Episodes

Yahara Vasquez owns and operates Built By Her Construction @building_by_her out of Carson, Washington. With a degree in architectural engineering, she’s decided that the jobs that came with the degree were not for her. She loves working with her hands. Between that and wanting to be more available for her children, Yahara built her own home and she started a contracting company. She’s doing some work for the public but venturing into spec home building. While she says her role at home is fairly traditional, her career path is anything but traditional given her Mexican heritage. She doesn’t care because she wants young girls to see her in that position and is organizing to have young women to work Saturdays on her spec to learn skilled trades. I can’t wait to check in with Yahara Vasquez in a couple years to see where she’s gone! Host: Mike KnocheWebsite: The Contracting HandbookInstagram: @thecontractinghandbookYouTube: @thecontractinghandbookTikTok: @tchmikeknocheContribute…

Randy Jones revisits @thecontractinghandbook for a quick catch-up on the growth of his construction company @fineremodeling.de in this episode of Mike Knoche’s Furious Fifteen. Randy was my second guest on the podcast back in May 2021…We hit upon:-relying on a sales manager-qualifying subcontractors-challenges to growth-“letting go”-his most challenging project to dateIt’s an action packed 19 minutes with a bunch of random, yes/no, non-quantifiables at the end! It’s another great episode with a ton of insights for anyone operating a construction company, be it general contracting or specialty trade contracting.Host: Mike KnocheWebsite: The Contracting HandbookInstagram: @thecontractinghandbookVenmo: Mike-Knoche-1info@thecontractinghandbook.comGuest: Kyle StumpenhorstInstagram: @rrbuildingsYouTube: @rrbuildingsFacilitating new construction company startups, supporting the building community with new ideas and affirmation, and ushering in the next generati…

Post frame builder, Kyle Stumpenhorst @rrbuildings, joins Mike Knoche @thecontractinghandbook where we hit upon, not only always doing our best but:-creating enduring video content that will always help-using social media to link up with the right customers-the incorporation of building science into the workflow and fiscal tradeoffs-having more knowledge than the inspector-why he no longer subs out work-not heeding the red flagsIt’s another great episode with a ton of insights for anyone operating a construction company, be it general contracting or specialty trade contracting.Host: Mike KnocheWebsite: The Contracting HandbookInstagram: @thecontractinghandbookVenmo: Mike-Knoche-1info@thecontractinghandbook.comGuest: Joe MitchellInstagram: @joe w mitchellFacilitating new construction company startups, supporting the building community with new ideas and affirmation, and ushering in the next generation of builders is the mission of The Contracting Handbook podcas…

Meet Joe Canning aka @canadiancarpenter and hear the story of how a guy with a degree in 3D graphic arts leaves that life behind for a career in skilled trades. With a wife, four mouths to feed, and no work available in his field, Joe went to work as the laborer under 13 framers..it’s another case of the 4-year degree fallacy. So tune into to hear about Joe as an apprentice and the journey to the beard we all know and love. Then, we take a stab at the impact of Instagram influencing on the indus...

Talk about dedication to team building, creating opportunity to learn skilled trades, and the future of craftsman, carpenter by trade, Joe Mitchell of Finish Point Trim. Finish Point has an incredible apprenticeship program and, if you think it sounds great, they are happy to share their blueprint with you. A testament to their dedication to recruiting more young people into the skilled trades. We dive into the idea that some people are unteachable, what it takes to coach, and why it ultimately ...

If you’ve ever wanted to start your own trade contracting business or level up the one you have, you need to hear Des’s story. From the Home Depot pamphlet that taught him the siding installation techniques to picking up a couple contractors and building a business with 10 install crews running simultaneously. Part of learning the ropes was observing the mistakes of others to avoid those errors down the road. Des takes inventory. He focused his crews on a consistent product that was bonus driven for reduced waste and beating deadlines.Des also got in front of another common issue for trade contractors- cashflow. He saved and accrued a company “float” that allowed Sublime Siding to always keep the ball rolling. It also allowed him to carry on when one of his partners went under and couldn’t pay him. Now, financially secure he’s downsized and become the guy you’re all familiar with, The Siding Guy. The Siding Guy was intended to be fun, a creative outlet, but has become a bit of a p…

The Nuance of Navigating Clients1. When I started out in Season 1 of the podcast, I said I learned through trial by fire, I’m not from a construction family. It was the school of hard knocks all day long. I always strove for definition in my work so I could express what I was doing for clients i.e “know what you’re selling” and understand why I was doing it for myself i.e. a need to understand purpose.2. When I started my business I wanted to be different. Yeah yeah, don’t we all but I meant in the sense that I wanted people to think about contractors differently where I live. To remove the stigma on some level. Was that idealistic, yes. Naïve, a bit. How exactly was I going to do this?Not be a sleazy contractor?Do good work?Follow through with what I said?Be reliable?That’s what everyone says. And, also, those were already characteristics I had. I’ve always been an if you’re on time you’re late kinda guy.Ok, I wanted to create a positive overall experience. I started s…

