Glorified Carpenter – Details, episodes & analysis

Trying to get one pod under my belt after 3+ yrs.... Wanted to tell you a little of why I thought a "new" podcast in the residential construction field was needed. Why share? The goal is simple; inspire & educate through amazing conversations w/ builders/ makers & artisans. Hope you enjoy! Find us on instagram: @theglorifiedcarpenter Want more info and knowledge: www.glorifiedcarpenter.com Episode sponsor: www.durationmillwork.com/

Nate Witschi 2nd generation builder from Witschi Construction out of Visalia, California joins us in episode 1. We hit some topics like avoidance, work ethic, pre-con, etc. $: 8-10 custom homes a yr Company size: 5-10 employees Guest: www.WitschiConstruction.com @witschiconstruction Sponsors: www.durationmillwork.com @durationmouldingandmillwork www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com @hdpocketdoors

Brian Greenberg of Grit & Grace Custom Homes is a true “bags-on” builder, leading a tight crew of five. They self-perform everything — from framing to finish carpentry — bringing an old-school work ethic and ethos to every job. Brian runs only two projects at a time, making it feel like you hired him — not just an employee. A true craftsman with a deep love for the trade, Brian and I dive into everything: project management, how he approaches a build, paper plans vs. digital, quality control, Lump Sum vs. Cost Plus contracts, change orders, and more. Brian’s journey started in the white-collar world before he shifted to blue-collar life — and never looked back. He dipped his toe into real estate flips while commuting into Boston for his full-time gig, eventually evolving into spec homes and now custom builds and renovations. Super proud of this episode, enjoy!!! Book Brian mentioned: Shop Class as Soulcraft: “An Inquiry into the Value of Work” Author: Matthew B. Crawford Project Size: 2-3 Custom Projects Yr Yearly Revenue: $5mil Company size: 5-6 employees Guest: https://www.ggbuilds.com @gritandgracebuilds Listen • Subscribe • Review @apple @spotify Sponsors: www.durationmillwork.com  @durationmouldingandmillwork  www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com  @hdpocketdoors

Jacob’s entry into the industry is wild—pure chance, but it lit a fire. With the backing of a mentor and a relentless drive to learn the craft, he fast-tracked his way through the trades, building up both skill and a trusted sub-pool. His first major project? Building his own home—something most only dream of. That experience catapulted him into the spec world, then onto the Parade of Homes, and eventually into high-end custom builds and renovations. Along the way, he brought millwork in-house to dial in execution and control—raising the bar on every project. Killer convo with a true craftsman. Project Size: 6-8 Custom Projects Yr Yearly Revenue: $5mil Company size: 10+ employees Ep. 11 Guest: https://reinboldinc.com @reinboldinc Listen • Subscribe • Review @apple @spotify Review Shoutout: Freddy @periodcraftsmen thank you!! Sponsors: www.durationmillwork.com  @durationmouldingandmillwork  www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com  @hdpocketdoors

Otto Magdanz of Coda Managed Homes took a distinctly different path into residential construction—and it shows in everything he does. A Harvard Business School grad with roots in the trades, Otto didn’t set out to build flashy custom homes. He set out to fix what was broken. After years of listening to clients’ frustrations and pain points early in his career, his mission became clear: build a process that puts the homeowner first. That mindset naturally led to stunning homes, happy clients, and a niche approach that sets Coda apart. In this episode, we dive into the why behind Otto’s model—and what the industry can learn from it. Enjoy the conversation. Project Size: 2-3 Custom Projects Yr + Concierge Projects Yearly Revenue: $6-10mil Company size: 8-10 employees Ep. 12 Guest: https://codahome.com @codahome The Wall Street Journal Link: Listen • Subscribe • Review @apple @spotify Sponsors: www.durationmillwork.com  @durationmouldingandmillwork  www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com  @hdpocketdoors

Andrew Prchlik, owner-operator of Whalebone Homes in Osterville, MA, is one of the best-kept secrets in high-end residential construction.
For the past 19 years, he’s quietly built a reputation for crafting exceptional homes—whether through spec builds, renovations, or ground-up custom projects—for a small, select group of clients. I met Andrew a few years back and felt an instant connection rooted in a shared love for the craft, acts of service, deep relationships, and a passion for creating. This episode marks round two of our conversations—and this time, we’re bringing it to the podcast. This isn’t a checklist of what makes Andrew great as a builder or person. You won’t find labeled chapters or step-by-step takeaways. Instead, the real value is laced throughout the conversation—layered in stories, insights, and subtle truths. That’s what I love about talks like this. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Project Size: 4-6 Custom Projects Yr Yearly Revenue: $6-10mil Company size: 2-4 employees Ep. 13 Guest: https://whalebonehomes.com @whalebonehomes Listen • Subscribe • Review @apple @spotify Sponsors: www.durationmillwork.com  @durationmouldingandmillwork  www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com  @hdpocketdoors Local Sponsor: www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs! @HireSmooth

