In our latest episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, my co-host (and wife) Brittany and I dove deep into some of the key financial lessons we've learned over the years. One of the biggest takeaways was the importance of having a solid handle on your overhead costs and labor hours. We use a system called "multiple overhead recovery" where we carefully budget out our annual overhead expenses and then ensure we're recovering that across the billable hours of our crew. It's so easy to underestimate how much it really costs to run the business, and if you're not vigilant about it, those overhead costs can quickly eat into your profits. We also discussed the risks of "floating" expensive equipment like excavators and dump trucks on the road. While it's great to have that capability for big jobs, the liability of having hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of machinery out there is substantial. One fender bender with an uninsured driver could wipe out an entire project's profits....

In our latest episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jeff Graf, the owner of Fence Connections and Majestic Fence, as well as his accountant, Rosina Barkman. The conversation centered around the importance of managing the financial side of your contracting business - something that I'll admit has been a constant challenge for me over the years. Like many contractors, I started out focused solely on the work, without giving much thought to the numbers. It wasn't until I nearly went bankrupt that I realized the critical role that financial management plays in the success of a business. Listening to Jeff and Rosina discuss their approach to project-based accounting, overhead recovery, and cash flow projections was a real eye-opener. Rosina emphasized the importance of creating accurate estimates that account for all costs, including overhead and a healthy profit margin. She also stressed the need to track expenses in real-time, rather than waiting until the end of a job to assess...

On the latest episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, I talked with Ryan Finnell from Earth N' Stone to discuss his company's use of the unique ANTS trailer. As an ambassador for this specialized piece of equipment, I was excited to get Ryan's take on the pros and cons of incorporating it into his business. Ryan described the ANTS trailer as a "miniature hydraulic live bottom trailer" - essentially a dump trailer with a conveyor belt system that allows for efficient material unloading and delivery. After initially being skeptical of the trailer's usefulness, Ryan decided to take the plunge and add one to his fleet. It didn't take long for him to recognize the benefits. The biggest pro Ryan highlighted was the ability to easily deliver palletized materials like stone, soil, and sod without needing a forklift or additional manpower. The conveyor belt allows him to simply back up to the job site, activate the hydraulics, and deposit the materials right where they need to go. This...

In our latest episode, we dive deep into the importance of clear communication and managing expectations - both with our team and our clients. One of the key takeaways I emphasized is that "unmet expectations are premeditated resentment." It's so easy for resentment to build up silently when we assume our team or clients will perform a certain way, without explicitly communicating those expectations. This can lead to frustration, strained relationships, and ultimately, lost business. Brittany and I discussed specific examples, like when we assumed a client would understand certain project details were included, only to have them get upset later on. We realized the importance of over-communicating every single expectation, no matter how obvious it may seem. Whether it's the color of stone, the timeline for completion, or even something as simple as sweeping the sidewalk at the end of the day - it all needs to be spelled out. Another area we focused on was optimizing our contracts and...

As my wife Brittany and I continue to navigate the ups and downs of running a successful contracting business, I find myself constantly seeking out wisdom and inspiration from other entrepreneurs who have been in our shoes. In our latest episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, I had the chance to share some of the most thought-provoking soundbites I've come across recently - insights that have really struck a chord and helped shape our mindset and approach. One quote that has stuck with me is from Elon Musk, who described starting a company as "staring into the abyss and eating glass." That sentiment really captures the rollercoaster of emotions we've experienced - the exhilarating highs of landing a big project or seeing our team excel, but also the constant stress of facing potential failure and having to tackle the most difficult, unpleasant problems in the business. Musk's words reminded me of the importance of having a high pain tolerance and feeling truly compelled to do this...

I'm always eager to bring on industry experts who can share their unique perspectives and experiences. In our latest episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Nate, a 24-year veteran of the hardscapes industry. Nate's journey has taken him from being a contractor himself to now working on the licensing side with Rosetta Hardscapes. His insights into the evolution of the industry were truly eye-opening. We discussed the shift towards more efficient labor practices, the rise of younger contractors with fresh ideas, and the benefits of large-format retaining walls like Rosetta's products. One of the most fascinating aspects of our conversation was Nate's explanation of the manufacturing process behind these massive concrete blocks. The use of polyurethane molds and wet casting techniques allows for incredible detail and precision, something that's simply not possible with traditional dry cast methods. As someone who is passionate about the industry, I found Nate's perspective on...

As a business owner in the landscaping industry, I'm always looking for ways to protect my company and stay ahead of the curve when it comes to emerging technologies. That's why I was thrilled to have my brother Noah, a I.T. and cybersecurity expert, join me on the latest episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast. In our conversation, Noah and I dove deep into the critical importance of safeguarding your company in the digital age. With the rise of sophisticated cyber threats, it's more important than ever to leverage advanced tools and strategies to defend against hackers and secure your operations. Noah shared his insights on how technologies like AI and two-factor authentication can be game-changers in protecting your business. We discussed real-world examples of companies that have fallen victim to devastating hacks, and the steps they could have taken to prevent such breaches. As a landscaper, I know firsthand how easy it can be to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and overlook...

Hey folks, I'm excited to share that "Together in the Trades" 2024 was another successful event. This marriage conference that my wife Brittany and I host with Brian and Liz Fullerton for couples in the green industry has become an annual tradition that we look forward to, and this year was no exception. In a recent episode of Kid Contractor podcast, we gave a "de-briefing" of the event. Joining us for this episode were our good friends Brian and Liz Fullerton, the co-hosts of "Together in the Trades". Together, we dove into the key insights and takeaways from the weekend, covering everything from the power of community and the importance of self-awareness to the challenges of entrepreneurship and the value of marriage coaching. One of the standout moments for me was hearing from Brad and Tammi Miller of Tandem Marriage, a couple who have become the "matriarch and patriarch" of the event. Their honesty and vulnerability in sharing their own marriage journey was...

In a recent episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with several industry professionals to get their take on the current economic landscape. In this third installment of our series, we heard from Jonathan Martin of Precision Outdoors in North Carolina and Ryan Fennell of Earth and Stone in Texas. The key takeaways from our conversations were:

1. The labor pool continues to be a major challenge, with contractors having to pay more to attract and retain skilled workers. This is driving up costs and putting pressure on profit margins.

2. Budgeting and estimating software are critical tools for running a successful landscaping business. Contractors who invest the time to set up these systems are better equipped to price jobs accurately and maintain profitability.

3. The economic conditions vary across different regions of the country. While some areas are experiencing rapid growth, others are seeing a slowdown in new construction and concrete work. Successful...

On the latest episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, I had the chance to catch up with two more contractors from different regions of the country to get their take on the current economic conditions and trends they're seeing in their businesses. First, I spoke with Paul from Miami, Florida, who runs a landscaping company called PGL. Paul shared how he's had to adapt his business over the past 18 months, going from a focus on lawn maintenance to more design and installation work. He's noticed his clients are asking more detailed questions about the projects, wanting to understand the value they're getting rather than just focusing on the timeline. Paul also discussed the challenges of managing his crew size, finding the right balance between having enough workers to get the job done well while also keeping his overhead in check. And he emphasized the importance of building trust with clients, especially after some have had bad experiences with other contractors. Later in the episode,...