The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber

In this episode of The Contractor Intervention, Tom sits down with Bryce, a Minnesota-based landscaper and Marine Corps veteran, to tackle a unique challenge: how to keep Bryce’s business running during his year-long deployment. They explore options for leadership, subcontracting, and scaling down operations while maintaining momentum for the future.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] - Introduction to Bryce and his unique situation
• [01:25] - Bryce’s background: Marine Corps veteran, Army reservist, and landscaper
• [03:45] - The challenge of preparing for a deployment while running a business
• [04:18] - Financial goals and the limitations of a one-person operation
• [08:05] - Exploring the possibility of hiring a right-hand person to run the business
• [09:05] - Pros and cons of subcontracting to keep operations running
• [11:33] - How to decide whether to pause operations or keep going
• [15:28] - Leveraging subcontractors to minimize stress and keep income flowing
• [18:22] - Creating a niche within the landscaping industry for higher efficiency
• [23:05] - Planning for the future: building a sustainable business post-deployment
• [28:50] - The importance of unity with your spouse in making business decisions
• [30:17] - Strategies for building the brand while on deployment
• [37:15] - Final advice: weighing the options and ensuring family and business alignment

Resources:

🧰 CONTRACTOR BUSINESS SCHOOL

If you’re serious about building a profitable, structured contracting business without the chaos, this is your shot. Get the tools, insights, and mentorship you need to level up—on YOUR time, at YOUR pace. https://contractorbusinessschool.com/

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Grab our NEW course to grow your business

5 Steps to 5 Stars: How to Charge Premium Prices and Never Run Out of Leads https://thecontractorfight.com/5-stars/

🛡️Join us in BATTLEGROUND - Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program. Three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info visit: https://thecontractorfight.com/battleground

💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/

🎧 Get on the podcast! - https://thecontractorfight.com/intervention

📘 Grab a free copy of Tom’s book, Winning the Contractor Fight (just pay shipping and handling): https://thecontractorfight.com/book/

🎥 Explore over 1,400 free videos on Contractor Fight TV: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber

🎙️ Listen to the podcast archives: The Contractor Fight podcast now features nearly 1,000 episodes.

💬 Join over 18,000 contractors in the free Facebook group: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook

== Rate the Podcast ==

Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!

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In this episode, Tim and Derek dive into what makes an ideal team member and how to hire for long-term success. They discuss why hiring for personality and attitude often outweighs skills and provide actionable strategies to build a team aligned with your company’s standards and vision.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Why personality and attitude are critical in hiring decisions and how they affect team dynamics.
• The importance of setting clear standards for employees and holding them accountable.
• Strategies for identifying red flags during the hiring process, such as attention to detail and cleanliness.
• How to foster a culture of recognition to motivate team members and reinforce positive behaviors.
• Real-life examples of creating a strong, accountable team that takes ownership of their work and contributes to a thriving business.

Resources:

🧰 CONTRACTOR BUSINESS SCHOOL

If you’re serious about building a profitable, structured contracting business without the chaos, this is your shot. Get the tools, insights, and mentorship you need to level up—on YOUR time, at YOUR pace. https://contractorbusinessschool.com/

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Grab our NEW course to grow your business

5 Steps to 5 Stars: How to Charge Premium Prices and Never Run Out of Leads https://thecontractorfight.com/5-stars/

🛡️Join us in BATTLEGROUND - Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program. Three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info visit: https://thecontractorfight.com/battleground

💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/

🎧 Get on the podcast! - https://thecontractorfight.com/intervention

📘 Grab a free copy of Tom’s book, Winning the Contractor Fight (just pay shipping and handling): https://thecontractorfight.com/book/

🎥 Explore over 1,400 free videos on Contractor Fight TV: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber

🎙️ Listen to the podcast archives: The Contractor Fight podcast now features nearly 1,000 episodes.

💬 Join over 18,000 contractors in the free Facebook group: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook

== Rate the Podcast ==

Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!

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Tom shares the single most effective pricing strategy to transform your contracting business. By implementing this approach, you can significantly boost your profits and avoid the common mistakes that keep many contractors stuck in the financial gutter.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] - Introduction and overview of today’s topic: Pricing for profitability
• [00:27] - Tom’s personal story of losing money on a project due to poor pricing
• [00:57] - Why every contractor should aim for at least a 50% gross profit margin
• [01:52] - How a broken money mindset impacts your ability to charge appropriately
• [02:22] - Stop selling in the way you buy: Overcoming limiting beliefs about value
• [03:17] - The T-BAR framework: How thoughts, beliefs, actions, and results shape your pricing strategy
• [03:47] - Practical steps to shift your money mindset and charge what you’re worth
• [04:16] - Introduction to the 50% gross profit calculator and how it simplifies pricing
• [04:44] - The Contractor Business School: A comprehensive resource for contractors earning less than $500K annually
• [05:17] - Final thoughts: Building confidence in your pricing strategy and embracing your value

