The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber

Most contractors are crushing it for 90% of the job, then they blow everything in the final 10%. You nail the work, cash the check, and think you're done. WRONG. You just fumbled at the goal line and killed your shot at referrals, reviews, and repeat clients. Tom breaks down the brutal truth: how you finish determines whether you're hunting for your next job or turning clients away because you're booked solid.

⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00] – Why finishing strong matters more than ever

[00:28] – Chaos creates complacency (and costs you money)

[00:47] – How the final 10% of the job shapes your reputation

[01:00] – The death of trust: silence during the job

[01:30] – What to say in daily client updates

[02:10] – Pre-close walkthroughs and scheduling final reviews

[02:41] – The 24–48 hour punch list rule

[03:04] – The 3x walkthrough system: crew, PM, client

[03:26] – The power of thank you cards and review asks

[03:56] – Review script: asking without being awkward

[04:28] – Strong finishes = strong reviews and easier sales

[05:05] – Why your work alone isn’t enough—it’s about how they feel

[05:46] – Want help? Check out the 5 Steps to 5 Stars program

[06:03] – Final reminder: don’t coast—systemize your closeout

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

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tired of being the "cheap option" in your market?

Learn the customer experience secrets that let you charge premium prices while competitors scramble for scraps. This is the same system that took one contractor from massive debt to $5.5M—and it works in any market: https://thecontractorfight.com/5-stars/

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

💰 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

Spotify

In this episode of the Contractor Fight Sales Podcast, hosts Tim and Derek dive deep into the shifting landscape of how customers buy and what contractors must do to adapt. Drawing from real-world conversations within the Battleground group, they explore how to respond when potential clients hesitate on big projects and how crucial it is to anticipate market changes before it's too late.

Tim and Derek emphasize the importance of being proactive, investing in your sales skills, and surrounding yourself with people who push you forward. They challenge contractors to take responsibility, stop blaming external factors, and take decisive steps to build a resilient, profitable business.

In this episode, Tim and Derek discuss:

• How buyer behavior is changing and what contractors need to do to stay ahead
• The power of empathy in sales conversations and helping clients work through hesitation
• Why waiting for jobs to fall into your lap no longer works—and what to do instead
• The importance of building a maintenance department for long-term business sustainability
• How joining a community like Battleground accelerates your growth through shared experiences and accountability
• The truth about selling out of desperation and how to avoid it
• Why investing in coaching is one of the smartest moves you can make for your business
• The reality check: the problem is not the economy or the competition—it’s you

Links from the episode:

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

🛡️ 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

Spotify

Contractors submitted their marketing for a no-holds-barred roast, and Tom brought in WAR ROOM Coach Micah Miller to join the fun. Together, they deliver straight-shooting critiques of websites, logos, calls to action, and more. If your marketing sucks, this episode will show you why and how to fix it. Learn what truly converts, the power of storytelling, and how to make your digital presence work harder for your business.

In this episode Tom and Micah discuss:

• [00:25] Introduction of Micah Miller and his social media-driven marketing success
• [01:53] Micah's minimal ad spend strategy and massive content ROI
• [03:00] The $3-a-day Facebook ad that skyrocketed video views
• [03:30] Micah’s $6M sales projection with under 2% marketing spend
• [04:08] Beginning of the marketing roast: First Edition Remodeling website
• [04:49] Issues with wordy websites and poor call-to-action strategies
• [06:17] Importance of a responsive website and Google rankings
• [07:19] Website goals: Build trust and engagement to convert leads
• [09:10] Using dynamic headlines and emotionally engaging copy
• [10:41] The power of project recaps: Before, during, after photos and videos
• [12:11] Micah’s use of storytelling and transparency to weed out poor-fit leads
• [14:20] How project recaps prequalify leads and improve sales efficiency
• [15:29] Critique of blog strategy: One post isn’t enough
• [16:12] How to write helpful, FAQ-driven blog content vs salesy pitches
• [18:26] Feedback on the About page: Be human, tell your story
• [20:54] Use personal and origin stories to build connection and relatability
• [22:15] Making the quote calculator more interactive with video walkthroughs
• [23:07] The debate: Should you gate content behind contact info?
• [24:10] Website roast #2: Deck by Design and logo readability issues
• [25:52] Calls to action should be specific and action-oriented
• [26:19] The value of project recaps over basic galleries
• [27:25] Critiquing blog titles and content relevance to homeowners
• [29:24] Combine 3D modeling with process explanations for better clarity
• [30:37] Explain project decisions in terms of design, budget, and permits
• [31:04] Website roast #3: True Quality Homes and mobile responsiveness issues
• [32:36] Too much text, not enough visuals under services
• [33:24] Flip the copy to focus on the client’s experience, not the contractor
• [35:40] Lack of personal touch and identity on the About page
• [36:13] Missing team photos and social links reduce connection and credibility
• [37:12] Missed opportunities with social media content and before/after transformations
• [38:07] Preview of part two: Truck wraps, yard signs, and ego vs value-driven marketing

Links from the episode:

Micah’s example project recaps: https://www.easton-outdoors.com/ourwork/

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

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

🧰 CONTRACTOR BUSINESS SCHOOL

If you’re serious about building a profitable, structured contracting business without the chaos, this is your shot. Get the tools, insights, and mentorship you need to level up—on YOUR time, at YOUR pace.

https://contractorbusinessschool.com/

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

== Rate the Podcast ==

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

Apple Podcasts

-->

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.

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

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

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

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.

Apple Podcasts

Spotify