a new password to incorporate a scheduling app for when I might want to schedule posting times for another time zone. Normally, if you sign out of ig and forget your password, they just send a link to your phone, even if you go to change your password. I finally got it to allow me to make a new password. In the morning I watched my account slip away. Note: I doubt my Nigerian Prince is listening to this pod, but I’m holding my cards close to my face. I want to shout out Brant Taylor for alerting the IG I want to thank Gena Hoyt for realying a message from Garret Davis Ryan Smith for responding to my text right away. And anyone who posted to their stories about the situation, I was locked out. This person is antithethical to our movement. We’re a community and you’ll stole something from our community. We’re not done with. Ok, go sign up for that newsletter and I’ll update you guys on my next move in a couple days. Yeah, it’s not all bad, season three coming soon! That’s all I got Later My IG was hacked Remember those phishing scams where a Nigerian Prince would tell you that he wanted to share his fortune with you, just send bank information.. Well, he’s got a new focus! Alas, the Nigerian Prince has taken over my Instagram account. I never thought it could happen to me. By the end of this pod, I’ll make sure you know how to not let it happen to you. But first, let me tell you what its like to have your IG get hacked… BTW- I’m currently seeing the importance of my newsletter. Keeping in touch with you all. My website and email are secure, so please go to thecontractinghandbook.com now where to will be prompted to join my crew. I wont spam you, ever. Just occasional updates and behind the scenes stuff. If you did sign up and didn’t get an email announcing this episode titled “I was hacked, what’s next and how to protect yourself”, please check spam folder Now back to that hack If you’re like me, you put a lot of yourself into everything you do. You’re not always sure of the yourself but you have the confidence to take the leap. You probably bet yourself up a bit in striving for excellence. Anyhow, back to how it felt. You know that feeling when you reach for your phone and its not there, when your sitting in an airport and smack your pocket to double check you have your passport, forget to buy fishing license just before heading out, realize the charger cord for your laptop is at home and not in your bag, forget you notebook, leave your phone somewhere, misplace your car keys and you’re now gonna be late…. Any other juicy ones out there? Well getting hacked is like all of that at once. Its wretched. Hmm, at first, I thought I would get the account right back. Then the texts from my Nigerian Prince stared coming in. My stomach sank. I wrote an email to anyone I could that knows me on IG. Would I get it back? But, oddly, worse was a sense of being locked out. I could see the account on my laptop but could not control or interact. I couldn’t talk to my virtual homies. First notification: Email changed- did you do this? If not click this link. The link was useless. There is not a “revert this change” option as they say there should or would be. Second notification: Phone number changed- did you do this? If not click this link. Again, the link was useless. Then the worst notification: You activated two factor authetication Then late that first night, I experienced grief. Another text from the hacker, retracing the notifications from Instagram and realizing that all that work now belongs to my Nigerian Prince. He, or she, mustn’t assume, had set up two factor authentication with my own IG accounts. My construction company and this here podcast. That’s right. I lost both accounts. I felt like I was gonna puke. I looked at how the presentation had improved during the second season of the pod and all of the recent participation on the posts between Seasons 2 and 3. I knew I needed a new plan. I’ve got some more feelers out to Instagram but I’m losing hope. So many good things came to be from this handle, many friends were made. Many people came and experienced affirmation while others just shared thoughts. We grew a community of builders that really don’t give a crap about how it was done in the past, no trade secrets, just making a better building community. Now, how you can avoid this predicatment Here’s the deal. 1.At least have two factor authentication on your account 2. Don’t respond to odd requests, even if it’s a good friend. 3. Have pics of your face on IG so they can use a selfie video of you to identify you on your page. This absolutely got denied even though you guys know my face is there. 4. It is also suggested online to Connect IG to an FB account. Now, I’m not entirely sure what happened to mine but here’s where I got hosed. I’ve been trying to sign out of one of my three accounts for weeks. I have a handle I’ve never used, @built in Alaska (Straight Ahead Construction) and @thecontractinghandbook. They are all connected to the same password. I’d been trying to sign out so I could get a new password to incorporate a scheduling app for when I might want to schedule posting times for another time zone. Normally, if you sign out of ig and forget your password, they just send a link to your phone, even if you go to change your password. I finally got it to allow me to make a new password. In the morning I watched my account slip away. Note: I doubt my Nigerian Prince is listening to this pod, but I’m holding my cards close to my face. I want to shout out Brant Taylor for alerting the IG I want to thank Gena Hoyt for realying a message from Garret Davis Ryan Smith for responding to my text right away. And anyone who posted to their stories about the situation, I was locked out. This person is antithethical to our movement. We’re a community and you’ll stole something from our community. We’re not done with. Ok, go sign up for that newsletter and I’ll update you guys on my next move in a couple days. Yeah, it’s not all bad, season three coming soon! That’s all I got Later management, contractor, construction business management, instagram, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy, hacking false bonus 3 05bb33f9-9ddd-4059-9de1-acf12aa8ae90 TCH Update and Introduction Pre- Season 3 Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a contracting business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook


Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Sat, 4 Jun 2022 16:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/tch-update-and-introduction-pre-season-3-J95f3ieR Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a contracting business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook


Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> TCH Update and Introduction Pre- Season 3 Mike Knoche 00:04:10 The Contracting Handbook host, Mike Knoche, introduces the pod to new listeners and updates the podcast for everyone! The Contracting Handbook host, Mike Knoche, introduces the pod to new listeners and updates the podcast for everyone! contracting company, management, construction business management, women in trades, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false bonus 3 0caae13a-dbac-4bde-afdb-225d016ea188 Spencer Lewis of Insider Carpentry: Creating value and a business around his trade Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a contracting business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook


Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Spencer Lewis

Insta: @insider_carpentry

YouTube: Insider Carpentry

]]> Mon, 16 May 2022 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Spencer Lewis) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/spencer-lewis-of-insider-carpentry-creating-value-and-a-business-around-his-trade-RrkOZRkG Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a contracting business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook


Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Spencer Lewis

Insta: @insider_carpentry

YouTube: Insider Carpentry

]]> Spencer Lewis of Insider Carpentry: Creating value and a business around his trade Mike Knoche, Spencer Lewis 01:24:19 “Your core focus should be how do I create value and then leverage that value” Spencer Lewis is a method man. Whether its his YouTube tutorials or creating a business around his trade, he always checks the boxes to complete the work. He knows how to run his construction company. He is an advocate for sharing trade techniques to ease others into the trades and follows the abundance mindset instead of the scarcity mindset. He started in the trades at 16 with an Amish building crew and continues on until starting his own business 5 years ago. He knows the 70 hour per week grind but does not advocate for it as a long-term objective. I’ll let him explain. “Your core focus should be how do I create value and then leverage that value” Spencer Lewis is a method man. Whether its his YouTube tutorials or creating a business around his trade, he always checks the boxes to complete the work. He knows how to run his construction company. He is an advocate for sharing trade techniques to ease others into the trades and follows the abundance mindset instead of the scarcity mindset. He started in the trades at 16 with an Amish building crew and continues on until starting his own business 5 years ago. He knows the 70 hour per week grind but does not advocate for it as a long-term objective. I’ll let him explain. contracting company, management, construction business management, women in trades, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 33 2 06bd8b5f-42eb-4c95-8086-eb9cecbba520 Ryan Smith: Are Skilled Trades Endangered? Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

 

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

 

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Ryan Smith

Insta: @roofslayer2681

Roof cutting course: MT Copeland

 

]]> Mon, 2 May 2022 02:00:01 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Ryan Smith, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/ryan-smith-roof-slayer-uioqN8lO Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

 

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

 

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Ryan Smith

Insta: @roofslayer2681

Roof cutting course: MT Copeland

 

]]> Ryan Smith: Are Skilled Trades Endangered? Ryan Smith, Mike Knoche 01:14:39 If that quote doesn’t have your attention maybe the second picture will. It doesn’t matter which trade your in, Ryan Smith has an urgent message. That’s to teach. His passion for his craft, hand cut roofs, is only matched by that of his desire to, well, keep craft alive. It’s not just carpenters, it’s plumbers, electricians, mechanics. The world is growing and the work force is shrinking. I know, “gloom and doom”. Ok, then listen to him weave the tail of how he became an industry leader (I proclaimed that, he’s humbler). Listen to him talk his mastery. It ties right back into him teaching at MT Copeland, an organization aimed at having educational programs for all trades. After we said our goodbyes, the conversation carried on for another 15-20 minutes. We ended up talking mental health and we both want to remind you, it’s ok to not be ok. It’s totally normal. Can you guess what Ryan’s favorite jobsite jams are without cheating? Let us know below! We’d love to hear your feedback on this one after you listen. Thanks for all of your continued support! If that quote doesn’t have your attention maybe the second picture will. It doesn’t matter which trade your in, Ryan Smith has an urgent message. That’s to teach. His passion for his craft, hand cut roofs, is only matched by that of his desire to, well, keep craft alive. It’s not just carpenters, it’s plumbers, electricians, mechanics. The world is growing and the work force is shrinking. I know, “gloom and doom”. Ok, then listen to him weave the tail of how he became an industry leader (I proclaimed that, he’s humbler). Listen to him talk his mastery. It ties right back into him teaching at MT Copeland, an organization aimed at having educational programs for all trades. After we said our goodbyes, the conversation carried on for another 15-20 minutes. We ended up talking mental health and we both want to remind you, it’s ok to not be ok. It’s totally normal. Can you guess what Ryan’s favorite jobsite jams are without cheating? Let us know below! We’d love to hear your feedback on this one after you listen. Thanks for all of your continued support! contracting company, management, construction business management, women in trades, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 31 2 ce86059d-70fa-4530-9717-980fb51d8ccd Casey Finan talks ADD and trade denigration Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

 

]]> Mon, 25 Apr 2022 09:35:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Casey Finan) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/casey-finan-is-add-and-a-craftsman-Zs6IR8ix Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

 

]]> Casey Finan talks ADD and trade denigration Mike Knoche, Casey Finan 00:46:30 Casey Finan of Finan Craftsmanship is a restoration artist but he would never claim to be a contractor. On ADD…when he first heard of it he essentially looked down on it, like many, like it was an excuse. He now sees building as therapy because it engages all of his senses. Casey says he was a “C” student. School did stimulate him but he was reluctant to pursue trades because of the stigma…in high school the burnouts pursued trades (this was my experience as well). Then he carves his own path in to rehabbing old houses and started an apprenticeship program to pass the torch. In the second installment, Casey “Not a Contractor” Finan tells us how he created a job for himself. Why he can’t be a traditional contractor and why he charges his mom full rate! Value: Integrity- life family, friends, subs, inspectors, and no yelling, why do we accept yelling? Greatest mentor When I ask this question, Caseys reply dives into the eternal question of how we bring people into the trades Casey doesn’t like the business stuff, it gives him the heebie jeebies, but he loves hearing from men and women all over the world experiencing the same things. Gena Hoyt, Sasha Kassis, Ella Star, Brant Taylor, him, me Then we talk about a guy who is 20 trying to decide. Mike defaults to telling people the decisions you make today matter for tomorrow… Casey self diagnoses a huge health problem. We can all relate to problem solving. I’m full of sarcasm and irony by nature, this problem solving is TOP. Its not you and WebMD. Listen. Do not tune out. I mean it. Don’t turn away from truth and what you can learn from survivors. Casey Finan of Finan Craftsmanship is a restoration artist but he would never claim to be a contractor. On ADD…when he first heard of it he essentially looked down on it, like many, like it was an excuse. He now sees building as therapy because it engages all of his senses. Casey says he was a “C” student. School did stimulate him but he was reluctant to pursue trades because of the stigma…in high school the burnouts pursued trades (this was my experience as well). Then he carves his own path in to rehabbing old houses and started an apprenticeship program to pass the torch. In the second installment, Casey “Not a Contractor” Finan tells us how he created a job for himself. Why he can’t be a traditional contractor and why he charges his mom full rate! Value: Integrity- life family, friends, subs, inspectors, and no yelling, why do we accept yelling? Greatest mentor When I ask this question, Caseys reply dives into the eternal question of how we bring people into the trades Casey doesn’t like the business stuff, it gives him the heebie jeebies, but he loves hearing from men and women all over the world experiencing the same things. Gena Hoyt, Sasha Kassis, Ella Star, Brant Taylor, him, me Then we talk about a guy who is 20 trying to decide. Mike defaults to telling people the decisions you make today matter for tomorrow… Casey self diagnoses a huge health problem. We can all relate to problem solving. I’m full of sarcasm and irony by nature, this problem solving is TOP. Its not you and WebMD. Listen. Do not tune out. I mean it. Don’t turn away from truth and what you can learn from survivors. contracting company, management, construction business management, women in trades, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business, branding false full 29 2 b20c340d-e4e2-4685-bab8-e6738bba07d0 Casey Finan talks blazing his own path, overcoming sickness Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

 

]]> Mon, 25 Apr 2022 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Casey Finan) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/casey-finan-talks-blazing-his-own-path-overcoming-sickness-ilRzwfK4 Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

 

]]> Casey Finan talks blazing his own path, overcoming sickness Mike Knoche, Casey Finan 01:03:19 Casey Finan of Finan Craftsmanship is a restoration artist but he would never claim to be a contractor. On ADD…when he first heard of it he essentially looked down on it, like many, like it was an excuse. He now sees building as therapy because it engages all of his senses. Casey says he was a “C” student. School did stimulate him but he was reluctant to pursue trades because of the stigma…in high school the burnouts pursued trades (this was my experience as well). Then he carves his own path in to rehabbing old houses and started an apprenticeship program to pass the torch. In the second installment, Casey “Not a Contractor” Finan tells us how he created a job for himself. Why he can’t be a traditional contractor and why he charges his mom full rate! Value: Integrity- life family, friends, subs, inspectors, and no yelling, why do we accept yelling? Greatest mentor When I ask this question, Caseys reply dives into the eternal question of how we bring people into the trades Casey doesn’t like the business stuff, it gives him the heebie jeebies, but he loves hearing from men and women all over the world experiencing the same things. Gena Hoyt, Sasha Kassis, Ella Star, Brant Taylor, him, me Then we talk about a guy who is 20 trying to decide. Mike defaults to telling people the decisions you make today matter for tomorrow… Casey self diagnoses a huge health problem. We can all relate to problem solving. I’m full of sarcasm and irony by nature, this problem solving is TOP. Its not you and WebMD. Listen. Do not tune out. I mean it. Don’t turn away from truth and what you can learn from survivors. Casey Finan of Finan Craftsmanship is a restoration artist but he would never claim to be a contractor. On ADD…when he first heard of it he essentially looked down on it, like many, like it was an excuse. He now sees building as therapy because it engages all of his senses. Casey says he was a “C” student. School did stimulate him but he was reluctant to pursue trades because of the stigma…in high school the burnouts pursued trades (this was my experience as well). Then he carves his own path in to rehabbing old houses and started an apprenticeship program to pass the torch. In the second installment, Casey “Not a Contractor” Finan tells us how he created a job for himself. Why he can’t be a traditional contractor and why he charges his mom full rate! Value: Integrity- life family, friends, subs, inspectors, and no yelling, why do we accept yelling? Greatest mentor When I ask this question, Caseys reply dives into the eternal question of how we bring people into the trades Casey doesn’t like the business stuff, it gives him the heebie jeebies, but he loves hearing from men and women all over the world experiencing the same things. Gena Hoyt, Sasha Kassis, Ella Star, Brant Taylor, him, me Then we talk about a guy who is 20 trying to decide. Mike defaults to telling people the decisions you make today matter for tomorrow… Casey self diagnoses a huge health problem. We can all relate to problem solving. I’m full of sarcasm and irony by nature, this problem solving is TOP. Its not you and WebMD. Listen. Do not tune out. I mean it. Don’t turn away from truth and what you can learn from survivors. contracting company, management, construction business management, women in trades, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 30 2 c93a13bc-72b1-439b-bb29-680f8111e266 Robin Pierson 1st year apprentice Plumber & Pipefitter Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Robin Pierson

