Building Better Relationships in Construction
This podcast series provides actionable strategies for construction professionals to elevate their business by prioritizing strong relationships. Emphasizing trust, transparency, and genuine connection as the foundation for success, the book introduces the "Relationship Bank Account," a framework for understanding how interactions build or erode goodwill. Based on the book: Building Better Relationships, a Guide to Enhancing the Customer Experience for Home Builders, Remodelers, and Construction Managers by Paul Schwinghammer
Episodes
33 episodes
Negotiating Effectively to Build Trust
Chapter 33, Negotiating Effectively to Build Trust, emphasizes that successful negotiation in construction is about more than securing the lowest price—it is about building relationships, maintaining schedules, and protecting reputatio...
Don't Procastinate!
Chapter 32, Don’t Procrastinate — The Importance of Early Subcontractor Identification, highlights the critical role of securing subcontractors early in the construction process. Alex and Sabrina explain that delaying trade selec...
The Power of Reinforcement and Repetition
Chapter 31, The Power of Reinforcement and Repetition, emphasizes that strong relationships in construction are built through consistent practice, not one-time efforts. Alex and Sabrina explain that people quickly forget new lear...
Covering for the Team and Building Trust
Episode 30, “Covering for the Team and Building Trust,” stresses protecting your crew publicly while handling accountability privately to preserve client confidence and team cohesion. Hosts Alex and Sabrina advise responding to client complaint...
The Power of Genuine Appreciation
Episode 29 explores Chapter 29, “The Power of Genuine Appreciation,” arguing that sincere, specific, and timely recognition is strategic—not optional—in construction. Hosts Alex and Sabrina explain that authentic appreciation builds loyalty, mo...
No Guessing-The Power of Clarity
Episode summarizing Chapter 28, “No Guessing — The Power of Clarity,” argues that verification beats assumptions in construction. Hosts Alex and Sabrina explain that guessing—even small shortcuts—can trigger rework, delays, safety issues, code ...
If You Can Do It, Do It!
Episode 27 of Building Better Relationships in Construction, titled “If You Can Do It, Do It,” emphasizes proactive action to prevent delays, rework, and eroded client trust. Hosts Alex and Sabrina, drawing on Paul Schwinghammer’s book, argue t...
The Importance of Why and Paying It Forward
Episode 26 of Building Better Relationships in Construction explores the value of asking “Why” and paying lessons forward. Hosts Alex and Sabrina discuss Paul Schwinghammer’s guidance that mistakes in construction are inevitable and that fast f...
The Value of Quick Solutions
In Episode 25 of Building Better Relationships in Construction, hosts Alex and Sabrina discuss Chapter 25 of Paul Schwinghammer’s book: The Value of Quick Solutions. They argue that addressing small issues immediately—rather than postponing fix...
Explore All Options Before Acting
Episode 24 discusses Chapter 24: "Explore All Options Before Acting." Hosts Alex and Sabrina explain Paul Schwinghammer’s argument that the instinct to fix problems immediately in construction can lead to costly mistakes. Using an electrical bo...
The Power of Surprises in Building Relationships
Hosts Alex and Sabrina summarize Chapter 23 of Paul Schwinghammer’s Building Better Relationships, emphasizing the strategic value of positive surprises in construction. Unexpected, sincere gestures—small treats, handwritten notes, an unannounc...
The Job Is Not About You
Hosts Alex and Sabrina discuss Chapter 22 of Paul Schwinghammer’s Building Better Relationships, “The Job Is Not About You,” focusing on communicating bad news in construction. They argue delivery matters: present facts honestly while framing t...
Anticipating Problems and Setting Expectations
Episode 21 of Building Better Relationships in Construction, based on Paul Schwinghammer’s chapter on Anticipating Problems and Setting Expectations, emphasizes proactively identifying and communicating potential issues to build trust and preve...
The Job Isn’t About You
Episode 20 is entitled: The Job Isn’t About You. In construction, professionals often personalize delays and defects, which triggers defensive reactions that derail conversations and erode trust. Instead, separate identity from the issue: treat...
Setting Specific Expectations
Episode 19, “Setting Specific Expectations,” explores how clear, detailed expectations are essential for trust, smooth execution, and a great client experience in construction. Drawing from the book Building Better Relationships, Alex and Sabri...
Attending to the Little Things
Episode 18, “Attending to the Little Things,” explores how small actions create big trust with construction clients. Drawing from Paul Schwinghammer’s book Building Better Relationships, Alex and Sabrina explain that minor details—dust...
Listening Well—The Power of Truly Hearing Your Customers
Episode 17 of “Building Better Relationships in Construction” is entitled: “Listening Well—The Power of Truly Hearing Your Customers." Effective listening is more than hearing words; it’s actively engaging with clients, acknowledging feel...
Managing Anger to Strengthen Relationships
Episode 16 of “Building Better Relationships in Construction” is called Managing Anger to Strengthen Relationships, and explores how managing anger can strengthen relationships on job sites and with clients. Alex and Sabrina explain that ...
How to Fire a Subcontractor and Maintain Respect
Episode 15 of Building Better Relationships in Construction covers Chapter 15 of Paul Schwinghammer’s book: “How to Fire a Subcontractor and Maintain Respect.” The hosts outline Paul’s “Fire, Then Affirm” approach: be direct about the decision,...
Write it Down!
Episode 14 of “Building Better Relationships in Construction” focuses on the deceptively simple habit of “Write It Down.” Alex and Sabrina explain that visible, consistent documentation—during meetings, walkthroughs, and phone calls—is a powerf...
Getting Credit for a Mistake
Episode 13 of “Building Better Relationships in Construction” explores the concept of “Getting Credit for a Mistake.” Alex and Sabrina explain that this isn’t about celebrating errors, but about earning trust by owning them. Using a carpet tran...
Responding When Attacked – The Power of Disarming
Episode 12 of “Building Better Relationships in Construction” unpacks the concept of “disarming” when you feel attacked. Alex and Sabrina explain that in high‑stress construction settings, the instinct is to argue, justify, or shut down when a ...
Apologizing for Withdrawals—A Key to Maintaining Trust
Episode 11 of “Building Better Relationships in Construction” explores how apologies can repair “withdrawals” from the relationship bank account. Using Paul Schwinghammer’s framework, Alex and Sabrina explain that withdrawals are disappointment...
Creating Space When Clients Go Off The Deep End
Episode 10 of “Building Better Relationships in Construction” explores how to handle clients who “go off the deep end.” Drawing from Paul Schwinghammer’s book, Alex and Sabrina explain that when a client is highly emotional, logic and explanati...