Podcast
Remodelers On The Rise
Hosted by Kyle Hunt · EN
Remodelers On The Rise by Kyle Hunt is a podcast designed to inspire remodeling entrepreneurs like yourself. Practical tips, high-level strategy, specific examples, and information that you can grab and implement into your remodeling business. The goal is to empower you to make your remodeling business more enjoyable, profitable, and enable you more freedom in your business and life.
41episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Building a Company Clients Remember
1w ago00:59:07Tap to summarizeGreat client experiences don't happen by accident. They're built through dozens of intentional decisions before, during, and after every project.This week, Kyle sits down with Darin Kuns of DK Construction to share how his team has intentionally designed an experience that stands out. From customer confidence checkups and post-project interviews to thoughtful job site standards and small gestures that make clients feel valued, Darin explains how the little details create lasting trust.If you're looking for practical ideas on building a company people can't wait to recommend, this episode is packed with ideas you can start using right away.Want to keep in touch with past clients and prospects without the hassle of writing content yourself? That’s exactly what Remodelers AutoPilot does — each month you get a done-for-you email newsletter and social media posts, ready to send.Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!Key TakeawaysFix pre-construction bottlenecksImprove planning before productionDelegate to increase capacityTrack client confidenceCreate memorable client experiencesGather post-project feedbackSet clear job-site standardsRecognize and support employeesChapters00:00 Introduction and Episode Context00:33 Celebrating 400 Episodes and Guest Suggestions01:02 Highlighting Todd DeWalt and Construction Leading Edge01:48 DK Construction's Market and Business Focus02:11 Identifying Business Heartburns and Bottlenecks03:07 Addressing Capacity and Process Challenges04:22 Strategies for Smoother Project Handoffs05:15 Handling Change Orders and Project Variances06:04 Time Management and Capacity Planning07:11 Setting Small Wins in Project Selection07:53 Focusing on Capacity and Focused Work08:56 Company History and Market Overview11:01 Developing Client Relationships and Expectations12:06 The Three Uniques of DK Construction14:48 Employee Recruitment and Incentives20:08 Client Experience and Customer Confidence24:58 Enhancing Client Delight and Little Things30:12 Implementing Client Feedback and Post-Project Surveys34:50 Company Culture and Employee Recognition39:58 Team Communication and Meeting Optimization44:52 Signage and Job Site Respect50:03 Letting Go of Control and Delegation51:52 Building a High-Performance Team55:00 Final Thoughts on Customer Service and Business Growth
Transcribe →Is It Ever Enough? A Conversation About Striving for More
2w ago00:24:47Tap to summarizeEvery business owner eventually runs into a question that has nothing to do with sales, marketing, or operations: Is it ever enough?This week, Kyle riffs on a conversation with a coaching client that led to a deeper discussion about ambition, contentment, and what success really looks like. He shares why entrepreneurs are wired to keep moving the goalposts and the importance of creating a business that supports the life you want to live instead of a business that takes over your life.If you've ever found yourself chasing the next milestone without stopping to ask why, this episode will give you plenty to think about.JobTread helps remodelers bring estimating, scheduling, job costing, and invoicing into one connected system, so they can clearly see where jobs stand and what’s actually profitable. We’ve watched members move from guessing to confidently knowing their numbers, which leads to better pricing, planning, and leadership. If you’re ready for better systems and better decisions, learn more at jobtread.com.Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!Key Takeaways• Define success on your own terms.• Ask if your business is supporting the life you want to live.• Stop constantly moving the goalposts.• Don't let business success come at the expense of your personal life.• Pursue financial security, not endless accumulation.• Run your own race instead of comparing yourself to others.• Give yourself grace and learn from past mistakes.• Revisit your "why" as your life and business evolve.Chapters00:00 Kyle's Approach to Podcast Content and Riffing01:01 Reflecting on a Recent Client Conversation02:00 The Question: Is It Ever Enough?02:59 The Impact of Age and Season of Life03:57 Growth Culture and the 'More, More' Mindset04:51 Evaluating if Your Business Supports Your Life05:52 Success at Home vs. Business Growth06:50 Designing a Business for Life Balance08:13 Guarding Against Money and Materialism09:12 The Importance of Contentment and Vision10:06 Financial Goals and Retirement Planning11:02 The Balance Between Growth and Peace11:57 Practical Steps to Find Contentment13:05 Reflecting on Personal and Business Priorities14:00 Long-term Vision and Short-term Adjustments14:56 Retirement Savings and Financial Security15:46 Aligning Business Success with Personal Values17:14 Healing Past Mistakes and Moving Forward18:12 The Power of Responsibility and Grace19:12 The Core Question: What Is Enough?20:11 Running Your Race and Defining Success21:07 Final Reflections and Personal Invitation
