The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber

Make sure you take care of things when they are not in use, so they are ready when you need them! Tim and Greg remind you to take care of what you need to take care of.   In this episode, we talk about…  Keeping things in good condition when they aren't in use The habit of neglecting stuff until they're a problem Taking care of your body, skills, equipment, etc. Some employees may be struggling — look after them. Resources:  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground    == Order your free copy of Tom's book Winning the Contractor Fight (Just pay to ship) == https://thecontractorfight.com/book    == Connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook    == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/    == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  Live Unafraid Swag: https://thecontractorfight.com/unafraid    The Contractor Fight is the ultimate resource for becoming an uncommon contractor! Pick a fight with mediocrity. Live Unafraid.

Dan encourages you to take a look at your money mindset, see where you stand in terms of how you price jobs and make sure you are being fair to yourself and your company because your profitability is the lifeblood of your business.  In this episode, we talk about…  Avoid selling based on your own perception of a budget. Do you want to make money, or do you want to make yourself feel good? The only perception of value that matters is the clients. Four reasons why you need to shift your money mindset There are no absolutes when it comes to the perception of value As there are a lot of risks involved, materials, labor, etc., you deserve to get paid for it Charging more also allows you to provide a better service Profit isn't a dirty thing Resources:  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  Live Unafraid Swag: https://thecontractorfight.com/unafraid  The Contractor Fight is the ultimate resource for becoming an uncommon contractor! Pick a fight with mediocrity. Live Unafraid. 

Listen in as Tom and Dan answer your questions about who should handle materials and quotes when you hire a sub, a reasonable warranty timeline, explaining profit margins to customers when you hire a sub and determining what rate to charge.   In this episode, we answer the questions…   Question1: I hire subs, and take care of the quotes, materials, orders, designs, etc. Is that your responsibility for hiring them? And what is the general contractor and subcontractor offering on each project? If you're subbing out to a framer, expect the framer to buy the materials. You can negotiate when the work is done. Take responsibility for the material to ensure top-quality finishes are used.    Question2: What is a good warranty timeline? I'm a deck builder. If you're building something structural, it would be several years Warranty is not a problem. It becomes a customer service opportunity to get in front of people and get the deal done.   Question 3: If you took 25% on a project after subcontracting, and the customer asked for a breakdown, how would you explain it to them? You are the one they hired, so if your sub goes out of business, you are responsible for paying for repairs, you are warranting the job, and they are coming after you, not your sub. 25 percent is too little—it should be double what your subs charge you Your customer should never know your targets.   Question 4: We offer a wide variety of services. Would you recommend charging different rates for different projects as long as I hit my target of $80 an hour per man-hour?  Provide services that are easy to find for the customer, and the labor is easy to locate with a hassle-free experience Offering so many services would be difficult to justify Resources:  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground    == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook    == Order your free copy of Tom’s book Winning the Contractor Fight (Just pay to ship) == https://thecontractorfight.com/book    == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  Live Unafraid Swag: https://thecontractorfight.com/unafraid   

Dan and Tom speak with guest Chris Treese. Chris is the owner of a construction company called Classic Home Concepts. Chris discusses the value of being part of the right community, the power of meeting people in person, and the importance of participating in live events.   In this episode, we talk about… His financial condition before he joined the Contractor Fight  How being a part of the Contractor Fight programs changed his mindset and business Getting real-time help with your issues through Contractor Fight's open coaching program Changes Chris made to his business and marketing strategy Final deciding factors in closing a sale Differentiating yourself from other companies that offer the same services as you Chris' journey from being a third-party installer for a manufacturer to taking on his own marketing  What you need to know before hiring a media professional How to build your brand as a local business owner How he has changed as a leader in the last few years The importance of conducting weekly team meetings Working through your mindset instead of saying, "why can't I do this or why can't I succeed."   Resources: Connect with Chris here - Classic Home Concepts: https://classichomeconcepts.com/  Want the success Chris is enjoying for yourself? Join us in BATTLEGROUND - Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground    Get your free copy of Tom's book Winning the Contractor Fight (Just pay to ship): https://thecontractorfight.com/book Connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: http://thecontractorfight.com/facebook   Find Us on Social Media: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber Instagram: http://thecontractorfight.com/ig Live Unafraid Swag: http://thecontractorfight.com/unafraid  

