Tyler breaks down how to protect your time from the very first inquiry without sounding defensive or arrogant. The goal is simple: give value up front, but stop donating real consulting work to people who are still shopping.

Show Notes:
00:00 Free work becomes the expectation
00:20 Why this starts at the first inquiry
05:50 Stop consulting for free
08:50 How to set boundaries without sounding rude
11:21 Lead example: the "roof leak" rabbit hole
15:48 Pushback, reputation & holding the line
21:05 Lead example: the "simple" hood swap
30:59 Wrap: plant the seed & point to resources

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/B2xaYeIL6Qw

Partners:

Andersen Windows

Harnish Workwear

Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear

The Modern Craftsman:

linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast

Find Our Hosts:

Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media

Most leads sound "good" until you start pulling on the threads. Nick and Tyler roleplay four common inquiry types and show how to spot risk early, protect your time, and decide whether it's pre-con, a small feasibility study, or a hard pass.

Show Notes:
00:00 Cold open
00:31 Why decision makers matter
01:54 Sponsor: Anderson
05:30 Sponsor: Harness Workwear
09:13 Feasibility vs pre-con
09:35 Lead intake template & newsletter
22:36 Call 1: Referral lead
28:27 Call 2: Tight budget lead
39:47 Call 3: Facebook rush job
48:41 Call 4: Dream home lead
53:37 When the timeline is a deal-breaker
01:01:10 Wrap

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/aBTqwssCt80

Partners:

Andersen Windows

Harnish Workwear

Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear

The Modern Craftsman:

linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast

Find Our Hosts:

Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media

Tyler walks through his real lead intake process, using simple hurdles and a tight email script to qualify (or disqualify) clients without burning hours on tire kickers. He covers the red flags, the questions that actually tell the truth, and how he tees up pre-con, plus a quick heads-up on the IBS meetup details.

Show Notes:
00:00 Qualifying Win
00:14 Intro & IBS Plans
05:00 Funnel Thinking
05:31 Website Gate & Email System
09:06 Intake Questions That Matter
18:12 T&M Model & Pre-Con Role
21:23 Red Flags & Realtor Leads
25:22 Ballpark & Pre-Con Pitch
32:25 Meetup Reminder & Wrap

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/jECvxRvIX44

Partners:

Andersen Windows

Harnish Workwear

Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear

The Modern Craftsman:

linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast

Find Our Hosts:

Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media

A packed inbox can still mean you're doing it wrong if you don't have filters that protect your time and your margins. Nick and Tyler break down how to define your ideal client, build real hurdles into your intake, and stop making fear-based decisions that drag your business backwards.

Show Notes:
00:00 Intro & surprise dog
01:00 Busy inbox, bad pipeline
07:00 Quality leads vs volume
18:00 Stop chasing random inquiries
27:00 Undercharging for the portfolio
37:00 You're not built for that job yet
49:00 Content strategy = lead strategy
01:02:01 Hurdles that self-qualify
01:12:03 Wrap & IBS event plug

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/BcgvPu5PzoA

Partners:

Andersen Windows

Harnish Workwear

Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear

The Modern Craftsman:

linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast

Find Our Hosts:

Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media

Tyler walks through a real porch lead and shows how he plants price reality early, without backing himself into a corner or playing the lowball game. It's a straight look at using pre-con, setting a baseline (not a cap), and staying confident when a client's budget and the real world don't match up.

Show Notes:
00:00 Systems, confidence
00:16 Money talk up front
03:46 Ballparks + porch lead
10:39 Pre-con, what's included
13:21 Baseline, not a cap
22:11 Avoid the change-order trap
27:43 When they won't do pre-con
33:57 Reset expectations with old clients
35:36 BuildBar consults

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/7K2RC7DIM-8

Partners:

Harnish Workwear

Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear

The Modern Craftsman:

linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast

Find Our Hosts:

Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media

Money talks go sideways when you dodge the hard numbers, over-explain, or anchor too low just to "get the job." Nick and Tyler break down how to lead with value and process, set a baseline early, and keep financial touchpoints steady so surprises don't blow up trust.

Show Notes:
00:00:00 General contractors money talk
00:04:31 The $25K toilet problem
00:06:21 Confidence comes from numbers
00:09:26 Change orders set early
00:17:39 Stop over-explaining price
00:23:51 Qualify the client fast
00:29:31 "White glove" expectations
00:35:18 Baseline pricing strategy
00:59:13 Regular budget check-ins
01:03:01 Deliver bad news live
01:05:20 Wrap and takeaway

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/-SpPAL9xIes

Partners:

Harnish Workwear

Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear

The Modern Craftsman:

linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast

Find Our Hosts:

Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media

If a client pushes back on your price or process, that's not a negotiation, it's information. Tyler breaks down how to use that pushback to screen leads faster, protect your time, and land clients who actually want how you run jobs.

Show Notes:
00:00 Pushback is the filter
09:18 Rebuilding the intake
11:15 Overdelivering broke the model
14:10 Chase the 5% leads
17:27 Systems fit beats budget
21:56 "How'd you hear about me?"
24:56 The tattoo test
34:34 Consulting, newsletter, wrap

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/ikVuoY5P7-E

Partners:

Harnish Workwear

Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear

The Modern Craftsman:

linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast

Find Our Hosts:

Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media

Most jobs don't go sideways because the build is hard, they go sideways because you said yes before you had real alignment. Nick and Tyler lay out the questions, red flags, and money reality checks that help you protect your time and only take projects that fit your program.

Show Notes:
00:00 Stop filling the void
04:20 Highlighters, systems, and getting focused
06:47 Why "bad clients" are usually on you
12:24 Revenue forecast or you're guessing
20:28 Reset your baseline and set a minimum
25:00 Numbers vs vibes, both matter
31:07 Selling vs vetting, stop pitching so early
41:02 Red flags: trust, micromanage, urgency
48:40 Budget talk and "just an estimate" traps
57:40 If you ask one thing, ask this
1:04:20 Staying in your process when it gets tight
1:08:48 Wrap and newsletter plug

Video Version:
https://youtu.be/AjqjsXBXRj0

Partners:

Harnish Workwear

Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear

The Modern Craftsman:

linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast

Find Our Hosts:

Nick Schiffer

Tyler Grace

Podcast Produced By:

Motif Media