The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber

Join us in Colorado: https://go.thecontractorfight.com/forge

In this episode of The Contractor Fight Podcast, Tom Reber sits down with Josh Osborne for a straight-up conversation about contractor marketing, business ownership, and the mindset it takes to stop getting pushed around by bad vendors, bad habits, and bad thinking.

Josh is Tom’s partner at No Excuses Media, a marketing company built specifically for contractors who are tired of wasting money on agencies that don’t understand the trades. Together, Tom and Josh pull back the curtain on why so many contractors get burn...

Check out BATTLEGROUND: https://thecontractorfight.com/battleground

Tim and Derek get into the real numbers behind running a profitable contracting business, why most owners have no idea what their overhead actually costs them, and how that blind spot kills their confidence at the table.

They share the $5,000 retainer move that locked in a $35,000 job, why scheduling for profit beats scheduling by calendar, and the uncomfortable client conversation that turned a $7,000 mistake into a $23,000 opportunity.

If you don't know your numbers, you're not running a business. You're guessing.

Ready to grow to...

Checkout The Command: https://thecontractorfight.com/command

Contractor sales training for handling price objections. If you've ever heard "you're too expensive," this video shows exactly what to say, how to uncover the real objection, and how to close more contractor jobs without discounting your price.

Every contractor hears it.

You spend time building rapport, inspecting the project, and putting together a professional proposal—only to hear: "You're too expensive."

Most contractors immediately start defending themselves, explaining their materials, experience, reviews, and warranties. That's usually the fastest way to lose profit and lo...

Contractor Sales Has Changed. Have You?

The way homeowners buy today is different than it was just a few years ago.

They're researching more. Comparing more options. Taking longer to make decisions. Visiting your website multiple times before they ever reach out. And when they do reach out, many aren't ready to buy—they're gathering information.

Unfortunately, many contractors are still selling like it's 2014.

In this episode, Derek and Tim discuss the real-world changes they're seeing in today's market and what contractors must do to adapt. From follow-up systems and video co...

Watch This: https://youtu.be/C8Me5SpjcPY?si=CSMLN4e7FNfSvXMC

Everyone is talking about how AI is going to replace jobs.

Lawyers are worried.

Writers are worried.

Marketers are worried.

Accountants are worried.

Meanwhile, you're in one of the safest industries on the planet.

AI can't paint a house.

AI can't install a roof.

AI can't build a deck.

AI can't sit across from a homeowner and earn their trust.

In this episode, Tom explains...

============================================================ WATCH THIS VIDEO: https://youtu.be/C8Me5SpjcPY?si=pgar2FOCHlNI5E2a

============================================================ When Tim's employee Zach sent him a picture of his leg at midnight, he knew something was wrong. Two broken bones, surgery scheduled, and the first thing Zach was worried about wasn't his leg. It was his job. That hit Tim hard.

In this episode, Tim and Derek are recording from a hospital library while Zach is upstairs getting steel plates and screws put in. They talk about what it really means to build a business worth having. One with the...

============================================================ WATCH THIS VIDEO: https://youtu.be/C8Me5SpjcPY?si=pgar2FOCHlNI5E2a

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Most contractors think they need more leads. They're wrong. Because bad leads create bad clients. Bad clients create low margins. Low margins create stress. And stress follows you home every night.

In this video, Tom Reber shares 3 completely FREE things you can do right now to attract better leads, better clients, and more profitable jobs—without spending another dollar on marketing.

You'll learn:

• How to turn your Google Business Profile into a lead-generating machine

•...

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www.thecontractorfight.com/command

Stop trying to fix your sales process when your head isn't straight.

In this episode, Tim and Derek pull back the curtain on NashVegas 2026 and look at what actually happens when contractors drop the corporate ego and show up real. We don't care about polished consultant theories here. We talk about the real mental blocks, the pressure of carrying the whole operation alone, and why you keep getting trapped in the feast-or-famine cycle.

If you're tired of running a business that owns you instead of you owning it, this conversation is the gut check you...

You spend hours tracking down leads, burning fuel in your truck, and writing detailed proposals for homeowners who were never going to buy from you at full margin. It’s a classic trap: high close rates but your debt keeps climbing every single year.

In this episode, we break down why true sales mastery isn't just reciting a script—it's about surviving under pressure. I share the story of a contractor who failed our Shin Fu black belt test seven times without making a single excuse, and why that exact level of grit is what separates the cont...

