Ballpark numbers can save you time or burn you when the client treats them like a contract. We get into how to give ranges, spell out what's included, and use pre construction to lock expectations before the job gets weird.

Show Notes:
00:00:00 Ballpark gone wrong
00:01:09 Sponsors and newsletter
00:04:14 2026 reset and jumping back in
00:08:49 The ballpark trap
00:12:04 Handling the first call
00:26:52 What's included and what isn't
00:36:10 Explain the cost drivers
00:44:03 Test the budget early
00:46:30 Sell honesty, not a deal
00:51:51 Break scope into buckets
00:53:01 Confidence and pre con
01:07:49 TLDR and wrap

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/WNzfI8RgPEE

Partners:

Harnish Workwear

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

The Modern Craftsman:

linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast

Find Our Hosts:

Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media

Ballpark pricing doesn't start on the first call, it starts way before the client ever dials your number. Tyler talks through how to set expectations early, filter out price shoppers, and stop letting a rough number haunt the whole project.

Show Notes:

00:00 The profit flip
01:06 Ballpark numbers haunt you
02:47 Getting shopped
07:52 Set expectations early
10:51 Build the funnel
13:19 Range plus assumptions
20:03 Handling sticker shock
25:02 Make more, do less
30:02 After the ballpark

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

Partners:

Harnish Workwear

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

The Modern Craftsman:

linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast

Find Our Hosts:

Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media

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

Partners:

Andersen Windows

Buildertrend

Harnish Workwear

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

The Modern Craftsman:

linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast

Find Our Hosts:

Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media