Fixed price contracts work great for cookie-cutter homes and simple builds. But unique architectural projects demand a different approach.

Award-winning builder Stephen Mellinger shares his proven “cost-plus strategy” that's transformed his high-end residential construction business.

In this detailed episode of The Builders Ladder Podcast, Stephen reveals his exact approach to cost-plus contracts, including:

• The deposit approach that protects your final payment and maintains a positive cash flow in your building business
• A practical way to structure project management fees
• The powerful alternative to “variations” that maintains better client relationships
• A transparent invoicing system that builds trust while protecting margins

Stephen also shares critical insights on avoiding legal pitfalls, and why quantity surveyors are essential for million-dollar-plus projects.

Key moments:

00:02:15 - Types of projects best suited for cost plus
00:04:35 - Handling admin and project management fees
00:07:55 - How to structure payment claims and frequency
00:13:35 - Managing deposits and final payments
00:15:35 - How to handle margin transparency
00:21:15 - Including contingencies in labour rates
00:31:15 - Avoiding legal pitfalls and misrepresentation
00:33:15 - The importance of quantity surveyor estimates

Whether you're currently handling complex residential projects or considering your first cost-plus contract, this episode provides a practical roadmap for implementation.

Stephen even shares specific strategies for maintaining margins while building trust with premium clients.

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Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed.

Subscribe to The Builder’s Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business.

Follow TPB for more:

👥 FB Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/professionalbuilder
📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/theprofessionalbuilder
🖥️ Get your business health audit + free resources (including website audit) here – https://www.theprofessionalbuilder.com

🚀 Head to https://tpb.tools/pod-call to book your FREE strategy session.
📈 Resources For Builders – https://tpb.tools/resources

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TPBmember: https://www.facebook.com/TheProfessionalBuilder

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re a building company owner, you’re probably stuck doing EVERYTHING in your business - while a never-ending to-do list keeps you up at night.

All for painfully low margins.

Which means no rewards, holidays, or fun from all your hard work.

This episode of The Builders Ladder podcast aims to change that for you. You’ll hear about the three critical challenges that keep most builders trapped working 80-hour weeks…

And the proven systems to break free - so you can grow your construction company to create the business and lifestyle you deserve.

Join your hosts, Marti, and The Professional Builder’s very own growth advisor, Brynn Wilson. They share why builders struggle with cash flow, unreliable teams, and razor-thin margins.

Tune in to discover:

• Why most builders are trapped handling day-to-day tasks instead of growing their business
• How one Aussie company tripled their revenue to $9M, cleared $400k of debt, and nearly doubled their personal salary
• The crucial difference between accounting profit and what actually lands in your pocket
• Why marketing should focus on conversion rather than traffic
• The systems needed to step away from day-to-day operations

Whether you're drowning in admin work or ready to scale, get practical strategies that’ve helped thousands of builders like you transform their companies.

Key moments:

00:01:40 - Three main challenges most building businesses face
00:06:35 - What marketing must focus on
00:08:35 - Real vs accounting profit
00:11:00 - Calculate your Professional Builder's Rate
00:13:35 - How two builders transformed their business
00:21:15 - The importance of working ON vs IN your business
00:24:35 - Five key levers that impact business success
00:29:05 - Why mentorship accelerates business transformation

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Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed.

Subscribe to The Builder’s Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business.

Follow TPB for more:

👥 FB Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/professionalbuilder
📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/theprofessionalbuilder
🖥️ Get your business health audit + free resources (including website audit) here – https://www.theprofessionalbuilder.com

🚀 Head to https://tpb.tools/pod-call to book your FREE strategy session.
📈 Resources For Builders – https://tpb.tools/resources

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TPBmember: https://www.facebook.com/TheProfessionalBuilder

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every building business owner knows the pressure of running a construction business can quickly stack up.

But what if there was a proactive approach to maintaining mental fitness - focused on prevention rather than crisis?

In this powerful episode, Rafael Caso from ‘Live Well Build Well’ reveals their unique "tradie-led" program that's transforming mental health in construction.

Rather than lectures from experts, they showcase real builders sharing what actually works.

You'll discover:

• The simple yet effective "5 S Framework" for mental fitness that can improve your mental health and business performance

• Practical techniques for transitioning from work mode to home life… so you can actually SWITCH OFF after work

• How to harness the power of small, consistent habits to achieve major wellbeing gains

• Ways to assess and improve your mental fitness starting today

Key moments:

00:02:36 Rafael’s journey
00:06:05 LiveWell Build Well's mission to boost mental fitness
00:08:02 Hacking sleep, eating and work routines
00:13:19 The power of sharing relatable stories & strategies
00:17:17 Why mental health issues are so prevalent in construction
00:22:22 New partnerships and programs in the pipeline
00:26:02 How builders can become industry wellbeing champions
00:28:29 Marti and Rafael's favourite tools for mental fitness

This episode provides actionable strategies for business owners in the construction industry.

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Our construction business coaching has helped 2,500+ building companies succeed.

Subscribe to The Builder’s Ladder Podcast for weekly, actionable insights — tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business.

Follow TPB for more:

👥 FB Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/professionalbuilder
📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/theprofessionalbuilder
🖥️ Get your business health audit + free resources (including website audit) here – https://www.theprofessionalbuilder.com

🚀 Head to https://tpb.tools/pod-call to book your FREE strategy session.
📈 Resources For Builders – https://tpb.tools/resources

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TPBmember: https://www.facebook.com/TheProfessionalBuilder

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.