Cody & Kristen Dawson share how Patriot Custom Homes grew from a COVID-era handyman hustle into a legit remodel-to-custom operation—with corporate skills, clear lanes, and real systems doing the heavy lifting. They get into the spouse-run dynamics, hiring and delegation, and the call between doing a spec to show your chops or waiting on the right custom client.

PatriotHomesTx.com

Show Notes: 

00:00 Cold open & intros
01:09 Meet Cody & Kristen Dawson (Patriot Custom Homes)
05:31 The fork in the road: offshore job vs first remodel
08:32 First time managing subs & the income math
10:00 2023 workload surge & why Kristen jumped in full-time
15:50 Running a company as a couple—communication, lanes, boundaries
20:40 Systems that set you free: client portal/CRM, hiring admin & PM
25:28 Marketing & pipeline: social, site, and partner referrals
38:33 Getting out of the day-to-day: accountability over “I’ll just do it myself”
46:32 Why they left corporate: family time and schedule control

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Operations pro Angie Aki joins Reece to demystify payroll tax savings, W-2 vs 1099 trade-offs, benefits that actually help retention, and the liability/insurance pieces builders overlook. We finish with a simple action plan—clean AR, right retirement setup, and a smarter way to pay yourself.

https://angieaki.com

Show Notes:
0:00 Welcome and who’s Angie
 4:25 From “Go Ask Angie” to operations pro
 5:54 Payroll taxes and benefits most builders miss
 6:49 W-2 vs 1099: true costs and risks
 19:02 Liability, audits, and paper trails
 21:13 Culture beats chaos when you grow
 23:41 Retirement options for small builders
 28:10 Insurance you can’t skip
 29:40 Owner pay, draws, and clean books
 30:06 Quick wins to implement this month
 31:36 How to reach Angie + wrap

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Brady Fenn shares how Fenn Rogers went from “tearing up floors” to a trusted luxury custom home builder in the Phoenix area by partnering with the right designers/architects and bidding to the actual spec, not the plan assumptions. He shares hard-won lessons on fixing budget misses, building a dependable subs bench, and using clear expectations and communication to keep clients confident through an imperfect, first-time build.

https://www.fennrogers.com

Show Notes: 
00:00 Welcome + what Fenn Rogers builds
02:26 Brady’s path: from tearing up floors to partner
11:18 Designers & architects: moving upmarket the right way
17:08 Budget misses → pivot to spec-driven estimating
30:18 “Chuck in a truck” vs. building a pro subs bench
37:18 Why process feels hard in custom — the imperfect reality
43:13 Set expectations, over-communicate, earn trust
46:30 Closing thoughts & thanks

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Victor Rybak shares how he moved from “bags-on” to building systems that protect profit—covering fixed price vs cost-plus, change orders, retainers, and allowances that don’t burn you. He also breaks down the House Pro workflow for bids, selections, invoicing, and job-cost clarity so builders stop giving away work and start pricing like a real business.

https://simplyhomebuilders.com

Show Notes:
0:00 Welcome & why this show exists
4:46 From bags-on to the office—why Victor changed lanes
7:29 When the market shifts, profit needs a plan
9:41 Stop the freebies—write the change order
14:56 Retainers & contracts that keep you covered
18:35 Job costing clarity: “I paid $32k… but for what?”
22:06 When cost-plus beats fixed price
26:55 House Pro workflow—bids, selections, tracking
32:17 Centralizing invoices & communication
51:04 Standardizing process so chaos settles
55:14 Closing thoughts & what’s next

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Gabe Joseph shares how getting past ego made him a better builder—leaning into curiosity, standardizing specs, and scaling without bloat. We dig into procurement, margins, architect fit, permitting, and the upstream moves that erase change orders.

