Hiring the right people can grow your business, while the wrong hire can cost you time, money, and momentum. In this episode of The Better Contractor Podcast, Brent answers questions from our Facebook community about hiring, interviewing, determining pay, and knowing when it's time to let an employee go. Whether you're building your first crew or leading an established company, you'll walk away with practical advice you can apply immediately. Thanks to Forestry Rentals for sponsoring this episode, and don't forget to subscribe and join The Better Contractor Facebook Group to be part of future Q&A episodes.

Contractor Q&A From a Nine Figure Business Owner

What should you do when you’re booked months in advance but customers keep calling? Are you experienced enough to start charging for your work? Should you lower your price to keep a longtime customer?

In Episode 86 of The Better Contractor Podcast, Brent and Alex answer three real questions submitted by members of The Better Contractor Facebook group.

They discuss when contractors should hire more employees, rent or purchase additional equipment, raise their prices, turn down unprofitable work, and walk away from customers who only care about receiving the lowest bid.

Brent also shares advice for newer contractors who are still building their skills and confidence. You do not need to know how to handle every possible project before starting a business—but you need to understand your current capabilities, price your work appropriately, manage your liability, and continue improving.

In this episode:

00:00 Introduction
00:33 What to Do When You’re Booked Months in Advance
01:23 Hiring More Employees and Adding Equipment
01:48 When It’s Time to Raise Your Prices
02:32 Using a Premium “I Don’t Want the Job” Price
03:07 Turning Demand Into Business Growth
03:44 Starting a Contracting Business With Limited Experience
04:29 Managing Risk and Liability as a New Contractor
05:18 Choosing the Right Services to Offer
06:19 Building Confidence and Charging for Your Work
06:39 How New Contractors Should Set Their Rates
07:44 Starting Small and Growing Into Better Work
08:39 How Brent Started Lanracorp
10:00 Gateway Dealer Network Sponsor Message
10:52 Should You Match a Competitor’s Lower Price?
11:37 When to Walk Away From a Longtime Customer
12:14 Why Contractors Get Stuck at Break-Even
13:17 The Problem With Low-Barrier Competition
14:13 Becoming More Specialized and Valuable
15:17 The “Low-Low-Low Bid” Process
16:04 Lowest Price vs. Best Value Customers
16:42 Why Some Customers Come Back After Choosing the Cheapest Bid
17:18 Join The Better Contractor Facebook Group

JOIN THE BETTER CONTRACTOR COMMUNITY

Website:
https://thebettercontractor.com/

Private Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1D7WETCTXG/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085062039297

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bettercontractor/

FREE TRAINING & ONBOARDING VIDEOS

https://www.youtube.com/@TheBetterContractor/featured

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1tjPd8zKXx2oXT8WpjTwir

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-better-contractor-podcast/id1728924279

CONNECT WITH BRENT OBERLINK

Website:
https://brentoberlink.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/brent.oberlink.9

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/brentoberlink/

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-oberlink-0a70b3161/

ABOUT THE BETTER CONTRACTOR PODCAST

The Better Contractor Podcast features real conversations about growing a contracting business, developing strong leaders, hiring and retaining employees, improving company culture, managing operations, and building a business that can succeed for the long term.

Subscribe to the channel and share this episode with another contractor who is working through these same decisions.

#ContractorBusiness #ConstructionBusiness #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #ContractorTips

The Hardest Decisions Every Contractor Has to Make

In this episode of The Better Contractor Podcast, host Brent is joined by Mike Whalen of the Beyond the Belt podcast and DBS Remodel to discuss the critical challenges of attracting, training, and retaining high-quality workers in the trades. Drawing from over 25 years of experience, Mike provides a boots-on-the-ground perspective on transitioning from a business owner to a project manager and leadership team member.

What Actually Motivates Your Employees

In Episode 84, Brent Oberlink breaks down the sales strategies that helped grow his business. He covers the tactics he relied on in the early days as well as the systems and processes he uses today. He shares practical lessons on building relationships, earning trust, closing more work, and why great sales involve more than just offering the lowest price. Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your sales process, this episode is packed with actionable advice you can apply to your business.