Today, Freddy Roman @theperiodcraftsman and Mike Knoche @thecontractinghandbook podcast get into one of the most difficult parts of being a tradesman business owner, the business side interferes with the creativity. You already know Freddy is a diligent student and teacher of historic furniture restoration but in this episode, Freddy drops the most gangster statement on clients, or anything, ever said on a construction podcast before!This is a deep dive into Freddy’s journey and a bit more about my own. Too much to put on this caption. Spoiler at one hour I ask, “how are you doing on time, we are only about halfway through my questions”. Please join us!Freddy’s question: “Do you still love it?”

This week, in Episode in 117 of @thecontractinghandbook podcast, I am joined by Tasmanian luzury homebuilder, Kyle Zanetto of @zanettobuilders. Kyle always strives for perfection and keeps a close watch on the new potential clients. While the labor deficit pandemic has not left Tasmania unscathed, Kyle Zenatto and company have recently landed some new crew with values that align. Finding that help is key with a ~2 year wait list and 8-10 builds on deck for this year. What it really boils down to is preliminary planning and, you guessed it, client expectation. You know there’s aways more to each pod!Kyle’s question: “Where do you find the most value in business development?”

Today I'm joined by Kali Sudbrook and Allyson Anderson to talk about setting boundaries with clients. Recently, Kali reached out to me to ask about contract language to mitigate for client interference in the progress of work. She was conserned about a "Chatty Cathy" distracting her on an upcoming job. Allyson and myself share some advice and some of oour own experience.

Allyson Anderson of at Integro Builders @integro_builders is now LIVE on @thecontractinghandbook podcast! In Episode 116:- an explosive backstory and rising from the ashes- laughing in the face of jobsite adversity- The Big Four characteristics of bad clients- the greatest achievement- favorite type of project- greatest challenge in leadership as she nears ten years in business- then, the fun questionsFollow @thecontractinghandbook for more stories from real builders and trades in the construction industry from all over the world, building cool stuff and loving it!Please share this in your stories and/ or leave us a review (LINK IN BIO)

Samanntha De Coteau @the.roofer.girl of Summit Sister’s Roofing is now LIVE on @thecontractinghandbook podcast! In Episode 114:- representing and endorsing products- being a bags-on-contractor- operating as a partner- hiring roofers- leadership- being a mom in construction- overcoming adversity- then, the fun questions

Rachel Taylor pays Mike a second visit to talk about where her construction buisness is headed, one strong held belief that she's jettisoned, and asks Mike why he thinks its important to host women in construction on the podcast. To hear more about Rachel Taylor, check out out first episode in Season 2, Episode 21.

President and Owner of Award Winning FH Perry Builder, Allison Iantosca @fhperrybuilder , joins Mike Knoche on @thecontractinghandbook podcast for a dive into the humanity of business. Authenticity, optimism, emotional intelligence, age, applying values, perfection, and hard conversations are just a few of the hooks, but it’s a deep dive for Mike and Allison after one set of email exchanges.Our conversation is not the typical “how to” run a multi-million-dollar construction company. It’s and exploration of her views, perceptions, and insights on “humans interacting with humans” as a focal point in developing and operating her construction business.In my recent call for stories of the event or moment you got into trades, I want you to hear what Allison said about “why do skilled trades matter?” RESPECT“The vulnerability of imperfection is what brings us together as people.”Allisons’s question to my next guest…. “with all of the possibilities in front of you, what made you stay…

This is the maiden voyage of Mike Knoche's Furious Fifteen where I catch up with a previous guest for 15 minutes to find out whats new, how ya been, what are you up to before asking 15 non-qualifiable yes/no questions. Tune in, listen, laugh, write a review (links below), TELL A FRIEND that needs to hear this podcast! Check out Ella’s Stars first appearance, link in the episode notes below!

Join Kali Sudbrook of Beachside Interiors and Mike Knoche for Episode 110 of The Contracting Handbook podcast where we talk about the importance of bringing her previous career experience and expertise into her new venture as a contractor. As a former professor of fitness, we get some real insight into the working of the tradespersons body and a bit of advice. We get personal quick and take a look at how she and her wife navigated the career change together. Of course, we drop into the business side of things and where she acquired her skills to do the dirty work. What about being LGTBQ in construction? She loves her life and if you don’t like it, that’s on you. The fun, caffeine fueled questions at the end are a riot. It was a great way to start our Sunday and, for you, on Monday.

