Last week, I attended the TecHome Builder Summit, a tech-fueled conference, in the musical haven of Nashville. A gathering where the best and brightest of builders and vendors converge, twice a year, to decode the latest wizardry and wonders i…
Well, as we kick off 2024 it’s time to start thinking about the International Builders Show. In recent years the show has merged IBS (the NAHB International Builders Show) and KBIS (the NKBA Kitchen & Bath Industry show) into one event kno…
I attended the Southeast Building Science Symposium in Charlotte, NC in October this year and it was an incredible event. The presenters tackled Building Science issues, how codes play into all of this, and the testing that has shaped high performan…
In March of this year I was invited to attend the TecHome Builder Summit in Charlotte. This event happens twice a year and brings together industry leaders, innovators, and experts to discuss the latest trends and technologies in the smart home …
We’re in IBS 2023 countdown mode. This year, IBS (the International Builders Show) and KBIS (the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show) will be in Las Vegas. This is one of my favorite industry events. The best and brightest in the construction indus…
There is something special about being in a room full of your peers. Your guard comes down, the fear of perceived competition fades away, and you just start talking to one another. The information and content presented by speakers is valuable but th…
I first read Good to Great by Jim Collins over 10 years ago. I recently revised it for a presentation I will be giving to group of entrepreneurs that are looking to Level Up their businesses and professional skills. The book is full of examples of c…
If you completely detached and walked away from your business for 30 days what would happen? Would it be business as usual? Would there be some confusion? Would there be a big mess you would have to clean up when you returned? If you're like most bu…
As prices for all things construction related continue to go up, it is easy for builders and remodelers to be reduced to a commodity. The construction industry has done a poor job of positioning anyone in the skilled trades as professionals. The pub…
At some point I am sure you have seen one of the many versions of Robert Kiyosaki's cash flow quadrant. I keep a copy of the one below in my office to keep me focused on where I want to spend my time and energy. As I talk with builders, remodelers a…
A common struggle I find among many builders and remodelers is that they still have a technician mindset. The entrepreneur is battling the craftsman. The question you must challenge yourself with is this: Do I own my business or simply own a job? Y…
Nick Schiffer and Duane Johns toast to the success of IBS2022 This past year has been fun for us at Builder Nuggets. In a topsy turvy world the message that we have been able to promote every week is one of true collaboration. Our guests ha…
As we launch into 2022 many of us have goals, resolutions, and aspirations for the new year. The one thing we can all do to keep ourselves on track will be to simplify. When things get complicated we tend to avoid them. When we make things com…
Ever come out of a meeting and wonder what just happened? If so, the meeting was probably hijacked. Poorly run meetings are inefficient and dreaded by those that have to attend them on a regular basis. So what makes a good meeting? Structure, purpo…
The title of this post contains the words that will stifle growth and leave you in the weeds forever. For many builders and remodelers these words come pouring out like a built in reflex reaction. I am as guilty of this as anyone. We get frustrated …
When it's time to implement some change the most common excuse I hear from builders and remodelers is “I don’t have time for that”. It doesn’t really matter what the topic is since this has become a reflex response for most t…
The title says it all, and the quotes below speak volumes, so I'm going to keep this post as simple as I can. You need to reduce your complex thoughts, systems and processes down to simple, clear, understandable instructions.…
What stage of the business life cycle is your company in? Take a look at the chart above which gives an overview of the various stages. Although the length of time in business can be a major factor it is not the only thing that determines this. Wha…
The construction industry comes with some inherent risks but there are a few things, that when left unchecked, can put you out of business. Here are a few of the top things that can be very risky to your business. Growing Too Slow The…
I was talking with a very successful builder recently and we were discussing the ways we all measure the success of our businesses. Ask most builders and remodelers how things are going and the response is usually "Busy". You'll hear things like "Th…
The past year has affected all of our businesses in one way or another. High demand, soaring lumber prices, and an economy that is about to go red hot from stimulus money means inflation is likely to be on the rise. One of the most critical items to…
Think about the term FREE ESTIMATE. It’s exactly what it says. I gave up on offering free estimates many years ago. In my opinion they simply bring very little value to the table when talking with new clients. Of course the industry will urge …
In 2018 I stood in front of 250 fellow builders and remodelers and challenged them all to say NO. Why, because after years of finding myself overwhelmed and overworked I wanted to share my new found freedom - my ability to say no. The challenge is,…
About 6 years ago I made a conscious effort to take control of my ability to manage time. I realized that everything I was doing was affected by time. Time is money, it is the essence of almost every contract or commitment we make. Time is our most …