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Contracting Simplified

An online show by contractors for contractors. We bring you the latest Inspiration, Motivation, and Education helping you use today's technology to grow your contracting business with purpose. (NOTE: This show was formerly called: Protractor Podcast)
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Now displaying: Category: Ask a Protractor
Sep 4, 2017

Some people are very good at showing the homeowner things they should be fixing or upgrading at some point, and other people aren't so good at it at all. That's what this episode is all about. Ben Horning @bhdb_ben shared with us how they approach their current clients with upsells.  

You'll learn in this episode:

  • Why you should focus on the reason they called you and solving that issue first.
  • To ask yourself, "If this were my house would I do it?"
  • Why is so important to do an initial walk though of the entire house and document - even with drawings.
  • How to be professional and win their trust.
  • How to get them to call you back for future jobs.

This conversation is packed-full of goodies you can take with you and implement today or tomorrow.  

Dig in to this episode today and be inspired!

#Protractors - Making A Difference!

Aug 28, 2017

What is your estimating process? What have you found works really well and sets you for success when it comes to estimating? Do you have a system for estimating? These questions face every contractor in the marketplace today. 

In this episode Alex Rescha from @brothersrenovations shares exactly how he does it. You'll come away from this one with at least one useful tip you can use (and probably more than one!)

In this episode you'll learn:

  • What software Alex uses (and loves)
  • The agreement he gets up front from the customer (and it includes money)
  • The 3 steps Alex uses every time to ensure the estimating process is a success for his company. 

... and more!

This is a short episode, but don't let that fool you. It's PACKED-FULL of very valuable experience that Alex has proven to help grow and scale his renovation company. 

Listen and learn today!

#Protractors - Making A Difference!

 

Aug 21, 2017

This question is brought up often in this industry. In this episode... Ian Cheadle from @cheadleconstruction shares his answer to this question, and what that means for his business.

Listen to the show today, and be Inspired, Motivated, and Educated to be the very best contractor you can be, in your local community. 

Now is not the time to cut corners, and take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners. It's time to raise the bar, and be PROFESSIONALS leaving a LEGACY that lasts. 

Don't wait. Get this episode today! And Be INSPIRED!

#Protractors - Making A Difference!

 

Aug 14, 2017

Finding good quality help is a challenge most contractors are facing around the world. Mike Corona @coronamarbleandtile comes on the show to answer this Ask A Protractor question. Do you look for skilled labor, or a hard working person that you can train?

We had an awesome chat together about this topic. And I know it'll be of help to you. 

So, whether you are currently looking for someone to hire, or you are thinking of doing it in the future... you'll love this episode.

#Protractors- Making A Difference! 

 

Aug 7, 2017

Where Do You Turn When You Don't Have a Full Time Mentor? ... Is a question turned in to us for the Ask A Protractor series. Spencer Lewis from @Insider_Carpentry is passionate about this subject. He has came on the show today, and answered this question inside and out. 

If you've ever struggled with wondering where to turn when you lack a full time mentor, then listen to this show. The very least it will do, is inspire you. And most like it will leave you feeling motivated to be active in the online community, and help others as you yourself grow in the trades. 

So, don't delay any longer. Get this episode and listen to it today!

#Protractors - Making A Difference!

 

Jul 31, 2017

In this episode you will learn how Jon Fitzgibbon from @norwood_construction creates great customer relationships. Even if a project lasts for months, or even a year. There is a secret process Jon uses, which he believes every contractor should do. Listen today and find out how to make your next customer relationship go perfectly without compromising on price or quality. 

You're on purpose as a contractor to leave a legacy, and make a difference in this world. This episode will certainly inspire you and help you achieve that goal!

#Protractors - Making A Difference!

Jul 24, 2017

[New Episode] Toby Cornell from @cornellcustomhomes is a luxury custom home builder in Southern CA. And today he comes on the show to answer a very important question about pricing. 

Pricing your projects correctly is something every contractor deals with. So this episode is one you definitely don't want to miss.

