Modern Craftsman

They unpack why a packed calendar can hide unfinished priorities and how handing off tasks forces you to protect focus. They contrast busy work with building systems that actually grow a business. They debate saying no to misfit projects, using simple checklists over tool overload, and whether AI just squeezes more into the same day.

Stay out of the cold with these hot budget tips as Tyler breaks down exactly how he budgets a real porch job, from the precon fee and deposit strategy to tracking every cost day by day. The big takeaway is how to communicate "extras" without panic, keep cashflow protected, and still finish strong without rushing. Show Notes:00:00 Cold office, hot topic 02:05 Precon fee and setting the budget 05:15 Deposits and staying out of the red 08:40 Daily tracking and invoice cycles 13:55 Calling out extras without change-order chaos 20:45 Reconciling budget vs real costs 27:35 Don't rush the finish 30:10 Wrap and why he won't show the spreadsheet Video Version:https://youtu.be/4woZAp_WBqU Partners: Andersen Windows Buildertrend Harnish Workwear Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear NAHB International Builders' Show The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Tyler Grace Podcast Produced By: Motif Media Partners: Andersen Windows Buildertrend Harnish Workwear Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear NAHB International Builders' Show The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Tyler Grace Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

Builders already have thousands of jobsite photos on their phones, but most of those shots are not protecting them, selling future work, or showing what they really do. In this episode we break down a simple way to use your phone, a few habits, and better organization so your photos become insurance, a sales tool, and a real portfolio instead of digital clutter. Show Notes: 00:00:00 The Shot That Saves You 00:04:20 Meet Dave 00:08:00 How This All Started 00:10:28 Photos That Win Work 00:12:47 CYA Before You Demo 00:17:03 Your Phone Can Do This 00:23:32 Make It Look Expensive 00:39:16 Stop Losing Your Best Shots 00:57:04 Tell The Story Not Just The Build 01:02:52 The Simple Photo Playbook Video Version: https://youtu.be/iPJ7u70YeWs Partners: Andersen Windows Buildertrend Harnish Workwear Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear NAHB International Builders' Show The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Tyler Grace Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

Nick and Tyler break down how line item budgets, tiered estimates, and value engineering actually protect you when clients start pushing on price and scope. From losing out on a five million dollar job after an eleven hour estimate to using that same work to land better projects, they talk through transparency, expectations, and how not to let your own standards wreck your profitability. Show Notes: 00:00 Cold Open, Winter 05:04 Sponsors and Setup 13:09 Cordless Tools Talk 15:19 Precon Tier 1 21:55 Dropbox Wipeout 29:54 Line Items and Trust 42:09 Cheaper Builder Choice 47:11 Cool Work vs Profit 56:35 Grass and Perspective Video Version:https://youtu.be/LfpK6nRHTUo Partners: Andersen Windows Buildertrend Harnish Workwear Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear NAHB International Builders' Show The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Tyler Grace Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

Tyler answers a listener's question about two belt-on GCs teaming up in a 50-50 partnership and trying to keep things simple while still making real money. He breaks down how to price owner labor, define roles, track time, and protect both your margins and your friendship when you run a tiny company with two owners. Show Notes:00:00 Two owners, tiny company 05:26 Ryan's email setup 08:00 One and a half myth 10:19 Where you make money 13:00 Self perform vs subs 15:00 Pros and cons of partners 17:20 Roles, risk, resentment 19:59 Tool belt vs business 25:01 Staying niche, lean overhead 29:29 Tracking time and overhead 34:25 Protecting the friendship 38:50 IBS tickets and outro Video Version:https://youtu.be/6b0RrhcuXT0 Partners: Andersen Windows Buildertrend Harnish Workwear Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear NAHB International Builders' Show The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts: Nick Schiffer Tyler Grace Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

They unpack preconstruction strategies that protect design intent and keep projects on budget. They explain tier-one estimates, value engineering that preserves vision, and when builders should engage. They highlight tracking hidden inefficiencies, realistic allowances for unknowns, and how standardized specs speed decisions.

Tyler answers a listener email about what he'd do differently if he were starting his business today, beyond just setting up insurance, lawyers, and an LLC. He digs into why chasing "sexy" high-end projects can crush your margins, how T&M and paid pre-con changed his business, and why the less you work, the more you can actually make when your systems and numbers are dialed. The Preconstruction Course: Click Here Show Notes: 00:00 What I'd Do Differently Starting Today 03:59 Chasing Sexy Projects Instead Of Profit 08:42 Scaling Back And Resetting The Business 12:30 Dialing In Pre Con Overhead And Job Type 21:56 Forty Hours Vs Eighty Hours For The Same Pay 27:00 The Three Levers Of Profit In A Small Shop 30:28 Learn To Walk Before You Run Your Company Video Version: https://youtu.be/kpu9RmFKCwQ Partners: Andersen Windows Buildertrend 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

This episode gets real about money stress, comparison, and the head noise that comes with trying to run a construction business and still show up at home. We talk through how we handle the dark season — from boundaries and better systems to finding people you can actually be honest with. Show Notes: 00:00 Intro, sponsors and setup 04:10 Why we are talking about mental health 05:35 Comparison trap and feeling behind 09:44 Money stress and your relationship with cash 16:07 Why this season hits builders so hard 24:20 Taking inventory, boundaries and time off 30:14 All in on the 45 White Oak project 35:00 Serving others without chasing every upside 45:13 Diversifying work and reducing risk 51:01 You are not alone in this 56:10 Precon course offer and wrap up Video Version: https://youtu.be/0oyG44Xtgfo Partners: Andersen Windows Buildertrend 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

Nick and Tyler sit down live at CCS in Chicago to walk through how they go from 100 inquiries to one real client and why risk is the number one reason people never build. They break down self-qualifying leads, budget reality checks, and using precon and VE to protect both your business and the homeowner before anyone signs. Show Notes: 00:00 Why clients don't build 04:48 Live from CCS in Chicago 05:58 From lead gen to lead conversion 09:28 Getting clients to self-qualify 18:00 When the budget and scope don't match 22:09 Using precon to de-risk the job 30:33 Converting right way Video Version: https://youtu.be/o_huhOG3FMU Partners: Andersen Windows Buildertrend 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 tears into the "stop buying lattes" take and runs the numbers that actually break buyers and clients. The squeeze lands on builders too - changing bids, quality, and what projects even pencil out. Show Notes: 00:00 The meme and why it's off 04:00 Life costs vs "coffee" costs 06:30 1981 starter home vs today's code & specs 07:25 Rates, prices, and the real math 10:35 How this hits builders and quality 12:05 Healthcare, childcare, and budgets 13:45 Remodel numbers that don't work 16:10 Myths Tyler hears vs reality on site 20:00 The human toll and what needs to change 27:50 Wrap-up Video Version: https://youtu.be/qJxBE_2G6t4 Partners: Andersen Windows Buildertrend 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