Building Optimal podcast

13:12

I've hesitated to put this episode out, because I generally try to take an optimistic, encouraging tone. But we can't get better until we accept the reality of our situation. So, here's to each of us, and the building industry as a whole, staring reality in the eyes - and getting better. Wishing everyone nothing but success! Enjoy the episode. Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP. Thank you to our amazing brand partners Subzero Wolf Cove Grand Openings…

Building Optimal

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#105: Differentiate or Die 10:02

22 weeks ago10:02

10:02

At the most fundamental level, there are really only two strategies in business, and only one that works for small businesses. Most home builders get this wrong, and end up stuck in the middle, never generating the profits they should. In this episode Jared discusses the risks of getting your strategy wrong, and the opportunities once you find the one that truly sets your business apart. Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP. Thank you to our amazing brand partners Subzero Wolf Cove Grand Openings…

Building Optimal

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#104: Building With In-House Labor, a Conversation With Joey Fentress 29:12

37 weeks ago29:12

29:12

Joey Fentress is the founder and owner of Proform Builds , a Seattle-based luxury home builder. Joey recently expanded his operation into Austin, where I was introduced to him and his team. The level of professionalism with which Joey runs his business is evident in just a short conversation, and it's reflected in the quality of their builds. This episode is a conversation with Joey about his in-house labor, and how he manages that aspect of his business. Enjoy the episode, and if you like this and others we have done, it would be a huge help if you leave us a review here in your podcast player. Thanks for listening! Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP. Thank you to our amazing brand partners Subzero Wolf Cove Grand Openings…

Building Optimal

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#103: Bigger Wins With The "Hunting Antelope" Model 9:11

50 weeks ago9:11

9:11

A quick 7-minute episode to help you make more progress and find some big wins in your business. Credit to Tim Ferriss for his recent blog post on the topic, the inspiration for this episode. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple! Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP. Thank you to our amazing brand partners Subzero Wolf Cove Grand Openings…

Building Optimal

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#102: Must-Have AI Apps For Builders 7:18

1 year ago7:18

7:18

We've been obsessed for over a year now with different AI apps that can help home builders. This is an extremely short episode on the best we've found. Enjoy! If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple! Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP. Thank you to our amazing brand partners Subzero Wolf Cove Grand Openings…

Building Optimal

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#101: Lessons From Startup Builder, Joe Hodge 28:24

1 year ago28:24

28:24

This is one of the most inspiring episodes I've recorded. I have mentored Joe Hodge over the last few years as he set out on his dream to start his own home building company. Starting alone is difficult enough, but the market forces over the last few years added major complications as Joe came out of the gate. But Joe is a fighter (literally and metaphorically), and built a resoundingly successful project even with serious headwinds. We visit on both his wins and his lessons learned from this first of what will surely be many successful projects as Joe grows his company. Enjoy the episode! If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple! Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP. Thank you to our amazing brand partners Subzero Wolf Cove Grand Openings Quaker…

Building Optimal

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#100: Market and Lending Trends with Arixa Capital 54:49

1 year ago54:49

54:49

Gossett & Co recently closed two construction loans with Arixa Capital , and sat down with executive Greg Hebner and his team during their visit to Austin. The group discusses the Austin market, California immigration, the latest market and financing trends, qualities of a good lender, and more. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple! Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP. Thank you to our amazing brand partners Subzero Wolf Cove Grand Openings Quaker…

Building Optimal

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#99: Business Lessons from Charlie Munger (Part 4 - Final) 9:01

1 year ago9:01

9:01

This is the final installment of our series on Charlie Munger, an episode devoted to the memory of the late investor who recently passed away. In this episode we cover the reason to read, the need to get into a great business, and the only way to run a good company. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple! Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP. Thank you to our amazing brand partners Subzero Wolf Cove Grand Openings Quaker…

Building Optimal

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#98: Business Lessons from Charlie Munger (Part 3) 11:56

1 year ago11:56

11:56

In the third installment of our mini-series on Charlie Munger, we delve deeper into the wisdom of one of the greatest investors and thinkers of our time. This episode continues up our series with a focus on Munger's most impactful strategies and philosophies that have influenced generations of investors and entrepreneurs. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple! Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP . Thank you to our amazing brand partners Subzero Wolf Cove Grand Openings Quaker…

Building Optimal

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#97: Business Lessons from Charlie Munger (Part 2) 6:41