You walk onto a job that’s already sold, the deposit is in the bank, and your crew hits an unpredicted roadblock. Something was missed in the initial walkthrough. Do you eat the cost and call it "the price of doing business," or do you face the discomfort and write a change order?

In this episode, Tim and Derek break down the internal friction contractors face when asking for more money. They talk about how avoiding a 10-minute awkward conversation can lead to a thousand tiny financial cuts by the end of the project. You’ll learn how...

You aren't going to get rich off a $28,000 sale if it costs you $45,000 to do the work. In this episode, I’m ripping the band-aid off my most expensive mistake from my first year in business to show you how to stop being "just over broke." I’ll walk you through the three massive errors, ignoring red flags, losing control of the process, and copying "going rates" that destroy your bank account. Learn the exact pricing formula and screening process we use to protect our margins and our sanity.

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For over a decade, cont...

Stop being a punching bag for clients who don't respect your time or your team. In this episode, Derek and Tim break down a real-world blow-up with a customer who thought yelling would get him a free pass on the rules. You’ll learn how to match energy without losing your cool, why paperwork is your best weapon in a fight, and why "the customer is always right" is a lie that’s killing your profit.

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For over a decade, contractors have asked us the same question. Do you have a sales-only training prog...

You’re out there busting your ass 60 hours a week, but your bank account is a joke because you’re selling at margins that wouldn't keep a lightbulb on. Most contractors close 30% of their leads; you need to be hitting 80% plus, or you’re just a glorified volunteer. In this episode, I’m breaking down the three moments where you’re losing control—the gate, the meeting, and the silence—and announcing the only "sales gym" built specifically for the trades.

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For over a decade, contractors have asked us the same question. Do you have a sales-only t...

You wouldn't let a truck engine run without oil, so why are you doing it to your body? If you’re foggy, sluggish, and neglecting your health, you aren't playing at the level your family and your business deserve. In this episode, Tim and Derek break down why physical discipline is the ultimate indicator of how you run your crew and your bank account. Stop making excuses and start checking the health box so you can dominate your market.

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Most contractors lose control in the sales conversation, whether they are chasing more leads or sitting on...

Most of you guys start your business because you’re good at the trade, but you’re absolute trash at the business side. You quit your job, paint a few houses for family, and then panic when the phone stops ringing. This episode is the down-and-dirty reality of what it actually takes to build a sustainable, profitable company that doesn't torpedo your life. We’re breaking down the plan, the protection, and the promotion you need to stop acting like a handyman and start being a CEO.

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Ready to stop playing small?

Get "The Co...

Stop acting like a handyman and start leading like a pro. In this episode, Derek shares a nightmare story where an irrigation guy literally took a razor knife to a brand-new $75,000 pond liner. Most contractors would lose their minds, but Derek’s team used Shin-Fu communication to turn a potential lawsuit into a lifelong VIP client. We’re breaking down why your team’s character is your biggest asset and how to handle massive jobsite "fires" without burning your reputation to the ground.

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Ready to stop being a slave to your business? Check out our free c...

You’re stealing time and money from your family because you’re still selling like it’s 1995. Stop chasing every tire-kicker with a pulse and start commanding your calendar. In this episode, I’m breaking down the 5 old ways of selling that act like friendly fire to your business and showing you The Contractor Fight way to win.

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Ready to stop being everyone's little bh?* Grab "The Contractor's Code to Finally Cracking $1M" and learn to price with intention so you actually have something to show for your hard work. Click Here for Your FREE Access...

You’re frustrated because your team isn’t following instructions, but the truth is, you haven’t given them a map. In this episode, Derek and Uncle Tim tear down the "Groundhog Day" cycle that keeps contractors broke, tired, and stuck in the field. We dive deep into why fancy binders don't work without accountability and how a simple "flight plan" can save your business from crashing. Stop stealing from your future by being too "busy" to build systems.

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Ready to stop swinging the hammer and start leading? Check out our free course: "The Contractor's Code t...

Stop being the silent partner in a business that’s consuming your life. Most contractors aren't actually making money; they're just moving it from one hand to the other while the family gets the leftovers. If you’re tired of managing a household on a budget that doesn't match how hard your husband works, this episode is for you. We’re breaking down the exact language and the three non-negotiable questions you can give him to stop the theft of his time and your family’s future.

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TAKE CONTROL:

Stop leaving your family's future t...

