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.

Most builders take on every job they can get, yet struggle to make the profits they deserve.

Stephen Mallinger does something different.

He picks just 2-3 high-end projects at a time. As a result, he’s built a profitable building business - without the constant chaos.

In today’s episode of The Builders Ladder, Stephen shares his proven approach to cost-plus contracts…

Building lasting relationships with staff and subcontractors…

And creating a business model that prioritizes excellence over volume - for long-term stability and profits.

Key takeaways include:

• How to attract and win luxury projects (even if you're currently stuck in a low-margin market)
• The advantages of “trust & transparency” that has wealthy clients choosing YOU over your competitors
• Proven strategies to build a loyal team that stays for years (Stephen reveals how he's retained team members for over two decades)
• How to escape the "volume trap" and improve profits with just a handful of premium projects at a time

Whether you're struggling with pricing, team management, or finding your market position - Stephen provides battle-tested insights for building a sustainable, profitable construction business that works for you.

Not the other way around.

Key moments:

00:00:30 From apprentice builder to running his own business at 20
00:04:50 Building high-end projects & winning industry awards
00:07:35 Approach to managing teams and ensuring quality
00:14:35 Importance of contracts and transparent pricing
00:21:10 Work-life balance and daily schedule
00:24:20 Cost-plus model explained
00:31:35 Building and maintaining contractor relationships

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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.

Too many builders stay stuck on the tools, unable to step back from their building business to grow it with tools like social media.

And when they do manage to grow, they’re often left putting out fires on multiple sites and dealing with team dramas.

David Baker, founder of Rapid QS, joins us to share his practical approach to building an A+ team, market expansion, and content creation — including the mindset shifts that helped him stop being a slave to his business.

Listen to discover:

✔ Insights on scaling a business rapidly while maintaining quality through strategic hiring, content creation, and market expansion

✔ Specific instructions to use in job ads to quickly identify detail-oriented candidates and instantly bin those who don't meet your standards

✔ The "Omnipresence Strategy" that has potential clients seeing you everywhere (without burning out or living on social media)

✔ The real reason why successful builders treat their business like a sports team instead of a family

✔ A profitable marketing opportunity most builders are missing (one builder used this to generate 150 leads in one weekend, with a 30% close rate, and $2.25M in potential revenue)

✔ Plus More

This conversation covers all aspects of growing a successful construction business — from marketing and content, to team building and culture.

Key Moments:

04:15 Why marketing needs fame AND fortune
05:30 Investing in team development
23:40 Creating marketing omnipresence
29:35 Handling debt collection and business relationships
34:50 Running business like a sports team vs family
35:35 Rapid team growth

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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.

Sick of babysitting your team when you should be running your construction business?

In today's episode of The Builders Ladder, we break down a no-nonsense system for sorting your A-players from the deadweight that's costing you time and money on site.

Once you've got the right crew firing on all cylinders, you can finally step back from constantly putting out fires and micromanaging every decision.

You'll get battle-tested tools for running toolbox talks that actually stick, simple scorecards that keep everyone accountable, and proven ways to invest your time where it matters — growing the business instead of chasing up mistakes.

Plus, discover why treating your staff like a professional sports team (not a family) is the key to better margins and smoother projects.

Key moments

00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction
03:00 The Core Concept: Growing Your Team
06:15 The Daily Stand-up Framework
09:40 The Team Ranking Exercise
15:45 Managing Your B-Players
18:45 "80% of Effort Goes to Non-Performers"
21:05 Finding and Training Support Staff

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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.

🎙️Podcast Exclusive: Identify your growth stage to scale your construction company: https://info.theprofessionalbuilder.com/roadmap-6

Your building company can either give you the freedom and profits you wanted when you started... or it can become a monster that eats up every minute of your life.

The difference comes down to HOW you grow.

In this episode, Owen and Vinnie break down the six stages every residential builder goes through — from "survival mode" to running a thriving business that doesn't need you on-site every day.

They reveal why builders can't just throw more bodies at problems like other industries can.

And why the systems that worked when you were doing $2M in turnover could actually hurt you at $5M (if you don't adapt them properly).

Tune in to discover:

✔ The real challenges at each growth stage: from getting off the tools to building an A+ team that doesn't need babysitting

✔ The essential systems you need before taking on more work (so you don't end up with more headaches and less profit)

✔ Why taking on more projects often leads to smaller margins (and what successful builders do differently)

✔ When to hire your next team member... and when adding staff will just drain your cash flow

✔ How to build a stable business that grows — without sacrificing your family time or working until midnight on quotes

Key moments

00:00 - Intro

03:00 - The first major constraints in the startup phase

06:30 - Business isn't stable if you can't leave

09:20 - What works at $2.5M won't work at $5-6M revenue

12:40 - The biggest variable cost that can destroy profits

15:30 - Recruiting 101

18:30 - Operating without the owner

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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.

Free Podcast Exclusive: Body Reset Blueprint for Building Business Owners https://www.tpb.tools/bodyreset

What’s the #1 habit you can develop to get a massive ROI in your building company?

(Hint: it’s got nothing to do with your building company).

Everyone knows that quality sleep, diet, and exercise are like cheat codes for more productivity & profits.

But finding the time in a 60+ hour work week to stick to something is tough.

We sat down with Olly Wood from Body Reset to talk about practical ways to do this for busy building company owners.

No fancy gym memberships or complicated diets. Just real strategies that work for business owners who are juggling a million and one things.

Olly shares straightforward advice about food, exercise and rest that could help you feel better and think clearer.

Tune in to discover:

✔ One simple habit that helps clear the brain fog so you can focus better and get more done as a business owner

✔ The truth about calories and weight - and what really matters for staying healthy

✔ What we all need to know about cholesterol to stay strong for years to come

✔ Protein shakes vs bars: see what’s best for you and your health when you’re flat-out busy

✔ No-nonsense advice about supplements, sleep and food that fits your busy schedule

✔ Plus more

Listen now to learn small changes that could help you feel better, think clearer, and run your building company better.

Key Moments:

00:00 Intro

04:00 The PPR Formula for better performance

15:30 The truth about protein and meal timing strategies

21:30 Meal prep approaches for busy business owners

31:00 Exercise fundamentals

34:00 Essential supplements

36:30 Sleep optimization strategies

44:25 Brain-gut connection in nutrition

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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.
📈 FREE 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.