Modern Craftsman
The Modern Craftsman is a podcast for builders who think beyond the jobsite. Hosted by Nick Schiffer and Tyler Grace, this show explores what it takes to build a better business, a stronger team, and a more sustainable career in the trades. Each episode features real conversations about leadership, project management, client communication, team culture, mental resilience, and long-term success in construction. Whether you're a carpenter scaling your company, a remodeler refining your process, or a builder navigating burnout, you'll find insight, support, and hard-earned lessons from those who've lived it.
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Set the Price Bar Before the Phone Rings
<p >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.</p> <p >Show Notes:<br /></p> <p >00:00 The profit flip<br /> 01:06 Ballpark numbers haunt you<br /> 02:47 Getting shopped<br /> 07:52 Set expectations early<br /> 10:51 Build the funnel<br /> 13:19 Range plus assumptions<br /> 20:03 Handling sticker shock<br /> 25:02 Make more, do less<br /> 30:02 After the ballpark</p> <p > </p> <p >Video Version:<br />https://youtu.be/SlHAXpUbbxU<br /> </p> <p > </p> <p >Pa...
Ballpark Pricing Without Overcommitting
<p >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.</p> <p >Show Notes:<br />00:00 Don't Apologize<br /> 00:44 The Ballpark Question<br /> 04:14 SWAG & Scope<br /> 07:27 Give a Range<br /> 12:07 Cost Drivers<br /> 15:47 Lead Red Flags<br /> 26:01 From Ballpark to Precon<br /> 33:49 2026 Updates<br /></p> <p ><br />Video Version:<br />https://youtu.be/TPk5pRKa7iY<br /> </p> <p > </p> <p >Partners: </p> <p > An...
388 The Owner's Manual for Every Build
<p >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.</p> <p>Show Notes: <br />00:00 Owner's manual mindset<br /> 01:36 Sponsor reads<br /> 04:22 Platform switch & shop talk<br /> 05:21 Listener question: after the keys<br /> 12:45 Closeout standards and expectations<br /> 17:08 O&M manual, what goes in it<br /> 22:06 AI and cliff notes maintenance<br /> 31:01 M...
387 Busy Isn't Productive, Stop Multitasking Your Business
<p >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.</p> <p>Show Notes: <br />00:00 Too many balls<br /> 03:29 Inbox takeover<br /> 08:58 One thing focus<br /> 16:47 Busy vs productive<br /> 27:35 Precon time sinks<br /> 35:23 Buying your way in<br /> 44:05 Risk stories<br /> 50:33 Simple systems win<br /> 1:00:18 AI, but for what<br /> 1:06:15 Wrap and tease<br /> <br /></p...
How to Track a Job Budget in Real Time
<p >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.</p> <p >Show Notes:<br />00:00 Cold office, hot topic<br /> 02:05 Precon fee and setting the budget<br /> 05:15 Deposits and staying out of the red<br /> 08:40 Daily tracking and invoice cycles<br /> 13:55 Calling out extras without change-order chaos<br /> 20:45 Reconciling budget vs real costs<br /> 27:35...
386 Jobsite Photos That Actually Work For You
<p>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.</p> <p>Show Notes: </p> <p>00:00:00 The Shot That Saves You<br /> 00:04:20 Meet Dave<br /> 00:08:00 How This All Started<br /> 00:10:28 Photos That Win Work<br /> 00:12:47 CYA Before You Demo<br /> 00:17:03 Your Phone Can Do This<br /> 00:23:32 M...
385 Stop Letting "Cool Details" Kill Your Margin
<p>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.</p> <p>Show Notes: <br /> 00:00 Cold Open, Winter<br /> 05:04 Sponsors and Setup<br /> 13:09 Cordless Tools Talk<br /> 15:19 Precon Tier 1<br /> 21:55 Dropbox Wipeout<br /> 29:54 Line Items and Trust<br /> 42:09 Cheaper Builder Choice<br /> 47:11 Cool Work vs P...
Why Two Owners Need More Than 1.5x Work
<p>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.</p> <p>Show Notes:<br />00:00 Two owners, tiny company<br /> 05:26 Ryan's email setup<br /> 08:00 One and a half myth<br /> 10:19 Where you make money<br /> 13:00 Self perform vs subs<br /> 15:00 Pros and cons of partners<br /> 17:20 Roles, risk, resentment<br /> 19:59 Tool belt vs business<...
384 Too Tired For Precon, Too Broke To Skip It
<p>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.<br /> <br /> Show Notes: <br /> 00:00 Hidden inefficiencies<br /> 00:18 Precon and race recap<br /> 01:18 Sponsor break<br /> 08:47 Tyler's race story<br /> 16:12 What precon really is<br /> 18:42 Design build vs precon<br /> 22:10 Tier one pricing<br /> 29:22 Why plans don't get built<br /> 33:41 Architect types and bids<br /> 41:18 When budget kills d...
What I'd Do Differently If I Started My Business Today
<p>Tyler answers a listener email about what he'd do differently if he were starting his business today, beyond just setting up insurance, lawyers, and an LLC. He digs into why chasing "sexy" high-end projects can crush your margins, how T&M and paid pre-con changed his business, and why the less you work, the more you can actually make when your systems and numbers are dialed.</p> <p>The Preconstruction Course: Click Here</p> <p>Show Notes:</p> <p>00:00 What I'd Do Differently Starting Today<br /> 03:59 Chasing Sexy Projects Instead Of Profit<br /> 08:42 Scaling Back And Resetting The Business<...
