Explore every episode of the podcast Home Builder Marketers

A homeowner in California asked Claude for a builder—and found Bryce Swager.

In this episode, I sit down with Bryce, founder of Swager Builds in Idaho’s Teton Valley, to talk about how he’s using AI, JobTread and consistent content to run his business and get found online.

We get into his automated morning briefing, turning jobsite conversations into action, fixed price versus cost plus, and why showing your face online builds trust before the first call. We also talk about starting over, fatherhood and continuing to show up when things get hard.

Connect with Bryce: https://swagerbuilds.com

Home Builder Marketers: https://homebuildermarketers.com

Your next content idea might already be happening on the job site.

Morgan Molitor, co-founder of construction2style, joins Nicholas Cormier to talk about showing up as the face of your business, turning client questions into useful content, and sharing the real work behind your projects.

We cover how social media can support recruiting, what builders can learn from project mistakes, and how to schedule and reuse content without constantly starting from scratch.

Connect with Morgan: https://morganmolitor.com/

construction2style: https://construction2style.com/

Home Builder Marketers: https://homebuildermarketers.com/

Seth and Nicholas sit down with Dan Morton, founder of JACK App and owner of a construction company in Australia that builds over 200 homes a year and turns over more than $100 million, all while he runs the software company from Houston, Texas.

Dan shares how he went from a plumbing apprentice who dropped out at 15 to running two businesses at once, why roughly 80 percent of construction companies fail because of cash flow and not craftsmanship, and how live financial forecasting lets a builder see their bank balance a year in advance. They also get into AI in the trades, why answer engines are replacing Google search, and how builders can show up in AI results.

Whether you are a custom builder buried in admin or an owner trying to scale without hiring, this one is packed with the systems and mindset that separate the builders who grow from the ones who stall. Hit play and steal the playbook.

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This week we sat down with Jon, founder of Subtrak, a software platform built to help contractors and home builders create, organize, and track their standard operating procedures. Jon works with construction companies to bring order to the chaos that comes with managing crews, subs, and multiple projects at once.

We dig into why SOPs are the difference between a builder stuck at $3 million and one scaling past $10 million, why a simple checklist solves about 80% of process problems, and why project startup is the first procedure every builder should document. Jon also shares why contacting a lead within the first five minutes matters more than almost anything else, and how tools like Claude and ads on ChatGPT are opening new doors for builders.

Subtrak offers a free library with over a thousand SOP templates for home builders, general contractors, and the trades. If you want to grow your company without becoming the bottleneck, this episode is your starting point.

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James Russell has spent close to a decade helping builders and trades stop drowning in busywork. As the owner of Builder VA and someone coached directly by Dan Martell, he has helped around 350 builders buy back their time by letting go of the decisions that keep them up at night. He joins Seth and Nicholas to break down why most builders are stuck doing $15 an hour tasks themselves and how to finally hand that work off without losing control.

Inside this episode you will hear why 80% done by someone else still beats 100% done by you, the first things every builder should offload, and how James builds roles around purpose instead of endless task lists. He gets into his 10/80/10 framework for managing remote talent, where the best specialists in the world are actually coming from right now, and the three ways a builder can hire a VA depending on how much they want to manage. Plus the mindset shift that turns a perfectionist owner into a real leader.

Whether you are a custom home builder buried in admin, a remodeler trying to scale past your own capacity, or an owner who already knows you are the bottleneck, this one lays out the path. Only 5% of companies pass a million in revenue and just 2.1% reach three million, and the gap comes down to letting go. Hit play and start building a business that scales without you.

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Nick Peret has spent over a decade helping contractors fix what most agencies ignore. He runs Better Boss, a JobTread implementation service that uses Claude AI and the new JobTread MCP to build out custom systems for home builders, remodelers, and contractors. He joins Seth and Nicholas to break down how AI is actually reshaping operations inside construction businesses doing $500K to $5M.

Inside this episode you will hear why 70% of contractors fail at implementing their software, how Claude can pull historical project data and generate full proposals in minutes, what foundations every builder needs before layering AI on top, and why only 6% of companies are actually using AI in their workflows. Nick also walks through how private equity is targeting trades businesses with real operating systems and what that means for your exit.

If you have ever felt stuck between scaling your business and getting buried in admin work, this episode will change how you think about your tech stack. Hit play and start building the operating system your business actually needs.

homebuildermarketers.com

Michael Krisa, host of Builder Straight Talk, joins Seth Van Daele and Nicholas Cormier on the Home Builder Marketers Podcast to unpack what he's learned from interviewing some of the most successful custom home builders across North America. Michael shares how he selects guests, the traits every scaled builder shares, and the pitfalls that quietly sink operations before they ever reach real growth.

The conversation moves through the mechanics of running a serious building business. Transitioning from custom to spec. Funding strategies that hold up in a tight lending environment. Networking and partnerships that compound over time. Then Seth, Nicholas, and Michael turn to the Canadian housing market, the rise of modular homes, and the legacy builders leave behind when the work outlasts the career.

If you build custom homes or want to understand where residential construction is actually heading in 2026, this one belongs on your list.

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Nicholas and Seth sit down with Will Blunt, Head of Marketing at the Association of Professional Builders, the largest coaching company in residential construction with over 10,000 building companies coached across four countries.