Resources:

🧰 CONTRACTOR BUSINESS SCHOOL

If you’re serious about building a profitable, structured contracting business without the chaos, this is your shot. Get the tools, insights, and mentorship you need to level up—on YOUR time, at YOUR pace. https://contractorbusinessschool.com/

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Grab our NEW course to grow your business

5 Steps to 5 Stars: How to Charge Premium Prices and Never Run Out of Leads https://thecontractorfight.com/5-stars/

🛡️Join us in BATTLEGROUND - Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program. Three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info visit: https://thecontractorfight.com/battleground

💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/

🎧 Get on the podcast! - https://thecontractorfight.com/intervention

📘 Grab a free copy of Tom’s book, Winning the Contractor Fight (just pay shipping and handling): https://thecontractorfight.com/book/

🎥 Explore over 1,400 free videos on Contractor Fight TV: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber

🎙️ Listen to the podcast archives: The Contractor Fight podcast now features nearly 1,000 episodes.

💬 Join over 18,000 contractors in the free Facebook group: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook

== Rate the Podcast ==

Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

In this episode, Tim and Derek discuss the challenges and opportunities of growing a contracting business. They explore deciding when to scale, the importance of building strong foundations, and strategies for creating a sustainable, efficient operation. With candid insights from their own experiences, they share practical tips to help contractors determine their next steps.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Deciding how big you want your company to grow and aligning your goals with your personal vision.
• Why having the right foundation—such as job management systems, employee handbooks, and processes—is crucial for sustainable growth.
• The importance of delegation and creating a team that allows your business to operate without being owner-dependent.
• Examples of contractors who scaled their businesses successfully by focusing on communication and efficiency.
• How to determine whether adding vehicles, employees, or services aligns with your long-term vision.
• The role of consistent communication as a differentiator in the contracting industry and how it builds trust with clients.

Resources:

🧰 CONTRACTOR BUSINESS SCHOOL

If you’re serious about building a profitable, structured contracting business without the chaos, this is your shot. Get the tools, insights, and mentorship you need to level up—on YOUR time, at YOUR pace. https://contractorbusinessschool.com/

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Grab our NEW course to grow your business

5 Steps to 5 Stars: How to Charge Premium Prices and Never Run Out of Leads https://thecontractorfight.com/5-stars/

🛡️Join us in BATTLEGROUND - Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program. Three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info visit: https://thecontractorfight.com/battleground

💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/

🎧 Get on the podcast! - https://thecontractorfight.com/intervention

📘 Grab a free copy of Tom’s book, Winning the Contractor Fight (just pay shipping and handling): https://thecontractorfight.com/book/

🎥 Explore over 1,400 free videos on Contractor Fight TV: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber

🎙️ Listen to the podcast archives: The Contractor Fight podcast now features nearly 1,000 episodes.

💬 Join over 18,000 contractors in the free Facebook group: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook

== Rate the Podcast ==

Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

In this episode, Tom discusses practical strategies to maintain consistent income during the slower months of the year. Tom shares how contractors can overcome the seasonal slump and keep their cash flow steady by focusing on relationship-building, networking, and strategic service expansion.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] - Introduction: Tackling the challenges of slow seasons
• [01:00] - Leveraging your past clients for repeat business and referrals
• [01:57] - Overcoming the fear of reaching out to past clients and why it’s a goldmine for contractors
• [02:26] - The importance of networking groups and community involvement for long-term success
• [03:22] - How networking is like farming: patience and consistency pay off
• [03:48] - Adding adjacent services to your offerings during the off-season
• [04:18] - Examples of additional services, such as snow removal and Christmas light installation
• [04:48] - Introducing CONTRACTOR BUSINESS SCHOOL
• [05:17] - Final thoughts: Taking action on low-hanging fruit to boost cash flow

Resources:

🧰 CONTRACTOR BUSINESS SCHOOL

If you’re serious about building a profitable, structured contracting business without the chaos, this is your shot. Get the tools, insights, and mentorship you need to level up—on YOUR time, at YOUR pace. https://contractorbusinessschool.com/

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Grab our NEW course to grow your business

5 Steps to 5 Stars: How to Charge Premium Prices and Never Run Out of Leads https://thecontractorfight.com/5-stars/

💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/

🎧 Get on the podcast! - https://thecontractorfight.com/intervention

📘 Grab a free copy of Tom’s book, Winning the Contractor Fight (just pay shipping and handling): https://thecontractorfight.com/book/

🎥 Explore over 1,400 free videos on Contractor Fight TV: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber

🎙️ Listen to the podcast archives: The Contractor Fight podcast now features nearly 1,000 episodes.

💬 Join over 18,000 contractors in the free Facebook group: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook

== Rate the Podcast ==

Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!

Apple Podcasts

Spotify