https://www.jdbatx.com

Show Notes:
0:00 Cold open — curiosity as the builder's edge
1:01 Gabe's background and Austin roots
6:08 Specs over one-offs: standardization that scales
10:36 Procurement: high-design without high cost
14:27 Margins, materials, and making the numbers work
31:27 Subcontractors: building a reliable roster
40:10 Change orders: how to avoid them upstream
44:43 Permitting & city dynamics (late-stage hurdles)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Tyler Grace shares how he shifted from over-delivering to running a lean, profitable small-shop—tracking every hour, pricing for reality, and choosing lifestyle over headcount. He breaks down T&M vs cost-plus in plain English, why “good enough” (when scoped) beats burnout, and how to design a business that actually pays you back.

http://trghomeconcepts.com

Find more of Tyler at "The Modern Craftsman" podcast: https://www.moderncraftsman.co

Show Notes: 

0:00 Good enough finally clicked
 5:00 How Tyler actually got into the trades
 22:30 The over-delivering trap (and not tracking time)
 26:00 Burnout and a hospital wake-up call
 31:50 Pivot to T&M so the hours finally pay
 37:10 T&M vs cost-plus—how he prices it
 40:10 Old houses: surprises, budgets, and change orders
 44:30 Staying small on purpose—simple tracking & cash flow
 58:30 Know your lane—match the work to the budget (don’t scale blind)
 1:03:20 Volume ≠ profit (the COVID boom lesson)
 1:05:00 The motto: work hard, get paid for your time
 1:14:00 Who he is and why—story & perspective

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Adam Copenhaver shares how Cope Grand scaled from small cottages to ultra-luxury builds in Charleston by systematizing pre-construction, translating “ankle-grabber” chaos into clear scopes, and making budgets readable to clients. He dives into cost code organization, lessons from the COVID lumber spike, working with owner’s reps, and how he uses Buildertrend to keep accountability visible.

https://www.copegrandhomes.com

Show Notes:

0:00 What we’re tackling today
4:15 How high-end builds work in Charleston
13:26 Making budgets clients can actually read
18:12 Cost-plus explained and where it wins
32:06 Fixed fee vs cost plus, what you really pay
37:55 When an owner’s rep actually helps
40:29 How we show receipts and progress
54:12 Markup vs margin in plain English
58:00 Change orders without the drama
1:01:04 Choosing work that actually fits us
1:07:19 Wrap up and next steps

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Trent Waldrop shares how confusing cash flow with profit can quietly sink a small builder—and why ruthless job costing is the only way to know if you’re actually making money. He breaks down moving from 75–80% cost capture to billing every line item (even the $25 ones), hitting budgets within ~5%, and choosing the right pricing model so you can net 10–12% (or better) on $200–$400K homes.

https://waldropcompany.com

Show Notes:

0:00 Hitting Budget Within 5% on Every Build
9:17 Building Homes for the Community You Know
13:36 Tracking Costs Like a Hawk on Lower-Margin Projects
18:26 Why We’re Moving Back to Fixed Price
22:33 Competing in a Small Market
26:25 Avoiding “Building for Free” Jobs
31:00 Deposits and Getting Paid Before Dirt Moves
35:17 Customer Satisfaction with Younger Buyers
40:16 Building for the Long Haul: 60+ Year Homes
49:17 Value Engineering That Protects Your Margin

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Would you jump on a plane if the pilot didn’t understand their cockpit dials? Randy Stanbury of 4 Level Coach shares how builders and remodelers can stop “flying blind” by mastering financial literacy, building systems, and creating a clear vision. Learn the steps to free yourself from day-to-day operations while scaling profitably.

https://4levelcoach.com

Show Notes:

Opening Analogy & Randy’s Background (0:00)
Breaking Down the Four Level Success System (2:53)
Why Builders Struggle to Trust and Let Go (6:48)
Profit Before Growth, Systems Before People (9:38)
Using Metrics to Drive Profitability (16:39)
Incremental Goals and Building Momentum (24:13)
Software Adoption Challenges and Team Buy-In (30:13)
Integration Support and Maximizing ROI (36:16)
AI, Technology, and the Future of Building (43:37)
Closing Advice and How to Connect with Randy (48:09)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

