Modern Craftsman

Sign up for the Modern Craftsman Community: 👉🏻 MC Community Sign-up Nick and Tyler get into why so much residential construction still relies on old habits instead of better systems. From Superior Walls and panelized assemblies to CLT, trusses, and prefab mechanicals, this episode is all about building smarter, reducing labor strain, and solving problems with process instead of brute force. Sign up for the newsletter: Newsletter Sign-up Show Notes: 00:00 Rethinking How We Build 09:11 Smarter Framing Choices 21:50 Why Foundations Feel Backwards 32:37 Stop Building It the Hard Way 41:47 Beyond Stick Framing 48:50 Learning From the Misses 55:20 Efficiency Changes Everything Video Version:https://youtu.be/gMomXL4_8JQ Partners: Andersen Windows Harnish Workwear Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Tyler Grace Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

Tyler talks about why boundaries are one of the best things you can put in place for your business and your clients. From communication and change orders to timelines and lead intake, this episode is all about setting clear expectations early so the whole job runs smoother. Show Notes: 00:00 Boundaries Without Sounding Like a Jerk 02:26 Set the Tone Early 04:47 Why Builders Avoid Boundaries 07:06 Let Clients Self-Qualify 10:52 Boundaries Are Just Your Process 14:03 Communication Expectations 15:58 Change Order Rules 19:28 Why You Need Stronger Pricing Boundaries 24:17 Boundaries From Lead to Closeout Video Version:https://youtu.be/c8ixJeVpu-U Partners: Andersen Windows Harnish Workwear Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Tyler Grace Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

Tyler breaks down why clients ghost builders and why the real issue usually isn't the lead, it's the process. He gets into clearer next steps, tighter follow-up, and how to stop leaving the door wide open for bad-fit clients to waste your time. Get our Discovery Call Script: https://modern-craftsman.kit.com/discovery Sign up for the newsletter: https://modern-craftsman.kit.com/1cc009f591 Show Notes: 00:00 Lead, Don't Chase 04:15 Ghosting Is a Process Problem 08:12 Stop Persuading Bad Fits 12:45 You're Giving Away Too Much 16:11 Define the Next Step 19:56 Close the Loops 22:31 Build a Follow-Up SOP 27:46 Ghosting Is Feedback 32:20 Close the Door Video Version:https://youtu.be/ixFKtpGdGJ8 Partners: Andersen Windows Harnish Workwear Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Tyler Grace Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

They unpack the strategy and high stakes behind a $12.25M spec build meant to prove a market. They discuss design choices, intricate cladding and finish details, and the construction sequencing lessons learned. They talk about marketing a one-off home, trade relationships that elevated craftsmanship, and how exhaustive documentation is shaping future business.

They dig into how P&L and payroll should steer the work you accept. They explore why small jobs add hidden costs and crush margins. They discuss shifting toward fewer, larger projects to improve efficiency. They cover using realistic salaries and financial baselines to decide when to scale and when to trim overhead.

Two consulting calls spotlight the contrast between profitable but overwhelmed businesses and those that never pencil. The conversation digs into cutting overhead, improving efficiency, and matching job size to crew. Practical moves include shifting costs to jobs, hiring fewer higher-paid workers, and fixing inputs before chasing more sales.

They break down what an ideal referral looks like and why random leads waste time. They explain shaping expectations, messaging, and follow-up to attract the right clients. They cover using networks before paid ads, grooming past clients and trade partners for better referrals, and staying top of mind with simple follow-up systems.

Tyler breaks down how to protect your time from the very first inquiry without sounding defensive or arrogant. The goal is simple: give value up front, but stop donating real consulting work to people who are still shopping. Show Notes: 00:00 Free work becomes the expectation 00:20 Why this starts at the first inquiry 05:50 Stop consulting for free 08:50 How to set boundaries without sounding rude 11:21 Lead example: the "roof leak" rabbit hole 15:48 Pushback, reputation & holding the line 21:05 Lead example: the "simple" hood swap 30:59 Wrap: plant the seed & point to resources Video Version:https://youtu.be/B2xaYeIL6Qw Partners: Andersen Windows Harnish Workwear Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Tyler Grace Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

Most leads sound "good" until you start pulling on the threads. Nick and Tyler roleplay four common inquiry types and show how to spot risk early, protect your time, and decide whether it's pre-con, a small feasibility study, or a hard pass. Show Notes: 00:00 Cold open 00:31 Why decision makers matter 01:54 Sponsor: Anderson 05:30 Sponsor: Harness Workwear 09:13 Feasibility vs pre-con 09:35 Lead intake template & newsletter 22:36 Call 1: Referral lead 28:27 Call 2: Tight budget lead 39:47 Call 3: Facebook rush job 48:41 Call 4: Dream home lead 53:37 When the timeline is a deal-breaker 01:01:10 Wrap Video Version:https://youtu.be/aBTqwssCt80 Partners: Andersen Windows Harnish Workwear Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Tyler Grace Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

Tyler walks through his real lead intake process, using simple hurdles and a tight email script to qualify (or disqualify) clients without burning hours on tire kickers. He covers the red flags, the questions that actually tell the truth, and how he tees up pre-con, plus a quick heads-up on the IBS meetup details. Show Notes: 00:00 Qualifying Win 00:14 Intro & IBS Plans 05:00 Funnel Thinking 05:31 Website Gate & Email System 09:06 Intake Questions That Matter 18:12 T&M Model & Pre-Con Role 21:23 Red Flags & Realtor Leads 25:22 Ballpark & Pre-Con Pitch 32:25 Meetup Reminder & Wrap Video Version:https://youtu.be/jECvxRvIX44 Partners: Andersen Windows Harnish Workwear Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Tyler Grace Podcast Produced By: Motif Media