Hammer & Grind : Built For Contractors

Hosted by Brad Huebner

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284

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Aug 2026

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About the show

If you are a General Contractor, Remodeling Contractor, or Landscaper, this podcast is built for you. Gain insight into business, mindset, sales, marketing, systems, culture, and leadership. Through a combination of solo cast and interviews, Brad covers every area of the business side of Construction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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60 recent

August 17, 202632 min

EP284: Bad Pricing, Scope Creep, and More: 7 Profit Leaks Hurting Contractors

You can be bringing in more revenue and still wonder where all the money went. For contractors, profit doesn’t always disappear because of one big mistake. Sometimes, it leaks out through bad pricing, scope creep, underbidding, wasted time, poor job costing, change orders, and other small issues that quietly add up. In this episode, Brad talks about: The difference between revenue and profit Bad pricing strategies Fully burdened labor rates Scope creep and its impact The costs of callbacks and rework Managing overhead effectively The owner's role in profit leaks Links to resources Grab my free job costing worksheet and start job costing every job right away. https://go.hammercrm.com/widget/form/4Bws6E9GGX0RZPoED1bn Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Enjoying the podcast? Visit our website at https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com for the latest episodes, resources, and more. Have a question, story, or topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a message here: https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com/voicemail . We'd love to hear from you, and your message could be featured on a future episode! Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 10, 202625 min

EP283: Stop Making Short-Term Decisions That Kill Your Construction Business

Your next decision could make or break your construction business. Lower prices. Take every job. Avoid the hard conversation. Sound familiar? These short term decisions can quietly hurt your profit, growth, and freedom. In this episode, Brad talks about: Every decision shapes your future: building the life you want vs. escaping the one you don’t. Stop optimizing for immediate comfort; think long-term. The importance of making decisions that buy freedom rather than steal from your future. The three decision filters: Does this move me closer to my goals? Can this be done better, faster, or simpler? Does this decision buy freedom or steal from my future? Links to resources Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! https://www.hammerandgrindpodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 3, 202638 min

EP282: Creating a Mission-Driven Workforce: Contractor Advice for Employee Engagement

Creating a mission-driven workforce is the key to unlocking contractor confidence and boosting your business growth. This episode shares actionable contractor advice on building employee engagement and fostering a strong contractor marketing presence to scale your operations effectively. In this episode, Brad talks about: Understanding the difference between tasks, projects, and purpose in employee engagement. The importance of a clear mission statement and core values. Empowering employees through ownership and accountability. Recognizing and rewarding desired behaviors to foster a positive culture. The impact of leadership on employee motivation and performance. Creating an environment where the right people thrive and the wrong people are removed. Links to resources Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 27, 202636 min

EP281: Is Your Contracting Business at Risk

Wondering if a contractor is about to go out of business? EP281 shares critical contractor marketing and sales techniques alongside red flags to watch for so you can avoid risks and ensure project success. Gain expert contractor advice on cash flow management and business stability. In this episode, Brad talks about: The Slow Decline of Businesses : Understanding that failure rarely happens overnight. Three Stages of Business Failure : Financial, operational, and mental failures. Warning Signs : Key indicators of financial and operational distress. Importance of Knowing Your Numbers : Gross profit vs. net profit. Building Systems for Freedom : The role of systems in business success. Making Decisions Based on Facts, Not Fear : How to avoid emotional decision-making. Links to resources Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 20, 202624 min

EP280: From Chaos to Control: Contractors' Guide to Organizational Charts

Many people mistakenly believe that org charts are only for large corporations. However, the truth is that every business, regardless of size, can benefit from having one. An org chart provides a clear visual representation of the roles and responsibilities within your organization, which is essential for growth and efficiency. In this episode, Brad talks about: Importance of creating an org chart for clarity in business How org charts benefit businesses of all sizes, including solo entrepreneurs Roles and responsibilities: defining ownership to prevent chaos Using org charts for hiring and career path visibility Financial implications: understanding costs associated with each role Decision-making: using org charts to identify hiring needs and improve efficiency Tools and software for creating effective org charts Links to resources Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 13, 202635 min