Will shares the data behind the 3% marketing spend sweet spot, why niching down is the single biggest growth lever for builders, and the story of an Australian builder who invested in marketing during a boom while every competitor stopped and scaled to $15 million in revenue with 10% net profit.

They also break down the 7 to 9 month sales cycle in construction, where to put your first $5,000 in marketing, and why video content paired with Facebook ads and a follow up system is the fastest way to build consistent lead flow.

⁠https://homebuildermarketers.com⁠

Seth and Nicholas break down how Home Builder Marketers built 12 AI agents using OpenClaw to run marketing, SEO, websites, project management, and bookkeeping across two Mac Minis that operate 24/7.

Live demo included showing one prompt triggering multiple AI agents that scan a website, build a full SEO report, assign tasks in ClickUp, and follow up with the team automatically.

They also cover AI security risks, how to save 80% on API costs with intelligent model routing, and why every builder and business owner needs an AI agent strategy in 2026.

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In this episode, we sit down with Philippe Frigg of Versa Homes-known as the Fixed-Price King alongside Home Builder Marketers’ co-founder Nicolas Cormier. Philippe shares how he scaled his custom home business using social media, built authority in the luxury building space, and why fixed-price contracts beat cost-plus every time. From practical Instagram strategies to real talk about client relationships, referrals, and building a sustainable business, this episode is packed with insights every builder, marketer, and entrepreneur needs to hear.

Tune in and learn how to market smarter, build stronger, and grow your brand in today’s competitive landscape.

From foster care to finding purpose, Tommy Sigman’s story is one of resilience and hope! Hear how he overcame challenges, wrote a book to inspire others, and turned his struggles into a mission. Don’t miss this episode! 

Founded in the summer of 2023, Chris opened Element Pools Ltd. after working as the Construction Manager of one of the big box pool stores in Winnipeg for many years.

With over 15 years in the pool industry, Chris brings a wealth of knowledge to the Winnipeg pool market. With a focus on new pool construction, Chris has built and renovated numerous Commercial and Residential Pools over the course of his career. Chris has an eye for detail and believes in delivering the best product and overall customer experience. Through his time in the Commercial pool world, Chris developed experience in working with engineers and has implemented many of these standards into the residential pools he builds for a higher quality build, setting Element Pools above the rest. Chris loves to design custom pool projects with clients to tailor to their wants and needs while maintaining functionality and resilience in the products he delivers. From custom sun ledges, water features, automatic pool covers, Chris’ technical knowledge and skills are an expanding asset for Element Pools. Chris loves to be on-site to deliver on his customer-centric approach, while maintaining quality control. From conception to completion, Chris is your go-to contact for all things construction.

In the off-season, Chris loves to travel and spend time with his beautiful wife, Amy and their dog, Colton. However, don’t be surprised if he responds to your email with a picture of the ocean in the background, as he has a hard time not responding to customer emails.

Eric Fortenberry serves as Founder and CEO of JobTread, a construction estimating and project management software platform that has helped thousands of builders and contractors sell and manage billions in construction jobs.

Lucas is the Owner, Founder, and President of Secure-Rite Mobile Storage Inc.(⁠www.Secure-Rite.com⁠), which they launched in March 2005. They rent, sell, and modify shipping containers from five corporate locations across B.C. and Alberta.

Dennis and John are the founders of "EZ Modern Homes"

Here's some words from them-

"At EZ Modern Homes, we’re more than just builders – we’re creators, dedicated to bringing your dream home to life with precision, care, and craftsmanship. As a proud, veteran-owned business, we’ve made it our mission to combine our commitment to service with our passion for building.

Every project we take on is a journey we embark on together with our clients. From the first sketch to the final finishing touches, we handle every detail – pre-construction planning, construction, and post-construction services – ensuring your home is exactly what you imagined, and more.

Our approach is simple: We work tirelessly to turn your vision into reality, transforming blueprints into exceptional homes that stand as testaments to quality and design. With EZ Modern Homes, you’re not just building a house; you’re building a future, and we’re here to make it extraordinary!"

🎙️ Our Marketing Journey 🚀

In this episode, we share the highs and lows of our marketing journey—what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons we learned along the way. Whether you’re just starting or looking to improve, this episode will give you the inspiration and tools to grow your business.

Keeping Customers First! 🚀 ft. Scott Smith
In this episode, Scott shares his insights on why putting customers first is the key to long-term success. Tune in for valuable tips on building stronger relationships and growing your business!

Starting his career 25 yrs ago, Gates began working on small projects in cottage country, building decks, and completing roof renovations.
From there, he grew his experience and started interior home renovation and additions. He then moved into commercial tenant improvements for small to large corporations.
Gaetan has experienced projects ranging from 10K to over 40M in various roles throughout his career.

Joseph William Foster (born 18 May 1935) is the co-founder of Reebok with his older brother Jeffery William Foster (Jeff). He shares the same name as his grandfather, also named Joseph William Foster. Foster's grandfather was the founder of J.W. Foster & Sons and the pioneer of the spiked running shoe. The elder Foster also developed the trainer and provided most First Division (now English Premier League) Football teams with trainers.

In this episode we're going over all of the mistakes that most of the business owners are making and the solutions you can implement right away to set your business for scalability!