Builders, Budgets, and Beers
The Builders, Budgets, and Beers Podcast is on a mission to make project financials less intimidating for commercial and residential builders. We aim to give builders the confidence to take control of their business’ cash flow by bringing on relatable guests who share real stories of financial wins and losses from their journeys in the building industry. Produced by the team at Adaptive, this podcast is here to help builders build smarter—one budget, one story and one beer at a time.
Episodes
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...
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.
Show Notes:
Opening Analogy & Randy’s Background (0:00)
Breaking Down t...
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.
Sho...
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...
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.
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 an...
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.
Show Notes:
Introduction and Backg...
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 ...
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 an...
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
Video Notes:
Introduction and Guest Background (...
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/
Intro...
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
Co...
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...
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)
Mas...
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 constru...
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.
I...
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...
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.
Tim Savre, Controller for NS Builders, discusses the importance of construction businesses tracking their finances consistently throughout the year, rather than just focusing on tax preparation at the end of the year. The conversation covers the benefits of regular financial reporting, the challenges builders face in staying on top of their finances, and strategies for improving financial management practices.
In this episode, Mark Phillips, CFO of V Fine Homes, shares his perspective on the distinct roles and responsibilities of bookkeepers, controllers, and CFOs in construction companies, highlighting the importance of having the right financial management team to ensure operational efficiency and profitability.
Introduction and Guest Introduction (0:00)
Mark Phillips' Background and Career Journey (...
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