Transcribe →Five Scenes from a Remodeling Business in 2026
3w ago01:00:52Tap to summarizeNot every episode follows a single thread, and this one does not try to. Paul McManus of McManus Kitchen and Bath pulls back the curtain on navigating a down market, building a generous PTO policy that keeps great people around, rethinking his website from the ground up, using AI to strengthen process instead of replace it, and opening a brand new showroom with some genuinely creative ideas inside. If you want an honest look at how a seasoned remodeler is thinking and building right now, this one delivers.Today's episode is sponsored by Builder Funnel! Click here to learn more about how Builder Funnel helps remodelers and home builders grow through strategic digital marketing.Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!Key TakeawaysTrack lead flow and KPIs to anticipate market shifts.Use a flexible PTO policy to boost team loyalty.Invest in showroom expansion and new services.Leverage AI for process improvement and data organization.Focus on process improvement before adopting new AI tools.Chapters00:00 Introduction and market overview for 202602:02 Current market challenges and lead flow issues04:11 Financial management and preparing for a down year06:08 Using KPIs to anticipate market trends07:57 PTO policies and employee engagement12:00 Website strategies and copywriting tips20:02 Embracing AI and process automation38:00 Showroom expansion and new service offerings50:05 Future market opportunities and growth areas57:55 Closing thoughts and key takeaways
Transcribe →The Most Important Page on Your Website
4w ago00:47:08Tap to summarizeEffective websites sell your projects before a prospect ever picks up the phone!This week, Kyle sat down with Logan Shinholser of Contractor Growth Network to dig into why featured project pages have become the centerpiece of every website CGN builds. They cover what needs to go on these pages to actually build trust, how to use them in your sales conversations before you ever sit down with a client, and why great photography is still the single most important investment you can make in your marketing. If you want your marketing to do a better job of attracting the right clients, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can start using right away!Explore real client results and case studies at Contractor Growth Network Results, learn how they help remodelers build marketing that works at Contractor Growth Network, and check out their Podcast for weekly insights designed to help remodelers grow smarter.Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!Key TakeawaysFeatured project pages build trust faster than photo galleries.Document what makes your company different.Tell the homeowner's story, not just the remodeler's.Use featured projects throughout your sales process.Show the design journey—not just the finished result.Focus on the projects you want more of.Professional photography is one of your best marketing investments.Specific examples sell better than generic claims.Chapters00:00 Intro & Welcome05:18 Why Marketing Remodeling Is Different08:20 Why Featured Project Pages Matter13:56 What Makes a Great Project Page15:37 Choosing the Right Projects to Feature21:33 How Project Pages Improve Sales Conversations24:56 Why Professional Photography Matters32:20 A Better Way to Showcase Before & After Transformations39:55 Marketing Lessons Every Remodeler Should Apply42:14 The Two Marketing Assets Every Remodeler Needs44:27 Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up
Transcribe →Time Kills Deals! Reducing Design & Project Development Timeframe
Jul 200:25:38Tap to summarizeMost remodelers know they need to move faster through Design and Project Development. Fewer know exactly where the time is going or how to get it back. Kyle walks through specific ideas for reducing cycle time, from building out a Design & Project Development schedule to setting clear client expectations up front, so your projects keep moving and your pipeline stays healthy!JobTread helps remodelers bring estimating, scheduling, job costing, and invoicing into one connected system, so they can clearly see where jobs stand and what’s actually profitable. We’ve watched members move from guessing to confidently knowing their numbers, which leads to better pricing, planning, and leadership. If you’re ready for better systems and better decisions, learn more at jobtread.com.Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!Key TakeawaysTime kills deals. Faster design and development leads to more signed contracts.Measure your design-to-contract cycle time.Create a structured design and development schedule.Set expectations that major decisions happen before construction begins.Hold weekly client meetings to maintain momentum.Always schedule the next meeting before ending the current one.Limit the number of active design projects to protect capacity.Simplify client decisions and clearly communicate budget impacts and changes.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Topic Overview02:08 Understanding Cycle Time in Project Development04:05 Strategies for Reducing Cycle Time07:01 Setting Clear Expectations with Clients08:59 Effective Client Engagement Strategies11:54 Managing Project Capacity and Expectations14:47 Streamlining Design Choices for Clients18:10 Utilizing Technology for Communication21:03 Budget Management and Client Transparency