Tom and Steve discuss the "Bucketization" of your business so that you can run your business more efficiently. They also discuss what contractors struggle with and what they can do to overcome those issues.   In this episode, we talk about… How to bucketize your business for greater efficiency The issue of having lots of cash flow but no profit Pricing your work and selling it at a 50% gross profit margin How to communicate with a potential prospect over the phone The areas where most contractors have difficulty How to build a good team and be a good leader What to do when your employees arrive late for work Pushing your limits so you can reach the next level Keeping your employees in the loop about the profits of your company   Resources: == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Up your sales game! Find everything your contracting business needs to price, sell and produce for profit in one comprehensive program - BATTLEGROUND. For more info check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your free copy of Tom's book Winning the Contractor Fight (Just pay to ship) == https://thecontractorfight.com/book == Connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: http://thecontractorfight.com/facebook == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/    == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber Instagram: http://thecontractorfight.com/ig Live Unafraid Swag: http://thecontractorfight.com/unafraid     The Contractor Fight is the ultimate resource for becoming an uncommon contractor! Pick a fight with mediocrity. Live Unafraid.

If a battle cannot be won, do not fight it! Tom recommends that you pick your job wisely, i.e., do not begin a project if you do not feel 100% sure that you are going to win.   In this episode, we talk about… Never accept a job unless you are confident that you will keep at least 50% of the money. Learning how to pre-plan projects to win before you even step foot on the job site Organizing pre-job visits to get a sense of the project and getting your team ready for it  Mapping out your ideal outcome for the work you do every day Don’t do a job if you're not 100% sure you'll win — you'll never get hurt on a job you didn't do.   Resources: Follow Tom on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realtomreber    == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground == Get your free copy of Tom's book Winning the Contractor Fight (Just pay to ship) == https://thecontractorfight.com/book == Connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: http://thecontractorfight.com/facebook == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/    == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber Instagram: http://thecontractorfight.com/ig Live Unafraid Swag: http://thecontractorfight.com/unafraid     The Contractor Fight is the ultimate resource for becoming an uncommon contractor! Pick a fight with mediocrity. Live Unafraid.

Stop giving unsolicited advice—unsolicited advice never helps anyone! Tim and Greg tell you why acting like an expert never benefits anyone and why you should become a better listener and process your thoughts before speaking.   In this episode, we talk about…   Why you shouldn't act like an expert How to be a good communicator What are you missing, if you don't listen to your prospects Taking a few seconds and processing your thoughts before you speak Why you should be a good listener to be a good speaker   Resources:  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground    == Order your free copy of Tom’s book Winning the Contractor Fight (Just pay to ship) == https://thecontractorfight.com/book    == Connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook    == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/    == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  Live Unafraid Swag: https://thecontractorfight.com/unafraid    The Contractor Fight is the ultimate resource for becoming an uncommon contractor! Pick a fight with mediocrity. Live Unafraid.

Dan explains that the fundamentals of the contracting industry—communicating, marketing, selling, interacting with homeowners, fulfilling the job, leading your crew, etc.—are all the same. So get rid of the unicorn syndrome.    In this episode, we talk about…     We all suffer from snowflakes syndrome and think we're just super unique. Share your experiences with other contractors, take their advice—don't feel alone or isolated. Don't be afraid that reaching out to another contractor will make you appear weak and stupid. What you do has already been won by others in the past. So, don't waste your time re-inventing the wheel. If you want knowledge, move beyond free content or free Facebook groups, and find unparalleled community, knowledge, and support with Contractor Fight programs.   Resources:  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground    == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook    == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/    == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  Live Unafraid Swag: https://thecontractorfight.com/unafraid  The Contractor Fight is the ultimate resource for becoming an uncommon contractor! Pick a fight with mediocrity. Live Unafraid. 

