The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

W/ Mike Knoche of Straight Ahead Construction

Facilitating new construction company startups, supporting the building community with new ideas and affirmation, and ushering in the next generation of builders is the mission of The Contracting Handbook podcast. Through sharing information about how we operate our businesses and live our construction lives around the world, we elevate the construction life.
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20 episodes
Updated Jun 19, 2023

Episodes20

Newest first

Jun 19, 2023 · 33 min
Yahara Vasquez of Built By Her Construction: Architectural Engineer to Spec Homes & Breaking with Tradition
Yahara Vasquez owns and operates Built By Her Construction @building_by_her out of Carson, Washington. With a degree in architectural engineering, she’s decided that the jobs that came with the degree were not for her. She loves working with her hands. Between that and wanting to be more available for her children, Yahara built her own home and she started a contracting company. She’s doing some work for the public but venturing into spec home building. While she says her role at home is fairly
Jun 12, 2023 · 20 min
Furious Fifteen: Randy Jones returns to talk company growth, adding a sales manager, and his biggest challenges at 12 years...
Randy Jones revisits @thecontractinghandbook for a quick catch-up on the growth of his construction company @fineremodeling.de in this episode of Mike Knoche’s Furious Fifteen. Randy was my second guest on the podcast back in May 2021… We hit upon: -relying on a sales manager -qualifying subcontractors -challenges to growth -“letting go” -his most challenging project to date It’s an action packed 19 minutes with a bunch of random, yes/no, non-quantifiables at the end! It’s another great episo
Jun 5, 2023 · 1 hr 23 min
Kyle Stumpenhorst on "What's good enough?", Saying "No", and Red Flags
Post frame builder, Kyle Stumpenhorst @rrbuildings, joins Mike Knoche @thecontractinghandbook where we hit upon, not only always doing our best but: -creating enduring video content that will always help -using social media to link up with the right customers -the incorporation of building science into the workflow and fiscal tradeoffs -having more knowledge than the inspector -why he no longer subs out work -not heeding the red flags It’s another great episode with a ton of insights for anyone
May 22, 2023 · 1 hr 15 min
Joe Canning, The Canadian Carpenter: The Impact of Influencers and His Entrance Into Trades
Meet Joe Canning aka @canadiancarpenter and hear the story of how a guy with a degree in 3D graphic arts leaves that life behind for a career in skilled trades. With a wife, four mouths to feed, and no work available in his field, Joe went to work as the laborer under 13 framers..it’s another case of the 4-year degree fallacy. So tune into to hear about Joe as an apprentice and the journey to the beard we all know and love. Then, we take a stab at the impact of Instagram influencing on the in
May 15, 2023 · 1 hr 11 min
Joe Mitchell of Finish Point Trim: Crew Leadership and Client Conflict
Talk about dedication to team building, creating opportunity to learn skilled trades, and the future of craftsman, carpenter by trade, Joe Mitchell of Finish Point Trim. Finish Point has an incredible apprenticeship program and, if you think it sounds great, they are happy to share their blueprint with you. A testament to their dedication to recruiting more young people into the skilled trades. We dive into the idea that some people are unteachable, what it takes to coach, and why it u
May 8, 2023 · 1 hr 38 min
The Siding Guy, Desmond Tse: "Best practices for trade contractors"
If you’ve ever wanted to start your own trade contracting business or level up the one you have, you need to hear Des’s story. From the Home Depot pamphlet that taught him the siding installation techniques to picking up a couple contractors and building a business with 10 install crews running simultaneously. Part of learning the ropes was observing the mistakes of others to avoid those errors down the road. Des takes inventory. He focused his crews on a consistent product that was bonus driven
May 1, 2023 · 25 min
S5: E1 The Nuance of Navigating Clients
The Nuance of Navigating Clients 1. When I started out in Season 1 of the podcast, I said I learned through trial by fire, I’m not from a construction family. It was the school of hard knocks all day long. I always strove for definition in my work so I could express what I was doing for clients i.e “know what you’re selling” and understand why I was doing it for myself i.e. a need to understand purpose. 2. When I started my business I wanted to be different. Yeah yeah, don’t we all but I meant
Apr 10, 2023 · 1 hr 45 min
Freddy Roman, The Period Craftsman, talks craft, how operating a business detracted from his art, and why we can't let correct terminology go.
Today, Freddy Roman @theperiodcraftsman and Mike Knoche @thecontractinghandbook podcast get into one of the most difficult parts of being a tradesman business owner, the business side interferes with the creativity. You already know Freddy is a diligent student and teacher of historic furniture restoration but in this episode, Freddy drops the most gangster statement on clients, or anything, ever said on a construction podcast before! This is a deep dive into Freddy’s journey and a bit more abo
Apr 3, 2023 · 52 min
Kyle Zanetto of Zanetto Builders: Luxury homebuilding in Tasmania, self improvement, and preliminary planning
This week, in Episode in 117 of @thecontractinghandbook podcast, I am joined by Tasmanian luzury homebuilder, Kyle Zanetto of @zanettobuilders. Kyle always strives for perfection and keeps a close watch on the new potential clients. While the labor deficit pandemic has not left Tasmania unscathed, Kyle Zenatto and company have recently landed some new crew with values that align. Finding that help is key with a ~2 year wait list and 8-10 builds on deck for this year. What it really boils down to
Mar 31, 2023 · 21 min
Furious Fifteen: "Setting Boundaries w/ Clients" Kali Sudbrook and Allyson Anderson Return