Hammr: Robin P

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Mon, 18 Apr 2022 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Robin Pierson) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/robin-pierson-vuOuTci3 Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Robin Pierson

Hammr: Robin P

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Robin Pierson 1st year apprentice Plumber & Pipefitter Mike Knoche, Robin Pierson 01:03:32 Today, you get to meet my friend Robin Pierson, The Plumber Formerly Known As HVAC Warrior Woman, if you don’t already know her, prepare to be charmed and disarmed. Robin story starts in the garage helping her grandfather on cars, a tradition she carries on with her daughter. Like many before her, she had a career that she left behind to become a tradie. She is in her final year of apprenticeship and we hit upon a very cool and recent development in her career. Robin is a self proclaimed “a late bloomer” in terms of thinking about retirement. “Retirement?”, you say? Yeah, I didn’t think about it either for a time. Here’s a reminder. She has been the victim of hyper masculine abuse on the jobsite. I could but couldn’t believe what I was hearing. She’s also been told “why should I teach everything I know, then I won’t have ajob.” Robin plans on increasing the number of women in her union in the years ahead and she’s got great ideas on how to do it. Robin accomplished this singlehandedly with young daughters and I think she ready to be an empty nester! You know there’s always more to the story than these simple descriptions so don’t miss out on this one! Please tell me in the comments what I left out after you listen. I’m always cruising at light speed producing the show and sometimes things get past me. Thanks to everyone who writes me and says that such and such a thing “really resonated”. I love it. Today, you get to meet my friend Robin Pierson, The Plumber Formerly Known As HVAC Warrior Woman, if you don’t already know her, prepare to be charmed and disarmed. Robin story starts in the garage helping her grandfather on cars, a tradition she carries on with her daughter. Like many before her, she had a career that she left behind to become a tradie. She is in her final year of apprenticeship and we hit upon a very cool and recent development in her career. Robin is a self proclaimed “a late bloomer” in terms of thinking about retirement. “Retirement?”, you say? Yeah, I didn’t think about it either for a time. Here’s a reminder. She has been the victim of hyper masculine abuse on the jobsite. I could but couldn’t believe what I was hearing. She’s also been told “why should I teach everything I know, then I won’t have ajob.” Robin plans on increasing the number of women in her union in the years ahead and she’s got great ideas on how to do it. Robin accomplished this singlehandedly with young daughters and I think she ready to be an empty nester! You know there’s always more to the story than these simple descriptions so don’t miss out on this one! Please tell me in the comments what I left out after you listen. I’m always cruising at light speed producing the show and sometimes things get past me. Thanks to everyone who writes me and says that such and such a thing “really resonated”. I love it. contracting company, management, construction business management, women in trades, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 28 2 3fd16fa5-52ed-4cf8-80ad-409d9a4246ca McClain Construction Group: The Contracting Handbook Master Class (Part 1) The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

 

]]> Mon, 11 Apr 2022 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Drew McClain) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/mcclain-construction-group-the-contracting-handbook-master-class-part-1-fkI1JPLM The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

 

]]> McClain Construction Group: The Contracting Handbook Master Class (Part 1) Mike Knoche, Drew McClain 00:45:38 Drew McClain brings much experience to The Contracting Handbook this week. Coming up through the trades as an electrician and moved on to project supervision after the 2008 housing crash. He has built a long resume of incredible builds with the vision of one day opening McClain Construction Group and building a legacy of his own. I’ve been watching progress on a 30,000 sq foot “French Mansion on the Beach” that Drew is supervising and it’s a beast! There is so much going on you need to go to his handle on Hammr to see it. While Drew wraps up that project, the day has come, McClain Construction Group is a reality. The conversation that unfolds in these next two episodes are, in a sense, what I imagined The Contracting Handbook to be at the outset. It’s a driving conversation between this incredibly knowledgeable and experienced home build supervisor and myself. Asked him to maybe have a few questions for me and he’s got me on the run the entire pod! Drew really brings the heat! You can see from the quote where his priorities lie, now listen and meet Palm Beach’s next top home builder! Come back and give us some feedback! Drew McClain brings much experience to The Contracting Handbook this week. Coming up through the trades as an electrician and moved on to project supervision after the 2008 housing crash. He has built a long resume of incredible builds with the vision of one day opening McClain Construction Group and building a legacy of his own. I’ve been watching progress on a 30,000 sq foot “French Mansion on the Beach” that Drew is supervising and it’s a beast! There is so much going on you need to go to his handle on Hammr to see it. While Drew wraps up that project, the day has come, McClain Construction Group is a reality. The conversation that unfolds in these next two episodes are, in a sense, what I imagined The Contracting Handbook to be at the outset. It’s a driving conversation between this incredibly knowledgeable and experienced home build supervisor and myself. Asked him to maybe have a few questions for me and he’s got me on the run the entire pod! Drew really brings the heat! You can see from the quote where his priorities lie, now listen and meet Palm Beach’s next top home builder! Come back and give us some feedback! contracting company, management, contractor, construction business management, general contracting, women in trades, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy, contracting business false full 27 2 2d3762ca-e2a3-4394-8f3c-8726ee734aa5 McClain Construction Group: The Contracting Handbook Master Class(Part 2) Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

]]> Mon, 11 Apr 2022 09:21:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Drew McClain) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/mcclain-construction-group-the-contracting-handbook-master-class-Q1afQ5Cx Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

]]> McClain Construction Group: The Contracting Handbook Master Class(Part 2) Mike Knoche, Drew McClain 00:52:33 Drew McClain brings much experience to The Contracting Handbook this week. Coming up through the trades as an electrician and moved on to project supervision after the 2008 housing crash. He has built a long resume of incredible builds with the vision of one day opening McClain Construction Group and building a legacy of his own. I’ve been watching progress on a 30,000 sq foot “French Mansion on the Beach” that Drew is supervising and it’s a beast! There is so much going on you need to go to his handle on Hammr to see it. While Drew wraps up that project, the day has come, McClain Construction Group is a reality. The conversation that unfolds in these next two episodes are, in a sense, what I imagined The Contracting Handbook to be at the outset. It’s a driving conversation between this incredibly knowledgeable and experienced home build supervisor and myself. Asked him to maybe have a few questions for me and he’s got me on the run the entire pod! Drew really brings the heat! You can see from the quote where his priorities lie, now listen and meet Palm Beach’s next top home builder! Come back and give us some feedback! Drew McClain brings much experience to The Contracting Handbook this week. Coming up through the trades as an electrician and moved on to project supervision after the 2008 housing crash. He has built a long resume of incredible builds with the vision of one day opening McClain Construction Group and building a legacy of his own. I’ve been watching progress on a 30,000 sq foot “French Mansion on the Beach” that Drew is supervising and it’s a beast! There is so much going on you need to go to his handle on Hammr to see it. While Drew wraps up that project, the day has come, McClain Construction Group is a reality. The conversation that unfolds in these next two episodes are, in a sense, what I imagined The Contracting Handbook to be at the outset. It’s a driving conversation between this incredibly knowledgeable and experienced home build supervisor and myself. Asked him to maybe have a few questions for me and he’s got me on the run the entire pod! Drew really brings the heat! You can see from the quote where his priorities lie, now listen and meet Palm Beach’s next top home builder! Come back and give us some feedback! contracting company, management, construction business management, women in trades, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 26 2 083ca542-b8f6-4a63-a58b-f3c40c478a6f Matt Blomquist and Mike Knoche discuss how to set up a home building shop class in your local schools Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Matt Bloomquist

Insta:@build learn teach

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Mon, 4 Apr 2022 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Matt Bloomquist, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/matt-blomquist-and-mike-knoche-discuss-how-to-set-up-a-home-building-shop-class-in-your-local-schools-HL_H3cPI Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Matt Bloomquist

Insta:@build learn teach

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Matt Blomquist and Mike Knoche discuss how to set up a home building shop class in your local schools Matt Bloomquist, Mike Knoche 01:28:58 What did you make in your shopclass? My next guest Matt Blomquist and his students build high performance homes in his shop class. In my talk with Matt, we talk about the guts of a home building shop class and how to set one up where you live. Join us! That’s my guest today on the contracting handbook podcast, Matt Blomquist. He’s a shop class teacher that builds houses with his students. Today we are going to look at what it takes to start and operate a program like this. The idea is, lets get more schools involved and do whatever we can to get todays kids to be tomorrows builders. What did you make in your shopclass? My next guest Matt Blomquist and his students build high performance homes in his shop class. In my talk with Matt, we talk about the guts of a home building shop class and how to set one up where you live. Join us! That’s my guest today on the contracting handbook podcast, Matt Blomquist. He’s a shop class teacher that builds houses with his students. Today we are going to look at what it takes to start and operate a program like this. The idea is, lets get more schools involved and do whatever we can to get todays kids to be tomorrows builders. contracting company, management, construction business management, women in trades, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 25 2 54d5da69-7f7a-44d6-aac3-dbc7f2d6d743 Schannon Yodice of That Tile Chick talks quitting a lucrative career to follow her passion in the trades and the focus of the entrepreneur The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Schannon Yodice

Insta: @that_tile chick

 

 

]]> Mon, 28 Mar 2022 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Schannon Yodice) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/schannon-yodice-that-tile-chick-URLYb1p4 The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Schannon Yodice

Insta: @that_tile chick

 

 

]]> Schannon Yodice of That Tile Chick talks quitting a lucrative career to follow her passion in the trades and the focus of the entrepreneur Mike Knoche, Schannon Yodice 01:24:17 I truly admire Schannon Yodice’s ability to communicate tiling advice, business advice, and encourage tradespeople across multiple platforms and, you know, operate a tiling business, simultaneously. So, I am fortunate to get her to talk to us. Schannon left her dream job to start a business because the local operators work was sub par. This is where the story starts and we quickly get into: -being taken seriously as a woman in the workplace -working with GC’s vs clients -vetting clients -not cheapening yourself -issues around hiring help -mentors and mentoring -her philosophy (pretty well covered in the quote here) -then we wade into the discussion about how to treat the next generation of incoming trades people Schannon is also a badass in the gym but we didn’t have time to get into that topic in this pod. Anyway you slice it, Schannon is an excellent role model and mentor for people coming into the trades. I truly admire Schannon Yodice’s ability to communicate tiling advice, business advice, and encourage tradespeople across multiple platforms and, you know, operate a tiling business, simultaneously. So, I am fortunate to get her to talk to us. Schannon left her dream job to start a business because the local operators work was sub par. This is where the story starts and we quickly get into: -being taken seriously as a woman in the workplace -working with GC’s vs clients -vetting clients -not cheapening yourself -issues around hiring help -mentors and mentoring -her philosophy (pretty well covered in the quote here) -then we wade into the discussion about how to treat the next generation of incoming trades people Schannon is also a badass in the gym but we didn’t have time to get into that topic in this pod. Anyway you slice it, Schannon is an excellent role model and mentor for people coming into the trades. contracting company, management, contractor, construction business management, general contracting, women in trades, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy, contracting business false full 24 2 12145c94-39ff-4ec0-ba6b-204e377cfebc Ella Star talks her start up "Plumberella" Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Ella Star

Insta: @plumber.ella

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Mon, 21 Mar 2022 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Ella Star) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/ella-star-talks-her-start-up-plumberella-sBgG0eyl Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Ella Star

Insta: @plumber.ella

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Ella Star talks her start up "Plumberella" Mike Knoche, Ella Star 01:00:05 This week, we meet up with Ella Star, owner and operator of “Plumberella”. She opened the doors of her plumbing business on March 7, yeah, that’s right, two weeks ago. She and I get into what it takes to run a business but, more importantly, living the life she wants to by moving to a place that she enjoys, leaving the company she worked for, and taking the leap of faith to be her own boss. It sounds like she has surrounded herself with a good community of builders and, from where I am sitting, it would appear she’s going straight to the top. This week, we meet up with Ella Star, owner and operator of “Plumberella”. She opened the doors of her plumbing business on March 7, yeah, that’s right, two weeks ago. She and I get into what it takes to run a business but, more importantly, living the life she wants to by moving to a place that she enjoys, leaving the company she worked for, and taking the leap of faith to be her own boss. It sounds like she has surrounded herself with a good community of builders and, from where I am sitting, it would appear she’s going straight to the top. contracting company, management, construction business management, women in trades, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 23 2 ca32c1c6-ddce-468a-901c-2334e153575f Sasha Kassis- Nomadic Carpenter Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a contracting business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Sasha Kassis

Insta: @sash_the carpenter

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Mon, 14 Mar 2022 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Sasha Kassis) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/sasha-kassis-nomadic-carpenter-G2ozXifa Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a contracting business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Sasha Kassis

Insta: @sash_the carpenter

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Sasha Kassis- Nomadic Carpenter Mike Knoche, Sasha Kassis 00:55:04 Sasha Kassis calls it like she sees it. She works her tail off doing everything from forming to framing by hand in a remote area of British Columbia. Her partner is a mentor in the trades and best friend. She blows off the the stereotypes about women in trades by doing, learning, and being fearless. An advocate for women in construction, an advocate for everyone in construction. Sasha Kassis calls it like she sees it. She works her tail off doing everything from forming to framing by hand in a remote area of British Columbia. Her partner is a mentor in the trades and best friend. She blows off the the stereotypes about women in trades by doing, learning, and being fearless. An advocate for women in construction, an advocate for everyone in construction. contracting company, management, construction business management, women in trades, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 22 2 708187e1-c145-4923-a9bc-2da2b86483ee Rachel Taylor: Talks client contractor relationship The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Rachel Taylor

Instagram: @rachelbuilds

]]> Mon, 7 Mar 2022 10:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Rachel Taylor) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/rachel-taylor-black-female-carpenter-D_yO1bMO The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Rachel Taylor

Instagram: @rachelbuilds

]]> Rachel Taylor: Talks client contractor relationship Mike Knoche, Rachel Taylor 01:23:12 IT DOESN’T matter what type of business you have, if you are in business for yourself, you need to listen to Rachel Taylor. Rachel is my guest during Women in Construction week and she is full of inspiration, business insight, and she shares her story. I keep saying it but we just graze the surface in this chat. Please join us tomorrow on The Contracting Handbook. IT DOESN’T matter what type of business you have, if you are in business for yourself, you need to listen to Rachel Taylor. Rachel is my guest during Women in Construction week and she is full of inspiration, business insight, and she shares her story. I keep saying it but we just graze the surface in this chat. Please join us tomorrow on The Contracting Handbook. contracting company, management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, women's history month, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy, contracting business false full 21 2 80e82d6d-c57d-4175-9f6e-12f804dfa2b6 Mike Morley of MGM Construction Bahamas Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Mike Morley

Insta: @mgm_construction_bahamas

]]> Mon, 28 Feb 2022 10:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Mike Morley) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/mike-morley-mgm-construction-bahamas-CNHTYzKR Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Mike Morley

Insta: @mgm_construction_bahamas

]]> Mike Morley of MGM Construction Bahamas Mike Knoche, Mike Morley 00:40:14 Mike Morley, owner and operator of MGM Construction and Maintenance, is all about growing his business “in due time”. He’s clearly among the best in Nassau and proudly shares his knowledge with the public with construction technique classes. He’s 31, been on his own for 4 years but started with Mike Sr., his dad, at M&M Construction when he was 12. Mike considers himself a brother to his team and wants communications to be good. Material price fluctuations are even worse where Mike is operating. The added work of updating quotes after time has passed is eating away at time. Mikes advice? Be punctual, good manners, respect, know your trade and you’ll get far! Mike Morley, owner and operator of MGM Construction and Maintenance, is all about growing his business “in due time”. He’s clearly among the best in Nassau and proudly shares his knowledge with the public with construction technique classes. He’s 31, been on his own for 4 years but started with Mike Sr., his dad, at M&M Construction when he was 12. Mike considers himself a brother to his team and wants communications to be good. Material price fluctuations are even worse where Mike is operating. The added work of updating quotes after time has passed is eating away at time. Mikes advice? Be punctual, good manners, respect, know your trade and you’ll get far! contracting company, management, construction business management, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 20 2 b231d072-bd24-4397-b235-40474ff87da7 Nick Lonsdale of Lonsdale Building Group: From tradesman to businessman, the 10-yr warranty, and "hire 'em quick, fire 'em faster!!" The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Nick Lonsdale