2 years ago6:41

6:41

Part 2 of our mini-series on Charlie Munger, one of the greatest investors of all time. He’s also one of the most profound thinkers of our era. This continues a multi-part series of short episodes dissecting some of Jared’s favorite lessons from the investing giant. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple! Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP. And don't forget to sign up for our NEWSLETTER where we have all kinds of good tips and info you don't get with the podcast. Thank you to our amazing brand partners Subzero Wolf Cove Grand Openings Quaker…

Building Optimal

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#96: Business Lessons from Charlie Munger (Part 1) 13:08

2 years ago13:08

13:08

Charlie Munger is one of the greatest investors of all time. He’s also one of the most profound thinkers of our era. This begins a multi-part series of short episodes dissecting some of Jared’s favorite lessons from the investing giant. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple! And don't forget to sign up for our NEWSLETTER where we have all kinds of good tips and info you don't get with the podcast. Tools to make more money and grow your biz Need a little help growing your business or making more money at it? In addition to almost 100 free episodes of the podcast, check out The Building Optimal Shop , a place where we have business tools for builders and contractors…and the list is growing. Or, if you want full-scale consulting or business startup help, check out our brand new: Building Optimal Business Accelerator Thank you to our amazing brand partners Lowe’s and the new Lowe’s MVP Pro Rewards Program Subzero Wolf Cove Huber Engineered Woods Grand Openings Quaker…

Building Optimal

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#95: A Wild WWII Story and a Case for Thinking Small 8:36

2 years ago8:36

8:36

This is a departure from our regular programming - Jared shares a very short story from World War II, and how you can apply it as a problem-solving model in your own business. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple! And don't forget to sign up for our NEWSLETTER where we have all kinds of good tips and info you don't get with the podcast. Looking for tools to make more money and grow your biz? In addition to almost 100 free episodes of the podcast, check out The Building Optimal Shop , a place where we have business tools for builders and contractors…and the list is growing. Or, if you want full-scale consulting or business startup help, check out our: Building Optimal Business Accelerator Thank you to our amazing brand partners... Lowe’s and the new Lowe’s MVP Pro Rewards Program Subzero Wolf Cove RAM Windows…

Building Optimal

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#94: Trey Farmer on Passive, Healthy, Grid-Resilient Homes 28:07

2 years ago28:07

28:07

Trey Farmer is an architect with Forge Craft Architecture here in Austin. We interviewed him previously on #63: Lessons From a Passive House Build . Today we revisit some of those passive home principles and also discuss some of his beliefs for building healthier, more grid-resilient homes. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple! And don't forget to sign up for our NEWSLETTER where we have all kinds of good tips and info you don't get with the podcast. Tools to make more money and grow your biz Need a little help growing your business or making more money at it? In addition to almost 100 free episodes of the podcast, check out The Building Optimal Shop , a place where we have business tools for builders and contractors…and the list is growing. Or, if you want full-scale consulting or business startup help, check out our brand new: Building Optimal Business Accelerator Thank you to our amazing brand partners Lowe’s and the new Lowe’s MVP Pro Rewards Program Subzero Wolf Cove Huber Engineered Woods RAM Windows…

Building Optimal

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#93: Lower Carbon Building and Social Equity Through Co-Ops with Jacob Deva Racusin 56:21

2 years ago56:21

56:21

It's hard to spend a few minutes chatting with Jacob Deva Racusin without leaving inspired. He is the Director of Building Science and Sustainability for New Frameworks, an innovative, socially inclusive design/build firm in Vermont. He also serves as an Embodied Carbon Analyst and BEAM Trainer with Builders for Climate Action. In this conversation we discuss Jacob's ideas on how to minimize the embodied carbon in our buildings or even turn them into carbon sinks. Jacob also shares his benefits of straw bale building techniques and the socially inclusive culture they have created through a worker's co-op structure at New Frameworks. Enjoy! Links from the episode: Builders for Climate Action BEAM Estimator New Frameworks Website New Frameworks on Instagram Croft Straw Panels The U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives Companies We Keep, by John Abrams Tools to make more money and grow your biz Need a little help growing your business or making more money at it? In addition to almost 100 free episodes of the podcast, check out The Building Optimal Shop , a place where we have business tools for builders and contractors…and the list is growing. Or, if you want full-scale consulting or business startup help, check out our brand new: Building Optimal Business Accelerator Thank you to our amazing brand partners Lowe’s and the new Lowe’s MVP Pro Rewards Program Subzero Wolf Cove Huber Engineered Woods RAM Windows…