EP279: How to add 100K in 12 months: Contractor Profitability Tips

Overcome the fear of raising prices with confidence. This episode provides practical guidance for contractors on how to increase your rates, communicate value to clients effectively, and grow your contracting business sustainably. In this episode, Brad talks about: How to effectively raise your hourly rates without losing customers. The importance of pricing your services appropriately to reflect the value you provide. Strategies for overcoming the fear of raising prices and addressing common objections. Links to resources Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 6, 202645 min

EP278: The S.A.C.R.E.D Process: Contractor Advice on Business Procedures for Consistency

In the world of business, particularly within service-oriented industries, the processes you establish are not merely guidelines; they are sacred. The integrity of these processes is crucial, as they underpin the promises you make to your clients. Deviating from your established process risks breaking those promises, which can lead to negative outcomes for both you and your customers. In this episode, Brad talks about: Understanding the concept of the sacred process in business The importance of having a standardized process for delivering goods and services Differentiating between preferences and a proven process Real-life examples of how breaking the process leads to problems The acronym SACRED: Standardize, Align, Control, Respect, Enforce, Deliver Protecting the process to ensure quality, accountability, and customer satisfaction The significance of saying "no" to maintain process integrity and business success Links to resources Download the accompaning worksheets to help create your S.A.C.R.E.D process and enforce 3P accountability in your business. https://go.hammercrm.com/widget/form/4Bws6E9GGX0RZPoED1bn Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 29, 202624 min

EP277: Employees vs. Subcontractors: Construction Hiring Tips for Contractors

Explore the key differences between employees and subcontractors in the contracting business. Learn hiring tips and workforce management strategies to optimize your team while avoiding common pitfalls. Perfect for contractors looking to improve construction worker retention and streamline operations. In this episode, Brad talks about: Different business structures for contracting (employees vs. subcontractors) Legal implications of misclassifying employees Pros and cons of hiring employees versus subcontractors The hybrid model: combining employees and subcontractors The sales team model in contracting Importance of niching down for business clarity Personal experiences and insights on business growth Links to resources Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 22, 202646 min

EP276: Contractor Growth Strategies: Business Metrics, Systems, and Continuous Improvement | Part 3

Wrapping up the series on contractor struggles, this episode dives into the crucial business side: interpreting financial statements, creating and implementing systems that provide freedom, and the power of constant improvement. Discover actionable tips to help contractors achieve predictable growth and improved operations. In this episode, Brad talks about: Understanding the language of your business through numbers. The importance of profit and loss statements and financial tracking. Creating systems to achieve freedom and efficiency. The difference between delegation and abdication of responsibilities. Emphasizing continuous improvement for business growth. Utilizing data and systems for predictable growth instead of relying on memory and hustle. Link to Resources: Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 15, 202652 min

EP275: From Hope Island to Closed Deals: Contractor Client Acquisition Strategies | Part 2

In Part 2 of this series, discover powerful contractor client acquisition strategies that move you from hopeful prospects to closed deals. Learn actionable tips on contractor marketing, sales techniques, and overcoming business challenges to boost your client base and profitability. Perfect for contractors seeking to scale their business effectively and master client acquisition. In this episode, Brad talks about: The importance of follow-up after estimates to avoid "Hope Island." Understanding that price objections often stem from budget, value, or mismatched client expectations. The significance of effective communication: contractors often talk too much and miss the client's true motives. Strategies for maintaining control in the sales process and ensuring clarity in client interactions. Link to Resources: This episode is sponsored by iGUIDE — the smarter way to capture, measure, and market your projects. With accurate floor plans, immersive 3D tours, and detailed property data, iGUIDE helps contractors and real estate professionals showcase their work with confidence and precision. Learn more at https://hammerandgrind.com/iguide Want to go deeper? Check out the Contractor Profit Blueprint: https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com/ Book a strategy call with Brad: https://hammerandgrind.com/qualification-website Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.