My $200,000 Lesson: Understand Your TRUE Labor Costs

Nick shares the story of a $200,000 mistake that could have been avoided with one clause in his contract. This episode unpacks the real cost of labor — from hidden overhead and labor burden to inefficient pricing strategies — and shows how even experienced builders can leave money on the table. Nick and Tyler break down how they calculate true labor costs, the ripple effect of inaccurate billing, and why it's time to rethink how you estimate, price, and protect your work.

Show Notes: 
Contractors Coalition Summit Recap and Labor Burden Introduction (0:00)
Sponsorship Announcements and CCS Event Highlights (1:12)
Labor Burden Calculator and Financial Lessons (12:46)
Practical Advice for Calculating Labor Burden (24:33)
Overtime and Labor Burden Considerations (53:27)
Conclusion and Call to Action (56:22)

Video Version:

https://youtu.be/KpyjTvAlXgw

Partners: 

Andersen Windows

Buildertrend

Velux

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