The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber

In this episode, Tim and Derek dive into the common pitfalls contractors face when trying to grow too quickly. Drawing from their own experiences and observations of younger entrepreneurs, they break down the key aspects of running a lean, profitable business and knowing when and how to scale. Whether you're just starting out or years into your business, this episode will push you to reflect on your goals and how to reach them without sabotaging your own success.

In this episode Tim and Derek discuss:

• Observations of young entrepreneurs thriving in mobile detailing and window tinting businesses
• The temptation to scale too quickly and how it can kill profitability
• Mistakes they made early in their own businesses by not understanding overhead
• Why knowing your numbers and calculating true costs is essential
• Building a war chest and delaying hiring until it's absolutely necessary
• The importance of knowing how much you want to make and building the business around that goal
• Choosing between being a solo operator or building a team, and the trade-offs of each path
• Developing a real business plan and vision, not just working job-to-job
• How proper scheduling based on revenue—not convenience—can boost profits
• Calculating employee burden and understanding the actual cost of hiring
• Leveraging part-time help smartly and building systems to increase efficiency
• Real-world examples of how their businesses now run like well-oiled machines thanks to planning, roles, and strategic hires
• Hiring the right people in the right roles to free yourself up and stay consistent with marketing and growth

🛡️ Join us in BATTLEGROUND

Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program. Three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info visit:

https://thecontractorfight.com/battleground

💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially.

Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together!

https://thecontractorfight.com/50/

🎥 Explore over 1,400 free videos on Contractor Fight TV:

https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber

💬 Join over 18,000 contractors in the free Facebook group:

https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook

== Rate the Podcast ==

Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review.

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In this episode, Tom interviews Tanner Mullen, a successful painting contractor and the founder of DripJobs CRM. Tanner shares his journey from working in the restaurant industry to building a million-dollar painting business and launching a powerful CRM software designed specifically for contractors. They dive deep into sales strategies, the importance of follow-up, how to leverage Facebook ads effectively, and why communication is the ultimate differentiator in today's contracting world. Tanner also drops an incredible limited-time offer for listeners who want to try DripJobs.

In this episode Tom and Tanner discuss:

• [01:21] Tanner’s journey from the restaurant world to contracting and early lessons in sales
• [04:15] His entry into the painting business and how his family's background influenced him
• [06:20] The diverse and lucrative nature of the painting industry
• [09:54] Reaching $1M in 3 years and the strategies he used
• [10:44] Importance of production and why Tanner chose employees over subs
• [12:25] Lead sources and their conversion rates: Angie, Facebook, and influencer marketing
• [13:44] Facebook ads: why most contractors fail and how to fix it
• [16:12] The psychology behind ad content and attracting the right clients
• [18:03] Example of an emotional and values-driven Facebook ad that worked
• [20:02] How storytelling in ads builds trust and sets your brand apart
• [21:20] Origin of DripJobs and why Tanner built it out of necessity
• [24:12] The cost of slow response and the need for lead automation
• [27:04] First wins with automation and early development of DripJobs
• [30:09] Biggest surprises from running a software company
• [31:38] Competing with industry giants and winning
• [32:06] How automation and consistent follow-up elevate customer trust
• [35:55] DripJobs is a tool that scales communication for volume-based contractors
• [38:01] Teaser about an upcoming AI feature in DripJobs
• [38:12] Tanner’s favorite features: two-way texting and visual pipelines
• [40:50] Tom shares how he discovered DripJobs and its biggest benefits
• [42:04] Using metrics and data to make marketing decisions
• [43:27] Free training and support offered to all DripJobs users
• [44:43] Bringing a red carpet experience from restaurants to contracting
• [46:06] Differentiating your company through communication and mission
• [48:12] Each touchpoint increases trust and buyer confidence
• [49:44] The psychology of expectation and perceived value
• [50:27] Why the first time a client sees you shouldn’t be at the front door
• [54:05] Overcoming client uncertainty with visuals and AI renderings
• [55:06] Turning customer service into marketing with transparency
• [57:25] Tanner offers an exclusive 100-day free trial for DripJobs to Fight listeners

Links from the episode:

🔗 DripJobs CRM – https://dripjobs.com

Use code fight100 for 100 days free – all features included, no contract

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SALES ACCELERATOR: 6 weeks. Real results. No BS:

👉 https://thecontractorfight.com/morejobs

== Rate the Podcast ==

Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review.