Episode 14 brings in Nate Altheimer of A3 Builders, based out of Belgium, Wisconsin. With 30 years in the game and still wearing his bags, Nate splits his time between running a young framing crew—where his oldest is now swinging a hammer—and supervising larger development projects. We dig into what it means to build in a market where “high-end” doesn’t look like what you see on social media—and how chasing that illusion can lead to overbuilding in a landscape where that kind of demand doesn’t exist. In Nate’s world, the goal is clear: build smart—for efficiency, longevity, and reputation. It was great catching up with Nate, and I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. Project Size: 2-3 Spec Homes, 1-2 Development projects & Supervision Yearly Revenue: $5mil Company size: 3-5 employees Ep. 14 Guest: @A3Builders Listen • Subscribe • Review @apple @spotify Sponsors: www.durationmillwork.com  @durationmouldingandmillwork  www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com  @hdpocketdoors Local Sponsor: www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs! @HireSmooth

Episode 15 we sit down with Lenny Gimmelfarb of Echelon Builders in Smithfield, RI. We dive into what a small-scale model looks like—an owner-operator with no employees, building a brand and reputation one project at a time. Lenny shares how he’s cultivated relationships with designers and architects to secure one flagship build and a couple of smaller projects each year—his ideal rhythm. Great to catch up with Lenny and see what he’s building and why. Hope you enjoy the convo! Project Size: 1 Large scale project & 2-3 smaller Renos Yearly Revenue: $2-4mil Company size: 0 employees Ep. 15 Guest: @Echelon_builders Listen • Subscribe • Review @apple @spotify Sponsors: www.durationmillwork.com  @durationmouldingandmillwork  www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com  @hdpocketdoors Local Sponsor: www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs! @HireSmooth

Ian MacFayden—Canadian Red Seal carpenter turned COO of HummingBird Hill Homes—joins the podcast!
We dive into the evolution of the trades, from where we started to where things stand today. Ian shares insights on attracting and retaining top talent as your projects scale and your team needs grow. High performance isn’t just about house wraps—it’s about understanding the materials and systems that will outlast the families living in these homes. We get into how to integrate sustainability, Passive House, Net Zero, WELL AP, and carbon-conscious design into your everyday building practices. Then we shift to the craft itself—and what’s missing in the handoff between generations. Why is there still a gap between young talent and seasoned builders? Ian’s answer: Projekt Network—a new platform bridging that gap, like a ZipRecruiter built for residential construction. Great conversation, real insight—and a ton to take away. Hope you enjoy it! The RED List: https://living-future.org/ Project Size: 15-18 Builds Yearly Revenue: $40-50mil Company size: 60+ employees Ep. 16 Guest: @HummingbirdHillhomes @timbersolutions_hh @projektnetwork Hummingbirdhillhomes.com projektnetwork.com Listen • Subscribe • Review @apple @spotify Sponsors: www.durationmillwork.com  @durationmouldingandmillwork  www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com  @hdpocketdoors Local Sponsor: www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs! @HireSmooth

Episode 17: Paul Charett of Wood Theory Design Paul is the perfect mix of woodworker and artist—bringing true artisan energy to life through his use of reclaimed wood, salvaged doors, and materials with soul. He gives old pieces new purpose in some of the sexiest builds across New England. We dig into what it’s like to narrow your focus to such a specific niche—how that tight client funnel forces you to be intentional about who you work with, and why finding the right client to “marry” matters more than ever. We also talk about setting boundaries, honoring craft, and building a business that stays true to who you are. Great conversation with an amazing dude and a wildly talented maker I’m proud to call a friend. Hope you enjoy it! Project Size: 25-30 Projects Yearly Revenue: $500k Company size: 1-4 employees Ep. 17 Guest: @woodtheorydesign Listen • Subscribe • Review @apple @spotify Sponsors: www.durationmillwork.com  @durationmouldingandmillwork  www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com  @hdpocketdoors Local Sponsor: www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs! @HireSmooth