Website: Lonsdale Building Group

Insta: @lonsdale.build

 

 

]]> Mon, 21 Feb 2022 10:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Nick Lonsdale, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/nick-lonsdale-of-lonsdale-building-group-melbourne-australia-EcSGozaA The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Nick Lonsdale

Website: Lonsdale Building Group

Insta: @lonsdale.build

 

 

]]> Nick Lonsdale of Lonsdale Building Group: From tradesman to businessman, the 10-yr warranty, and "hire 'em quick, fire 'em faster!!" Nick Lonsdale, Mike Knoche 01:19:24 We get right into award winning builder Nick Lonsdale's design build business structure to micromanaging, quickly shift to the mandatory 10 year warranty, and mental health. Stepping way from design. That’s the first 7 minutes! Yes, that his bulldog Boston snoring away in the background Importance of trade relations! Setting standards as builders that are above code. Then it’s a bit of banter comparing building in AK vs Oz How does Nick choose clients? This is where it gets interesting…as his company grew, he stood back and looked at it and thought “is this what I want”. There was a ton of work Choosing client comes down to these factors: Distance to jobs “can they regulate their emotions” We get in bed with clients for ten years Its their life savings so there is so much emotion involved.- affirmation He’s building a legacy (he sounds just like me! I'm older)- affirmation We have to educate our clients We need tradesperson to share that educating skill The process from design, changes, getting quotes and do it over and over again Communication between trade subcontractors and your clients in the field Being a builder is all about communications and solving problems- affirmation When designers tell the clients their drawing is going to cost one price but you know its going to be 20-30% more! Ballparking Red Flags for clients Then Nick turns the table on Mike and asks what tradespeople make per day. Carpenter wages should be on par with the other trades Licensing of all trades in Victoria is coming. Fixed pricing from subcontractors as a matter of course Hire quick and fire faster! In this day and age..its like getting into a relationship with someone, for the first few months, it feel like euphoria…. Then we slide into expectation management and contracts Special conditions Changes and the need for follow up emails, photos, whatever it takes No verbal agreements - affirmation People in Aus get pissed when they have to pay more Establishing boundaries is imperative. Now for how Nick got into the trades: School wasn’t for him and he picked up some work as a carpenter with his uncle and the more he worked the more money he made before he knew it, he got cocky and started his own business and guess what happened. He made less money. But the process of getting there is fascinating. It’s just like yours. What do the awards mean to you? Sustainable building- we have the same issues with expense so its up to the client Advice for the next generation “have some realistic goals, have some unrealistic goals, come back and check them but write them down, start with small goals” “work on communication, be someone that can hold their tongue" Don’t be afraid to let go You can make the same amount of money with fewer people and and a smaller company, put ego aside, its your life. Listen. We get right into award winning builder Nick Lonsdale's design build business structure to micromanaging, quickly shift to the mandatory 10 year warranty, and mental health. Stepping way from design. That’s the first 7 minutes! Yes, that his bulldog Boston snoring away in the background Importance of trade relations! Setting standards as builders that are above code. Then it’s a bit of banter comparing building in AK vs Oz How does Nick choose clients? This is where it gets interesting…as his company grew, he stood back and looked at it and thought “is this what I want”. There was a ton of work Choosing client comes down to these factors: Distance to jobs “can they regulate their emotions” We get in bed with clients for ten years Its their life savings so there is so much emotion involved.- affirmation He’s building a legacy (he sounds just like me! I'm older)- affirmation We have to educate our clients We need tradesperson to share that educating skill The process from design, changes, getting quotes and do it over and over again Communication between trade subcontractors and your clients in the field Being a builder is all about communications and solving problems- affirmation When designers tell the clients their drawing is going to cost one price but you know its going to be 20-30% more! Ballparking Red Flags for clients Then Nick turns the table on Mike and asks what tradespeople make per day. Carpenter wages should be on par with the other trades Licensing of all trades in Victoria is coming. Fixed pricing from subcontractors as a matter of course Hire quick and fire faster! In this day and age..its like getting into a relationship with someone, for the first few months, it feel like euphoria…. Then we slide into expectation management and contracts Special conditions Changes and the need for follow up emails, photos, whatever it takes No verbal agreements - affirmation People in Aus get pissed when they have to pay more Establishing boundaries is imperative. Now for how Nick got into the trades: School wasn’t for him and he picked up some work as a carpenter with his uncle and the more he worked the more money he made before he knew it, he got cocky and started his own business and guess what happened. He made less money. But the process of getting there is fascinating. It’s just like yours. What do the awards mean to you? Sustainable building- we have the same issues with expense so its up to the client Advice for the next generation “have some realistic goals, have some unrealistic goals, come back and check them but write them down, start with small goals” “work on communication, be someone that can hold their tongue" Don’t be afraid to let go You can make the same amount of money with fewer people and and a smaller company, put ego aside, its your life. Listen. contracting company, management, contractor, construction business management, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy, contracting business true full 19 2 7b50aa6b-697a-4d23-8e24-6cbe649f2470 Brek Goin: Co-founder of hammr The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Brek Goin

Instagram: @brekgoin

Podcast: Bred to Build

 

 

]]> Mon, 14 Feb 2022 10:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Brek Goin) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/brek-goin-co-founder-of-the-hammr-app-Am8xwosg The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Brek Goin

Instagram: @brekgoin

Podcast: Bred to Build

 

 

]]> Brek Goin: Co-founder of hammr Mike Knoche, Brek Goin 00:47:08 Brek Goin is the co-founder and CEO of the Hammr App. He's not a tradesman, but an entrepreneur with an idea to sell your CV to potential employers. Brek Goin is the co-founder and CEO of the Hammr App. He's not a tradesman, but an entrepreneur with an idea to sell your CV to potential employers. contracting company, skilled trades, construction podcast, small business, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 18 2 2535fc74-768d-49e6-a0e6-b08b9006f469 Mark Wille talks Building Science and talking face to face with clients Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Mark Wille

Website: Passive House Accelerator 

Instagram: @willewoodwork

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Mon, 7 Feb 2022 10:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Mark Wille) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/mark-wille-jqtYMxQo Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Mark Wille

Website: Passive House Accelerator 

Instagram: @willewoodwork

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Mark Wille talks Building Science and talking face to face with clients Mike Knoche, Mark Wille 00:46:50 Mark Wille is a passive house advocate and contractor. He's been involved in the residential building science scene for years, had a hand in starting the #BS Fridays podcast, and help developed the T-Stud. The conversation drops right into talking to clients about energy efficient homes and the importance of putting in that time face to face when explaining project costs. While he likes to focus on envelope and mechanical, he really just wants the client to pick paint color and sheen. Mike recently completed a Six Star Energy rated home build and the boys meander into the relaxing of national standards for air barrier. Both men agree that we need to do better than the standard. Way better because, it's our legacy. At this point, they get of the path of running a contracting business and get into wall science. Mark Wille is a passive house advocate and contractor. He's been involved in the residential building science scene for years, had a hand in starting the #BS Fridays podcast, and help developed the T-Stud. The conversation drops right into talking to clients about energy efficient homes and the importance of putting in that time face to face when explaining project costs. While he likes to focus on envelope and mechanical, he really just wants the client to pick paint color and sheen. Mike recently completed a Six Star Energy rated home build and the boys meander into the relaxing of national standards for air barrier. Both men agree that we need to do better than the standard. Way better because, it's our legacy. At this point, they get of the path of running a contracting business and get into wall science. contracting company, contractor, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 16 2 a1a14d39-dd5d-4752-a7de-510d027cef17 Mark Wille talks the importance of sharing information and burnout Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Mark Wille

Website: Passive House Accelerator 

Instagram: @willewoodwork

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Mon, 7 Feb 2022 10:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Mark Wille) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/mark-will-2-__9qhzRS Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Mark Wille

Website: Passive House Accelerator 

Instagram: @willewoodwork

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Mark Wille talks the importance of sharing information and burnout Mike Knoche, Mark Wille 00:38:04 Mark Wille and Mike Knoche talk about Mark's YouTube and Podcast shows, #BS and beers, and BS Fridays, briefly but turn the importance of sharing information with the building community. Why? Because people and potential clients want to work with builders that are proud of their work. They go on to discuss Mike's book in regards to sharing of information as Mark points out, most craftspeople and tradespeople don't have experience with business. Mike's head gets blown up! They have a candid talk about what Mark's friend calls "chasing endurance" and burn out! We all burn out! Mike shares one of his methods to stave off burn out and Mark has a powerful story about burn out! This is a must listen episode! Mark Wille and Mike Knoche talk about Mark's YouTube and Podcast shows, #BS and beers, and BS Fridays, briefly but turn the importance of sharing information with the building community. Why? Because people and potential clients want to work with builders that are proud of their work. They go on to discuss Mike's book in regards to sharing of information as Mark points out, most craftspeople and tradespeople don't have experience with business. Mike's head gets blown up! They have a candid talk about what Mark's friend calls "chasing endurance" and burn out! We all burn out! Mike shares one of his methods to stave off burn out and Mark has a powerful story about burn out! This is a must listen episode! contracting company, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business, builder false full 17 2 6bc07728-2ae2-467b-bcc4-2ef72b51a3b5 Michael Anschel and Mike Knoche talk Alaska and World Travels Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Michael Anschel

Website: OA Design+Build

Insta:  @oabuilds

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Mon, 31 Jan 2022 12:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Michael Anschel) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/michael-anschel-and-mike-knoche-talk-alaska-and-world-travels-QW2LUSuT Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Michael Anschel

Website: OA Design+Build

Insta:  @oabuilds

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Michael Anschel and Mike Knoche talk Alaska and World Travels Mike Knoche, Michael Anschel 00:22:25 These guys both spent time on the Yukon River and traveling the world. It's ten minutes of banter that will clearly pave the way for more calls in the future to share adventures. THIS IS A BONUS EPISODE! These guys both spent time on the Yukon River and traveling the world. It's ten minutes of banter that will clearly pave the way for more calls in the future to share adventures. THIS IS A BONUS EPISODE! contracting company, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 13 2 6bef8726-3cc5-4dbf-898a-9874234a967a Michael Anschel defines success, knowing he had what it takes, estimating, and surprise topics Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Michael Anschel

Website: OA Design+Build

Insta:  @oabuilds

 

 

]]> Mon, 31 Jan 2022 11:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Michael Anschel) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/michael-anschel-defines-success-knowing-he-had-what-it-takes-estimating-and-surprise-topics-gyAVVjPs Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Michael Anschel

Website: OA Design+Build

Insta:  @oabuilds

 

 

]]> Michael Anschel defines success, knowing he had what it takes, estimating, and surprise topics Mike Knoche, Michael Anschel 00:56:53 In part 2 of the talk with Michael Anschel, Mike Knoche asks Michael to define success. The answer is unconventional. The pursuit of money draws a long dramatic pause from guest and host before Michael rescues the chat by talking about his other business of taking professionals on retreats to make them think hard about what they are doing with their lives. The deep questions don't end here. Michael explains how he decided that he was going to be capable of leading what is now a 15 person company. His story begins with and import export company of ancient instruments while living in China. Listen to this conversation if you want to know the difference between working in your business, on your business, and/or building a company you can let operate while you essentially retire. Michael lays it down "we are contractors, we do contracting, we are not in the trades". Mike reads OA Design Builds website claim about transparency of their contracts. While completely transparent, Michael says estimating is not that hard. He's not down with the single margin multipliers, passionately! The mark-up conversation continues and if you aren't making money, you're not in business so don't be in business. But if you want to hear about how Michael runs his contracts, its here. Very solid. There's no "black box" for the clients. They see and understand what they spend their money on. "What justifies the markup on the object?" Michael, a nationally recognized expert on Green design, remodeling and building, writes, trains, and speaks for various publications and events around the world. His building assemblies have been published in numerous publications including the US Department of Energy. He is the owner of OA Design+Build an award winning nationally celebrated design build and architecture firm, and CEO of Verified Green Inc. which consults with Local Government, product manufacturers, suppliers, builders, and architects on Green building. Michael led the effort to develop MN GreenStar, and is past-president of the national GreenStar Alliance. He also teaches Green Building at Boston Architectural College. Born in MN, he attended Capital Normal University (Beijing), and the U of M. He has had the honor of presenting at Harvard’s Center for Joint Housing Studies, and The United Negro College Fund. He helped develop the city of St. Paul’s sustainability building policy, and re-wrote Minneapolis’s yard ordinance. Named #25 in Metro Magazine’s 100 reasons to love the Twin Cities and called “one of the nation’s most outspoken green building advocates” by MN Business, Michael successfully straddles the building, design, and green worlds by engineering profitability into sustainability. These guys both spent time on the Yukon River and traveling the world. It's ten minutes of nanter that will clearly pave the way for more calls in the future to share adventures. In part 2 of the talk with Michael Anschel, Mike Knoche asks Michael to define success. The answer is unconventional. The pursuit of money draws a long dramatic pause from guest and host before Michael rescues the chat by talking about his other business of taking professionals on retreats to make them think hard about what they are doing with their lives. The deep questions don't end here. Michael explains how he decided that he was going to be capable of leading what is now a 15 person company. His story begins with and import export company of ancient instruments while living in China. Listen to this conversation if you want to know the difference between working in your business, on your business, and/or building a company you can let operate while you essentially retire. Michael lays it down "we are contractors, we do contracting, we are not in the trades". Mike reads OA Design Builds website claim about transparency of their contracts. While completely transparent, Michael says estimating is not that hard. He's not down with the single margin multipliers, passionately! The mark-up conversation continues and if you aren't making money, you're not in business so don't be in business. But if you want to hear about how Michael runs his contracts, its here. Very solid. There's no "black box" for the clients. They see and understand what they spend their money on. "What justifies the markup on the object?" Michael, a nationally recognized expert on Green design, remodeling and building, writes, trains, and speaks for various publications and events around the world. His building assemblies have been published in numerous publications including the US Department of Energy. He is the owner of OA Design+Build an award winning nationally celebrated design build and architecture firm, and CEO of Verified Green Inc. which consults with Local Government, product manufacturers, suppliers, builders, and architects on Green building. Michael led the effort to develop MN GreenStar, and is past-president of the national GreenStar Alliance. He also teaches Green Building at Boston Architectural College. Born in MN, he attended Capital Normal University (Beijing), and the U of M. He has had the honor of presenting at Harvard’s Center for Joint Housing Studies, and The United Negro College Fund. He helped develop the city of St. Paul’s sustainability building policy, and re-wrote Minneapolis’s yard ordinance. Named #25 in Metro Magazine’s 100 reasons to love the Twin Cities and called “one of the nation’s most outspoken green building advocates” by MN Business, Michael successfully straddles the building, design, and green worlds by engineering profitability into sustainability. These guys both spent time on the Yukon River and traveling the world. It's ten minutes of nanter that will clearly pave the way for more calls in the future to share adventures. contracting company, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 12 2 9668bdf7-f8d2-4e1c-9b6d-8f100c683d64 Michael Anschel of OA Design+ Build talks client perception, are contracts negotiable, the path to contracting and more... The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Michael Anschel

Website: OA Design+Build

Insta:  @oabuilds

 

]]> Mon, 31 Jan 2022 10:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Michael Anschel) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/michael-anschel-of-oa-design-build-ZXVfxHKx The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Michael Anschel

Website: OA Design+Build

Insta:  @oabuilds

 