Building Optimal

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#92: Dan Kolbert, High-Performance Builder and Sustainability Advocate 29:43

2 years ago29:43

29:43

In this conversation we sit down with Dan Kolbert, co-author of Pretty Good House, and owner of Kolbert Building in Portland, Maine, to discuss high performance homes, the next evolution in building, and Dan's advice in today's economy. Links mentioned: Pretty Good House Book Water in Buildings, by Bill Rose Christine Williamson's Instagram Huber Engineered Wood Climate Zone Map Timber HP BEAM Estimator BS and Beer Tools to make more money and grow your biz Need a little help growing your business or making more money at it? In addition to almost 100 free episodes of the podcast, check out The Building Optimal Shop , a place where we have business tools for builders and contractors…and the list is growing. Or, if you want full-scale consulting or business startup help, check out our brand new: Building Optimal Business Accelerator Thank you to our amazing brand partners Lowe’s and the new Lowe’s MVP Pro Rewards Program Subzero Wolf Cove Huber Engineered Woods RAM Windows…

Building Optimal

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#91: New Podcast Direction + State of the Market with Mark Sprague 28:10

2 years ago28:10

28:10

We have a new, slightly different (and hopefully upgraded) direction for Building Optimal, and are excited to share it with you in this episode. We also visit with Mark Sprague, State Director of Information Capital for Independence Title. Mark is one of the most respected real estate market analysts and forecasters in Texas, and shares some of his insights with us in this short, 25-minute episode. In full disclosure, 75% of the information Mark Shares is specific to Austin or Texas, but 25% covers a national focus. Enjoy! Tools to make more money and grow your biz Need a little help growing your business or making more money at it? In addition to almost 100 free episodes of the podcast, check out The Building Optimal Shop , a place where we have business tools for builders and contractors…and the list is growing. Or, if you want full-scale consulting or business startup help, check out our brand new: Building Optimal Business Accelerator Thank you to our amazing brand partners Lowe’s and the new Lowe’s MVP Pro Rewards Program Subzero Wolf Cove Huber Engineered Woods RAM Windows…

Building Optimal

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#90: Financial Freedom with David Gerstel 1:29:33

3 years ago1:29:33

1:29:33

David Gerstel has written some of the top books available for construction professionals who want to build a better business. His latest book, Building Freedom: A Construction Pro's Path to Financial Independence , is the topic of today's conversation. We cover some novel concepts from David such as Employee-Centered Companies, thinking errors that hold us back, his research on selling construction companies, and more. In the episode we discuss a few books: Small Giants: Companies That Choose to be Great Instead of Big Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple Please enjoy this enlightening episode! Tools to make more money and grow your biz Need a little help growing your business or making more money at it? In addition to almost 100 free episodes of the podcast, check out The Building Optimal Shop , a place where we have business tools for builders and contractors…and the list is growing. Or, if you want full-scale consulting or business startup help, check out our brand new: Building Optimal Business Accelerator Muchas gracias to our amazing brand partners Lowe’s and the new Lowe’s MVP Pro Rewards Program Subzero Wolf Cove Huber Engineered Woods RAM Windows…

Building Optimal

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#89: Sub-Zero Wolf Supply Chain Update and New Innovations with Amy Kerr 13:34

3 years ago13:34

13:34

We are visiting with Amy Kerr of Sub-Zero Wolf Cove to discuss supply chain updates and new innovations in their appliance lines. This episode is a short one, but full of great updates. Enjoy! Tools to make more money and grow your biz Need a little help growing your business or making more money at it? In addition to almost 100 free episodes of the podcast, check out The Building Optimal Shop , a place where we have business tools for builders and contractors…and the list is growing. Or, if you want full-scale consulting or business startup help, check out our brand new: Building Optimal Business Accelerator Muchas gracias to our amazing brand partners Lowe’s and the new Lowe’s MVP Pro Rewards Program Subzero Wolf Cove Huber Engineered Woods RAM Windows…

Building Optimal

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#88: Wally Staples on Best Employee Compensation Practices 44:02

3 years ago44:02

44:02

Wally Staples is back. This time, we talk specifics of his employee compensation practices as well as some of his principles for being an "anti-fragile" builder. And don't miss my first interview with Wally, #68: Ensuring Profitability and Employees First with Wally Staples . Enjoy the episode! Tools to make more money and grow your biz Need a little help growing your business or making more money at it? In addition to almost 100 free episodes of the podcast, check out the Building Optimal Shop , a place where we have business tools for builders and contractors…and the list is growing. Or, if you want full-scale consulting or business startup help, check out our brand new: Building Optimal Business Accelerator Muchas gracias to our amazing brand partners Lowe’s and the new Lowe’s MVP Pro Rewards Program Subzero Wolf Cove Huber Engineered Woods RAM Windows…

