Ballpark pricing can save you hours or trap you in a number you never should've agreed to. Tyler lays out how to give ranges with real context, explain the cost drivers, and use early budget talk to qualify the right clients and move cleanly into precon.

Show Notes:
00:00 Don't Apologize
00:44 The Ballpark Question
04:14 SWAG & Scope
07:27 Give a Range
12:07 Cost Drivers
15:47 Lead Red Flags
26:01 From Ballpark to Precon
33:49 2026 Updates

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/TPk5pRKa7iY

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Andersen Windows

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The Modern Craftsman:

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Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media

Most builders "finish" a job and disappear, but Nick and Tyler break down how to hand off a project like an owner's manual, with the right info in the right format so clients are supported without getting overwhelmed. They get into O&M manuals, 30/90 day check-ins, and how post-build care turns into fewer headaches and more referrals.

Show Notes:
00:00 Owner's manual mindset
01:36 Sponsor reads
04:22 Platform switch & shop talk
05:21 Listener question: after the keys
12:45 Closeout standards and expectations
17:08 O&M manual, what goes in it
22:06 AI and cliff notes maintenance
31:01 Maintenance cadence and check-ins
47:03 Walkthroughs and video library
55:15 Protect the work, earn referrals
1:00:15 Listener CTA & wrap

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/8B499q0yUE4

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Andersen Windows

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The Modern Craftsman:

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Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media

Nick breaks down why his calendar can look "full" while the real priority list stays untouched, and how hiring an assistant forced him to protect time instead of feeding distractions. Tyler pushes on the bigger question: are we building systems to grow, or just cramming more into the same day for no payoff.

Show Notes:
00:00 Too many balls
03:29 Inbox takeover
08:58 One thing focus
16:47 Busy vs productive
27:35 Precon time sinks
35:23 Buying your way in
44:05 Risk stories
50:33 Simple systems win
1:00:18 AI, but for what
1:06:15 Wrap and tease

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/6q8j-4Z0fpA

Partners:

Andersen Windows

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Harnish Workwear

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NAHB International Builders' Show

The Modern Craftsman:

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Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media

Stay out of the cold with these hot budget tips as Tyler breaks down exactly how he budgets a real porch job, from the precon fee and deposit strategy to tracking every cost day by day. The big takeaway is how to communicate "extras" without panic, keep cashflow protected, and still finish strong without rushing.

Show Notes:
00:00 Cold office, hot topic
02:05 Precon fee and setting the budget
05:15 Deposits and staying out of the red
08:40 Daily tracking and invoice cycles
13:55 Calling out extras without change-order chaos
20:45 Reconciling budget vs real costs
27:35 Don't rush the finish
30:10 Wrap and why he won't show the spreadsheet

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/4woZAp_WBqU

Partners:

Andersen Windows

Buildertrend

Harnish Workwear

Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear

NAHB International Builders' Show

The Modern Craftsman:

linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast

Find Our Hosts:

Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media

Partners:

Andersen Windows

Buildertrend

Harnish Workwear

Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear

NAHB International Builders' Show

The Modern Craftsman:

linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast

Find Our Hosts:

Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media

Builders already have thousands of jobsite photos on their phones, but most of those shots are not protecting them, selling future work, or showing what they really do. In this episode we break down a simple way to use your phone, a few habits, and better organization so your photos become insurance, a sales tool, and a real portfolio instead of digital clutter.

Show Notes:

00:00:00 The Shot That Saves You
00:04:20 Meet Dave
00:08:00 How This All Started
00:10:28 Photos That Win Work
00:12:47 CYA Before You Demo
00:17:03 Your Phone Can Do This
00:23:32 Make It Look Expensive
00:39:16 Stop Losing Your Best Shots
00:57:04 Tell The Story Not Just The Build
01:02:52 The Simple Photo Playbook

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/iPJ7u70YeWs

Partners:

Andersen Windows

Buildertrend

Harnish Workwear

Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear

NAHB International Builders' Show

The Modern Craftsman:

linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast

Find Our Hosts:

Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media

Nick and Tyler break down how line item budgets, tiered estimates, and value engineering actually protect you when clients start pushing on price and scope. From losing out on a five million dollar job after an eleven hour estimate to using that same work to land better projects, they talk through transparency, expectations, and how not to let your own standards wreck your profitability.

Show Notes:
00:00 Cold Open, Winter
05:04 Sponsors and Setup
13:09 Cordless Tools Talk
15:19 Precon Tier 1
21:55 Dropbox Wipeout
29:54 Line Items and Trust
42:09 Cheaper Builder Choice
47:11 Cool Work vs Profit
56:35 Grass and Perspective

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/LfpK6nRHTUo

Partners:

Andersen Windows

Buildertrend

Harnish Workwear

Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear

NAHB International Builders' Show

The Modern Craftsman:

linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast

Find Our Hosts:

Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media

Tyler answers a listener's question about two belt-on GCs teaming up in a 50-50 partnership and trying to keep things simple while still making real money. He breaks down how to price owner labor, define roles, track time, and protect both your margins and your friendship when you run a tiny company with two owners.

Show Notes:
00:00 Two owners, tiny company
05:26 Ryan's email setup
08:00 One and a half myth
10:19 Where you make money
13:00 Self perform vs subs
15:00 Pros and cons of partners
17:20 Roles, risk, resentment
19:59 Tool belt vs business
25:01 Staying niche, lean overhead
29:29 Tracking time and overhead
34:25 Protecting the friendship
38:50 IBS tickets and outro

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/6b0RrhcuXT0

Partners:

Andersen Windows

Buildertrend

Harnish Workwear

Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear

NAHB International Builders' Show

The Modern Craftsman:

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Find Our Hosts:

Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media

Nick and Tyler break down how they use preconstruction to protect the architect's vision, keep clients on budget, and avoid the usual bid and bleed disaster. They get into real numbers, value engineering that is not just stripping scope, and how to track the everyday inefficiencies that quietly kill your profit.

Show Notes:
00:00 Hidden inefficiencies
00:18 Precon and race recap
01:18 Sponsor break
08:47 Tyler's race story
16:12 What precon really is
18:42 Design build vs precon
22:10 Tier one pricing
29:22 Why plans don't get built
33:41 Architect types and bids
41:18 When budget kills design
47:48 Lead the client
55:49 Every business is unique
1:03:32 Pricing the unknown
1:12:08 Job costing that works
1:22:11 Wrap up

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/t18gP7iAiAI

Partners:

Andersen Windows

Buildertrend

Harnish Workwear

Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear

NAHB International Builders' Show

The Modern Craftsman:

linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast

Find Our Hosts:

Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media