In this episode of Builders, Budgets & Beers, Reece sits down with Owen Drury of Bricks & Bytes to tackle the pressure from big-tech clients demanding lightning-fast delivery. They dig into UK vs. US timelines, the surge in HVAC/heat-pump installs, the chaos of forecasting & retainage, and how offsite prefab + AI-powered tools are turning 24-month schedules into predictable, profitable builds.

https://bricks-bytes.com

Show Notes: 

Welcome & Quick Intros (00:00)
HVAC Boom & Heat Pump Surge (04:00)
From Trades to Quantity Surveying (06:28)
Forecasting Pitfalls & Retainage (09:46)
Design Deficits & Scope Creep (13:10)
Renovation Roulette & Hidden Hazards (18:06)
Why Lowest Bid Always Wins (25:05)
Tech Trends: Prefab, AI & Fast Builds (37:37)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Chloe Brown, founder of Wildest Dreams, discusses the importance of accurate job costing and financial tracking in construction. She highlights that many builders fail to recoup thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per job due to inadequate financial management. Brown emphasizes the value of using tools like Adaptive for better integration and efficiency, noting that Adaptive's user interface significantly outperforms QuickBooks. She also stresses the significance of optimizing the Accounts Receivable (AR) cycle to improve cash flow and financial health. Brown offers free consultations to help builders improve their financial operations.

https://www.thinkwildest.com

Show Notes:
Chloe Brown's Introduction and Background (0:00)
Chloe's Sales Consulting and Custom Solutions (1:45)
Transition from Custom Solutions to Adaptive (12:30)
Case Study: Uncovering Unbilled Costs (12:45)
Impact of Cost Codes and Financial Tracking (16:27)
Forensic Audits and Adaptive's Role (26:00)
Improving Cash Flow and AR Cycle (31:44)
Technology's Role in Construction (47:01)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Jake Bruton, from Aarow Building, talks about the painful $180,000 lesson that forced him to completely rethink his construction business pricing model. Learn how moving from fixed fee to cost plus saved his company, improved client relationships, and created a more transparent, financially sound business approach. This episode is a must-listen for builders looking to protect their profits and build trust with clients.

https://www.aarowbuilding.com

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Rudy Marroquin, founder of Atlas Homes in Austin, joins Reece to break down how he went from a $500 startup budget to building luxury homes in Montecito and Malibu. Rudy shares how vertical integration, strategic hiring, and cultural fluency helped him cut costs, maintain quality, and scale fast — including flying his Texas crews out to California to keep margins tight. Whether you're just starting or looking to systematize and scale, Rudy's no-BS insight is packed with practical lessons and unapologetic ambition.

https://www.atlashomesatx.com

Show Notes:

Introduction to Rudy Marroquin and Atlas Homes (0:00)
Vertical Integration (2:43)
Expansion into California (3:51)
Financial Management and Team Dynamics (9:34)
Final Thoughts and Shoutout to Adaptive (30:46)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Thomas Joseph, co-founder of Joseph Design Build, joins Reece to talk about moving from high-end custom infill homes to building at scale—with intention. He walks through how getting out of the “just wing it” mindset and leaning into systems, numbers, and rhythms changed how he runs his business—and why clarity is the difference between having a job and building an actual company.

https://jdbatx.com

Show Notes: 

Introduction and Background of Thomas Joseph (0:00)
Challenges and Market Conditions (6:55)
Strategic Shifts and Organizational Changes (12:09)
Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks (46:39)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Custom builder Will King of High Cotton Homes shares hard-earned lessons on how to actually make money in construction. From markup vs. margin to pre-con agreements and spotting bad clients early, this episode is packed with real talk and tactical advice for builders who want to run a profitable business.

https://www.highcotton-homes.com

Show Notes: 