You aren't a contractor; you’re a professional problem solver, but you can't solve a problem you don't understand. Most of you lose jobs because you talk too much and listen too little. In this episode, Tim and Derek break down "Motive" (the engine of the Shinfu sales process) and how to use open-ended questions to make your prospects feel heard. Stop guessing what they want and start extracting the truth so you can charge what you’re worth.

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Ready to stop grinding for pennies?

Grab "The Contractor's Code to Finally Cracking $1M" free...

Stop lying to yourself that your "good intentions" are going to pay the mortgage. In this episode, I’m calling out the guys who know exactly what they need to do, (raise prices, fire that s******d, or fix their numbers0, but keep choosing comfort over growth. Execution is the only thing that builds a business, and honoring the commitments you make to yourself is the only way to find your swagger again.

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Stop being a handyman and start being a pro. Check out our free course, "The Contractor's Code to Finally Cracking $1M," and le...

Stop acting like a typical contractor and start acting like a world-class brand. In this episode, Tim shares how a trip on a Virgin Voyages cruise completely shifted his perspective on what it means to actually care for a customer. We’re breaking down why your "sales process" is failing, how your team’s happiness dictates your profit, and why trying to "exceed expectations" might actually be killing your referrals. It’s time to stop making excuses and start building a business people actually want to talk about.

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Ready to stop being a "handyman" and start...

Stop being a slave to your cell phone and your "pain-in-the-ass" customers. If you don't draw a line in the sand right now, your busy season isn't going to make you rich, it’s going to burn you out and steal your life. In this episode, we’re talking about the five non-negotiable boundaries you need to set today so you can actually enjoy your summer and keep your sanity.

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Ready to stop the bleeding? Stop stealing from your family and start building a business that serves your life. Grab "The Contractor's Code to F...

Stop booking every "whimsical" spring lead that breathes on your phone. Most contractors are terrified that if they don't say yes to everything, the work will dry up. That’s a lie that keeps you broke. In this episode, Tim and Derek break down why you need to sell unafraid and wait for the high-margin jobs that actually move the needle.

Stop being a "handyman" and start being a business owner who values his time and his crew’s skill. If you’re ready to stop the grind and start stacking cash, it’s time to change how you...

Stop flushing ad money down the toilet while ignoring the goldmine sitting right in front of you. Your Google Business Profile isn't junk mail; it’s a digital job sign planted where your hottest buyers are looking right now. In this episode, I’m breaking down the exact "Dominator System" we used to stack over $100k in sales this quarter without spending a dime on ads. If you’re ready to stop being invisible in your own town, it’s time to own your profile and feed the beast.

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Stop stealing from your family by underpricing your work. Get "The Contractor's Code to Finally Cracking $1M" free course and learn ...

Most contractors think they’re in the business of building things, but they’re actually in the business of managing fear. In this episode, Tim and Derek break down the "Shin-Fu" process to help you stop wasting time with "suspects" and start qualifying real clients. We’re diving deep into the psychology of the homeowner, from the "meat guy" story to the silent arguments happening before you even knock on the door. Stop stealing from your family by chasing dead-end leads.

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Ready to stop the grind? Check out "The Contractor's Code to Finally Cracking $1M." If you...

You’re living on a crazy cycle: you get slow, you panic-market, you get busy, and then you quit doing the very things that brought in the work. That’s not a leads problem; it’s a total lack of discipline. In this episode, I’m punching the "Complacency Coma" and the "Tactical Tourist" in the throat so you can finally build a business that doesn't toss you around like a ragdoll. Stop making gut decisions and start commanding your market.

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Stop stealing from your family by underpricing your work. Get "The Contractor's Code to Finally...

Stop beating your chest about how much money you "did" last year. If you’re running a $10M company but only pocketing $45k, you don't have a business—you have a high-stress hobby that's slowly killing you. In this episode, Tim and Derek tear down the ego-driven obsession with top-line revenue and show you why profit is the only number that actually keeps your lights on. Stop stealing from your family by chasing "busyness" and start targeting the net profit you actually deserve.

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Ready to stop playing small? Get "The Contractor's Code to Finally Cracking $1M" f...

If you’re walking into a sales appointment and the homeowner is still wondering if you’re a hack, you’ve already lost the job.

Most contractors think they win the job in the living room. They’re wrong. In this episode, Tom breaks down the 10 ways to build bulletproof trust before you ever show up at the property. From weaponizing your Google Business Profile to using a pre-qualification process that repels tire-kickers, learn how to show up with the job already won. Stop selling like a desperate amateur and start commanding your sales process with professional systems...

If you stop marketing the second you get busy, you're setting yourself up for a massive crash in six months. In this episode, Derek and Tim break down why "showing your work" is the difference between a high-profit business and a hobby that leaves you exhausted. Stop letting your team hide behind the excavator—if you don't film it, it didn't happen, and you aren't getting paid what you're worth.

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Ready to stop playing small? Get "The Contractor's Code to Finally Cracking $1M" free course and start building a business that actually serves your family: ht...

You don’t have a leads problem, you have a local authority problem. Most contractors are burning cash on generic SEO while their neighbors don't even know they exist. In this episode, Tom breaks down the "Documentation Strategy" to dominate your market in under a year for next to zero cost. Learn how to become the most recognized name in your zip code by educating instead of advertising.

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Ready to start running a real business? Check out "The Contractor's Code to Finally Cracking $1M" free course. https://thecontractorfight.com/code

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== Rate th...

Stop letting entitled clients push you around like a handyman with no options. In this episode, Tim and Derek break down why you’re losing control of your business and your life because you can’t say "no" to a timeline. You’ll learn how to use your calendar as a weapon to protect your profit and your family. We’re tearing down the lie that you have to be available 24/7 to be successful.

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Stop playing small with your profit. Join us on March 12-13 for Freedom Forge: Dallas.

https://thecontractorfight.com/forge

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If you’re waiting until the weather warms up to start pushing your marketing, you’ve already lost the season. Most contractors spend their lives reacting to the phone not ringing instead of commanding their pipeline through discipline and preparation. In this episode, I’m breaking down why "Spring" actually starts in January and how your lack of a marketing system is forcing you to sell from a place of desperation.

Stop stealing from your family by making emotional, fear-based pricing decisions because you were too lazy to market when you were busy.

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Stop p...

Most contractors are terrified of their own prices. They choke when it’s time to drop the number because they’re projecting their own cheap-ass buying habits onto the client. In this episode, Tim and Derek break down the "Vanguarding" technique to neutralize sticker shock before it happens. Stop apologizing for being expensive and start owning the value you bring to the jobsite.

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Stop playing small with your profit. Join us on March 12-13 for Freedom Forge: Dallas.

https://thecontractorfight.com/forge

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== Rate the Podcast ==

Help your fell...

Stop being an available tradesman hoping someone picks you and start acting like a professional business owner. If you’re still running all over town giving away your time and expertise for free, you’re training people that your bandwidth has zero value. In this episode, Tom Reber breaks down why "common" is where profit goes to die and how to reclaim 20+ hours of your week by qualifying access to your brain.

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Stop playing small with your profit. Join us on March 12-13 for Freedom Forge: Dallas.

https://thecontractorfight.com/forge

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Have you been a victim of the "we’re getting three quotes" line. If a homeowner tells you they need to shop around, it’s because you haven't shown them why you’re the only logical choice. In this episode, we break down how to take control of the sales process so you stop competing on price and start winning on value.

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Stop playing small with your profit. Join us on March 12-13 for Freedom Forge: Dallas.

https://thecontractorfight.com/forge

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== Rate the Podcast ==

Help your fellow contra...

Stop staring at your phone waiting for a text that’s never coming. You think you got ghosted because the homeowner was flaky, but the truth is you chose comfort over clarity. In this episode, we break down why "good vibes" are killing your profit and the exact leadership moves you need to make to get a "yes" or a "no" before you leave the kitchen table.

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Stop playing small with your profit. Join us on March 12-13 for Freedom Forge: Dallas.

https://thecontractorfight.com/forge

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== Ra...

Many contractors are losing jobs because they make it too damn hard to buy from them.

In this episode, Tim and Derek break down the "Concierge Service" model. A strategy that removes friction and justifies the premium prices you’re too scared to charge. We’re talking about moving past the transaction to create an experience that makes competition irrelevant. Stop being a "typical contractor" and start being the only logical choice for high-end clients.

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Join the FREE livestream: Command Your Numbers on Feb 12th.

We'll show you how to boost your...

Stop acting like a handyman and start selling like a pro. When a prospect says "you're too expensive," most contractors panic and start discounting their own worth. In this episode, Tom Reber breaks down the 5 exact lines you need to stay in control, maintain your certainty, and lead the conversation without caving on your price. If you want to stop stealing from your family and start earning what you’re worth, you need to master these responses.

Ready to stop living "just over broke"?

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Stop playing small with your profit. Join us on Ma...