Episode 110 of The Contracting Handbook: Builder & Trades Construction podcast:I’m going to streamline your listening experience for the time being and put the intro to the upcoming shows here and kind of update you. This here episode will provide my personal take on the intro to TCH for the foreseeable future or until I something changes. If it’s your first time listening to The Contracting Handbook podcast, I’m your host Mike Knoche, formerly known as the man who’s seen it all from season 1. I own and operate Straight Ahead Construction in Fairbanks, Alaska. Strictly ZONE 8 residential. I’m a fool construction sites. I can’t look away. I always want to know more about whats going on over there even if I come off like I don’t care. What can I say, I’m busy! This podcast is now the distillation of nearly 1000 years of collective construction industry knowledge and experiences through discussions with my guests in over 100 episodes. It’s a grass roots effort to share knowledge, empow…

In Episode 108 of The Contracting Handbook podcast, Jeff Kelley of Jeff Kelley Woodworks and Timber Framing joins Mike Knoche for another look inside the life of a builder. Jeff lives his life how he wants to but, like many, he came into the trades and construction a bit later. He doesn’t regret going to Uni and finds much of what he learned there applicable to his contracting business. He keeps things simple with the construction business and taps builder buddies for help on left days. As always, there is so much more in getting to know one of my guests, so please download this construction podcast episode that is NOW LIVE on all podcast platforms.

“Throw fear out the window, there’s so much more to live for than worrying about what might happen.”With 300-400 line items in the contract, a contract must fiercely manage expectations, in my opinion. For Greg Eicher, partner at Consiglio Builders, expectation management is at the forefront of the process. As I learned in my interview with Greg, building luxury homes ranging in the $2,800-3,200 sq foot price range, is different than my experience as a smaller custom remodeler and homebuilder.The details of these houses are many, we all know that it’s a rare bird that maintains there home, but with a price tag like this, there must be a plan…listen to the lengths they go to.Changes orders are par for the course for everyone involved….Same old story, he’s not seeing interest in the trades despite high wages where he lives.We hit upon what he sees as the greatest issues in the residential building industry and one thing we agreed on was the presentation of some technology is…

On Monday December 19, Bryan and Tim Uhler of Pioneer Builders join Mike Knoche on The Contracting Handbook to talk shop about building on spec, reflecting on their trip to Switzerland, and what really matters in life.There are a bunch of questions for the Uhler’s from guest questioners Aron Jones, Ryan Smith and Michael Anschel before the “Uhler Speed Round”.Both Brian and Tim recommend not taking yourself to seriously in this life, and they broke all the rules on the favorite tools by giving multiple tools and classes of tools. They may not take themselves too seriously, but they are serious about their tools!

“I think we are currently deconstructing the concept that a 4 year degree is the only way”Your guy, Aaron, and I launch into a talk about the labor crisis. I’m deeply concerned, he thinks its going to work itself out. Find out his source of hope in the pod.We dive into the mentor/ mentee relationship. As a teacher, his vision is crystal clear.As a site supervisor and lead carpenter with vast experience, I ask what he (or you) should look for in a good employer. Then we hear what his employer offers.We end up in a social media/ mental health talk. Then its tool talk and mentors.What do you look for in an employer?

Location: UndisclosedTargets:Aaron Butt- Carpenter & McNeilleBryan Uhler- Pionneer BuildersTimmy Uhler- Awesome FramersGreg Eicher- Consiglio BuildersIts going to be a killer season!

“I’m only as good as the last thing I did, that’s the only thing that matters to me”Is it the Art of the Business or The Business of the Art?Today, the tale of a woman who started her trade career in a vocational program for auto mechanics then found her passion as a self-taught welder. Listen for the aha moment when Barbie knows its not just something she made, it’s art. Now, she believes all tradespeople are artists.Do you guys know Barbie has pieces in 15 different countries worldwide?She’s not the type to tell you how to live, but as a community, she believes we need to honor our skills by making sure we’re compensating part for our time.Michelangelo might have had a small army of sculptors under him but, not Barbie. Her creations, her hands! We get into some cool mentors in this one!What a real pleasure we had killing an hour for this podcast. Please join us!Please save this post so you can come back and share your thoughts after you hear the pod and/ or share thi…

“Learn from everything, every experience is an opportunity to learn.”Fiona Plett @herselfcontracting loves working close with her clients to heal their homes. She wants to rid them of the “irritants” that plague their space.Upcycling and re-purposing materials rank high in what to use for projects, but you know the catch, it costs more than buying that factory built hollow core door, 100%.So how to do you get the client on board with the idea?Physical time: Waste time- your choiceOn communication: anticipating the conversation and scripting in a sense.Lessons:BookeepingTime offBuy the stuff you needThe goal: Making “one of’s”The direction? Getting more creative with what she knows which may incorporate the new timber framing.Advice: don’t volunteer your time, get paid for your time.Join us for another podcast episode on self-determination!