Tom and Dan answer your questions about how to pay yourself as the owner of the company, providing your subcontractors with shirts and magnets to give them a sense of your company's identity, how to inform your clients about hiring subcontractors, and how to get leads in winter, etc.   In this episode, we talk about…   Question1: As a result of COVID, I was unable to find good employees to work for the business that I established at the end of 2019. When should I quit my full-time job and return to my business? Learn how to communicate properly Communication is an important component of how you're building your personal brand Even if you couldn't find people to work with, don't give up Be serious about building a business   Question 2: I'm structured as an escort and also work in the field for an average of 80 hours monthly. In addition to the salary, should I also pay myself an hourly wage? Talk to your accountant about how they want to structure the money It's more important how you job-cost your time in the field rather than how you pay yourself    Question3: When I hire subcontractors, should I provide them with shirts and magnets to represent my business or not? Also, do I need to inform the homeowner that subcontractors will be doing the work? If so, how? You shouldn't provide shirts and magnets because they're a subcontractor. They have their own business. Subs are just glorified employees, and you're going to get audited and screwed at some point. Letting the customer know or not know about hiring subs is a marketing and sales process issue Bring the right subs to do the job, and then set the expectation in the sales process Most customers don't care who does the job. They just want to know who will do it.   Question 4: How do you get leads in winter? The only trades that can get constant leads are the emergency trades like electric, heating, air, plumbing, etc. Currently, your only option is to contact past customers. Don't expect fast work from anyone who isn't a past customer since you're behind the eight ball. The number one job you have as a business owner is to market your business, build your brand and sell it. Don't care about producing at this point—sell it first, then figure out how to produce it. Get fanatical about marketing and building your brand—invest a portion of your revenue into branding your business. Check out our Marketing Boot Camp—it will teach you how to market and build relationships, etc. Build relationships with influencers, interior designers, realtors, etc Make warranty calls—ask if anything is wrong, etc. This will differentiate you from everybody else.  Warranty calls are one of the greatest ways to build your brand and business.   Question 5: I do bathroom models, and I have too many leads. Tell me how you recommend screening leads.  Check the Shin-Fu process Be good and efficient at what you do   Resources:  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  Visit our sponsors of this episode, NiceJob. NiceJob is Reputation Marketing software that will help your business collect 2-3 times more reviews on Google, Facebook, and the platforms that matter. Don’t forget to use code “Fight” for $50 off the first month on new accounts!  https://www.TheContractorFight.com/nicejob  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground    == Order your free copy of Tom’s book Winning the Contractor Fight (Just pay to ship) == https://thecontractorfight.com/book    == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/    == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  Live Unafraid Swag: https://thecontractorfight.com/unafraid    The Contractor Fight is the ultimate resource for becoming an uncommon contractor! Pick a fight with mediocrity. Live Unafraid.

Tom and Dan talk with guest Ben Schneider. Ben is the owner of Peak Sodding in North Carolina and is also a BATTLEGROUND program member. Ben discusses how you're not alone in the business world, getting involved in a community that can help you grow, building relationships, and the changes he has made to his business that turned his business and family life around.   In this episode, we talk about… Mistakes he was making in his business and changes he made that turned his business around His mental state when his business was not doing well How he used social media to find the right subcontractors Why it is important to have a good relationship with your subcontractors and what he does to do so How he came to know about the contractor fight programs and insights he got from being a part of the community His interaction with the other members of the community How knowing your numbers will help you grow your business, and why so many people are intimidated about doing so How the contractor fight programs proved to be one of the biggest game-changer for his mindset Spending your marketing money when demand is the highest Ben's experience at the Contractor Fight Profit Summit in Denver What he wishes he had known before starting his business How you're not alone mentality helped him to succeed in his business Resources: Connect with Ben, Peak Sodding: https://peaksodding.com/  Want the success Ben is enjoying for yourself? Join us in BATTLEGROUND - Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground    Get your free copy of Tom's book Winning the Contractor Fight (just pay to ship): https://thecontractorfight.com/book Connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: http://thecontractorfight.com/facebook Grab the Gear: https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/ == Find Us on Social Media: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber Instagram: http://thecontractorfight.com/ig Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecontractorfight/