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Building Profit For Construction
Running a construction business shouldn’t mean working nonstop, chasing cash, or carrying it all on your shoulders. Building Profit is for owners who are ready to think bigger — and start making smarter moves with their numbers, strategy, and team.
Hosted by Steve Coughran of Coltivar, this show delivers straight talk on the stuff that actually drives profit: pricing right, controlling costs, forecasting with confidence, and building a business that doesn’t depend on you for everything. No fluff. No filler. Just real strategies to help you earn more and lead better.
Building Profit: Strategies for Contractors Who Want to Think Bigger and Earn More
Episodes
121 episodes
120: Why Your Job Costing Is Always Off (and How to Fix It)
Watch the estimating series now: youtube.com/@building-profit Tired of guessing where the money went after every job? In this episode of Building Profit, learn why most contract...
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Episode 120
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9:19
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119: Your Financial Blind Spots Are Killing Your Business
See where you stand in our industry benchmarks: coltivar.com/benchmarks Most contractors think they’re making money until the bank account says otherwise. In this episode...
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Episode 119
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12:35
118: The Financial Metric That Separates Winning Contractors From Broke Ones
Check out our tools & calculators: coltivar.com/tools Free training for construction owners: coltivar.com/construction-series
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Episode 118
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9:35
117: Most Contractors Confuse Strategy with Planning - Here’s Why That’s Costing You
Too many contractors think they have a strategy when all they really have is a to-do list. In this episode of Building Profit, Steve explains the critical difference between strategy and planning—and why getting it wr...
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Episode 117
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11:17
116: When Do You Actually Earn Revenue? (The 5 Rules You Must Know)
In this episode of Building Profit, Steve dives into one of the most misunderstood topics in construction finance: revenue recognition. Just because the money hits your bank account doesn’t mean you’ve earned it, and messing this up co...
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Episode 116
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11:26
115: How to Fix Your Profit Without Working More Hours
Levers of Profit Calculator: www.coltivar.com/levers-of-profit-calculator Construction industry benchmarks: www.coltiva...
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Episode 115
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10:28
114: The Real Reason Contractors Don’t Make Money (And What to Do About It)
Construction industry benchmarks: www.coltivar.com/benchmarks Check out our free calculators: www.coltivar.com/tools In this ...
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Episode 114
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24:04
113: The Hidden Cost of Growth (Fix This Before Scaling)
In this episode, Steve unpacks one of the biggest traps business owners fall into: growing revenue while losing margin. Through real-world stories and hard-won insights, he explains why more work doesn't always mean more profit—and how pursuing...
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Episode 113
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16:40
112: The 3 Metrics That Drive Profit in Construction and Service Businesses
Is your business beating the stock market?Steve shares the three metrics every founder must know if they want to grow profitably and build a business that’s both valuable and optional. Drawing from his experience as a CFO for a billion-d...
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Episode 112
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16:25
111: The Financial Model That Helped Me Fix a $1B Construction Business
In this episode, Steve shares the turning point that changed everything during his time as CFO of a billion-dollar construction company. When margins tightened and chaos crept in, he built a tool that reshaped how he approached strategy and fin...
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Episode 111
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9:08
110: What Buyers Look for in a $10M Business
If someone showed up today, ready to buy your business, would you be proud of what they’d find?In this episode of The Margin Method, Steve shares what really separates a company that commands top dollar from one that quietly get...
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Episode 110
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9:15
109: What Paris Taught Me About Margin
Most businesses don’t fail because they lack hustle, they fail because they lack margin. In this heartfelt episode, Steve shares a powerful realization sparked by a family trip to Paris.Through personal stories and sharp insights, he unp...
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Episode 109
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11:49
108: The Hidden Value Killers in Your Business Model
More growth doesn’t always mean more profit. Steve uncovers the silent value killers hiding inside your business model and how to fix them. If your revenue is rising but your margins aren't, it's time to take a closer look under the...
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Episode 108
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11:10
107: Is Your Business Actually Sellable?
What makes a business truly sellable and why should it matter even if you never plan to sell? In this epsiode, Steve challenges founders to think differently about value, risk, and how to future-proof their companies. Whether you're...
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Episode 107
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12:34
106:The 5 Metrics Every Founder Must Know Cold
Most founders track revenue but what about the metrics that really matter? Steve reveals the five financial indicators every founder must know cold to grow profitably, lead with clarity, and build a sellable business.These aren't numbers...
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Episode 106
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17:04
105: Scale with Systems, Not Just Headcount
Think you’re scaling? You might just be multiplying chaos. In this episode, Steve breaks down the dangerous myth that growth means adding more people and reveals why true scale is built through systems, not headcount. Wi...
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Episode 105
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11:48
104: You’re Making Money- So Why Is There No Cash?
Your income statement says you're winning, so why does it feel like you're broke? Steve unpacks one of the most common (and costly) issues business owners face: the disconnect between profit and cash. Through relatable stories and a...
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Episode 104
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15:41
103: Why I'm Doubling Down on Construction and What That Means for You
After 100+ episodes on strategy and finance, Steve is shifting gears—and getting laser-focused. In this special re-release, he shares why he’s rebranding the podcast to Building Profit and doubling down on the construction industry.
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Episode 103
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5:52
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102: Strategy Trivia You Must Know
Think you know strategy? In this interactive episode, Steve puts your business knowledge to the test with a round of strategy trivia.From the key difference between strategy and strategic planning to how to measure if your company’s stra...
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Episode 102
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13:36
101: A Resource to Help You with Strategy and Cash Flow
Most entrepreneurs chase growth, but what if scaling too fast is the very thing that takes your business down?In this episode, Steve unpacks the fundamental flaw that causes even promising companies to fail—and it has nothing to do with ...
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Episode 101
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7:09
100: When It Comes to Strategy, Make Sure You Have These 5 Things
Is your business set up for success in 2025, or will you look back wishing you'd done things differently?Steve Coughran breaks down the five essential components every company must have in place—from a clear strategy to financial forecas...
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Episode 100
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8:35
99: How Do You Know If Your Strategy Is Working?
Most businesses focus on growth, culture, and innovation—but what if you're missing the one thing that truly keeps a company alive?In this episode, Steve reveals the brutal truth about why so many businesses fail, the hidden trap leaders...
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Episode 99
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8:12
98: What Is ROIC and Its Impact on Your Strategy?
Are you building a business that truly creates value, or just chasing growth?In this episode, Steve breaks down the powerful connection between strategy and finance—and why Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is the key to long-term succes...
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Episode 98
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15:34
97: How AI Will Impact Your Strategy and Competitive Advantage
AI is reshaping the business landscape—are you ready for it?In this episode, discover how AI is equalizing competition, creating distractions, and accelerating the pace of business. Steve reveals the hidden pitfalls and opportunities of...
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Episode 97
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8:04
96: Why Your Business Isn’t as Profitable as It Could Be
Struggling to turn your hard work into real profits? You’re not alone—but you don’t have to settle for less.In this episode, Steve uncovers the five key areas that could be holding your business back from reaching its full profit potent...
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Episode 96
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18:22