Building for the Island: Durability, Learning & ALOHA

The most successful deck builders don't just price higher. They know exactly what every job needs to cost to be worth doing. Most builders match the going rate, underestimate their labor burden, and end the year busy but not much richer.Brad Huebner is a Marine turned contractor turned coach who spent 11 years running his own construction business, 2,500 projects deep, before going full time into coaching contractors to fix their pricing.Why 90% of contractors leave thousands of profit on the table per jobThe labor burden number most deck builders get wrong and by how muchHow to raise prices without losing the jobs you used to close Available on YouTube and Spotify. Learn more at hammerandgrind.com.Hosted by April Edwards, founder of Deck Builder Marketers and host of the We Love Deck Builders Podcast.Learn more about April Edwardshttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/april-edwards/------------------------------Take the Next Step:-------------------------------Sign up for a FREE Growth Strategy Sessionhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/get-started/Get a copy of The Deck Builder Marketing Playbookhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/book/Join the Deck Builder Marketing Mastermindhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/join-group/-------------------------------Follow Deck Builder Marketers:-------------------------------Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/deckbuildermarketersLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/deckbuildermarketers/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/deckbuildermarketers/TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@deckbuildermarketers-------------------------------Who This Channel Is For:-------------------------------+ Deck Builders+ Outdoor living contractors+ Construction business owners+ Builders looking to grow+ Contractors who want consistent, high-quality leads & better projects

The most successful deck builders close jobs at the job site. They draw the deck on a tablet, generate the material takeoff, and present a branded proposal before they leave the driveway. Most builders are still losing the deal in the 24 to 48 hours it takes to follow up.In this episode, April sits down with Ryan Weiss, Director of Partner Business Development, and Patrick Caldwell, Director of Product Enablement of ArcSite to talk about field drawing and estimating—and what it takes to close more jobs without going back to the office first.• How field estimating closes the gap between the site visit and the signed proposal• What an accurate, automated material takeoff looks like in practice• How to build a price book that makes every estimate faster and more consistent-------------------------------------------------------------------------Hosted by April Edwards, founder of Deck Builder Marketers and host of the We Love Deck Builders Podcast.Learn more about April Edwardshttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/april-edwards/------------------------------Take the Next Step:-------------------------------Sign up for a FREE Growth Strategy Sessionhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/get-started/Get a copy of The Deck Builder Marketing Playbookhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/book/Join the Deck Builder Marketing Mastermindhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/join-group/-------------------------------Follow Deck Builder Marketers:-------------------------------Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/deckbuildermarketersLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/deckbuildermarketers/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/deckbuildermarketers/TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@deckbuildermarketers-------------------------------Who This Channel Is For:-------------------------------+ Deck Builders+ Outdoor living contractors+ Construction business owners+ Builders looking to grow+ Contractors who want consistent, high-quality leads & better projects

FutureScape USA brings deck builders into a bigger conversation with landscape professionals, designers, suppliers, manufacturers, and outdoor-living leaders. Join April Edwards, FutureScape USA Event Director Tom Glasby, and DBM’s Jack for an honest conversation about what builders can learn from that room—and why the strongest partnerships often begin online but become real in person.Why deck builders belong in the broader outdoor-living conversationWhat FutureScape’s international perspective can bring to U.S. buildersHow to build relationships that lead to stronger partnerships, referrals, and reputation------------------------------------------------Hosted by April Edwards, founder of Deck Builder Marketers and host of the We Love Deck Builders Podcast.Learn more about April Edwardshttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/april-edwards/------------------------------Take the Next Step:-------------------------------Sign up for a FREE Growth Strategy Sessionhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/get-started/Get a copy of The Deck Builder Marketing Playbookhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/book/Join the Deck Builder Marketing Mastermindhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/join-group/-------------------------------Follow Deck Builder Marketers:-------------------------------Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/deckbuildermarketersLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/deckbuildermarketers/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/deckbuildermarketers/TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@deckbuildermarketers-------------------------------Who This Channel Is For:-------------------------------+ Deck Builders+ Outdoor living contractors+ Construction business owners+ Builders looking to grow+ Contractors who want consistent, high-quality leads & better projects