Building Optimal

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#87: Vik Szemerei on New Plumbing Trends and Technologies 35:28

3 years ago35:28

35:28

Vik Szemerei is the Vice President of Sales for luxury plumbing company, House of Rohl . They own brands such as Riobel, Victoria and Albert, and Rohl. We discuss cool new plumbing trends like aromatherapy shower heads , hand-crafted fireclay sinks , touchless faucets , and more. And, to my delight, Vik explains the rise in popularity of biophilic design as we find ways to make our homes healthier and more comfortable. Enjoy the episode! Tools to make more money and grow your biz Need a little help growing your business or making more money at it? In addition to almost 100 free episodes of the podcast, check out the Building Optimal Shop, a place where we have business tools for builders and contractors…and the list is growing. Or, if you want full-scale consulting or business startup help, check out our brand new: Building Optimal Business Accelerator Muchas gracias to our amazing brand partners Lowe’s and the new Lowe’s MVP Pro Rewards Program Wolf/Subzero Huber Engineered Woods RAM Windows…

Building Optimal

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#86: Now Open - Our Builder Accelerator 11:15

3 years ago11:15

11:15

Jared shares some of the lessons from his home building journey, and announces the latest offering from Building Optimal...our Builder Accelerator, to help others find success and build a great company. To learn more about the Builder Accelerator, go to: https://www.buildingoptimal.com/the-builder-accelerator Use code LAUNCH between now and 5/19/22 For 20% off all our products at the Building Optimal Shop. As always, a special thanks to our show sponsors: Lowe’s and the new Lowe’s MVP Pro Rewards Program Wolf/Subzero Huber Engineered Woods RAM Windows…

Building Optimal

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#85: Zip System(R) Q&A and More with Mike Dye 16:29

3 years ago16:29

16:29

There are a lot of misconceptions about Zip System .® Mike Dye, Senior Engineer at Huber Engineered Woods , joins us to dispel those and also provide some useful ideas to improve the efficiency and sustainability of your builds. Enjoy the episode! New products launching in the Building Optimal Shop! Need a little help growing your business or making more money at it? In addition to almost 100 free episodes of the podcast, check out the Building Optimal Shop, a place where we have business tools for builders and contractors…and the list is growing. Or, if you want full-scale consulting or business startup help, check out our brand new: Building Optimal Business Accelerator Muchas gracias to our amazing brand partners: Lowe’s and the new Lowe’s MVP Pro Rewards Program Wolf/Subzero Huber Engineered Woods RAM Windows…

Building Optimal

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#84: Eric Spence, CEO of RAM Windows 57:25

3 years ago57:25

57:25

RAM Windows has emerged as one of the leading window manufacturers in the State of Texas and beyond. We use their modern-design, aluminum windows on most of our projects (you can see them on our recent Kennelwood project here ). As a brand partner of ours, I’ve gotten to personally know Eric Spence, President and CEO. It’s easy to see why RAM has experienced the growth trajectory it has with him at the helm. He is a superb leader and a master with all things windows and building science. In this interview, we cover a wide range of topics from Eric’s leadership advice to his views on the future of window technology. Enjoy a discussion with one of the industry’s truly great leaders. Video referenced in the episode - Cement: The Scale of the Problem Need a little help growing your business or making more money at it? In addition to almost 100 free episodes of the podcast, check out the Building Optimal Shop , a place where we have business tools for builders and contractors…and the list is growing. Or, if you want full-scale consulting or business startup help, contact me at jared@gossettco.com . We are a full-time building company - not a coach or mentor - but we have doubled over revenue to more than $50 million while actually cutting our overhead. And I’m happy to share what I know with those who could benefit from it. Fair warning, if it were a restaurant it would be $$$, my friends. But it also would have made me a few million more dollars if I had access to my current systems and thinking early in my career. Send me an email if you want to visit further. Muchas gracias to our amazing brand partners: Lowe’s and the new Lowe’s MVP Pro Rewards Program Wolf/Subzero Huber Engineered Woods RAM Windows…

Building Optimal

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#83: Issues and Trends Around Construction Innovation with Brian Potter 37:31