]]> Michael Anschel of OA Design+ Build talks client perception, are contracts negotiable, the path to contracting and more... Mike Knoche, Michael Anschel 00:56:49 In this episode, Mike welcomes Michael Anschel of OA Design Build and they go deep right away. Do we tell our clients how good we are? Does it sound arrogant? How do we move past our insecurities as professionals? Then, they blast into Mike treatise on contracts, "this is not a negotiation". But, Michael has considered this and parses the "my way or the highway" attitude vs. charging for your work and the duties that are assigned to that- guiding and teaching your clients. They revisit the importance of relationships from trade partners to family and friends. Michael And Mike discuss how they ended up as contractors bc it wasn't the original trajectory and how their prior experience helps them in their businesses. Then, on to the resources that they used to build upon and get to where they are today. There's a lot of laughs at the parallels in their lives. It's a good story with book recommendations by Leo Kottke. Michael, a nationally recognized expert on Green design, remodeling and building, writes, trains, and speaks for various publications and events around the world. His building assemblies have been published in numerous publications including the US Department of Energy. He is the owner of OA Design+Build an award winning nationally celebrated design build and architecture firm, and CEO of Verified Green Inc. which consults with Local Government, product manufacturers, suppliers, builders, and architects on Green building. Michael led the effort to develop MN GreenStar, and is past-president of the national GreenStar Alliance. He also teaches Green Building at Boston Architectural College. Born in MN, he attended Capital Normal University (Beijing), and the U of M. He has had the honor of presenting at Harvard’s Center for Joint Housing Studies, and The United Negro College Fund. He helped develop the city of St. Paul’s sustainability building policy, and re-wrote Minneapolis’s yard ordinance. Named #25 in Metro Magazine’s 100 reasons to love the Twin Cities and called “one of the nation’s most outspoken green building advocates” by MN Business, Michael successfully straddles the building, design, and green worlds by engineering profitability into sustainability. In this episode, Mike welcomes Michael Anschel of OA Design Build and they go deep right away. Do we tell our clients how good we are? Does it sound arrogant? How do we move past our insecurities as professionals? Then, they blast into Mike treatise on contracts, "this is not a negotiation". But, Michael has considered this and parses the "my way or the highway" attitude vs. charging for your work and the duties that are assigned to that- guiding and teaching your clients. They revisit the importance of relationships from trade partners to family and friends. Michael And Mike discuss how they ended up as contractors bc it wasn't the original trajectory and how their prior experience helps them in their businesses. Then, on to the resources that they used to build upon and get to where they are today. There's a lot of laughs at the parallels in their lives. It's a good story with book recommendations by Leo Kottke. Michael, a nationally recognized expert on Green design, remodeling and building, writes, trains, and speaks for various publications and events around the world. His building assemblies have been published in numerous publications including the US Department of Energy. He is the owner of OA Design+Build an award winning nationally celebrated design build and architecture firm, and CEO of Verified Green Inc. which consults with Local Government, product manufacturers, suppliers, builders, and architects on Green building. Michael led the effort to develop MN GreenStar, and is past-president of the national GreenStar Alliance. He also teaches Green Building at Boston Architectural College. Born in MN, he attended Capital Normal University (Beijing), and the U of M. He has had the honor of presenting at Harvard’s Center for Joint Housing Studies, and The United Negro College Fund. He helped develop the city of St. Paul’s sustainability building policy, and re-wrote Minneapolis’s yard ordinance. Named #25 in Metro Magazine’s 100 reasons to love the Twin Cities and called “one of the nation’s most outspoken green building advocates” by MN Business, Michael successfully straddles the building, design, and green worlds by engineering profitability into sustainability. contracting company, contracting, management, contractor, construction business management, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy, contracting business false full 11 2 7592a49d-4505-44c4-be00-c9f15fd424ae Tim Sprague From Pound 4 Pound Construction "Make saw dust, build dreams!" The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Tim Sprague

Website: Pound 4 Pound Construction

Instagram: @pound4poundframers

 

 

]]> Mon, 24 Jan 2022 09:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Tim Sprague, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/tim-sprague-from-pound-4-pound-construction-talks-managing-his-crew-being-a-framer-and-foundation-guy-F4zCgsDa The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Tim Sprague

Website: Pound 4 Pound Construction

Instagram: @pound4poundframers

 

 

]]> Tim Sprague From Pound 4 Pound Construction "Make saw dust, build dreams!" Tim Sprague, Mike Knoche 01:03:55 Tim Sprague has been running his concrete foundation and home framing business for three years. He's 29 years old and light years ahead of where host Mike Knoche was at this point in his career. Tim talks about breaking away from his former boss, general contractor Randy of Ringmaster Construction /, and the incredible support he received from him as he made that transition. Tim took that support seriously and lays it all out for anyone who is trying to start their own contracting business in his trade. He built on his predecessors experience but realized he needed to constantly be improving his systems. Then, Tim talks about the power of social media in solving problems. He talks to other people he follows online real-time if he's looking for another set of eyes on something. He doesn't let pride get in the way. He struggles with office work and Mike gives Tim some unsolicited advice! No one asked, Mike! They talk about the importance of workman's compensation, boring but necessary! They go on about streamlining the office and generational differences in use of tech. Tim has some excellent insight on fixed price bidding vs time and materials because he not a big fan of square foot pricing for the work he does. Then, does a builder want a few big jobs or a bunch of small jobs? Big jobs have engineering challenges and make you think harder. Tim loves working with engineers and talking through those challenges despite the fact he isn't formally educated in that area. Mike and Tim agree that what they've learned at The School of Hard Knocks is as powerful or or valuable than an academic pursuit. They both grew up where tradesmen were looked down upon (and then found out after recording that they grew up across a border and only two hours apart. Tim then emphasizes the importance of a good website, which he has (see below) farmed out and done well. Mike makes Tim put getting a Google My Business page (you should too). They cover business size and expansion. The lightning round covers some construction Tim Sprague has been running his concrete foundation and home framing business for three years. He's 29 years old and light years ahead of where host Mike Knoche was at this point in his career. Tim talks about breaking away from his former boss, general contractor Randy of Ringmaster Construction /, and the incredible support he received from him as he made that transition. Tim took that support seriously and lays it all out for anyone who is trying to start their own contracting business in his trade. He built on his predecessors experience but realized he needed to constantly be improving his systems. Then, Tim talks about the power of social media in solving problems. He talks to other people he follows online real-time if he's looking for another set of eyes on something. He doesn't let pride get in the way. He struggles with office work and Mike gives Tim some unsolicited advice! No one asked, Mike! They talk about the importance of workman's compensation, boring but necessary! They go on about streamlining the office and generational differences in use of tech. Tim has some excellent insight on fixed price bidding vs time and materials because he not a big fan of square foot pricing for the work he does. Then, does a builder want a few big jobs or a bunch of small jobs? Big jobs have engineering challenges and make you think harder. Tim loves working with engineers and talking through those challenges despite the fact he isn't formally educated in that area. Mike and Tim agree that what they've learned at The School of Hard Knocks is as powerful or or valuable than an academic pursuit. They both grew up where tradesmen were looked down upon (and then found out after recording that they grew up across a border and only two hours apart. Tim then emphasizes the importance of a good website, which he has (see below) farmed out and done well. Mike makes Tim put getting a Google My Business page (you should too). They cover business size and expansion. The lightning round covers some construction contracting company, management, contractor, construction business management, construction podcast, general contracting, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy, contracting business false full 10 2 4c9f7966-4587-4487-9988-890a64dfc237 Gena Hoyt of Big Dog Construction talks labor shortage and solutions Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Gena Hoyt

Website: @bigdogconstructio.gm

 

 

]]> Mon, 17 Jan 2022 09:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Gena Hoyt) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/gena-hoyt-of-big-dog-construction-talks-labor-shortage-and-yc0rHIN1 Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Gena Hoyt

Website: @bigdogconstructio.gm

 

 

]]> Gena Hoyt of Big Dog Construction talks labor shortage and solutions Mike Knoche, Gena Hoyt 00:58:34 Today Mike Gena Hoyt, co-owner and co-founder of Big Dog Construction discuss the labor force shortage and what could help to change public perception of the trades and tradespeople to bring more young people to the table. Listen in to hear us talk about the US vs Canada, the good, the bad and the ugly. Gena also talks about being Aron Jones boss, their partnership, and what its like to be a contractor in Grand Manan, NB. Today Mike Gena Hoyt, co-owner and co-founder of Big Dog Construction discuss the labor force shortage and what could help to change public perception of the trades and tradespeople to bring more young people to the table. Listen in to hear us talk about the US vs Canada, the good, the bad and the ugly. Gena also talks about being Aron Jones boss, their partnership, and what its like to be a contractor in Grand Manan, NB. management, tradesmen, mentoring, small business, construction company, remodeler, construction business, tradeswomen, remodeling company, general contractor, contracting business, jobs, builder false full 9 2 ef6b4767-1aed-440c-8049-091a3dbd7e33 Walk on Plans with Founder Andrew Vanderwoerd Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

 

Guest: Andrew Vanderwoerd

Website: Walk on Plans

Instagram: @walkonplans

]]> Mon, 10 Jan 2022 09:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Andrew Vanderwoerd) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/walk-on-plans-with-co-founder-andrew-vanderwerd-gRoer10Q Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

 

Guest: Andrew Vanderwoerd

Website: Walk on Plans

Instagram: @walkonplans

]]> Walk on Plans with Founder Andrew Vanderwoerd Mike Knoche, Andrew Vanderwoerd 00:35:32 Founder, entrepreneur, and developer, Andrew Vanderwoerd joins Mike Knoche to talk about his new product, Walk on Plans. What is it? It's a full scale projection of architectural drawings on an area where clients and contractors can actually walk through the house they are going to build! We get into the product development, challenges with large format projections, and then how it works. The benefits to builders and clients? Inexpensive insurance that the dimensions of the new home fit the wants and needs of the client. We go in-depth into the potential for implementing 3D components and franchising this innovative new business Founder, entrepreneur, and developer, Andrew Vanderwoerd joins Mike Knoche to talk about his new product, Walk on Plans. What is it? It's a full scale projection of architectural drawings on an area where clients and contractors can actually walk through the house they are going to build! We get into the product development, challenges with large format projections, and then how it works. The benefits to builders and clients? Inexpensive insurance that the dimensions of the new home fit the wants and needs of the client. We go in-depth into the potential for implementing 3D components and franchising this innovative new business management, education, women in trades, construction company, remodeler, construction, remodel, women in construction, construction business, architecture, contracting business false full 8 2 caf563db-057f-4ccd-8764-08f58ad87061 WHO’S GONNA BUILD THE BRIDGES? featuring Brant "The Tool Hacker" Taylor The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Brant Taylor

Instagram: @thetoolhacker

 

]]> Mon, 3 Jan 2022 09:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Brant Taylor, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/brant-taylor-ceCkMF2v The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Brant Taylor

Instagram: @thetoolhacker

 

]]> WHO’S GONNA BUILD THE BRIDGES? featuring Brant "The Tool Hacker" Taylor Brant Taylor, Mike Knoche 00:53:52 Today, its Brant "The Tool Hacker" Taylor. He rails on the lack of an entry point into the trades and construction industry in the US because its not just public perspective on trades causing the issue with new recruitment. Brant, wants to go even further though. He's making tools and developing techniques to make work easier on the body to "keep the craftsman alive". Many people try trades but once they're in, there is no clear path to upward mobility. We have a huge housing shortage. We have a labor shortage. Who is gonna build the houses? Who's gonna build the bridges? Even with some movement towards "sustainable" building techniques, it's not enough. It's still incredibly wasteful and our building have relatively short lives. Brant suggests a direction for the industry. Today, its Brant "The Tool Hacker" Taylor. He rails on the lack of an entry point into the trades and construction industry in the US because its not just public perspective on trades causing the issue with new recruitment. Brant, wants to go even further though. He's making tools and developing techniques to make work easier on the body to "keep the craftsman alive". Many people try trades but once they're in, there is no clear path to upward mobility. We have a huge housing shortage. We have a labor shortage. Who is gonna build the houses? Who's gonna build the bridges? Even with some movement towards "sustainable" building techniques, it's not enough. It's still incredibly wasteful and our building have relatively short lives. Brant suggests a direction for the industry. management, contractor, construction business management, mentoring, tradeperson, small business, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, general contractor, diy, contracting business, builder false full 7 2 a3ee7e40-c1b3-4b82-8a8f-65c2ab3a783b Robin Clevett is a carpenter and building fanatic with a business problem! Take the work with the clients you choose, The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Robin Clevett

YouTube:  Robin Clevett / UK Construction

Instagram: Robin Clevett

]]> Mon, 27 Dec 2021 10:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Robin Clevett, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/robin-clevett-is-a-carpenter-and-building-fanatic-KcV0jKRQ The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Robin Clevett

YouTube:  Robin Clevett / UK Construction

Instagram: Robin Clevett

]]> Robin Clevett is a carpenter and building fanatic with a business problem! Take the work with the clients you choose, Robin Clevett, Mike Knoche 00:57:29 Robin Clevett is a carpenter, joiner, and passionate builder in the UK and he's translating that work into a YouTube channel that has tutorials and techniques from his hands on business. He weaves a great tale about how he came out of school and "accidentally" getting onto business after he'd learned a bit of carpentry. It was a struggle but once he had a taste of self employment, it was over! Even though Robin and I grew up in distant lands, starting the business had similar challenges. They go into self employment vs working for somebody. It's a different mindset bc we have different goals. Then we move on to avoiding bad clients. Even if you think you know, it's still good to hear how Robin teases apart the contractor-client interaction to determine 1. if they really want to do it 2. do they have or will they fund it. Programming (television, cable) programs on property remodels and builds give the public unrealistic expectations about cost and project length. We move on to a touch point about upgrading tools vs the fact that old tools are good tools. The parallels diverge when it comes to how they run the daily business. Robin is always on site and Mike does site visits. Personally, I love this difference bc I didn't think I could make money being on site. Robin dips into that systemic failure when the general public looked down on the trades. Mike was raised that way and they both agree...who cares what other people think. The sub prime market and its effect on the labor force is huge. The labor shortage is a huge issue worldwide (though Nick Lonsdale says it's improving in Australia). We agree that we all build differently where we live but we can learn from each other no matter where we are, but no matter where we are the business is the same. Follow Robin Clevett on YouTube and write us a one star review! Robin Clevett is a carpenter, joiner, and passionate builder in the UK and he's translating that work into a YouTube channel that has tutorials and techniques from his hands on business. He weaves a great tale about how he came out of school and "accidentally" getting onto business after he'd learned a bit of carpentry. It was a struggle but once he had a taste of self employment, it was over! Even though Robin and I grew up in distant lands, starting the business had similar challenges. They go into self employment vs working for somebody. It's a different mindset bc we have different goals. Then we move on to avoiding bad clients. Even if you think you know, it's still good to hear how Robin teases apart the contractor-client interaction to determine 1. if they really want to do it 2. do they have or will they fund it. Programming (television, cable) programs on property remodels and builds give the public unrealistic expectations about cost and project length. We move on to a touch point about upgrading tools vs the fact that old tools are good tools. The parallels diverge when it comes to how they run the daily business. Robin is always on site and Mike does site visits. Personally, I love this difference bc I didn't think I could make money being on site. Robin dips into that systemic failure when the general public looked down on the trades. Mike was raised that way and they both agree...who cares what other people think. The sub prime market and its effect on the labor force is huge. The labor shortage is a huge issue worldwide (though Nick Lonsdale says it's improving in Australia). We agree that we all build differently where we live but we can learn from each other no matter where we are, but no matter where we are the business is the same. Follow Robin Clevett on YouTube and write us a one star review! contracting, management, contractor, construction business management, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, general contractor, diy, contracting business, builder false full 6 2 736e6f2f-b443-4144-a125-d7698870da1c Brittany Farrow talks burnout, running a crew, and her generation! Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Brittany Farrow

Facebook: BM Farrow Construction

Instagram: @girls_can_frame

]]> Mon, 20 Dec 2021 11:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Brittany Farrow) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/brittany-farrow-talks-burnout-running-a-crew-and-her-generation-f0f1VmAf Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Brittany Farrow