What does it take to build outdoor spaces that hold up in Hawaii’s demanding climate while earning lasting trust from homeowners, crews, vendors, and the local community?In this episode of We Love Deck Builders, April Edwards talks with Chad and Liana Hilweh of Hawaii Deck Builders / Hilweh Builders LLC about the realities of building in Hawaii, climate-aware durability, and the values that guide how they lead their company.Chad and Liana share how their ALOHA values—Adaptability, Learning, Openness, High Quality, and Accountability—shape the way they approach craftsmanship, crew education, customer relationships, and their role in the community.In this conversation, you’ll hear:• How Hawaii’s environment changes the conversation around durable outdoor construction• Why educating your crew can strengthen quality, confidence, and the client experience• How meaningful connection with clients, vendors, and community supports a reputation worth protectingwww.hawaiideckbuilders.com@hawaiideckbuilders@hilweh_builders_llc-------------------------------------------------Hosted by April Edwards, founder of Deck Builder Marketers and host of the We Love Deck Builders Podcast.Learn more about April Edwardshttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/apri...------------------------------Take the Next Step:-------------------------------Sign up for a FREE Growth Strategy Sessionhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/get-...Get a copy of The Deck Builder Marketing Playbookhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/book/Join the Deck Builder Marketing Mastermindhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/join...-------------------------------Follow Deck Builder Marketers:-------------------------------Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/deckbuilderm...LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/deck...Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/deckbuilder...TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@deckbuilderma...-------------------------------Who This Channel Is For:-------------------------------+ Deck Builders+ Outdoor living contractors+ Construction business owners+ Builders looking to grow+ Contractors who want consistent, high-quality leads & better projects

If your pricing is even slightly off, it’s costing you—on every single job. Most builders don’t see it until it’s already cutting into their margins.In this episode, Brian Miller breaks down what was actually holding his deck company back, how estimating became the bottleneck, and what changed when he fixed it.If your quotes take too long, your profits feel tighter than they should, or you’re not fully confident in your numbers—this is where to look.In this episode, we cover: • What inaccurate or slow estimating is really costing your business • The pricing mistakes quietly draining your profit • Why better tools alone won’t fix broken systemsInstagram: thebryanmillerLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-miller-94655b1/?skipRedirect=trueContractor Classroom - join for free by clicking the link on the webpage: https://contractorclassroom.netlify.app/--------------------------------------------------------Hosted by April Edwards, founder of Deck Builder Marketers and host of the We Love Deck Builders Podcast.Learn more about April Edwardshttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/april-edwards/------------------------------Take the Next Step:-------------------------------Sign up for a FREE Growth Strategy Sessionhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/get-started/Get a copy of The Deck Builder Marketing Playbookhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/book/Join the Deck Builder Marketing Mastermindhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/join-group/-------------------------------Follow Deck Builder Marketers:-------------------------------Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/deckbuildermarketersLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/deckbuildermarketers/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/deckbuildermarketers/TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@deckbuildermarketers-------------------------------Who This Channel Is For:-------------------------------+ Deck Builders+ Outdoor living contractors+ Construction business owners+ Builders looking to grow+ Contractors who want consistent, high-quality leads & better projects

The most successful deck builders in our world do not spread themselves across five services. They pick one and get exceptional at it. Most builders never make that call.Jayson Rybak, owner of Deck Crafters in Monmouth County, New Jersey, walked away from a secure job with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to build decks full time, and turned that decision into a deck-only company with more than 100 completed projects.In this episode:Why Jayson gave up job security to bet on one tradeWhat changed once every project ran through him personallyWhat handing his marketing off to someone else actually freed him up to doCheck out Deck Crafters: deckcraftersnj.com===============================================Hosted by April Edwards, founder of Deck Builder Marketers and host of the We Love Deck Builders Podcast.Learn more about April Edwardshttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/april-edwards/------------------------------Take the Next Step:-------------------------------Sign up for a FREE Growth Strategy Sessionhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/get-started/Get a copy of The Deck Builder Marketing Playbookhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/book/Join the Deck Builder Marketing Mastermindhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/join-group/-------------------------------Follow Deck Builder Marketers:-------------------------------Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/deckbuildermarketersLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/deckbuildermarketers/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/deckbuildermarketers/TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@deckbuildermarketers-------------------------------Who This Channel Is For:-------------------------------+ Deck Builders+ Outdoor living contractors+ Construction business owners+ Builders looking to grow+ Contractors who want consistent, high-quality leads & better projects

On June 24th, NADRA hosted a networking event in Carlsbad, CA, bringing together builders, manufacturers, suppliers, lenders, and outdoor living professionals from across the region.Join me and my special guest, Jenn Zedaker of NADRA as we recap the event and discuss how much of this industry still moves through relationships, conversations, and in-person connection.Because while marketing, systems, and operations matter, there is still a layer of business growth that only happens when you are actually in the room.Hosted by April Edwards, founder of Deck Builder Marketers and host of the We Love Deck Builders Podcast.Learn more about April Edwardshttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/april-edwards/------------------------------Take the Next Step:-------------------------------Sign up for a FREE Growth Strategy Sessionhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/get-started/Get a copy of The Deck Builder Marketing Playbookhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/book/Join the Deck Builder Marketing Mastermindhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/join-group/-------------------------------Follow Deck Builder Marketers:--------------------------------Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/deckbuildermarketersLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/deckbuildermarketers/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/deckbuildermarketers/TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@deckbuildermarketers-------------------------------Who This Channel Is For:-------------------------------+ Deck Builders+ Outdoor living contractors+ Construction business owners+ Builders looking to grow+ Contractors who want consistent, high-quality leads & better projects