Introduction and Overview of High Cotton Homes (0:00)
Will King's Journey from Fireman to Builder (3:18)
Joining the Southern Living Custom Builder Program (5:30)
Implementing Financial Management Practices (13:02)
Challenges and Strategies for Increasing Profitability (17:36)
The Importance of Pre-Construction Agreements (29:24)
Advanced Payments and Cash Flow Management (40:09)
Building a Strong Network and Learning from Peers (47:55)
Conclusion and Final Thoughts (51:30)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Garrett “Goldsy” Goldsberry joins Reece Barnes to share how he and his wife left cushy jobs, started Salt Creek Homes from scratch, and grew it to a thriving remodel and new construction business. He walks through the overlooked pain points of early financial systems, the shift into software, and the real-life lessons that come from building while still figuring it all out.

https://www.saltcreekhomesco.com

Show Notes: 

Introduction and Background of Garrett Goldsberry (0:00)
Transition from Cushy Jobs to Construction (3:09)
Challenges and Successes in Project Financial Management (8:33)
Managing Project Financials and Profit Erosion (18:21)
Exploring Software Solutions for Better Processes (27:37)
Final Thoughts and Future Plans (27:50)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Dirk van der Velde, co-founder of Momenta, opens up about the early missteps in aligning business structure with execution—and how tightening operations led to meaningful gains. From auditing underused software to designing a high-output team culture, Dirk shares lessons on building a company that actually runs the way it was envisioned.

https://momentasize.com

Show Notes: 
Introduction and Guest Background (0:00)
Dirk's Background and Momenta Size (2:47)
Challenges and Solutions in Construction (6:49)
Adoption of Adaptive Software (19:58)
Impact of Adaptive Software on Business Operations (23:39)
Emotional and Tactical Advice for Business Owners (32:01)
Final Thoughts and Recommendations (38:22)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Julian Miller, Director of Operations at NS Builders, shares how his experience in commercial construction built the foundation for his process-driven approach in high-end residential work. From implementing operational systems to maintaining craftsmanship, Julian explains why structure, communication, and internal efficiency are critical for builders looking to scale sustainably.

https://www.nsbuilders.com/

Introduction and Guest Background (0:00)
Impact of Commercial Experience on Operations (2:43)
Relationship Between Operations and Financials (4:59)
Operational Enhancements and Financial Impact (9:51)
Adoption of Technology and Efficiency Gains (13:53)
Profit Erosion and Internal Efficiencies (23:59)
Final Thoughts and Recommendations (29:30)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Melissa Leediker, Founder of Turquant Builder Services, LLC, discusses the most common and costly errors in construction accounting, focusing on job costing, cost coding, and duplicate payments. She emphasizes the importance of implementing consistent processes and leveraging technology to improve financial accuracy and profitability for construction businesses.

https://turquantservices.com

Introduction to Melissa Leediker and
Construction Accounting (00:00)
Three Most Common Accounting Errors in
Construction (02:03)
Challenges of Costing to the Right Job (08:18)
Importance of Accurate Cost Coding (14:31)
Preventing Duplicate Payments (24:15)
Scaling Challenges in Construction Accounting (28:43)
Technology and Process Improvement Strategies (31:42)
Final Insights and Recommendations (33:28)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Shayne Glass, CPA Controller for Shrock Companies, shares his insights on Shrock’s sophisticated approach to managing multiple business entities by maintaining financial independence while sharing resources across construction, prefabrication, and restoration sectors. The company leverages adaptive software and strategic cost tracking to ensure precise financial management, resource allocation, and operational efficiency across its diverse business portfolio.

https://www.shrockcompanies.com

Intro and Origins (00:00)
Building Diverse Entities (01:49)
Scaling Up (05:42)
Financial Separation for Multi-Entity Success (08:42)
Resource Sharing and Cost Allocation (13:50)
Streamlining Intercompany Transactions (22:07)
Job Costing and Margin Management (25:57)
Cost Tracking with Operational Efficiency (27:07)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Noi Calhoun, from JAG Construction, shares the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene on Asheville, North Carolina, detailing the community's struggle and resilience. The conversation explores the challenges of rebuilding, the loss of infrastructure, and the powerful community spirit that emerged in the aftermath of the catastrophic flood.