Today I'm joined by Kali Sudbrook and Allyson Anderson to talk about setting boundaries with clients. Recently, Kali reached out to me to ask about contract language to mitigate for client interference in the progress of work. She was conserned about a "Chatty Cathy" distracting her on an upcoming job. Allyson and myself share some advice and some of oour own experience.
Mar 27, 2023 · 1 hr 56 min
Allyson Anderson, Founder and CEO of Integro Builders, talks client archetypes, project influence vs. management, the nuance of contracting and at least one change order more!
Allyson Anderson of at Integro Builders @integro_builders is now LIVE on @thecontractinghandbook podcast! In Episode 116: - an explosive backstory and rising from the ashes - laughing in the face of jobsite adversity - The Big Four characteristics of bad clients - the greatest achievement - favorite type of project - greatest challenge in leadership as she nears ten years in business - then, the fun questions Follow @thecontractinghandbook for more stories from real builders and trades in the
Mar 21, 2023 · 36 min
The Roofer Girl, Samanntha De Coteau on finding her trade, how it lifted her up, and being bags on!
Samanntha De Coteau @the.roofer.girl of Summit Sister’s Roofing is now LIVE on @thecontractinghandbook podcast! In Episode 114: - representing and endorsing products - being a bags-on-contractor - operating as a partner - hiring roofers - leadership - being a mom in construction - overcoming adversity - then, the fun questions
Mar 17, 2023 · 32 min
Furious Fifteen: Rachel Taylor of Rachel Builds out of Los Angeles returns!
Rachel Taylor pays Mike a second visit to talk about where her construction buisness is headed, one strong held belief that she's jettisoned, and asks Mike why he thinks its important to host women in construction on the podcast. To hear more about Rachel Taylor, check out out first episode in Season 2, Episode 21.
Mar 13, 2023 · 1 hr 30 min
Allison Iantosca, Owner & President of FH Perry Builder on leadership, client relationships, and authenticity
President and Owner of Award Winning FH Perry Builder, Allison Iantosca @fhperrybuilder , joins Mike Knoche on @thecontractinghandbook podcast for a dive into the humanity of business. Authenticity, optimism, emotional intelligence, age, applying values, perfection, and hard conversations are just a few of the hooks, but it’s a deep dive for Mike and Allison after one set of email exchanges. Our conversation is not the typical “how to” run a multi-million-dollar construction company. It’s and e
Mar 10, 2023 · 18 min
Furious Fifteen: Ella Star of Plumberella, Christchurch, NZ returns!
This is the maiden voyage of Mike Knoche's Furious Fifteen where I catch up with a previous guest for 15 minutes to find out whats new, how ya been, what are you up to before asking 15 non-qualifiable yes/no questions. Tune in, listen, laugh, write a review (links below), TELL A FRIEND that needs to hear this podcast! Check out Ella’s Stars first appearance, link in the episode notes below!
Mar 6, 2023 · 1 hr 35 min
Kali Sudbrook of Beachside Interiors: how her previous career experience makes her a better contractor, how her wife deals with her, fitness, leadership and tools.
Join Kali Sudbrook of Beachside Interiors and Mike Knoche for Episode 110 of The Contracting Handbook podcast where we talk about the importance of bringing her previous career experience and expertise into her new venture as a contractor. As a former professor of fitness, we get some real insight into the working of the tradespersons body and a bit of advice. We get personal quick and take a look at how she and her wife navigated the career change together. Of course, we drop into the business
Mar 3, 2023 · 12 min
When was the moment, the event, when you knew you were destined for the trades?
Episode 110 of The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction podcast: I’m going to streamline your listening experience for the time being and put the intro to the upcoming shows here and kind of update you. This here episode will provide my personal take on the intro to TCH for the foreseeable future or until I something changes. If it’s your first time listening to The Contracting Handbook podcast, I’m your host Mike Knoche, formerly known as the man who’s seen it all from season 1.
Feb 27, 2023 · 1 hr 6 min
Jeff Kelley of JK Woodworks and Timber Framing shares how he's carved out a life through his craft, why going to college helped, and his process
In Episode 108 of The Contracting Handbook podcast, Jeff Kelley of Jeff Kelley Woodworks and Timber Framing joins Mike Knoche for another look inside the life of a builder. Jeff lives his life how he wants to but, like many, he came into the trades and construction a bit later. He doesn’t regret going to Uni and finds much of what he learned there applicable to his contracting business. He keeps things simple with the construction business and taps builder buddies for help on left days. As alway
Feb 20, 2023 · 1 hr 18 min
Greg Eicher of Consiglio Builders talks building luxury homes, the clients, self improvement, and his favorite tool
“Throw fear out the window, there’s so much more to live for than worrying about what might happen.” With 300-400 line items in the contract, a contract must fiercely manage expectations, in my opinion. For Greg Eicher, partner at Consiglio Builders, expectation management is at the forefront of the process. As I learned in my interview with Greg, building luxury homes ranging in the $2,800-3,200 sq foot price range, is different than my experience as a smaller custom remodeler and homebuilde
Feb 13, 2023 · 1 hr 28 min
Bryan and Timmy Uhler: "Don't take yourself so seriously."
On Monday December 19, Bryan and Tim Uhler of Pioneer Builders join Mike Knoche on The Contracting Handbook to talk shop about building on spec, reflecting on their trip to Switzerland, and what really matters in life. There are a bunch of questions for the Uhler’s from guest questioners Aron Jones, Ryan Smith and Michael Anschel before the “Uhler Speed Round”. Both Brian and Tim recommend not taking yourself to seriously in this life, and they broke all the rules on the favorite tools by givi