A lot of deck builders are trying to grow a business that was never really designed to grow beyond them.The owner is often the best salesperson, the best problem solver, the quality control person, the scheduler, the customer relationship person, and the final decision maker. That works in the beginning. But at some point, the business has to stop running through the owner’s head.In this episode, April sits down with Lyn Askin of EOS Worldwide to talk about EOS in plain English and how it helps deck builders create clear ownership, accountability, and a rhythm the team can follow.You’ll hear:• How Lyn’s story changed the way he looked at owner dependence• How EOS is different from SOPs, software, or checklists• Why a business needs a shared operating system to grow beyond the owner• How clear ownership and accountability help the team step upLearn more about Lyn at lynaskin.comSocials: @lynaskin------------------------------------------------------------Hosted by April Edwards, founder of Deck Builder Marketers and host of the We Love Deck Builders Podcast.Learn more about April Edwardshttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/april-edwards/------------------------------Take the Next Step:-------------------------------Sign up for a FREE Growth Strategy Sessionhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/get-started/Get a copy of The Deck Builder Marketing Playbookhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/book/Join the Deck Builder Marketing Mastermindhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/join-group/-------------------------------Follow Deck Builder Marketers:-------------------------------Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/deckbuildermarketersLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/deckbuildermarketers/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/deckbuildermarketers/TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@deckbuildermarketers-------------------------------Who This Channel Is For:-------------------------------+ Deck Builders+ Outdoor living contractors+ Construction business owners+ Builders looking to grow+ Contractors who want consistent, high-quality leads & better projects

The deck builders who are growing right now have two things running: a front-end sales system that automates follow-up and keeps the pipeline full, and JobTread managing every job on the back end. Most builders have one or neither — and the gap between those two things is costing them more than they realize.April sits down with Philip Sessions of Refined VA, the company that implements JobTread for deck builders, trains the team by role, and places construction-trained coordinators to run the system daily so the builder stops being the bottleneck.In this episode:• Why most builders fail at JobTread and what an ownership problem actually costs• What a proper implementation covers, from cost catalog to change orders to job costing to client portal• How JobTread and your front-end sales system work together to give you real visibility from first lead to final paymentNew to JobTread? Check our past episodes with founder Eric Fortenberry, linked below.https://deckbuildermarketers.com/blog/running-a-deck-business-without-the-headaches-featuring-eric-fortenberry-of-jobtread/refinedva.comdeckbuildermarketers.com------------------------------Hosted by April Edwards, founder of Deck Builder Marketers and host of the We Love Deck Builders Podcast.Learn more about April Edwardshttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/april-edwards/------------------------------Take the Next Step:-------------------------------Sign up for a FREE Growth Strategy Sessionhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/get-started/Get a copy of The Deck Builder Marketing Playbookhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/book/Join the Deck Builder Marketing Mastermindhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/join-group/-------------------------------Follow Deck Builder Marketers:-------------------------------Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/deckbuildermarketersLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/deckbuildermarketers/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/deckbuildermarketers/TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@deckbuildermarketers-------------------------------Who This Channel Is For:-------------------------------+ Deck Builders+ Outdoor living contractors+ Construction business owners+ Builders looking to grow+ Contractors who want consistent, high-quality leads & better projects

No script. No fluff. Just real conversations around what’s actually happening right now—and what deck builders need to be paying attention to.If you're serious about growing your business, this is one you won’t want to miss.What to expect:Topics that deck builders should be paying attention to right nowInsights and conversations you won’t hear anywhere elseReal talk around what’s working (and what’s not)Hosted by April Edwards, founder of Deck Builder Marketers and host of the We Love Deck Builders Podcast.Learn more about April Edwardshttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/april-edwards/------------------------------Take the Next Step:-------------------------------Sign up for a FREE Growth Strategy Sessionhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/get-started/Get a copy of The Deck Builder Marketing Playbookhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/book/Join the Deck Builder Marketing Mastermindhttps://deckbuildermarketers.com/join-group/-------------------------------Follow Deck Builder Marketers:-------------------------------Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/deckbuildermarketersLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/deckbuildermarketers/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/deckbuildermarketers/TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@deckbuildermarketers-------------------------------Who This Channel Is For:-------------------------------+ Deck Builders+ Outdoor living contractors+ Construction business owners+ Builders looking to grow+ Contractors who want consistent, high-quality leads & better projects