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Contractor Success Forum

Contractor Success Forum

Written by: Contractor Success Forum
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Tips and advice to run a successful construction business from two long-term industry professionals: Wade Carpenter, a construction CPA, and Stephen Brown, a construction bond agent. Each host has unique, but complementary views and advice from each of their 30+ years in the contracting industry. Their goal is to promote healthy, thought-provoking discussions and tips for running a better, more profitable, and successful company. Subscribe for new insights and discussion every week. Visit ContractorSuccessForum.com to view all episodes and find out more.

© 2026 Contractor Success Forum
Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Backlog Doesn't Equal Growth: What Contractors Get Wrong About Risk Management
    Jan 13 2026

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    🔗 LINKS

    Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show.

    Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW!

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    ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

    Every contractor thinks growth is about backlog, but it's actually about how much damage your business can take without folding.

    Wade Carpenter and Stephen Brown reveal why insurance isn't just another cost, it's your growth engine.

    Learn how proper risk management unlocks bonding capacity, protects cash flow, and turns insurance from a necessary evil into a competitive advantage.

    Discover the critical mistakes that kill contractor growth and how to design your business around risk instead of avoiding it.


    ⌚️ Key moments in this episode:

    • 00:00 Introduction to Contractor Growth and Risk Management
    • 00:28 The Role of Insurance in Managing Risk
    • 02:25 Starting with Basic Insurance Coverage
    • 03:52 Growth Challenges and Risk Mitigation
    • 06:02 Advanced Insurance Strategies for Contractors
    • 07:13 Insurance as a Tool for Market Access and Bonding
    • 08:59 The Importance of Proactive Risk Management
    • 17:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    Join the Profit First for Construction community!

    Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com.

    Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs

    FIND US ONLINE
    Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com
    Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com

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    19 mins
  • Why Most Construction M&A Deals Fail: Avoid These Common Pitfalls
    Jan 6 2026

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    🔗 LINKS

    Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show.

    Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW!

    Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live.

    ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

    Construction M&A deals often fail after closing due to unknown risks and misrepresented warranties.

    Wade Carpenter and Stephen Brown reveal how Representations & Warranties Insurance, Lost Profit Insurance, and proper surety planning protect both buyers and sellers.

    Learn why insurance beats traditional escrow arrangements, how to maintain your bonding relationships through transitions, and essential due diligence steps that prevent costly surprises. Perfect for contractors considering buying, selling, or protecting their business value.


    ⌚️ Key moments in this episode:

    • 00:00 Introduction to Construction M&A Challenges
    • 00:39 Understanding the Risks in Construction M&A
    • 02:11 Mitigating Risks in Construction M&A
    • 05:04 Insurance Solutions for M&A Deals
    • 09:47 The Role of Surety in M&A
    • 17:43 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

    Join the Profit First for Construction community!

    Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com.

    Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs

    FIND US ONLINE
    Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com
    Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com

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    21 mins
  • The Surprising Secret to Scaling Your Construction Business
    Dec 30 2025

    Send us a text

    🔗 LINKS

    Visit the episode page at for more details and a transcript of the show.

    Get Profit First for Commercial Construction--OUT NOW!

    Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live.

    ℹ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

    Ready to stop being the bottleneck in your own business? In this final episode of our scaling series, Wade and Stephen reveal the 6-step blueprint to transform from owner-operator to CEO.

    Learn how to build your second layer of leadership, stabilize cash flow with Profit First, and delegate decisions without losing control. Stop working IN your business and start working ON it.


    ⌚️ Key moments in this episode:

    • 00:00 Introduction to Financial Blind Spots
    • 13:03 Common Misconceptions in Financial Management
    • 13:08 Challenges in Tracking Work in Progress (WIP)
    • 13:11 Distinguishing Job Expenses from Overhead Expenses
    • 13:16 The Profit First Approach
    • 13:18 Fear of Growth Due to Cash Risks
    • 13:23 The Pitfalls of Cash Flow Management

    Join the Profit First for Construction community!

    Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com.

    Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs

    FIND US ONLINE
    Wade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.com
    Stephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com

    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
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