Contractor Growth Network

In this episode of the Contractor Growth Network podcast, Logan Shinholser sits down with Kyle Hunt, remodeling business coach and founder of Remodelers on the Rise. Kyle breaks down his signature "Remodelers Roadmap"—a six-system framework designed to simplify and strengthen every core aspect of a remodeling business. From financials and marketing to people and operations, Kyle shares actionable advice and mindset shifts that help remodelers move from chaos to clarity in their business strategy. Key Takeaways: Start with Strong Financials Kyle emphasizes that a healthy remodeling business begins with financial clarity: * Understand job costing, gross vs. net profit, and pricing strategy. * Establish a solid financial foundation to support sustainable growth. * Avoid burnout by making your business serve your life—not the other way around. Marketing Isn’t Optional—It’s the Engine Kyle shares how too many remodelers treat marketing like a side task instead of a strategic priority: * Every business owner must be a student of marketing—even if they’re not executing it directly. * Build a clear marketing plan and pair it with a defined budget. * Track lead sources consistently to make data-backed decisions. Sales Requires a Repeatable Process A wishy-washy sales approach leaves clients confused and kills conversion: * Define your “This is how we work” process in 3–5 clear steps. * Display your sales process on your website and reinforce it in person. * Charging for design becomes easier when clients understand the value and flow. Production Is About More Than the Build Kyle urges remodelers to elevate the client experience from day one on the job site: * Pre-construction meetings are essential to set expectations and avoid surprises. * A systematic “final 5%” process ensures projects end as strong as they start. * Communication, cleanliness, and consistency are critical soft skills on the job. Your People System Drives Your Success The quality of your remodeling business is directly tied to the quality of your team: * Empower team members with 1-on-1s, leadership development, and capacity checks. * Great leaders create space for others to lead—inside and outside their roles. * “Your people are more important than your profit margin.” Operations Aren’t Just Software—They’re Structure Behind-the-scenes systems create forward momentum: * Use software to track jobs, log daily updates, and align estimating with accounting. * Establish a meeting cadence with clear agendas, action steps, and timekeeping. * Effective meetings are a business unlock—and a leadership responsibility. Memorable Quotes: “If you’re wondering why your remodeling business feels so hard—it’s because it is hard.” “Don’t try to implement five things halfway. Pick one thing and really implement it.” “The quality of your remodeling business will never outpace the quality of your people.” Actionable Advice: * Identify Your Starting Line: Before tackling all six systems, get clear on time management, pricing, and financial health. * Document Your Sales Process: Put it in writing, share it online, and walk clients through it every time. * Run Better Meetings: Prepare agendas, assign timekeepers, and prioritize action over updates. * Track Marketing Sources: Don’t just “feel” like something works—measure it. * Choose the Next Right Thing: Focus on one area, implement fully, and move forward with momentum.

In this episode of the Contractor Growth Network podcast, Logan Shinholser talks with Todd Dawalt, founder of Construction Leading Edge and host of The Construction Leading Edge Podcast. Together, they dive into the dangerous trap many contractors fall into, doing “just enough to start” (JETS)—and why that mentality holds businesses back from sustainable growth. Todd shares how building robust pre-construction systems, documenting processes, and creating real clarity in communication can make the difference between chaos and control on a jobsite. Drawing from his years of coaching and consulting with construction companies, Todd walks through tactical strategies for increasing profitability and how simple documentation can solve major business problems. Whether you’re a one-man band or running a team of 100, this episode is packed with insights that will help you stop winging it and start winning.   How to Buy Out a Construction Project Playbook [https://go.constructionleadingedge.com/buyout-playbook?utm_source=CGN%20Podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=CGN] Get Paid for Estimates Masterclass [https://go.constructionleadingedge.com/getpaid?utm_source=CGN%20Podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=CGN] Key Takeaways The JETS Mentality is Holding You Back * Doing “just enough to start” creates costly mistakes and jobsite chaos. * Companies need to operate with a mindset of clarity, not improvisation. Documented Systems Drive Profitability * Contractors often mistake “it’s in my head” for a system. * Writing things down can solve 80% of common construction business problems. Pre-Construction is Where the Money Is Made * Profits are built (or lost) before the job even begins. * Pre-construction systems reduce change orders, stress, and delays. Turn Chaos into Predictability * Without structure, your team will make up their own rules. * Checklists, job books, and templates create consistent results. Leadership Isn’t About Hustle—It’s About Systems * Business owners need to graduate from “doer” to “leader.” * Building systems empowers your team and removes dependency on you. Memorable Quotes “Chaos is expensive—clarity is profitable.” “You don't rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems.” “Documenting your process is the cheapest, fastest way to fix most of your problems.” Actionable Advice * Start with one system. Pick one process you repeat often and document it. * Replace tribal knowledge. Get everything out of your head and onto paper. * Build a job book. Give your team a standard package of information for every job. * Focus on pre-construction. Nail the planning phase before picking up a hammer. * Lead with clarity. Create systems that enable your team to win without you.