Facebook: BM Farrow Construction

Instagram: @girls_can_frame

]]> Brittany Farrow talks burnout, running a crew, and her generation! Mike Knoche, Brittany Farrow 00:30:21 In the second installment of interview with Brittany Farrow, Mike Knoche asks her to talk about burning out. The question comes up because the first time they attempted to talk on the phone, she was tired and stressed. She has a strategy but still burns the candle at both ends. Her biggest struggle running her business outside of sexism and discrimination...it's running the crew. Not being buddy-buddy, sensitivity, and, then, Mike shows his true colors about his frustration with employees. Having a partner has it's benefits! He does the books, payroll, and the office side so she can focus on the work. The Job Site Speed Round reveals what Brittany appreciates most. Then she runs through her vision for the future of her business. She's positive and a go getter In the second installment of interview with Brittany Farrow, Mike Knoche asks her to talk about burning out. The question comes up because the first time they attempted to talk on the phone, she was tired and stressed. She has a strategy but still burns the candle at both ends. Her biggest struggle running her business outside of sexism and discrimination...it's running the crew. Not being buddy-buddy, sensitivity, and, then, Mike shows his true colors about his frustration with employees. Having a partner has it's benefits! He does the books, payroll, and the office side so she can focus on the work. The Job Site Speed Round reveals what Brittany appreciates most. Then she runs through her vision for the future of her business. She's positive and a go getter contracting, mentoring, women in trades, construction company, remodeler, remodel, women in construction, construction business, general contractor, contracting business false full 5 2 f11aeea5-d14a-463e-8ff8-b12e8419c366 Brittany Farrow of @girls_can_frame talks mentoring, stereotypes, jobsite etiquette, and safety. Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Brittany Farrow

Facebook: BM Farrow Construction

Instagram: @girls_can_frame

]]> Mon, 20 Dec 2021 10:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Brittany Farrow, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/brittany-farrow-of-girls-can-frame-talks-mentoring-stereotypes-jobsite-etiquette-and-safety-BUYbwaYf Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Brittany Farrow

Facebook: BM Farrow Construction

Instagram: @girls_can_frame

]]> Brittany Farrow of @girls_can_frame talks mentoring, stereotypes, jobsite etiquette, and safety. Brittany Farrow, Mike Knoche 00:23:05 Up and coming framer Brittany Farrow, co-owner of BM Farrow Construction, talks business with Mike Knoche. She's a mentors women of all ages to get into the trades and runs a crew of women. Brittany lays out the realities for women in trades where she lives. From blatant harassment, disregard for bad behavior on jobsites, reactions from everyone when women show up to frame, the clients who love her, and how it all began for her. Up and coming framer Brittany Farrow, co-owner of BM Farrow Construction, talks business with Mike Knoche. She's a mentors women of all ages to get into the trades and runs a crew of women. Brittany lays out the realities for women in trades where she lives. From blatant harassment, disregard for bad behavior on jobsites, reactions from everyone when women show up to frame, the clients who love her, and how it all began for her. contracting company, contracting, tradesmen, mentoring, women in trades, small business, construction company, remodeler, construction, women in construction, construction business, general contractor, builder false full 4 2 31a007bc-c99a-4742-88e3-b74cd3df2fba Steve Baczek, Architect talks project execution and communication The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Steve Baczek

Website: Steve Baczek  Architect

Instagram: @stevenbaczekarchitect

Podcast: The Unbuild It Show

]]> Mon, 13 Dec 2021 11:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Steve Baczek) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/steve-baczek-architect-part-2-pWmAHOqu The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Steve Baczek

Website: Steve Baczek  Architect

Instagram: @stevenbaczekarchitect

Podcast: The Unbuild It Show

]]> Steve Baczek, Architect talks project execution and communication Mike Knoche, Steve Baczek 00:42:20 The conversation meanders into ICF vs. framing for home construction, but "failure" is not linear. Getting your clients and contractors on board with building science and then having the "dumb" conversations that are necessary. Don't let your subs run williy nilly with locations. Make sure you walk through with them. This with some exampled from a current project. The guys go on to discuss the exciting challenges associated with doing work on old homes and projects that require research bc they have no experience there. Then it's a speed round 1. Tiny Houses 2. Offsite building 3. Remodels vs new construction 4. Historic restoration 5. Why architects insist on goofy eyewear. His advice to you: Be a team player, manage water, and build airtight! Steve Baczek wants you to write a 5 star review! The conversation meanders into ICF vs. framing for home construction, but "failure" is not linear. Getting your clients and contractors on board with building science and then having the "dumb" conversations that are necessary. Don't let your subs run williy nilly with locations. Make sure you walk through with them. This with some exampled from a current project. The guys go on to discuss the exciting challenges associated with doing work on old homes and projects that require research bc they have no experience there. Then it's a speed round 1. Tiny Houses 2. Offsite building 3. Remodels vs new construction 4. Historic restoration 5. Why architects insist on goofy eyewear. His advice to you: Be a team player, manage water, and build airtight! Steve Baczek wants you to write a 5 star review! contracting company, contracting, management, contractor, construction business management, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy, contracting business, builder false full 3 2 53771160-6ed8-419c-abb4-1edd3f2b6c61 Steve Baczek, Architect talks budget and client process The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Steve Baczek

Website: Steve Baczek  Architect

Instagram: @stevenbaczekarchitect

]]> Mon, 13 Dec 2021 10:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Steve Baczek, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/steve-baczek-architect-daimPVCR The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Steve Baczek

Website: Steve Baczek  Architect

Instagram: @stevenbaczekarchitect

]]> Steve Baczek, Architect talks budget and client process Steve Baczek, Mike Knoche 00:48:07 Steve Baczek is a hands on architect with previous experience in the trades. After some brief background, Steve and Mike talk the importance of talking budgets from the start. Bla bla bla. It's an in-depth discussion between two guys who have a lot of experience weeding out tire kickers and getting straight to the point. How much money do you have? Both of them agree that a lot of their clients are "pre-qualified" in a sense if they came to them based on reputation but the budget question still needs to be addressed! And tire kickers? They talk about some red flags and turn down a lot of people. When it comes to friends and family, charge full price or charge nothin at all! Steve then talks about his process with clients...listen as he describes " narrative" he assigns his clients for homework and then meet and discuss before any drawings are started. Guiding, coaching, or leadership, call it what you want, Mike and Steve agree that you are responsible for making your client understand the process, the project and the product. Then its fun to do the work! Steve Baczek is a hands on architect with previous experience in the trades. After some brief background, Steve and Mike talk the importance of talking budgets from the start. Bla bla bla. It's an in-depth discussion between two guys who have a lot of experience weeding out tire kickers and getting straight to the point. How much money do you have? Both of them agree that a lot of their clients are "pre-qualified" in a sense if they came to them based on reputation but the budget question still needs to be addressed! And tire kickers? They talk about some red flags and turn down a lot of people. When it comes to friends and family, charge full price or charge nothin at all! Steve then talks about his process with clients...listen as he describes " narrative" he assigns his clients for homework and then meet and discuss before any drawings are started. Guiding, coaching, or leadership, call it what you want, Mike and Steve agree that you are responsible for making your client understand the process, the project and the product. Then its fun to do the work! management, education, contractor, construction business management, mentoring, how to, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy, marketing, contracting business false full 2 2 46ed9884-56ce-4343-ba3f-225a248cb612 Season 2: Intro to the Interview Sessions Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a contracting business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Patreon: Mike Knoche

]]> Mon, 13 Dec 2021 09:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/season-2-intro-to-the-interview-sessions-rDhL5Qgp Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a contracting business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Patreon: Mike Knoche

]]> Season 2: Intro to the Interview Sessions Mike Knoche 00:04:52 This is the introduction to Season 2 with a few highlights of the episodes recorded so far. Season 2 of the Contracting Handbook is all about conversations on what ties builders together, who are we what are we, client communication, innovation, inspiration and more. Episodes drop weekly on Monday at 5:30 EST This is the introduction to Season 2 with a few highlights of the episodes recorded so far. Season 2 of the Contracting Handbook is all about conversations on what ties builders together, who are we what are we, client communication, innovation, inspiration and more. Episodes drop weekly on Monday at 5:30 EST construction company, remodeler, construction business, contracting business false full 1 2 567a0f66-19ee-4701-a630-b5d3b92552eb "Setting boundaries with clients" from my interview on "Remodelers on the Rise" Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a contracting business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

 

 

 

Host:  Kyle Hunt

Website: Remodelers Community

Podcast: Remodelers on the Rise

 

Guest: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Patreon: Mike Knoche

]]> Mon, 29 Nov 2021 09:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Kyle Hunt) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/setting-boundaries-with-clients-from-my-interview-on-remodelers-on-the-rise-x2ZKT3f6 Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a contracting business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

 

 

 

Host:  Kyle Hunt

Website: Remodelers Community

Podcast: Remodelers on the Rise

 

Guest: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Patreon: Mike Knoche

]]> "Setting boundaries with clients" from my interview on "Remodelers on the Rise" Mike Knoche, Kyle Hunt 00:03:25 I was invited to talk on my favorite podcast "Remodelers on the Rise". I've chopped up the audio to give you guys a little taste of my talk with Kyle Hunt where we talk about how I set boundaries with clients, what rules I have, how I implement said rules, and then we talk about my world travels a bit and how that influenced my I was invited to talk on my favorite podcast "Remodelers on the Rise". I've chopped up the audio to give you guys a little taste of my talk with Kyle Hunt where we talk about how I set boundaries with clients, what rules I have, how I implement said rules, and then we talk about my world travels a bit and how that influenced my contracting, construction company, remodeler, construction, construction business, remodeling business, remodeling company, general contractor false bonus 2 f804ea4c-2518-44f2-9a91-f3e4b38c9362 Season 2 Guests so far...SHORT TEASER Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a contracting business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

]]> Mon, 18 Oct 2021 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/season-2-guests-so-far-o8GDXa27 Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a contracting business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

]]> Season 2 Guests so far...SHORT TEASER Mike Knoche 00:01:42 The Contracting Handbook is back! Well, kinda. In this teaser, Mike Knoche says what's in store for the first six guests in the second season of The Contracting Handbook The Contracting Handbook is back! Well, kinda. In this teaser, Mike Knoche says what's in store for the first six guests in the second season of The Contracting Handbook contracting company, small business, construction company, remodeler, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false trailer 2 23d0486e-b918-4a32-8de3-deef84ef8a72 Season 1 Finale: 16 Takeaways from 17 Guests Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

 

]]> Mon, 6 Sep 2021 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/season-1-finale-16-takeaways-from-17-guests-c1_YGjRR Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

 

]]> Season 1 Finale: 16 Takeaways from 17 Guests Mike Knoche 00:30:36 Today Mike reviews what he has distilled as the 16 most important take home messages from his 17 interviews with contractors, consultants, accountants, and authors of the construction industry. He also highlights messages from the 20 topical episodes he produced based on his 16 years as a general contractor. Today Mike reviews what he has distilled as the 16 most important take home messages from his 17 interviews with contractors, consultants, accountants, and authors of the construction industry. He also highlights messages from the 20 topical episodes he produced based on his 16 years as a general contractor. contracting company, women in trades, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 49 1 c17ee8e6-c0af-4c57-92b6-b9c5c5b90a84 Kyle Hunt of "Remodelers on the Rise" (Part 2) The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

]]> Fri, 3 Sep 2021 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Kyle Hunt, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/kyle-hunt-of-remodelers-on-the-rise-part-2-l8mDl7Ok The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

]]> Kyle Hunt of "Remodelers on the Rise" (Part 2) Kyle Hunt, Mike Knoche 00:28:13 In this second installment of my talk with Kyle Hunt of "Remodelers on the Rise", we hit upon the importance of being genuine with your clients but then we turn to working your numbers once under contract. This continuation from the previous episode dives into tracking your numbers from estimate to actual, i.e. job costing, through daily logs. All grippage and no slippage! Then it's a brief rapid fire on change orders and the final 5% (which you have to hear to find out about). And finally we wrap up with Kyles plea for you to keep in touch with your clients even after you are paid! In this second installment of my talk with Kyle Hunt of "Remodelers on the Rise", we hit upon the importance of being genuine with your clients but then we turn to working your numbers once under contract. This continuation from the previous episode dives into tracking your numbers from estimate to actual, i.e. job costing, through daily logs. All grippage and no slippage! Then it's a brief rapid fire on change orders and the final 5% (which you have to hear to find out about). And finally we wrap up with Kyles plea for you to keep in touch with your clients even after you are paid! contracting company, contracting, management, general contracting, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, marketing, contracting business false full 48 1 981f2898-3310-4ec2-8276-4f9cc7000db7 Kyle Hunt of "Remodelers on the Rise" (Part 1) The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

]]> Thu, 2 Sep 2021 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Kyle Hunt) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/kyle-hunt-of-remodelers-on-the-rise-W8pSyZe1 The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