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In this episode of The Contractor Fight Sales Podcast, Tim and Derek dive deep into the importance of having tough, clear conversations with clients — before the shovel ever hits the dirt. From buried wires to dead irrigation systems, they share real-world stories where contracts and communication saved the day. Learn how preparation, confidence, and transparency can keep your jobs profitable and your clients happy.

In this episode Tim and Derek discuss:

• The importance of having a thorough, well-written contract that protects your business when the unexpected happens
• How to confidently address unforeseen issues, like hitting buried electrical lines, using contract clauses and change orders
• Why practicing difficult conversations and setting clear expectations upfront with clients leads to smoother jobs
• How “sliding the check back” helps you address all potential issues before accepting a deposit
• The value of brutal kindness: over-communicating risks, delays, and possible disruptions to build client trust
• Using humor and transparency to ease clients into uncomfortable truths about the construction process
• Why discussing estimated start dates, HOA approvals, and who handles what is key to avoiding miscommunication
• The benefit of making clients feel “safe” throughout the chaos of a construction project
• Real examples of how practicing and refining communication has made sales smoother and more efficient

=================================

🛡️ Join us in BATTLEGROUND

Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program. Three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info visit:

https://thecontractorfight.com/battleground

💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially.

Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together!

https://thecontractorfight.com/50/

🎥 Explore over 1,400 free videos on Contractor Fight TV:

https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber

💬 Join over 18,000 contractors in the free Facebook group:

https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook

== Rate the Podcast ==

Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review.

Apple Podcasts

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Hiring more people doesn’t automatically fix the chaos in your contracting business—in fact, it can make things worse if you're not leading properly. In this no-BS solo episode, Tom breaks down why hiring alone won’t save your business and how poor leadership is often the real issue. Drawing from his own hard-earned experiences, Tom lays out a practical framework for transforming from a chaotic boss to a true leader that empowers a high-performing team.

In this episode, Tom discusses:

• [00:20] Why hiring without leadership multiplies chaos, not solves it
• [01:00] The real mistake contractors make: hiring hostages, not help
• [01:40] How a lack of systems and accountability creates a hypocritical culture
• [02:12] Why your team's underperformance is a reflection of your leadership
• [03:01] The difference between successful teams and chaotic ones: leadership
• [03:11] Extreme ownership and its impact on team performance
• [03:35] Introduction to the Sales Accelerator and how it can help pack your pipeline
• [04:21] The real solution: Leading—not just hiring—frees you up
• [04:50] The importance of roleplaying and ongoing training beyond sales
• [05:03] Why weekly operations meetings are crucial for group accountability
• [05:41] Creating clear daily plans and expectations for your team
• [06:18] Stop expecting results without giving your team clarity and a target
• [06:27] Most times, you don’t need better people—just better leadership
• [06:48] The importance of tightening operations before scaling
• [07:10] Final thoughts on growing your business with intentional leadership

Links from the episode:

SALES ACCELERATOR isn't about fancy marketing tricks or expensive ad campaigns.

It's about systems that work:

- Lead generation without big ad spend

- Sales processes that close deals

- Accountability to actually implement

- Live coaching from someone who's been there

6 weeks. Real results. No BS.

👉 https://thecontractorfight.com/morejobs

== Rate the Podcast ==

Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review.

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In this episode of The Contractor Fight, Tim and Derek dive into a powerful mindset shift every contractor should adopt — taking action today for the benefit of your future self. They discuss how to evaluate daily decisions, avoid regret, and maintain focus on long-term success, both personally and professionally. From turning down high-maintenance projects to refining sales techniques, this episode is all about being intentional with your time, energy, and choices.

In this episode, Tim and Derek discuss:

• Why negative self-talk stems from poor past decisions and how to change the narrative
• The importance of being intentional with your goals and actions, even day by day
• A real-life example of evaluating whether a $500,000 celebrity project is worth the trouble
• The long-term value of smaller, profitable, and repeatable jobs over massive one-offs
• How to carry confidence and professionalism into sales conversations and client interactions
• Why making more money isn’t as satisfying as keeping more profit and building safety for your team
• The mindset that lets you confidently choose your clients and say no to bad fits
• How training and asking better questions saved a potentially lost client relationship

SALES ACCELERATOR isn't about fancy marketing tricks or expensive ad campaigns.

It's about systems that work:

- Lead generation without big ad spend

- Sales processes that close deals

- Accountability to actually implement

- Live coaching from someone who's been there

6 weeks. Real results. No BS.

👉 https://thecontractorfight.com/morejobs

== Rate the Podcast ==

Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review.

Apple Podcasts

Spotify