AI is changing the way customers search—and smart contractors are adapting. In this episode of the Contractor Growth Network Podcast, Logan Shinholser sits down with Marcus Sheridan (They Ask, You Answer) to discuss the future of customer acquisition in the AI era. Discover how Marcus’s new book, Endless Customers, builds on his previous work to help businesses master modern search habits, use video effectively, and diversify beyond just Google. Key Takeaways: * What "Search Everywhere Optimization" means for your business * How contractors should adapt to AI tools like ChatGPT * Why long-form video is making a comeback * The 5 pillars of Endless Customers * How to sell and communicate like 0.1% of your market * Building trust with AI-powered experiences Want to learn more about Endless Customers?  Visit https://www.endlesscustomers.com/ [https://www.endlesscustomers.com/]    Connect With Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contractorgrowthnetwork1/ [https://www.instagram.com/contractorgrowthnetwork1/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contractorgrowthnetwork/ [https://www.facebook.com/contractorgrowthnetwork/] View Recent Projects: https://www.contractorgrowthnetwork.com/featured-projects/ [https://www.contractorgrowthnetwork.com/featured-projects/]  Listen to Our Podcast: https://www.contractorgrowthnetwork.com/podcast/ [https://www.contractorgrowthnetwork.com/podcast/]

Client testimonials can be the most powerful marketing tool for contractors—but are you using them effectively? In this episode of the Contractor Growth Network Podcast, Sean sits down with Ian Miclean to break down why testimonials are critical for building trust, attracting leads, and standing out from the competition. Key Takeaways: * Why testimonials outperform traditional marketing for contractors * The difference between testimonials and online reviews (Angi, Google, etc.) * Where to use testimonials—ads, websites, email marketing & more * The best time to ask for a testimonial (hint: it’s not after the project ends) * Overcoming common obstacles: client hesitation, camera shyness & more * Should you pay for testimonials? The truth about using actors vs. real clients * How testimonials impact SEO and lead generation Listen now and learn how to make client testimonials work for your business! Ready to grow your contracting business? Visit www.ContractorGrowthNetwork.com [https://www.ContractorGrowthNetwork.com] for expert resources and support!  Connect With Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contractorgrowthnetwork1/ [https://www.instagram.com/contractorgrowthnetwork1/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contractorgrowthnetwork/ [https://www.facebook.com/contractorgrowthnetwork/]  View Recent Projects: https://www.contractorgrowthnetwork.com/featured-projects/ [https://www.contractorgrowthnetwork.com/featured-projects/]   Listen to Our Podcast: https://www.contractorgrowthnetwork.com/podcast/ [https://www.contractorgrowthnetwork.com/podcast/]

In this episode of the Contractor Growth Network Podcast, Sean sits down with Ian Miclean, CGN's Director of Marketing, to break down website best practices for contractors. Your website is your #1 sales tool, but if it’s not structured correctly, it could be hurting your business instead of generating leads. * Ian shares essential Website 101 tips, covering: * The real role of a contractor’s website and how to optimize it for leads * Common website mistakes that turn away potential clients * SEO basics to improve visibility on Google * The importance of high-quality images & videos for credibility * How to structure calls-to-action (CTAs) for higher conversion rates * Why site speed and mobile optimization matter more than ever If your website isn't generating leads, this episode will help you identify what's wrong and how to fix it—without hiring a web developer! Subscribe now and start turning your website into a lead-generating machine! Ready to grow your contracting business? Visit www.ContractorGrowthNetwork.com [https://www.ContractorGrowthNetwork.com] for expert resources and support!  Connect With Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contractorgrowthnetwork1/ [https://www.instagram.com/contractorgrowthnetwork1/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contractorgrowthnetwork/ [https://www.facebook.com/contractorgrowthnetwork/] View Recent Projects: https://www.contractorgrowthnetwork.com/featured-projects/ [https://www.contractorgrowthnetwork.com/featured-projects/]  Listen to Our Podcast: https://www.contractorgrowthnetwork.com/podcast/ [https://www.contractorgrowthnetwork.com/podcast/]