]]> Kyle Hunt of "Remodelers on the Rise" (Part 1) Mike Knoche, Kyle Hunt 00:38:05 Today, Kyle Hunt, host of Remodelers on the Rise (podcast) and founder of Remodel Your Marketing joins Mike for a lively chat about running your contracting business. Kyle has been coaching his clients for 14 years and really cuts to the chase! In this first installment of the interview, Mike and Kyle discuss the perfect marketing scheme from scratch. Kyle really drives home the importance of always keeping that in mind. They talk about taking action steps and giving yourself deadlines to hold yourself accountable and end imploring you to always be recruiting new help even if you dont need new help. Why? Listen to find out. Today, Kyle Hunt, host of Remodelers on the Rise (podcast) and founder of Remodel Your Marketing joins Mike for a lively chat about running your contracting business. Kyle has been coaching his clients for 14 years and really cuts to the chase! In this first installment of the interview, Mike and Kyle discuss the perfect marketing scheme from scratch. Kyle really drives home the importance of always keeping that in mind. They talk about taking action steps and giving yourself deadlines to hold yourself accountable and end imploring you to always be recruiting new help even if you dont need new help. Why? Listen to find out. contracting company, contracting, management, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, general contractor, contracting business false full 47 1 71e2363f-92ce-48b9-af91-616ab0414291 Kendra Ferguson CPA and Virtual CFO for Contractors (Part 2) The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Fri, 27 Aug 2021 16:39:47 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Kendra Ferguson, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/kendra-ferguson-cpa-and-virtual-cfo-for-contractors-part-2-Wt1Sa0r1 The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Kendra Ferguson CPA and Virtual CFO for Contractors (Part 2) Kendra Ferguson, Mike Knoche 00:33:52 In the second installment of my talk with Kendra Ferguson, we delve into finances and accenting best practices from the perspective of a general contractor and that of a CPA raised by contractors. Kendra's insight into construction specific accounting practices are vast. She explains job costing to determine whether you are estimating properly to achieve target margins bc most contractors expectations for gross profit are overstated when its actually calculated correctly by job costing. Then it's more about our bad habit, as contractors, of bank account balance accounting. She is explicit in her terms of explaining balance sheets and income statements. Mike got schooled a bit about cash flow and kept quiet as she explained how to understand positive cashflow. And, finally, we chatted about forecasting the financial future of your company to know where you need to go and when to raise your rates! In the second installment of my talk with Kendra Ferguson, we delve into finances and accenting best practices from the perspective of a general contractor and that of a CPA raised by contractors. Kendra's insight into construction specific accounting practices are vast. She explains job costing to determine whether you are estimating properly to achieve target margins bc most contractors expectations for gross profit are overstated when its actually calculated correctly by job costing. Then it's more about our bad habit, as contractors, of bank account balance accounting. She is explicit in her terms of explaining balance sheets and income statements. Mike got schooled a bit about cash flow and kept quiet as she explained how to understand positive cashflow. And, finally, we chatted about forecasting the financial future of your company to know where you need to go and when to raise your rates! contracting company, contracting, management, entrepreneurship, mentoring, best practices, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, cpa, career, accounting, general contractor, contracting business, branding false full 46 1 19a3f188-31a4-482c-849d-dce01032c924 Kendra Ferguson CPA and Virtual CFO for Contractors (Part 1) The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Thu, 26 Aug 2021 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Kendra Ferguson) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/kendra-ferguson-cpa-and-virtual-cfo-for-contractors-kjWeNWMi The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Kendra Ferguson CPA and Virtual CFO for Contractors (Part 1) Mike Knoche, Kendra Ferguson 00:43:00 In this talk between Mike Knoche and Kendra Ferguson they discuss why you should hire accounting out immediately. The story unfolds with Mike sharing how he finally realized he needed someone else to do this (Uncle!) and Kendra shares a recent story about a roofing company that had been losing money but those losses were masked by loans. The story is a great example of how things can go sideways if you don't have your finger on the pulse of overhead costs! It's a great segue into the final section of the interview where Kendra explains how to seek out the right CPA for you and why it is important that they have experience in contractor accountant because IT'S DIFFERENT. In this talk between Mike Knoche and Kendra Ferguson they discuss why you should hire accounting out immediately. The story unfolds with Mike sharing how he finally realized he needed someone else to do this (Uncle!) and Kendra shares a recent story about a roofing company that had been losing money but those losses were masked by loans. The story is a great example of how things can go sideways if you don't have your finger on the pulse of overhead costs! It's a great segue into the final section of the interview where Kendra explains how to seek out the right CPA for you and why it is important that they have experience in contractor accountant because IT'S DIFFERENT. contracting company, contracting, management, small business, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, cpa, accounting, general contractor, contracting business, entrepreneur, branding false full 45 1 e52b523e-1982-4cac-8b52-40d43b97f213 Ten Jobsite Etiquette Tips to Tell Your Employees, Subcontractors and Anyone Else Who was Raised Wrong! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Mon, 23 Aug 2021 22:16:03 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/ten-jobsite-etiquette-tips-to-tell-your-employees-subcontractors-and-anyone-else-who-was-raised-wrong-tlJfED2u The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Ten Jobsite Etiquette Tips to Tell Your Employees, Subcontractors and Anyone Else Who was Raised Wrong! Mike Knoche 00:15:19 Wow, I can't believe a grown can do so many unacceptable things on a job site! Here I list ten of my top actions that happen on job sites that I try to convey before they happen. The challenge is that it seems like these things should be instinctual but THEY'RE NOT FOR SO MANY PEOPLE! I sound angry, but I'm not! Wow, I can't believe a grown can do so many unacceptable things on a job site! Here I list ten of my top actions that happen on job sites that I try to convey before they happen. The challenge is that it seems like these things should be instinctual but THEY'RE NOT FOR SO MANY PEOPLE! I sound angry, but I'm not! contracting company, contracting, management, contractor, remodel company, construction business management, general contracting, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, general contractor, how to, diy, contracting business, branding, builder false full 44 1 e770f485-3751-4033-961e-607b4ae9f439 Know When to Bail or Why Didn't I Bail When They Started Hitting on Me? The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Thu, 19 Aug 2021 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/know-when-to-bail-avoiding-bad-situations-mJ7hpDZg The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Know When to Bail or Why Didn't I Bail When They Started Hitting on Me? Mike Knoche 00:12:32 In this episode Mike draws on his 16 years experience listening to customers on cold calls, at first time site visits, under contract and between contracts and the signals that scream for you to get out! In this episode Mike draws on his 16 years experience listening to customers on cold calls, at first time site visits, under contract and between contracts and the signals that scream for you to get out! contracting company, contracting, management, entrepreneurship, mentoring, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, career, general contractor, contracting business false full 43 1 fce9b200-9b69-426d-9a7e-c5e87089b20c Employees Part 2: Setting Wages and Hiring The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2021 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/employees-part-2-setting-wages-and-hiring-NM72Pmmu The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Employees Part 2: Setting Wages and Hiring Mike Knoche 00:18:12 In this episode there is advice on setting wages and talking about how you find employees. Mike tells you his preferences and some good stories about wages in other countries and being part of the Bad News Bears of finish carpentry In this episode there is advice on setting wages and talking about how you find employees. Mike tells you his preferences and some good stories about wages in other countries and being part of the Bad News Bears of finish carpentry contracting company, contracting, management, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, career, general contractor, contracting business, business administration, branding false full 42 1 9e3274f6-fded-441e-a140-9a408f4889f6 Jim Molinelli, author of "Remodel! Without Going Bonkers or Broke" series The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Thu, 12 Aug 2021 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Jim Molinelli, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/jim-molinelli-author-of-remodel-without-going-bonkers-or-broke-series-SS25UuAW The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Jim Molinelli, author of "Remodel! Without Going Bonkers or Broke" series Jim Molinelli, Mike Knoche 00:41:04 Author and remodeling consultant, Jim Molinelli joins Mike to talk about his work in preparing clients for contractors. This information is invaluable to contractors because we can glean from his techniques how to prepare our clients for their budgets. We go on to discuss his book series. I've read both of his books and I am saying that, from someone who has read every book tangentially related to running a small contracting company, this series is the best I've read. I've recommended his book to friends and clients. This book would have really benefited me as a young contractor even though it's written for our potential clients. We also let the cat out of the bag...we chat a bit about the manuscript for my upcoming book.... Author and remodeling consultant, Jim Molinelli joins Mike to talk about his work in preparing clients for contractors. This information is invaluable to contractors because we can glean from his techniques how to prepare our clients for their budgets. We go on to discuss his book series. I've read both of his books and I am saying that, from someone who has read every book tangentially related to running a small contracting company, this series is the best I've read. I've recommended his book to friends and clients. This book would have really benefited me as a young contractor even though it's written for our potential clients. We also let the cat out of the bag...we chat a bit about the manuscript for my upcoming book.... contracting company, contracting, management, consulting, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, general contractor, contracting business, coaching, builder false full 41 1 e1355eda-9e45-4a84-b519-b5fc438c6053 Employees Part 1: Considerations BEFORE you hire The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Mon, 9 Aug 2021 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/employees-part-1-considerations-before-you-hire-xrW0poLj The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Employees Part 1: Considerations BEFORE you hire Mike Knoche 00:13:07 Today, Mike tells some stories about his employees and asks you to think about how you're going to use them. It's not that good. Today, Mike tells some stories about his employees and asks you to think about how you're going to use them. It's not that good. contracting company, contracting, management, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, general contractor, contracting business false full 40 1 36a1d9ea-c0a5-425a-b907-35e7a9f9aeb7 Daniel Preston, Project Manager at Clay Construction (Part 2) The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Fri, 6 Aug 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Daniel Preston, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/daniel-preston-project-manager-at-clay-construction-part-2-dkFfT6n9 The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Daniel Preston, Project Manager at Clay Construction (Part 2) Daniel Preston, Mike Knoche 00:28:20 In the second part of this interview, we get into a discussion on scope of work as it relates to budget and billing. Daniel has a great sense of how to manage money, client expectations, subcontractors, all while managing his own time to keep up with his wife and 8 children! In the second part of this interview, we get into a discussion on scope of work as it relates to budget and billing. Daniel has a great sense of how to manage money, client expectations, subcontractors, all while managing his own time to keep up with his wife and 8 children! contracting company, management, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 38 1 7b8672b1-540e-4862-9431-4fd10a36c64e Daniel Preston, Project Manager at Clay Construction (Part 1) The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Thu, 5 Aug 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Daniel Preston) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/daniel-preston-project-manager-at-clay-construction-jeJH_m15 The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Daniel Preston, Project Manager at Clay Construction (Part 1) Mike Knoche, Daniel Preston 00:31:01 Today, Daniel Preston of Clay Contracting talks with Mike about his start as an apprentice to a mason, his years wearing tool bags and then moving into a management position for new custom home construction. His company is a cost plus builder with no employees and subcontracts all of their work. We talk about boundaries with clients, estimating time for proposals, how the keep clients in the know about project progress through the use of cameras, hard conversations with clients, and more. Daniel values integrity and honesty above all else. Today, Daniel Preston of Clay Contracting talks with Mike about his start as an apprentice to a mason, his years wearing tool bags and then moving into a management position for new custom home construction. His company is a cost plus builder with no employees and subcontracts all of their work. We talk about boundaries with clients, estimating time for proposals, how the keep clients in the know about project progress through the use of cameras, hard conversations with clients, and more. Daniel values integrity and honesty above all else. contracting company, contracting, management, homebuilder, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, general contractor, contracting business, builder false full 37 1 84be593d-98c9-4447-9227-b60cee5c7974 10 Vital actions to take on Fridays The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Mon, 2 Aug 2021 08:00:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/10-things-to-do-on-fridays-pK7M5G23 The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> 10 Vital actions to take on Fridays Mike Knoche 00:11:14 Here, I outline ten essential tasks to do on Fridays! Here, I outline ten essential tasks to do on Fridays! contracting company, contracting, management, organization, small business, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, general contractor, contracting business, business administration, entrepreneur, branding, builder false full 36 1 5a827397-b73c-431b-84a9-cbf00a0b14ec Andy Bannister, President and Founder of Earthtone Construction (Part 2) The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Fri, 30 Jul 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Andy Bannister, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/andy-bannister-president-and-founder-of-earthtone-construction-part-2-VPQybqzZ The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Andy Bannister, President and Founder of Earthtone Construction (Part 2) Andy Bannister, Mike Knoche 00:19:15 Andy Bannister tells Mike what he loves most about his work. His response? Maybe somewhat unexpected. Mike and Andy talk about burnout in the industry, life-work balance, and health in the construction industry. It's a personal conversation and probably a conversation not many builders have with one another. Then, Mike takes a hard right and asks Andy about soaring demand, soaring prices, and how its effecting business. Andy Bannister tells Mike what he loves most about his work. His response? Maybe somewhat unexpected. Mike and Andy talk about burnout in the industry, life-work balance, and health in the construction industry. It's a personal conversation and probably a conversation not many builders have with one another. Then, Mike takes a hard right and asks Andy about soaring demand, soaring prices, and how its effecting business. contracting company, contracting, management, design build, education, small business, construction company, remodeler, building, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, career, general contractor, contracting business, entrepreneur false full 35 1 54b07291-a89f-4527-a543-488acd9717b8 Andy Bannister, President and Founder of Earthtone Construction (Part 1) The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Thu, 29 Jul 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Andy Bannister, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/andy-bannister-president-and-founder-of-earthtone-construction-F9j7yyUT The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Andy Bannister, President and Founder of Earthtone Construction (Part 1) Andy Bannister, Mike Knoche 00:37:29 Andy Bannister describes how his company went from 1 to 67 employees. We talk about what factors allowed him to grow that business. Then Andy tells Mike about how they survived the crash of 2008. It's an interesting story of making a bold move and having it pay off. We spend a large part of the talk sharing our perspectives on expectation management for residential builds and how that differs from commercial work. Then we shift into change orders and the challenges of identifying and executing them. This episode wraps up with a conversation about "mindful building", the idea that not only should we attempt to control the wastefulness in the construction industry and invest in green building, but incorporate being socially responsible into the business model... Andy Bannister describes how his company went from 1 to 67 employees. We talk about what factors allowed him to grow that business. Then Andy tells Mike about how they survived the crash of 2008. It's an interesting story of making a bold move and having it pay off. We spend a large part of the talk sharing our perspectives on expectation management for residential builds and how that differs from commercial work. Then we shift into change orders and the challenges of identifying and executing them. This episode wraps up with a conversation about "mindful building", the idea that not only should we attempt to control the wastefulness in the construction industry and invest in green building, but incorporate being socially responsible into the business model... contracting company, contracting, management, homebuilder, construction podcast, small business, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, career, general contractor, contracting business false full 34 1 aa48a699-cec8-4dcb-9397-24bd4779ffc2 Working for friends and family The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Mon, 26 Jul 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/working-for-friends-and-family-b2UcFRSB The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Working for friends and family Mike Knoche 00:14:54 Mike tells couple stories about working with friends and the lessons learned. Mike tells couple stories about working with friends and the lessons learned. contracting company, management, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 33 1 563bfc4a-4d6c-4bcd-9848-8370676467d4 Kat Willer of Revision Remodel and Design (Part 2) The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Fri, 23 Jul 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Kat Willer, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/kat-willer-of-revision-remodel-and-design-KQrf4Xzn The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Kat Willer of Revision Remodel and Design (Part 2) Kat Willer, Mike Knoche 00:40:07 In this second installment of my talk with Kat Willer we talk about the importance of good communication, woman in the trades, and women owned general contractors. There's a story about sticking to her guns with a contract. Dealing with men as a female contractor. Did you know that only 3% of general contractors in the US are women owned? And only 1.5% of the construction work force are women? Here, we discuss the reasons behind that phenomenon, the women we have hired (the only ones that applied), and much more. It's the elephant in the room and we take a good picture of it! In this second installment of my talk with Kat Willer we talk about the importance of good communication, woman in the trades, and women owned general contractors. There's a story about sticking to her guns with a contract. Dealing with men as a female contractor. Did you know that only 3% of general contractors in the US are women owned? And only 1.5% of the construction work force are women? Here, we discuss the reasons behind that phenomenon, the women we have hired (the only ones that applied), and much more. It's the elephant in the room and we take a good picture of it! contracting company, contracting, management, homebuilder, entrepereneur, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, career, general contractor, contracting business, builder false full 32 1 ec0755b0-ddbd-434a-9f58-4bb0c895e52e Kat Willer of Revision Remodel and Design (Part 1) The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Thu, 22 Jul 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Kat Willer) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/kat-willer-of-revision-remodel-and-design-part-1-KZt1r3SH The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Kat Willer of Revision Remodel and Design (Part 1) Mike Knoche, Kat Willer 00:36:40 Today, Kat Willer tells her story about how she came to run her remodeling company, Revision Remodel and Design. It's a great tale of a self made contractor. She asked all the right questions. She is passionate about her career and respects her customers hard earned money. She's a quick study in this industry. She sets boundaries with her clients, sets realistic goals for project completion, respects her employees, and excels in creativity. She doesn't let ego get in the way of learning and growing as a builder! Learn more about Kat at her handle @revisionremodel Today, Kat Willer tells her story about how she came to run her remodeling company, Revision Remodel and Design. It's a great tale of a self made contractor. She asked all the right questions. She is passionate about her career and respects her customers hard earned money. She's a quick study in this industry. She sets boundaries with her clients, sets realistic goals for project completion, respects her employees, and excels in creativity. She doesn't let ego get in the way of learning and growing as a builder! Learn more about Kat at her handle @revisionremodel contracting company, contracting, management, entrepreneurship, small business, construction company, remodeler, business, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, career, general contractor, contracting business, business administration, branding, builder false full 31 1 98f178c8-ee07-47dd-ab50-4fe466d41fd0 Putting together your bid and proposal for clients The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Mon, 19 Jul 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/putting-together-your-bid-and-proposal-for-clients-IT9ww8tq The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Putting together your bid and proposal for clients Mike Knoche 00:26:10 This episode is a description of how to take the information gained at your sight visit and transforming it into an informative, attractive, comprehensible presentation in the form of a proposal for you clients. It relies on the listen of Episodes 12, 22, and 27 as well. Employing this good practices will win you more contracts with fewer mistakes! This episode is a description of how to take the information gained at your sight visit and transforming it into an informative, attractive, comprehensible presentation in the form of a proposal for you clients. It relies on the listen of Episodes 12, 22, and 27 as well. Employing this good practices will win you more contracts with fewer mistakes! contracting company, contracting, management, education, technical writing, small business, construction company, remodeler, business, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, career, general contractor, proposal writing, mamangement, contracting business, entrepreneur, builder false full 30 1 2f421f98-d940-4986-bff5-89dab1ed9bd1 Matthew Coates, President and Principal Architect of Coates Design Architects (Part 2) The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Fri, 16 Jul 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Matthew Coates) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/president-and-principal-architect-matthew-coates-of-coates-design-part-2-Qg1MOhoD The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Matthew Coates, President and Principal Architect of Coates Design Architects (Part 2) Mike Knoche, Matthew Coates 00:36:30 In this episode, Matthew and Mike talk about supply chain issues relative to managing expectations and contractual clauses. Matthew has a good story about that! They go on to talk about what keeps Matthew inspired and motivated today after building and running his firm for the last 15 years. He shares advice for up and coming architects and thoughts on the talent market. See more of Matthews work @coates_design on Instagram or their website www.coatesdesign.com In this episode, Matthew and Mike talk about supply chain issues relative to managing expectations and contractual clauses. Matthew has a good story about that! They go on to talk about what keeps Matthew inspired and motivated today after building and running his firm for the last 15 years. He shares advice for up and coming architects and thoughts on the talent market. See more of Matthews work @coates_design on Instagram or their website www.coatesdesign.com contracting company, management, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 29 1 2aa2729f-fa5c-47e2-889a-af23c801f234 Matthew Coates, President and Principal Architect of Coates Design Architects (Part1) The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Thu, 15 Jul 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Matthew Coates, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/matthew-coates-president-and-principal-architect-of-coates-design-architects-part1-ujEjG6yv The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Matthew Coates, President and Principal Architect of Coates Design Architects (Part1) Matthew Coates, Mike Knoche 00:38:30 In this episode, Matthew Coates describes his current business structure and it's evolution. Matthew describes biophilia and its relation to building and design. He goes on to describe the architects role in the project in relation to the client and the general contractor. Mike and Matthew have a rousing conversation about that architect-contractor relationship! In this episode, Matthew Coates describes his current business structure and it's evolution. Matthew describes biophilia and its relation to building and design. He goes on to describe the architects role in the project in relation to the client and the general contractor. Mike and Matthew have a rousing conversation about that architect-contractor relationship! contracting company, management, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 28 1 12059f40-d831-43ea-8aed-4820a183603d Estimating Time for Proposals The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Mon, 12 Jul 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/estimating-time-for-proposals-yoclAldK The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Estimating Time for Proposals Mike Knoche 00:14:45 In this episode, I line you out on how to best estimate time for your proposals. I outline best practices to avoid the costly mistakes associated with under estimating time involved in a job! In this episode, I line you out on how to best estimate time for your proposals. I outline best practices to avoid the costly mistakes associated with under estimating time involved in a job! contracting company, contracting, management, education, entrepreneurship, contractor, lifestyle, small business, construction company, remodeler, business, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, general contractor, contracting business, entrepreneur, branding, estimating time, builder false full 27 1 80ee3fb9-ee09-4915-bdb2-4907dd10e3d5 Health Coach for Tradesman, Vinnie Vecchio, Talks Lifestyle Change (Part 2) The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Fri, 9 Jul 2021 10:41:52 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/health-coach-for-tradesman-vinnie-vecchio-talks-lifestyle-change-part-1-ROWBufJX The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Health Coach for Tradesman, Vinnie Vecchio, Talks Lifestyle Change (Part 2) Mike Knoche 00:29:20 Today, Mike talks to Vinnie Vecchio of The Unstoppable Tradesman about nutrition and health of construction workers. In this second installment, Vinnie talks about our excuses for not making changes and healthy lifestyle choices, key strategies for stress management, and nutritional strategies for mental health. So much fascinating info here!! Check out Vinnies success stories @theunstoppabletradesman on Instagram Today, Mike talks to Vinnie Vecchio of The Unstoppable Tradesman about nutrition and health of construction workers. In this second installment, Vinnie talks about our excuses for not making changes and healthy lifestyle choices, key strategies for stress management, and nutritional strategies for mental health. So much fascinating info here!! Check out Vinnies success stories @theunstoppabletradesman on Instagram contracting company, contracting, management, education, contractor, lifestyle, mental health, food, small business, nutrition, diet, construction company, remodeler, business, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, mens health, career, general contractor, contracting business, business administration, entrepreneur, branding false full 26 1 33f6cdf3-7a08-46d3-903c-e4284e0f058f Health Coach for Tradesman, Vinnie Vecchio, Talks Lifestyle Change (Part 1) The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Thu, 8 Jul 2021 21:51:33 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Vinnie Vecchio, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/vinnie-vecchio-talks-tradesmen-physical-and-mental-health-8Oc1BZ6S The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Health Coach for Tradesman, Vinnie Vecchio, Talks Lifestyle Change (Part 1) Vinnie Vecchio, Mike Knoche 00:31:10 Today, Mike talks to Vinnie Vecchio of The Unstoppable Tradesman about nutrition and health of construction workers. Vinnie explains the basics of nutritional lifestyle change, weight loss, fitness, and how they are influences by sleep and stress. Vinnie is full of eye opening information about how our habits and physiology relate. And Mike knows from experience how to not take care of himself but in recent years has made lifestyle changes, listen to his journey to losing 45lbs (20kg). Check out Vinnies success stories @theunstoppabletradesman on Instagram Today, Mike talks to Vinnie Vecchio of The Unstoppable Tradesman about nutrition and health of construction workers. Vinnie explains the basics of nutritional lifestyle change, weight loss, fitness, and how they are influences by sleep and stress. Vinnie is full of eye opening information about how our habits and physiology relate. And Mike knows from experience how to not take care of himself but in recent years has made lifestyle changes, listen to his journey to losing 45lbs (20kg). Check out Vinnies success stories @theunstoppabletradesman on Instagram contracting company, contracting, management, education, entrepreneurship, contractor, lifestyle, small business, nutrition, diet, construction company, remodeler, business, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, mens health, general contractor, contracting business, builder false full 25 1 94d04dd7-6ebc-44de-8884-126702329369 Getting Organized 102: Diet, Sleep, and Stress The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Mon, 5 Jul 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/getting-organized-102-diet-sleep-and-stress-FD4FQ59i The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Getting Organized 102: Diet, Sleep, and Stress Mike Knoche 00:18:51 In this episode, I cover why I think its important to get control of diet, stress, and sleep as it relates to your personal performance and the success of your business. In a busy career like contracting, it's easy to ignore these three basic factors, however, you are good at planning projects, so why not your health. In this episode, I cover why I think its important to get control of diet, stress, and sleep as it relates to your personal performance and the success of your business. In a busy career like contracting, it's easy to ignore these three basic factors, however, you are good at planning projects, so why not your health. contracting company, contracting, management, stress, small business, diet, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, sleep, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, career, general contractor, marketing, contracting business, sleep apnea false full 24 1 0c63e1f6-7f53-4727-bc36-d5f157ba8aa5 Bryan Kaplan founder of Construction Consulting out of Toronto, Ontario The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Thu, 1 Jul 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Bryan Kaplan, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/bryan-kaplan-founder-of-construction-consulting-out-of-toronto-ontario-a9egZMHQ The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Bryan Kaplan founder of Construction Consulting out of Toronto, Ontario Bryan Kaplan, Mike Knoche 00:50:21 Bryan Kaplan is all about improving your business efficiency and understanding your financials. He and Mike discuss the "planning fallacy", picking up on "breadcrumbs" (the little things) left by your clients, using the cloud to your advantage, and repetition. If you are struggling to get organized or want a fresh perspective, there is enough information here to help your change your ways in a short period. Bryan Kaplan is all about improving your business efficiency and understanding your financials. He and Mike discuss the "planning fallacy", picking up on "breadcrumbs" (the little things) left by your clients, using the cloud to your advantage, and repetition. If you are struggling to get organized or want a fresh perspective, there is enough information here to help your change your ways in a short period. contracting company, management, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 23 1 29013274-afbf-4328-9884-7266a800364a Getting Organized 101: Daily Operations The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