Transcribe →DataX and the AI Workforce Every Remodeler Needs
Jun 2500:51:44Tap to summarizeAI agents are not as complicated as they sound, and Peter Ranney and Elliott Wittstruck of DataX are proof. They walk through exactly how remodelers are using AI agents inside JobTread right now to automatically clean up field notes, process receipts, cost jobs, and land a daily project health report in their inbox every evening. They also share a seven-level framework for AI adoption that takes all the pressure off and helps you figure out exactly where to start! If you have been curious about AI but not sure where to begin, this one gives you a clear and practical first step.—Today's episode is sponsored by Builder Funnel! Click here to learn more about how Builder Funnel helps remodelers and home builders grow through strategic digital marketing.Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!—Key TakeawaysStart with a specific problem, not AI itself.Think micro. Small use cases create big wins.AI is not a magic button. It takes time to learn.AI agents work automatically without manual prompts.Reporting is one of the most valuable AI applications.Better data in = better insights out.Focus on your current level of AI adoption.Don't let AI distract you from serving clients and improving your business.—-Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background06:39 Managing Multiple Ventures10:16 Interacting with AI: The Basics12:09 Automation and AI Agents14:38 Practical Applications of AI in Business19:40 Email Automation and Receipt Processing21:52 Job Performance Analysis with AI24:52 Self-Updating AI Agents26:43 AI Models and Security Concerns29:34 Advanced AI Prompts and Use Cases34:18 Creating Contracts and Estimates with AI38:16 Bridging the Knowledge Gap in AI40:13 Understanding AI Levels of Interaction49:21 Future of AI in Business
Transcribe →How To Make More Money In Your Remodeling Business
Jun 1800:28:58Tap to summarizeMaking more money in remodeling comes down to understanding the right numbers and knowing which dials to tweak to improve those numbers. In this quick overview, Kyle breaks down the financial side of running a remodeling business. He also shares practical ways remodelers can tighten up their estimating, improve profitability, and reduce the financial stress that comes from not knowing the numbers well!Explore real client results and case studies at Contractor Growth Network Results, learn how they help remodelers build marketing that works at Contractor Growth Network, and check out their Podcast for weekly insights designed to help remodelers grow smarter.Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!Key Takeaways Financial DialsGross Profit MarginFinancial LiteracyOperational EfficiencyProactive ControlIncremental TweaksJob Costing MasteryStrategic PartnershipsChapters00:00 Introduction to Remodeling Success03:01 Understanding Financial Goals05:56 Key Financial Dials for Profitability09:19 Maximizing Revenue and Gross Profit12:08 Job Costing and Efficiency14:57 Overhead Management and Budgeting18:03 Achieving Sustainable Profit Margins20:56 Conclusion and Next Steps
Transcribe →AI That Sells While You Sleep
Jun 1100:50:27Tap to summarizeWhat if your website could answer pricing questions and book discovery calls before a salesperson ever picked up the phone? Paul DeRoche of Moss Building and Design built "Ask Natalie," an AI tool trained on 7,000+ real projects that walks prospects through actual costs and timelines based on work done in their neighborhood. He breaks down what it actually cost to build and what surprised him most after launch. If you have been wondering how AI can actually move the needle in your remodeling business, this one is worth your time.Want to keep in touch with past clients and prospects without the hassle of writing content yourself? That’s exactly what Remodelers AutoPilot does — each month you get a done-for-you email newsletter and social media posts, ready to send.Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!Key TakeawaysInnovation through Core Values and TechnologyTransparency as a Strategic DifferentiatorProprietary Data and AI for Market AdvantageBlending Human Expertise with AIDigital Tools Enhancing Customer ExperienceAI-Driven Proactive Project ManagementChapters00:00 Introduction to Paul and Moss Construction07:07 The Evolution of Moss and Its Challenges11:11 Innovating with AI: The Birth of Natalie15:15 Customer Engagement and Trust Dynamics21:20 Leveraging Technology for Project Management34:58 AI in Marketing and Project Analytics40:58 The Future of AI in Construction47:21 Customer-Centric Approach in Business
Transcribe →What Is The Highest And Best Use Of My Time Right Now?