The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction Podcast

Yahara Vasquez of Built By Her Construction: Architectural Engineer to Spec Homes & Breaking with Tradition

Furious Fifteen: Randy Jones returns to talk company growth, adding a sales manager, and his biggest challenges at 12 years...

Kyle Stumpenhorst on "What's good enough?", Saying "No", and Red Flags

Joe Canning, The Canadian Carpenter: The Impact of Influencers and His Entrance Into Trades

Joe Mitchell of Finish Point Trim: Crew Leadership and Client Conflict

The Siding Guy, Desmond Tse: "Best practices for trade contractors"

S5: E1 The Nuance of Navigating Clients

Freddy Roman, The Period Craftsman, talks craft, how operating a business detracted from his art, and why we can't let correct terminology go.

Kyle Zanetto of Zanetto Builders: Luxury homebuilding in Tasmania, self improvement, and preliminary planning

Furious Fifteen: "Setting Boundaries w/ Clients" Kali Sudbrook and Allyson Anderson Return

Allyson Anderson, Founder and CEO of Integro Builders, talks client archetypes, project influence vs. management, the nuance of contracting and at least one change order more!

The Roofer Girl, Samanntha De Coteau on finding her trade, how it lifted her up, and being bags on!

Furious Fifteen: Rachel Taylor of Rachel Builds out of Los Angeles returns!

Allison Iantosca, Owner & President of FH Perry Builder on leadership, client relationships, and authenticity

Furious Fifteen: Ella Star of Plumberella, Christchurch, NZ returns!

Kali Sudbrook of Beachside Interiors: how her previous career experience makes her a better contractor, how her wife deals with her, fitness, leadership and tools.

When was the moment, the event, when you knew you were destined for the trades?

Jeff Kelley of JK Woodworks and Timber Framing shares how he's carved out a life through his craft, why going to college helped, and his process

Greg Eicher of Consiglio Builders talks building luxury homes, the clients, self improvement, and his favorite tool

Bryan and Timmy Uhler: "Don't take yourself so seriously."