]]> Mon, 28 Jun 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/getting-organized-101-yd_RKbad The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Getting Organized 101: Daily Operations Mike Knoche 00:17:14 Face it, you don't have a plan for organizing your thoughts, details, receipts, plans, or anything. In this episode, Mike walks you through some basic organizing that, though its only a few minutes to listen to, will take a good amount of time to implement. Once you do start to take action, you'll notice that you are missing fewer details and able to spend more time focusing on the big picture! Face it, you don't have a plan for organizing your thoughts, details, receipts, plans, or anything. In this episode, Mike walks you through some basic organizing that, though its only a few minutes to listen to, will take a good amount of time to implement. Once you do start to take action, you'll notice that you are missing fewer details and able to spend more time focusing on the big picture! contracting company, contracting, management, homebuilder, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, general contractor, contracting business, business administration, branding, builder false full 22 1 1b3f95dc-65ee-49ea-894f-697c25da898c Aron Jones of Big Dog Construction out of Grand Manan, New Brunswick (Part 2) The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small construction company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. It's all about construction! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Aron Jones

Insta: @bigdogconstruction.gm

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Fri, 25 Jun 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Aron Jones, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/aron-jones-of-big-dog-construction-out-of-gran-manam-new-brunswick-part-2-krrsYQQz The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small construction company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. It's all about construction! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Aron Jones

Insta: @bigdogconstruction.gm

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Aron Jones of Big Dog Construction out of Grand Manan, New Brunswick (Part 2) Aron Jones, Mike Knoche 00:41:43 In the second half of the interview, Mike and Aron talk about the importance of relationships with trade partners, trusting your gut with clients, quality vs. number of employees, the cost of labor and warranties when things go sideways, and a lot more. This episode gets a bit more personal and less like an interview. These guys are going to be fast friends! In the second half of the interview, Mike and Aron talk about the importance of relationships with trade partners, trusting your gut with clients, quality vs. number of employees, the cost of labor and warranties when things go sideways, and a lot more. This episode gets a bit more personal and less like an interview. These guys are going to be fast friends! contracting company, contracting, management, education, construction company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, career, general contractor, diy, contracting business, entrepreneur false full 21 1 c6c990d8-8707-4cf2-bb42-e4ebe087313f Aron Jones of Big Dog Construction: Tradesmen to businessmen? Not so fast! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small construction company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. It's all about construction! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Aron Jones

Insta: @bigdogconstruction.gm

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Thu, 24 Jun 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Aron Jones, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/aron-jones-of-big-dog-construction-out-of-gran-manam-new-brunswick-part-1-KiSWbMlO The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small construction company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. It's all about construction! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Aron Jones

Insta: @bigdogconstruction.gm

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Aron Jones of Big Dog Construction: Tradesmen to businessmen? Not so fast! Aron Jones, Mike Knoche 00:40:23 Aron talks about the development of Big Dog Construction. Aron, a self described teacher (checkout his instagram page @bigdogconstruction.gm), describes the various ways he has run construction companies from 16 employees to his current three. He and Mike agree, it took a lot of doing it wrong to get it right. There is so much to listen to here! Aron talks about the development of Big Dog Construction. Aron, a self described teacher (checkout his instagram page @bigdogconstruction.gm), describes the various ways he has run construction companies from 16 employees to his current three. He and Mike agree, it took a lot of doing it wrong to get it right. There is so much to listen to here! contracting company, contracting, management, entrepreneurship, contractor, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy, contracting business, entrepreneur false full 20 1 1da0bdf2-220d-4d90-a462-546d21dc1223 The 4 Types of Human Time Wasters: Tirekickers, Lowballers, DIYer's, and the General Public The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Mon, 21 Jun 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/tirekickers-JOQ8VelC The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

]]> The 4 Types of Human Time Wasters: Tirekickers, Lowballers, DIYer's, and the General Public Mike Knoche 00:16:46 In this episode, Mike discusses the four human time wasters in order of worst and most pernicious to just plain innocent. Listen to Mike explain ways to identify and mitigate for human time wasters and why you should never work for beer! In this episode, Mike discusses the four human time wasters in order of worst and most pernicious to just plain innocent. Listen to Mike explain ways to identify and mitigate for human time wasters and why you should never work for beer! contracting, tire kicker, management, education, entrepreneurship, small business, construction, remodel, career, general contractor, start up, entrepreneur, builder false full 19 1 a02ee5ca-c4a1-47f2-a14f-b70ee6bd7cee Tim Waring of Arden Vale Homes talks the client screening process The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Thu, 17 Jun 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Tim Waring) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/interview-with-tim-waring-of-arden-vale-homes-middle-ridge-queensland-australia-o3YEB6J_ The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

]]> Tim Waring of Arden Vale Homes talks the client screening process Mike Knoche, Tim Waring 00:27:52 Tim Waring, director of Arden Vale Homes, an award winning design-build firm, comprehends the variables of the design build process and has a structured approach. After describing their company history and structure, he lays down Arden Vale's succinct and distinct criteria for vetting clients and working with clients under contract. Tim stresses the importance of excellent relations with trade partners, honoring warranty, and creating a story about your company so the client can know you before they contact you. Listen describes how their design-build firm has created an indelible legacy in Toowoomba, Queensland. Finally, he gives his advice for anyone wanting to start there own design-build firm. No matter where you are in your construction business, listen and learn! Tim Waring, director of Arden Vale Homes, an award winning design-build firm, comprehends the variables of the design build process and has a structured approach. After describing their company history and structure, he lays down Arden Vale's succinct and distinct criteria for vetting clients and working with clients under contract. Tim stresses the importance of excellent relations with trade partners, honoring warranty, and creating a story about your company so the client can know you before they contact you. Listen describes how their design-build firm has created an indelible legacy in Toowoomba, Queensland. Finally, he gives his advice for anyone wanting to start there own design-build firm. No matter where you are in your construction business, listen and learn! contracting, management, education, entrpreneurship, contractor, tradesman, business, construction, remodel, diy, marketing, entrepreneur, careers, branding, builder true full 18 1 75a3a739-16fd-4535-90db-54a9b216b3cb Learn from the Mistakes of Others The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

]]> Mon, 14 Jun 2021 14:37:46 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/learn-from-the-mistakes-of-others-eKb83W3R The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

]]> Learn from the Mistakes of Others Mike Knoche 00:13:48 The title says it all. Mike takes a good look at the builders he worked for, works around and himself in this new episode. Listen in to hear about his experience and what you could learn from this industry veteran. The title says it all. Mike takes a good look at the builders he worked for, works around and himself in this new episode. Listen in to hear about his experience and what you could learn from this industry veteran. false full 17 1 617c4a6a-5979-42c8-a2da-db06e4e07297 Interview with Andrew Itnyre of Masters Roofing, Memphis, Tennessee The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Andrew Itnyre

IG: @mastersroofing.memphis

]]> Thu, 10 Jun 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Andrew Itnyre) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/interview-with-andrew-itnyre-of-masters-roofing-out-of-memphis-tennessee-ruZs_ge3 The Contracting Handbook podcast is all about the builders and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the construction industry from all over the world. Here you’ll meet the tradespeople who took a leap of faith from working their craft to running the own construction company. You’ll meet people who left lucrative careers to enter the trades. For newcomers to running a construction business, there is a ton of advice on “how to” run your contracting company. For established contractors, you get to meet other industry leaders and get behind the scenes of their business and stay up to date with industry change. Mike Knoche, your host, keeps the conversation interesting. He’s been operating his contracting business for over 15 years in the oddly wonderful, Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike’s philosophy is “we are all experts in how we build where we live, but the business basics and business management are universal”. Join us for this global conversation on operating a construction company, mental health, cool projects, and construction industry progress.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

info@thecontractinghandbook.com

 

Guest: Andrew Itnyre

IG: @mastersroofing.memphis

]]> Interview with Andrew Itnyre of Masters Roofing, Memphis, Tennessee Mike Knoche, Andrew Itnyre 00:45:38 Andrew starts off explaining the structure of Masters Roofing and how they came to be. In 13 short years they have done 9000 roofs with annual sales in the 8-9M range. Mike and Andrew talk about customer care, warranty of work, what it takes to have an edge on your competition, and the current economy. Trying to make sense of the current economy draws question marks for all of us. Listen as two industry veterans give their take on it and listen to Andrews advice for the next generation of roofers! Andrew starts off explaining the structure of Masters Roofing and how they came to be. In 13 short years they have done 9000 roofs with annual sales in the 8-9M range. Mike and Andrew talk about customer care, warranty of work, what it takes to have an edge on your competition, and the current economy. Trying to make sense of the current economy draws question marks for all of us. Listen as two industry veterans give their take on it and listen to Andrews advice for the next generation of roofers! contracting company, roofer, contracting, management, contractor, construction business management, general contracting, tradesman, how to, construction company, remodeler, business, remodel company, construction, remodel, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy, marketing, contracting business, entrepreneur, branding false full 16 1 4b1c20d9-3ba6-40f2-bfc2-dc3967667c96 8 Ways to Gain and Maintain Company Credibility The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

]]> Wed, 9 Jun 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/eight-ways-to-gain-and-maintain-company-credibility-g1oYnqT4 The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

