Nick Clements runs YourQS, an estimating firm operating across New Zealand and Australia. He exposes the exact pricing errors actively bankrupting residential builders. Nick explains why guessing labor hours and relying on square meter rates causes companies to run out of cash before the build is finished.

This episode details the fatal flaw of accepting a ten percent margin and ignoring escalation clauses on fixed price contracts. Nick explains how to secure highly profitable contracts by adding a business markup directly on top of your standard labor charge-out rates. He shares the exact framework one builder used to increase their markup to 53 percent while maintaining their sales strike rate.
Nick outlines how to control your work in progress by securing strict sub-trade quotes and building contingency buffers to protect your bottom line.

Links & Promotions Mentioned:
YourQS Special Offer: Get $1,000 off your first project with YourQS (Mention the podcast!)
New Zealand Builders: Visit yourqs.co.nz or email inquiry@yourqs.co.nz
Australian Builders: Visit yourqs.com.au or email inquiry@yourqs.com.au

🕒 Timestamped Key Points
00:00 How one builder secured a 53 percent markup
01:30 The danger of operating without a true margin
02:40 How poor scoping destroys company cash flow
05:30 Structuring fixed price contracts with escalation clauses
10:00 Why charging by the square meter bankrupts companies
12:30 Forecasting actual labor hours to protect profit
16:00 Pricing setup time for smaller site tasks
20:00 Presenting quality assurance systems to command higher margins
23:30 Using an independent QS to secure progress payments
24:40 The Belmont build mistake that cost thousands of dollars

***

The Professional Builder has helped over 3,100+ building companies around the world get more Profit, more Time and Succeed in Selling their Business.

https://tinyurl.com/tpb-yt

Subscribe to our channel for weekly, actionable insights. Tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business.

Want to Join our coaching program? Or just speak to one of our team to see if it's the right fit for you? Hit the link below. Everything you need is there!

https://tinyurl.com/tpb-yt

Nick Clements runs YourQS, an estimating firm operating across New Zealand and Australia. He exposes the exact pricing errors actively bankrupting residential builders. Nick explains why guessing labor hours and relying on square meter rates causes companies to run out of cash before the build is finished. This episode details the fatal flaw of accepting a ten percent margin and ignoring escalation clauses on fixed price contracts. Nick explains how to secure highly profitable contracts by adding a business markup directly on top of your standard labor charge-out rates. He shares the exact framework one builder used to increase their markup to 53 percent while maintaining their sales strike rate. Nick outlines how to control your work in progress by securing strict sub-trade quotes and building contingency buffers to protect your bottom line. Links &amp; Promotions Mentioned:
<ul>
<li>YourQS Special Offer: Get $1,000 off your first project with YourQS (Mention the podcast!)</li>
<li>New Zealand Builders: Visit&nbsp;<a href="yourqs.co.nz">yourqs.co.nz</a> or email inquiry@yourqs.co.nz</li>
<li>Australian Builders: Visit <a href="yourqs.co.nz">yourqs.com.au</a> or email inquiry@yourqs.com.au</li>
</ul>
🕒 Timestamped Key Points 00:00 How one builder secured a 53 percent markup 01:30 The danger of operating without a true margin 02:40 How poor scoping destroys company cash flow 05:30 Structuring fixed price contracts with escalation clauses 10:00 Why charging by the square meter bankrupts companies 12:30 Forecasting actual labor hours to protect profit 16:00 Pricing setup time for smaller site tasks 20:00 Presenting quality assurance systems to command higher margins 23:30 Using an independent QS to secure progress payments 24:40 The Belmont build mistake that cost thousands of dollars ***
The Professional Builder has helped over 3,100+ building companies around the world get more Profit, more Time and Succeed in Selling their Business.
<a href="https://tinyurl.com/tpb-yt">https://tinyurl.com/tpb-yt</a>
Subscribe to our channel for weekly, actionable insights. Tailored to help you grow a profitable construction business.
Want to Join our coaching program? Or just speak to one of our team to see if it's the right fit for you? Hit the link below. Everything you need is there!
<a href="https://tinyurl.com/tpb-yt">https://tinyurl.com/tpb-yt</a>

Welcome to The Builders Ladder, for residential builders and construction business owners who want to fast-track their results, scale their construction company, and create a systemized, profitable construction business.

If you’re ready to free up your time, increase profit, and build a high-performing team, you’re in the right place.

Your host, Marti Amos, has worked with over 5,000 building companies globally over the last 19+ years through builder coaching and proven business systems. His mission? To help you climb the builder’s ladder and run a predictable, high-margin construction business.

Tune in to hear from industry experts and discover step-by-step strategies to become a strategic building business owner - and ultimately, achieve true wealth, time freedom, and financial freedom through your residential construction business.

Welcome to The Builders Ladder, for residential builders and construction business owners who want to fast-track their results, scale their construction company, and create a systemized, profitable construction business.
If you&rsquo;re ready to free up your time, increase profit, and build a high-performing team, you&rsquo;re in the right place.
Your host, Marti Amos, has worked with over 5,000 building companies globally over the last 19+ years through builder coaching and proven business systems. His mission? To help you climb the builder&rsquo;s ladder and run a predictable, high-margin construction business.
Tune in to hear from industry experts and discover step-by-step strategies to become a strategic building business owner - and ultimately, achieve true wealth, time freedom, and financial freedom through your residential construction business.