My Blue-Collar Sales System That Works

In Episode 83, Brent Oberlink shares how he grew Lanracorp into an 8-figure company through the power of marketing. From the early days of relying on relationships and word-of-mouth to building a personal brand and embracing social media, Brent breaks down how his approach has evolved over the years. He discusses what worked when he was getting started, why marketing became a priority, and the strategies he uses today to continue growing the business. If you're a contractor or business owner looking to stand out and build a stronger brand, this episode is packed with practical insights and lessons learned.

How I Grew My Company To 8 Figures Through Marketing

Welcome to The Better Contractor, a podcast dedicated to helping you build a more successful and professional blue-collar business. We tackle the tough questions about modern industry challenges, from the rapid rise of controversial data centers to the essential need for professional legal and accounting protection. Our discussions dive deep into the power of social media marketing, showing you how to tell your unique story to attract the right employees and customers. Featuring insights from industry veterans and marketing experts, we provide the educational and entertaining content you need to stay ahead of the trends. Join our growing community of thousands of contractors to network, learn, and elevate your business to the next level.

The Future of Blue Collar Marketing

Why do some contractors grow into thriving businesses while others stay stuck for decades? In this episode, Brent Oberlink and Alex Eckhardt discuss the biggest reasons contractors struggle to scale, from taking on too much debt to failing to understand their financials. They break down the importance of knowing your numbers, building a strong brand, and developing leadership within your company. Brent also shares why renting equipment can often be smarter than buying early on. If you're looking to grow your business, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply today.

Special Thank you to Gateway Dealer Network for sponsoring today's podcast. Visit them at bobcatgdn.com [http://bobcatgdn.com/] or speak to sales specialist Tim Mueller at tmueller@bobcatofstl.com.

Why Contractors Stay Small Forever

This episode of The Better Contractor Podcast dives into mentorship, leadership, and what it really takes to build a business without losing yourself in the process. Instead of chasing one perfect mentor, They teach how to learn from multiple people in different areas of life. The hosts also touch on employee management, emphasizing that owners must set the culture rather than relying on one key person to carry it. They change the idea of work life balance, reframing it as freedom. Episode 80 wraps up with the future of blue-collar industries, highlighting why they remain one of the most stable and human driven paths despite the rise of AI.

The Power of Mentorship in Success: Q&A

Episode 79 breaks down one of the biggest mistakes contractors make. Underbidding. This results from not accounting for overhead, which leads to underpriced jobs and small margins. Brent Oberlink and Alex Eckhardt dive into when it makes sense to rent vs buy, and how the wrong decision can cost you in the long term. They also cover smart financing strategies, including building banker relationships and setting up a line of credit before you actually need it. On the operations side, they stress the importance of solid contracts, clear scope, and proper payment. If you're trying to stay profitable in a competitive market, this episode lays out what you need to do differently.

Most Contractors are Underbidding - Here is How to Fix

Episode 78 of The Better Contractor Podcast dives into the constant battle between cost and safety in various industries with Brent Oberlink and Shawn Galloway. Too often, procurement teams chase low-bid, completely ignoring the real risks that come with cutting corners. The guys break down why Low-bid culture leads to weaker safety, worse outcomes, and contractors who simply can't perform at a high level. They also highlight what strong partnerships actually look like. Clear expectations, real communication, and treating contractors like actual partners. If you are a contractor, or work in the oil or gas industry, this episode is a wake-up call to stand out beyond price and build real relationships with the people running the job.

Procurement is Failing: Here is The Smarter Way to Buy, Manage, and Safely Execute Work With Shawn Galloway

Welcome to The Better Contractor Podcast, where host and CEO Brent Oberlink invites you to join him in exploring the modern challenges facing contractors today. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the complexities of the contracting industry. Each episode, we dive into the latest trends, technologies, and strategies to help you overcome obstacles and elevate your contracting business to new heights.  Join Brent and industry experts as they share valuable insights, practical tips, and success stories that will inspire and empower you to become a better contractor. From project management and client relations to cutting-edge tools and techniques, we cover it all to ensure you're equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in today's competitive market.  Tune in to The Better Contractor Podcast and discover how to turn challenges into opportunities, transform your business, and achieve greater success as a contractor.

Brent Oberlink

Shows