]]> 8 Ways to Gain and Maintain Company Credibility Mike Knoche 00:13:09 Today Mike discusses your company credibility. What do you do to gain credibility for your company? How do you maintain it? From media presence, to awards, certifications, and being genuine- check out this veteran builders take on earning public trust. Today Mike discusses your company credibility. What do you do to gain credibility for your company? How do you maintain it? From media presence, to awards, certifications, and being genuine- check out this veteran builders take on earning public trust. contracting company, contracting, management, tradesman, construction company, remodeler, business, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, marketing, contracting business, careers, branding false full 15 1 14882b98-708a-4b6d-b176-0ee01279b4f7 Wearing Too Many Hats The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Mon, 7 Jun 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/wearing-too-many-hats-dO4IjH3b The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over  the world of any variety of size and structure because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Wearing Too Many Hats Mike Knoche 00:11:28 In this episode, Mike talks about the pitfalls of wearing too many hats when you're trying to run your small business. The consequences for your overall health and state of mind are substantial. Listen in while Mike talks about his experience so you can avoid what happened to him. In this episode, Mike talks about the pitfalls of wearing too many hats when you're trying to run your small business. The consequences for your overall health and state of mind are substantial. Listen in while Mike talks about his experience so you can avoid what happened to him. contracting company, contracting, management, construction company, remodeler, business, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, marketing, contracting business, careers false full 14 1 8dcfb85b-f30a-44af-8eb4-643ae2181ebc Interview with Carmen Hansberry of Carmen Hansberry Design of Perth, Western Australia The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Fri, 4 Jun 2021 03:19:49 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Carmen Hansberry) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/interview-with-carmen-hansberry-of-carmen-hansberry-design-of-perth-western-australia-hJj0M9Sp The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Interview with Carmen Hansberry of Carmen Hansberry Design of Perth, Western Australia Mike Knoche, Carmen Hansberry 00:30:27 Award winning interior designer, Carmen Hansberry, ranks among the top 3 interior designers in Perth, listen to her story and find out why. She's awesome! Mike and Carmen discuss assessing clients for readiness and address the eternal struggle of getting clients to choose finishes. They talk about the designer-contractor relationship and the benefits for the client. Then they talk about the personal nature of designing, second guessing design ideas, and finding inspiration. It's another candid conversation between two veteran building professionals. Award winning interior designer, Carmen Hansberry, ranks among the top 3 interior designers in Perth, listen to her story and find out why. She's awesome! Mike and Carmen discuss assessing clients for readiness and address the eternal struggle of getting clients to choose finishes. They talk about the designer-contractor relationship and the benefits for the client. Then they talk about the personal nature of designing, second guessing design ideas, and finding inspiration. It's another candid conversation between two veteran building professionals. contracting company, management, entrepreneurship, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 13 1 ef7ba440-3e9d-4ff1-805b-f3a0a0a804cd Eleven Key Components for First Time Site Visits The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Wed, 2 Jun 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/the-11-key-components-for-first-time-site-visits-lCLbjlaU The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Eleven Key Components for First Time Site Visits Mike Knoche 00:15:39 Mike talks about the key "must do" components when you go to visit with your clients for the first time. This episode is the logical next step in the progression from the previous two episodes of what to do and what not to do during client cold calls. Mike gives you what he sees as the best way to make a good impression on clients, get good information that can be turned into thorough proposals, ask good questions and weed out tire kickers. It's all the things he learned by doing it wrong! Mike talks about the key "must do" components when you go to visit with your clients for the first time. This episode is the logical next step in the progression from the previous two episodes of what to do and what not to do during client cold calls. Mike gives you what he sees as the best way to make a good impression on clients, get good information that can be turned into thorough proposals, ask good questions and weed out tire kickers. It's all the things he learned by doing it wrong! contracting company, contracting, management, construction company, remodeler, business, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 12 1 d630774c-999f-4f8d-91ea-e81b2462a5c1 The contractor-foreman relationship: Framing foreman Marcus @broski_builds on Instagram The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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Guest: Marc Nagtegaal

Insta:@broski builds

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Marcus Nagtegaal) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/the-contractor-foreman-relationship-interview-with-framing-foreman-marcus-nagtegaal-of-broski-builds-on-instagram-OqUj08fb The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Guest: Marc Nagtegaal

Insta:@broski builds

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> The contractor-foreman relationship: Framing foreman Marcus @broski_builds on Instagram Mike Knoche, Marcus Nagtegaal 00:50:07 This episode is a candid conversation between a general contractor with a crew (Mike Knoche) and a foreman that runs a crew (Marcus Nagtegaal) but we have never met before recording. We talk about the contractor-foreman relationship, the pitfalls of ego in managing employees, the importance of recognizing employees individual skills and letting go of the reins because is just more productive. We also delve into social media and how it's brought he building community together. A must listen for anyone with a foreman that manages a crew, foreman, middle management in any industry, and anyone who wants to hear how we interact behind the scenes in a small construction company. This episode is a candid conversation between a general contractor with a crew (Mike Knoche) and a foreman that runs a crew (Marcus Nagtegaal) but we have never met before recording. We talk about the contractor-foreman relationship, the pitfalls of ego in managing employees, the importance of recognizing employees individual skills and letting go of the reins because is just more productive. We also delve into social media and how it's brought he building community together. A must listen for anyone with a foreman that manages a crew, foreman, middle management in any industry, and anyone who wants to hear how we interact behind the scenes in a small construction company. contracting company, management, construction business management, women in trades, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, diy, contracting business, careers false full 11 1 0d302b7a-2c05-4a08-9561-c047835e7c86 Five things NOT TO DO during client cold calls The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Wed, 26 May 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/five-things-not-to-do-in-client-cold-calls-9YDxMwpW The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Five things NOT TO DO during client cold calls Mike Knoche 00:10:16 Today I talk about five things you should never do when you are talking to a client for the first time (or ever for that matter). Tune in to hear what I have learned and implemented after 16 years of talking to new potential clients on the phone. I'm sharing this information so you don't have to experience the painful lessons I did as I developed my small contracting company! Today I talk about five things you should never do when you are talking to a client for the first time (or ever for that matter). Tune in to hear what I have learned and implemented after 16 years of talking to new potential clients on the phone. I'm sharing this information so you don't have to experience the painful lessons I did as I developed my small contracting company! contracting company, management, client relationships, construction contracting, cold call, clients, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, plumber, construction business, remodeling business, career, general contractor, diy, contracting business, entrepreneur, builder false full 10 1 857bcc95-8c6a-42f1-834a-03706d4f356e Six essential components for client cold calls The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Mon, 24 May 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/six-essential-components-for-client-cold-calls-M9A36sYB The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Six essential components for client cold calls Mike Knoche 00:10:16 Mike lists and discusses what he knows to be six essential takeaways when your first phone call with a client. This is the result of 16 years of taking calls from clients. Tell us what you think or what you do differently in comments or reviews. Mike lists and discusses what he knows to be six essential takeaways when your first phone call with a client. This is the result of 16 years of taking calls from clients. Tell us what you think or what you do differently in comments or reviews. contracting company, foreman, management, employees, contractor, site management, cold calls, small business, clients, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, general contractor, remodels, diy, contracting business false full 9 1 c9a9fe3b-68d0-4de3-a4a8-1a49d9befcc2 Interview with Steven Dunne of the Nice Painting Co out of Auckland-Nelson, NZ The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

]]> Thu, 20 May 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Steven Dunne, Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/interview-with-steven-dunne-of-the-nice-painting-co-out-of-auckland-nelson-nz-toweYT_c The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

]]> Interview with Steven Dunne of the Nice Painting Co out of Auckland-Nelson, NZ Steven Dunne, Mike Knoche 00:26:09 Mike asks Steven to discuss the expansion of his business in number of employees and having operations both in Aukland, on the North Island, as well as Nelson, on the South island. Steven shares his insight and very personal experience the stress associated with company growth and how he overcame the obstacles. A brief and insightful look into the Nice Painting Company! Mike asks Steven to discuss the expansion of his business in number of employees and having operations both in Aukland, on the North Island, as well as Nelson, on the South island. Steven shares his insight and very personal experience the stress associated with company growth and how he overcame the obstacles. A brief and insightful look into the Nice Painting Company! contracting company, contracting, management, contractor, business management, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, business growth, construction business, remodeling business, career, diy, contracting business false full 8 1 1884d07d-f1ac-4fd4-8618-5d372dce7ca4 Defining your company: Go big, stay small but don't get caught in between The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Wed, 19 May 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/defining-your-company-go-big-stay-small-but-dont-get-stuck-between-IC_VAn2X The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Defining your company: Go big, stay small but don't get caught in between Mike Knoche 00:11:44 Listen as Mike talks about whether to expand company size for growth or stay small and elite. This episode sets the stage for Thursdays interview episode. Listen as Mike talks about whether to expand company size for growth or stay small and elite. This episode sets the stage for Thursdays interview episode. contracting company, management, home builder, contractor, business management, construction company, remodeler, business, construction, construction business, remodeling business, career, general contractor, contracting business false full 7 1 dfc9bb83-756c-4377-abeb-dac36d37f3d2 Defining your company: it's personal, "everyone is not your client", and company/ personal goals The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Mon, 17 May 2021 09:45:12 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/defining-your-company-personally-choosing-clients-and-company-personal-goals-MgLl3Id9 The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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]]> Defining your company: it's personal, "everyone is not your client", and company/ personal goals Mike Knoche 00:09:31 Today, Mike talks about your company definition again. This time about how you personalize your company, that everyone is not your client, and how it relates to company/personal goals. The second installment of a three part series. Today, Mike talks about your company definition again. This time about how you personalize your company, that everyone is not your client, and how it relates to company/personal goals. The second installment of a three part series. contracting company, contracting, management, contractor, business development, small business, construction company, remodeler, business, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, career, general contractor, marketing, contracting business, branding, builder false full 6 1 acbccf85-f740-43a8-833d-c86fa14faa93 Interview with Randy Jones of Fine Remodeling The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

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Guest: Randy Jones 

Insta: @fineremodelingde

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Thu, 13 May 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Randy Jones) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/interview-with-randy-jones-SyvwOTEC The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button and leave a review

 

Guest: Randy Jones 

Insta: @fineremodelingde

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

]]> Interview with Randy Jones of Fine Remodeling Mike Knoche, Randy Jones 00:26:03 Mike asks questions, Randy answers questions. Randy and Mike talk about the importance of client and employee relationships, what they've found to be effective, and how to strike a WORK-LIFE balance. Randy shares his advice for his younger contractor self and asks our next guest, "do your employees work for you or do you work for your employees?" Mike asks questions, Randy answers questions. Randy and Mike talk about the importance of client and employee relationships, what they've found to be effective, and how to strike a WORK-LIFE balance. Randy shares his advice for his younger contractor self and asks our next guest, "do your employees work for you or do you work for your employees?" contracting company, contracting, management, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, marketing, contracting business false full 5 1 a1e16c26-fe0e-4d19-85ba-61a384e22829 Defining your company by work, public perception, and in name The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

]]> Wed, 12 May 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/defining-your-company-by-work-public-perception-and-in-name-QuKVxpIj The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small contracting company. Your host, Mike Knoche, has been successfully running his small contracting company for 16 years. Here he shares what worked for him, mistakes he made along the way, and his “aha” moments. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and client. He’ll get into proposals, contracts, marketing and much more. It won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the US and the world because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

]]> Defining your company by work, public perception, and in name Mike Knoche 00:15:48 Mike waxes philosophical about defining your company through directing your efforts to get work you want to be doing, public perception, and business basics like your company name. It's the first in a three part series. Mike waxes philosophical about defining your company through directing your efforts to get work you want to be doing, public perception, and business basics like your company name. It's the first in a three part series. contracting company, management, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false full 4 1 33e2cc27-5242-47e0-a602-481435c88aea You can't know everything Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

 

]]> Mon, 10 May 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/you-cant-know-everything-1vsu9r9x Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

 

]]> You can't know everything Mike Knoche 00:06:23 In this episode Mike talks about why you need to do your homework when you take on work that you are unfamiliar with, why not knowing everything can be a strength, why it should never be an excuse, and that you should take on challenging projects! In this episode Mike talks about why you need to do your homework when you take on work that you are unfamiliar with, why not knowing everything can be a strength, why it should never be an excuse, and that you should take on challenging projects! contracting company, contracting, management, entrpreneurship, small business, women intrades, construction company, remodeler, business, remodel company, construction, remodel, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, marketing, contracting business, entrepreneur false full 2 1 cfd705d3-6443-4f95-8c61-c35f21867d69 Sean Francis: Apex Home Design rockets his remodeling biz Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Sean Francis

Instagram: apex home design

 

 

]]> Mon, 10 May 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche, Sean Francis) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/interview-with-sean-francis-of-apex-home-design-08iaDr49 Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

Guest: Sean Francis

Instagram: apex home design

 

 

]]> Sean Francis: Apex Home Design rockets his remodeling biz Mike Knoche, Sean Francis 00:32:33 Mike asks Sean questions, Sean answers questions. It's a fun conversation about how Sean has achieved a stellar reputation for Apex Home Design. Find out the secrets to Sean's success here! Sean asks our next guest, "how do you find balance between being on all the time and actually having downtime". The eternal question for small business owners because we all know that at times, you don't own your business, it owns you. Note: the zoom call was a little iffy for the first couple minutes but we rolled with it and it clears up. Mike asks Sean questions, Sean answers questions. It's a fun conversation about how Sean has achieved a stellar reputation for Apex Home Design. Find out the secrets to Sean's success here! Sean asks our next guest, "how do you find balance between being on all the time and actually having downtime". The eternal question for small business owners because we all know that at times, you don't own your business, it owns you. Note: the zoom call was a little iffy for the first couple minutes but we rolled with it and it clears up. contracting company, contracting, management, contractor, tradesman, small business, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, construction business, remodeling business, general contractor, marketing, contracting business, branding false full 3 1 e0cd6017-dc0a-428b-9d56-46143bbb58c0 What this show is all about Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

 

]]> Mon, 10 May 2021 09:30:00 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/what-this-show-all-about-DZ8Y3VeB Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

 

]]> What this show is all about Mike Knoche 00:09:09 In this first show, Mike will tell you all about his idea and where he plans to take the program. He talks about the schedule and who his first guests will be. In this first show, Mike will tell you all about his idea and where he plans to take the program. He talks about the schedule and who his first guests will be. contracting company, contracting, management, home builder, education, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, marketing, contracting business false full 1 1 605b40a6-94c9-4145-a86e-efb7c44d4492 The Contracting Handbook teaser Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

]]> Sat, 1 May 2021 20:31:13 +0000 info@thecontractinghandbook.com (Mike Knoche) https://the-contracting-handbook.simplecast.com/episodes/the-contracting-handbook-teaser-zp9h5N74 Mike Knoche has been running his general contracting business for 16 years. It's been trial by fire and in The Contracting Handbook, Mike shares his successes, his failures and asks other industry leaders to join him in a discussion of how to run a construction business! The Contracting Handbook podcast discusses the behind the scenes running of a small construction company. It’s everything from starting up, working with employees, subcontractors, and clients. Remember, it won’t just be Mike’s perspective as he will talk to contractors from all over the world about theirs too! Why the world over? Because through his travels in the off season he’s come to see that contractors everywhere have similar business needs, struggles, and ideas in common. We a are a global community of builders! Contact Mike at info@thecontractinghandbook.com for questions, comments, or to be interviewed.

Please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, comment or question. I want your feedback.

 

Host: Mike Knoche

Website: The Contracting Handbook

Hammr: @mikeknoche

Instagram: @thecontractinghandbook

Venmo: Mike-Knoche-1

 

]]> The Contracting Handbook teaser Mike Knoche 00:01:05 Show host, Mike Knoche, briefly describes The Contracting Handbook Podcast Show host, Mike Knoche, briefly describes The Contracting Handbook Podcast contracting company, contracting, management, entrepreneurship, construction company, remodeler, remodel company, construction, remodel, women in construction, construction business, remodeling business, contracting business false trailer 1