3 years ago37:31

37:31

Brian Potter is the author of Construction Physics , the best blog on construction news and innovation that I've found. " Why It's Hard to Innovate in Construction " is one of my favorite and a central theme in today's discussion. Brian is a structural engineer by training. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Progress and previously led an engineering team at Katerra. Enjoy the episode! Have any topics you want me to discuss, guests to interview, or feedback about the show? DM me on Instagram @buildingoptimal or send me an email at jared@gossettco.com. And thank you to Lowe’s for sponsoring today’s episode! Learn more about Lowe’s for Pros HERE Want more good stuff? Sign up for the Building Optimal email HERE .…

Building Optimal

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#82: Hiring, Firing, and Retaining with Luke Mezger 53:02

3 years ago53:02

53:02

This is one of my favorite conversations to date with Luke Mezger, a top builder from Austin, Texas. Luke is Owner of Mezger Homes , a superb leader, and a brilliant student of the game. He lays out probably a dozen actionable tips most of us can implement today to build a better company. Enjoy the episode! Have any topics you want me to discuss, guests to interview, or feedback about the show? DM me on Instagram @buildingoptimal or send me an email at jared@gossettco.com. And thank you to Lowe’s for sponsoring today’s episode! Learn more about Lowe’s for Pros HERE Want more good stuff? Sign up for the Building Optimal email HERE .…

Building Optimal

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#81: Austin Miller Explains Building in the Remote Arctic 47:40

3 years ago47:40

47:40

Austin Miller is an Australian carpenter and builder who moved to Canada six years ago to build in the remote Arctic. In this episode we are exploring how building works in one of the world's most inhospitable places. If nothing else, this episode will make you extremely grateful next time you are looking for a bolt on your own jobsite (gotta listen to understand)! Have any topics you want me to discuss, guests to interview, or feedback about the show? DM me on Instagram @buildingoptimal or send me an email at jared@gossettco.com. And thank you to Lowe’s for sponsoring today’s episode! Learn more about Lowe’s for Pros HERE Want more good stuff? Sign up for the Building Optimal email HERE . Visit our online store to see our products to build a better business. HERE…

Building Optimal

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#80: Learning Skills Online with Gabe Jewell 16:28

3 years ago16:28

16:28

Gabe Jewell is CEO of MT Copeland , a new online education platform to learn the building and construction trades. We need more affordable, accessible education within our industry. It’s why I started Building Optimal, and it’s why I’m a fan of what Gabe and his team are doing. Check out the episode to learn about what these innovators are doing to help builders, and you just may find a class you want to take. I have no financial incentive, btw. Just like what these guys are about! Keep up to date with MT Copeland on Instagram, @mt.copeland . Have any topics you want me to discuss, guests to interview, or feedback about the show? DM me on Instagram @buildingoptimal or send me an email at jared@gossettco.com. ... And thank you to Lowe’s for sponsoring today’s episode! Learn more about Lowe’s for Pros HERE ... Want more good stuff? Sign up for the Building Optimal email HERE .…

Building Optimal

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#79: Should You Pre-Sell Your Homes? 24:10

4 years ago24:10

24:10

Pre-selling your homes under construction isn’t all rainbows and kittens, as many veterans know. Check out this short episode to learn the pros, cons, and nuances of pre-selling. Plus, I share some of my own strategies for crafting a more favorable pre-sell for your company. Have any topics you want me to discuss, guests to interview, or feedback about the show? DM me on Instagram @buildingoptimal or send me an email at jared@gossettco.com. And thank you to Lowe’s for sponsoring today’s episode! Learn more about Lowe’s for Pros HERE Want more good stuff? Sign up for the Building Optimal email HERE (sign-up top of home page).…

Building Optimal

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#78: A Simple, Profitable Change Order System 7:59

4 years ago7:59

7:59

A messy or worse, non-existent, change order system can sink a home builder. What should be a source of profits is often a place of loss and chaos. We can fix that in a hurry, though. Here is my company’s strategy to change order the right way. Have any topics you want me to discuss, guests to interview, or feedback about the show? DM me on Instagram @buildingoptimal or send me an email at jared@gossettco.com. Learn more about Lowe’s for Pros HERE Sign up for the best newsletter on the planet HERE (sign-up top of home page) BTW, refer our newsletter to 3 other builders and get a copy of my client pre-construction guide. Refer 10 and get a 20-minute Q&A with me. Details of how in the newsletters, my friends.…

Building Optimal

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#77: 12 Crucial Client Conversations for A Successful Build 18:11

4 years ago18:11