https://jaggreen.com/noi-calhoun

Introduction and Hurricane Helene Context (00:00)

Massive Flooding Destroys Local Infrastructure (01:31)

River Levels Exceed Historic Records (05:31)

Community Responds to Communication Breakdown (08:30)

Construction Industry Survives Extreme Challenge (17:33)

Tourism Economy Suffers Significant Damage (23:17)

Businesses Struggle with Financial Recovery (28:51)

Community Demonstrates Remarkable Rebuilding Resilience (31:18)

Hope Emerges from Disaster's Aftermath (32:08)

Conclusion and Celebrating Asheville's Strength (33:33)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

This week, Dorrie Franzello-Kurtz, CPA at YHB | CPAs &Consultants, discusses the critical importance of accurate job costing, real-time financial reporting, and strategic financial management for construction companies. She emphasizes the need for proactive accounting practices, highlighting how proper tracking of indirect costs, job scheduling, and communication between field and office teams can significantly impact a construction business's profitability and long-term success.

https://yhbcpa.com/staff/dorrie-franzello-kurtzcpa/

Introduction and Background of Dory Franzello Kurtz (0:00)
Client Accounting Services (CAS) and Outsourced Accounting (2:07)
Identifying Issues in Construction Companies (3:58)
Real-Time Reporting and Job Scheduling (6:08)
Impact of COVID-19 on Construction Accounting (8:25)
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Financial Management (12:58)
Estimating and Cost Control (23:30)
Strategic and Tactical Accounting (42:14)
Final Thoughts and Advice for Construction Business Owners (45:09)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

In this episode Michael Anschel, Principal at OA Design+Build +Architecture, discusses the COPE (Cost of Project Execution) method, which helps builders gain better visibility into their overhead and project costs. The guests emphasize the importance of using cost codes, job costing, and understanding the difference between markup and margin to run a more profitable and transparent construction business.

https://otogawa-anschel.com

Introduction and Background of Michael Anschel (0:00)
Explanation of the COPE Method (0:15)
Breakdown of the COPE Method (2:14)
Importance of Transparency and Honesty in Pricing (7:15)
Challenges and Benefits of the COPE Method (9:13)
Implementing the COPE Method in Practice (12:02)
Importance of Categorizing Costs and Job Costing (16:02)
Overcoming Resistance to Change in the Industry (20:02)
Achieving Profitability and Work-Life Balance (22:02)
Conclusion and Final Thoughts (24:42)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Ryan Hanson, Partner at Sustainable 9 Design + Build, discusses the benefits of a cost plus pricing model, highlighting the transparency it provides to clients and the ability to better manage risks associated with material price fluctuations and project changes. The conversation covers Sustainable 9's unique neighborhood development project, the challenges of fixed price contracts, the impact of tariffs, and the importance of technology in improving construction processes.

https://sustainable9.com

Introduction and Background of Sustainable 9 (0:00)
The Nine Steps to Sustainability (2:03)
The Peninsula Lake Project (5:18)
Cost Plus vs. Fixed Price Models (13:06)
Impact of Tariffs and Market Risks (40:54)
Client Relationships and Project Management (41:39)
Commercial Construction and Pricing Models (42:07)
Adaptive Construction and Technology (50:58)
Final Thoughts and Recommendations (56:29)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media

Shayne Glass, CPA Controller for Shrock Companies, discusses the critical role of bonding and maintaining tight financial processes for construction companies, particularly those looking to take on larger projects and grow their business. The discussion covers the bonding process, the importance of consistent cost tracking and financial reporting, and strategies for managing financials across multiple construction entities.

https://www.shrockcompanies.com

Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast (0:00)
Shane's Background and Shrock Companies (1:10)
The Importance of Bonding (3:00)
The Bonding Process and Relationship (8:58)
The Annual Financial Review (14:47)
Providing Financial Information (22:36)
Advice for Improving Financial Processes (28:35)

Find Our Hosts:
Reece Barnes
Matt Calvano

Podcast Produced By:
Motif Media