Jun 400:24:13Tap to summarizeRunning a remodeling business means constant demands on your time, and your day will fill up whether you plan it or not. Kyle walks through eight practical ways to prioritize your day and make sure you are spending your hours on the work that actually moves the needle instead of just reacting to whatever comes at you first!JobTread helps remodelers bring estimating, scheduling, job costing, and invoicing into one connected system, so they can clearly see where jobs stand and what’s actually profitable. We’ve watched members move from guessing to confidently knowing their numbers, which leads to better pricing, planning, and leadership. If you’re ready for better systems and better decisions, learn more at jobtread.com.Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!Key TakeawaysPrioritization is a mental shift, not just a task listThe real power of time management lies in character, not toolsEnergy management determines work quality more than time blocksHigh-impact work is a mindset about worth, not privilegeThe urgency versus importance filter is a strategic compassWork from energy zones to sustain high performance• Prepping the next day resets momentum and reduces mental clutterChapters00:00 Maximizing Your Time: The Core Question02:59 Daily Prioritization: Identifying Your Top Three05:57 Effective Scheduling: The Power of Block Scheduling09:17 High Impact Work: Focusing on What Matters12:58 Marketing and Sales: The Lifeblood of Your Business14:53 Urgent vs. Important: A Strategic Approach16:47 Energy Management: Working with Your Natural Rhythms19:33 Preparing for Tomorrow: The Importance of Resetting21:03 Mindset Matters: Celebrating Wins and Staying Positive
Transcribe →Building a High End Client Experience
May 2800:44:47Tap to summarizeHigh end remodeling and high end landscaping have more in common than most people realize.Kyle sits down with Jeffrey Scott of Jeffrey Scott Consulting to unpack the similarities between successful design-build remodelers and top landscape companies. They talk about emotionally invested clients, protecting margins, managing high expectations, building trust, handling handoffs between sales and production, and why scaling an “artisanal” business is harder than most owners expect.There are a lot of practical takeaways in this one for remodelers looking to improve client experience, tighten systems, and grow without losing quality!The Summer Growth Summit in Detroit is a hands on growth experience for lawn and landscape business owners and their teams, featuring behind the scenes access to Great Lakes Landscape Design and Troy Clogg Landscape Associates.Tour two outstanding companies, meet their leadership teams, and learn practical strategies for marketing, sales, operations, AI, culture, and growth from the people driving success every day.Walk away with fresh ideas, proven systems, and practical tools to help take your company to the next level.To learn more and get event details, check it out here: https://jeffreyscott.biz/summer-growth-summit-26/If you’re serious about improving your remodeling business, you should check out the Rise Conference from Remodelers On The Rise, happening August 11 and 12 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This two day event is built specifically for remodeling business owners who want practical strategies they can actually implement, from improving your sales process and marketing to building a stronger team and running a more profitable business. You’ll connect with remodelers from across the country, hear from experienced industry leaders, and walk away with ideas you can put into action right away. To learn more and grab your ticket, head over to remodelersontherise.com/rise.Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!Key TakeawaysHigh-end clients prioritize emotional fulfillment over rational factors.Exceptional detail management is crucial for high-end success.Branding and reputation serve as a psychological safety net for clients.Effective handoffs and communication routines are critical for scaling.Protecting margin requires active scope and scope change management.Building trust through consistent branding reduces perceived risk.An advisory role elevates professionalism beyond mere order-taking.Scaling success relies on systematizing processes and delegating roles.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Jeffrey Scott and His Background05:45 Transitioning from Family Business to Consulting10:32 Understanding Client Emotions in High-End Sales15:32 Managing High Expectations in Service Industries20:24 The Importance of Details and Quality Control26:24 Effective Communication and Client Relationships30:46 Building Trust Through Branding and Reputation35:32 Advisory Role in Client Relationships40:44 Scaling a Business Without Compromising Quality
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