In this show you will learn the pros and cons of each job pricing method:

  • Cost Plus Method
  • Monthly Fee Method
  • Hard Numbered Contract Method

Also, you will hear which method Toby prefers, and why. 

Don't miss this episode!

#Protractors - Making A Difference!

 

Jul 10, 2017

Today's question for the [Ask A Protractor] series is..."How Do You Explain The Value Of A Design-Driven Project?" Xavier Garcia @ninzanstudio has agreed to come on and share what he's learned through the years. His background is in architecture and design, and he definitely gives an authoritative, and authentic conclusion to the question.

Dig in to this episode today, and be Inspired!

#Protractors - Making A Difference!

Jul 3, 2017

In this episode of the [Ask A Protractor] series David Cooper has agreed to come on and share his experience with his business at @dcooperelectric. 

"I had six guys working for me within the first few years that I was in business and I did not know how to handle it. I wasn't prepared for something like that." 

"I had all these guys and I had all this work and I had all this money coming in but I didn't understand the logic of running a business..."

"You don't have to worry about what a competitor is doing... or you don't have to worry about what you think you should be doing. Do what you're comfortable doing."

This is a great episode, and I think it will be inspiring and motivating to you. 

#Protractors - Making A Difference!

Jun 26, 2017

Many of you have questions about whether to show line items on your proposals, or whether it's best to just give a lump sum. So, Mike Dennison from @DennisonContracting has agreed to come on the show and tell us how he does it and why. 

This is a fast-paced episode that will educate you and inspire you regardless of how you do your proposals. Whether you do lump sum or line item, the most important thing about being a Protractor is making a difference in your community. And this episode is all about that. 

Listen today, and be inspired!

Read the entire blog post here: http://protractorpodcast.com/ap5

#Protractors - Making A Difference!

Jun 19, 2017

Are you still "doing it all?" Have you been thinking about whether you might run a more profitable business by narrowing down your specialty?

Well, it turns out that you aren't the only one asking that question. This question was sent in to us to ask on our "Ask a Protractor" series. 

Mike Segal from @morrisdecks agreed to come on and share his experience, and how narrowing his specialty has greatly increased his profits. 

You'll be inspired by this episode as you discover:

  • How EFFICIENCY has enabled @morrisdecks to charge more, get jobs done faster, and produce a much better finished product.
  • The different ways you can SPECIALIZE in your existing business.
  • How to make the proposal part of your job QUICKER because you specialize.
  • How Specializing helps the entire team know what to do on each job, and makes training the new guy as EASY as taking a sip of coffee in the morning.
  • Specializing actually INCREASES your reputation and allows you to sell bigger jobs than you've ever dreamed possible.
  • ...and much more!

 Ok, so specialzing may not be for everyone. But if it's something you're thinking about anyway, then listen to this episode today. And if you just want to be inspired and motivated by listening to a really great guy like Mike Segal... then get this episode and listen to it today.

Thank you so much for your support and encouragement of this podcast. If you have a question you would like to hear us address on the [Ask a Protractor] series, please send it to connect@protractorpodcast.com and as always, please share this show with your followers. We greatly appreciate it!

Protractors - Making A Difference

 

Jun 12, 2017

Have you ever struggled with knowing what to write about on your company blog? Well, that is a question we have today on the "Ask A Protractor" series.

Brad Leavitt @aft_construction agreed to come on the show and share with us the tips and tricks they are using right now to come up with content for their company blog.

Listen today and discover:

  • How to leverage your team for blog ideas.
  • How to listen to your customers for new blog ideas.
  • Tips on how to find content ideas without wasting time.
  • How blogging increases traffic to your website.
  • ...and much more!

Blogging is not going away. It is a great way to show that you are an expert in your field. Listen to this show today. Be educated, inspired, and motivated to make your company blog a major piece of your marketing puzzle. 

If you have a question you would like us to ask a Protractor, or if you have a guest you would like to hear... please send us an email at connect@protractorpodcast.com

Thank you so much for your support!

We'll see you here next time on the Protractor Podcast!

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