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Todd Dawalt

This podcast is dedicated to helping construction business owners eliminate chaos, maximize profit, and reclaim their freedom.

Designed for leaders who are ready to step out of the daily grind and take control of their business, The Construction Leading Edge Podcast delivers actionable strategies on systematization, time management, increasing profitability, and business growth. Whether it's stopping profit bleeds, building high-performing teams, or creating systems that allow your business to run without you, each episode will leave you with practical tools to unlock more profit, freedom, and impact.

Join Todd Dawalt every week for solo episodes packed with insights and guest interviews featuring industry experts who've mastered the art of building self-sustaining businesses. If you're ready to stop wearing so many hats and start leading your business like a visionary CEO, this podcast is for you.

The Construction Leading Edge Podcast

🚀Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE
 
☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE
 
–
 
EPISODE 423: Does this sound familiar? You set goals every year, swear you'll fix the chaos in your business, and then 12 months later, you're still firefighting, still stuck in the same mess, and all you have is a stack of "almosts."
 
In this episode, I am breaking down why so many construction businesses hit the same wall over and over again no matter how hard the owners work.
 
You'll hear the 4 structural traps that are secretly holding your business hostage and how to break out of them. Once you see the real problem, the path forward becomes shockingly clear.
 
👉 Don't let another year slip by, tune in, and let's fix the chaos. 
 
 
 
Key Takeaways:
 
Introduction (00:00)
 
Daily struggles and chaos in construction businesses (01:27)
 
Unmet goals and embarrassment of business operations (03:21)
 
Four structural traps in construction businesses (05:31)
 
Impact of structural traps and the root cause (13:25)
 
Options for business owners to improve their business (17:29)
 
 
 
Additional Resources:
 
⚡Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE
 
⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE
 
⚡ Download your free Strategic Planning Guide - https://go.constructionleadingedge.com/strategic-planning
 
–
 
⚡Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
 
⚡Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE
 
⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE
 
--
 
The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time.
 
Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

Your Construction Business Is Doing Exactly What It's Designed To Do | Ep 423

🚀Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE
 
☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE
 
–
 
EPISODE 422: If you're a general contractor, and you feel like you're buried under processes, stuck in the weeds, and constantly spinning to keep things moving... this episode is going to give you the roadmap to simplify, systematize, and scale without burning out.
 
I will be diving into Elon Musk's 5-step algorithm for making complex systems work better and show you exactly how to apply it to your construction business.
 
Here's the deal: most people think the solution is adding more and more. More software, more steps, more tools, but the real breakthrough comes from removing what's not working.
 
I'll walk you through how to:
 
 • 

Challenge every requirement and stop accepting things as they are
 • 
 • 

Ruthlessly delete unnecessary processes and tasks
 • 
 • 

Simplify your systems so your team actually uses them
 • 
 • 

Speed up cycle times to get stuff done faster
 • 
 • 

And then, and only then, should you think about automation
 • 
 
👉 Hit play and let's talk about what you can delete to build a better business.
 
 
 
Key Takeaways:
 
Introduction (00:00)
 
Simplifying business with Elon Musk's algorithm (00:49)
 
First principles thinking and questioning assumptions (01:27)
 
Deleting unnecessary processes and overcoming additive bias (04:58)
 
Simplifying and optimizing systems (09:36)
 
Accelerating cycle times (10:38)
 
Automating processes (14:53)
 
 
 
Additional Resources:
 
⚡Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE
 
⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE
 
⚡ Is Your Business Ready to Scale? Take the free assessment - https://todd-rofimfx4.scoreapp.com
 
–
 
⚡Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
 
⚡Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE
 
⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE
 
--
 
The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time.
 
Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

How Elon Musk Would Streamline Your Construction Business: 5 Steps | E422

🚀Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE
 
☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE
 
–
 
EPISODE 421: If you feel stuck in your business, the problem might not be your team, your schedule, or your subs… it might be your identity.
 
In this episode, I'm discussing one of the biggest hidden growth killers I've seen in the construction world.
 
The version of you that got your business to this point likely won't get you to where you want to go. In fact, it might be the very thing holding you back.
 
I will unpack 4 old identities that keep contractors stuck and walk through the new mindsets that will actually free you up to scale.
 
You'll learn how to stop being the bottleneck, how to think like an investor when hiring people, and how to redefine success in a way that actually serves your life.
 
🎧 Listen now to start thinking differently, building differently, and leading differently.
 
 
 
Key Takeaways:
 
Introduction (00:00)
 
The identity crisis no one talks about (01:04)
 
You're not in the business you think you're in (04:33)
 
Build the business that builds the projects (06:28)
 
Your job isn't to be the leader (10:16)
 
How to create leaders on your team (14:20)
 
You don't need to be right every time (20:13)
 
Think like an investor, not an operator (23:41)
 
When your business becomes your identity (29:02)
 
Questions to redefine your identity (33:12)
 
 
 
Additional Resources:
 
⚡ Pre-construction playbook: https://www.constructionleadingedge.com/apply
 
⚡Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE
 
⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE
 
⚡ Is Your Business Ready to Scale? Take the free assessment - https://todd-rofimfx4.scoreapp.com
 
–
 
⚡Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
 
⚡Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE
 
⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE
 
--
 
The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time.
 
Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

The Builder Identity Crisis: What Got You Here Won't Get You There

🚀Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE
 
☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE
 
–
 
EPISODE 420: If pre-construction is dragging on, you're not just losing time but also revenue, team capacity, and control.
 
In this episode, I'm going to show you how to cut your pre-construction timelines in half and finally get your projects to the starting line on time.
 
Here's what we're going to cover:
 
 • 

The biggest mistakes contractors make at the beginning of a project
 • 
 • 

Why do many projects die in pre-construction
 • 
 • 

How to build a Work Plan Tracker that keeps everyone accountable
 • 
 • 

The shift that gets everyone hitting deadlines
 • 
 • 

Why you should think like a software developer
 • 
 • 

Meetings and emails that will keep momentum going
 • 
 
If you're tired of stalled jobs and projects that keep slipping into next quarter, don't miss this.
 
🎧 Hit play now and let's get your pre-construction process dialed in.
 
 
 
Key Takeaways:
 
Audio:
 
Introduction (00:00)
 
The secret profit phase (05:34)
 
Go slow to go fast (08:12)
 
Work plan tracker (12:45)
 
Ask for commitments (15:23)
 
Think in sprints (18:50)
 
Use meetings as anchors (22:07)
 
Weekly updates that matter (26:15)
 
Documented process is the keystone (29:08)
 
 
 
Additional Resources:
 
⚡ Pre-construction playbook: https://www.constructionleadingedge.com/apply
 
⚡Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE
 
⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE
 
⚡ Is Your Business Ready to Scale? Take the free assessment - https://todd-rofimfx4.scoreapp.com
 
–
 
⚡Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
 
⚡Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE
 
⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE
 
--
 
The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time.
 
Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

Cut Preconstruction Timelines in Half: 6 Strategies From Managing $300M | E420

🚀Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE
 
☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE
 
–
 
EPISODE 419: You're regularly putting in 70-hour weeks, but the needle still isn't moving.
 
Calls. Texts. Problems. Decisions. It all falls on you.
 
It may not be a time management problem but a design problem.
 
In this episode, I'll explain why your business keeps pulling you back into chaos, and how to finally break free from the day-to-day firefighting.
 
Here's what we'll cover:
 
 • 

Why working harder won't fix your time problem
 • 
 • 

The "Just Enough to Start" trap that hijacks your calendar
 • 
 • 

How your business may be unintentionally designed to fail without you
 • 
 • 

The hidden cost of running on tribal knowledge
 • 
 • 

The key systems that protect your time and attention
 • 
 
…and more.
 
If you're constantly overwhelmed, feel like your business can't run without you, and want your life back, tune in now!
 
 
 
Key Takeaways:
 
Introduction (00:00)
 
Overwhelm from texts, calls, and low-value tasks (00:24)
 
CEO time should be spent on $1,000/hour tasks (05:56)
 
Visualization of business without constant interruptions (10:28)
 
Root Cause #1: The "Just Enough to Start" trap (17:36)
 
Root Cause #2: Poor business design that relies on the owner (22:01)
 
Root Cause #3: Business runs on tribal knowledge (26:43)
 
How to identify which root cause affects you most (30:34)
 
Call to action for qualified business owners (31:47)
 
 
 
Additional Resources:
 
⚡Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE
 
⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE 
 
⚡ Is Your Business Ready to Scale? Take the free assessment - https://todd-rofimfx4.scoreapp.com
 
–
 
⚡Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
 
⚡Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE
 
⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE
 
--
 
The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time.
 
Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

Repossess Your Time by Fixing These 3 Hidden Design Flaws in Your Construction Business

🚀Download our FREE Strategic Planning Guide HERE
 
☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE 
 
–
 
EPISODE 418: Are you tired of chasing your team for every little thing?
 
Getting your team to take ownership is one of the most common frustrations I hear from construction business owners. 
 
But here's the truth: your team isn't lazy, and it's not a people problem. It's a clarity problem.
 
In this episode of The Construction Leading Edge podcast, I'll explain why the real barrier to accountability is often a lack of clear expectations, processes, and vision.
 
Here's what we'll cover:
 
 • 

Why capable people underperform when one key element is missing
 • 
 • 

The three areas of clarity your business needs to unlock accountability
 • 
 • 

What "winning" looks like for every role on your team
 • 
 • 

The problem of having unclear systems and roles
 • 
 • 

How to build a culture where ownership becomes the norm
 • 
 
…and more.
 
If you're overwhelmed, stretched too thin, and tired of doing everyone else's job, this episode is for you.
 
Tune in now!
 
 
 
Key Takeaways:
 
Introduction (00:00)
 
Symptoms that your team lacks accountability (02:09)
 
The real cost of low accountability (04:24)
 
What does it look like to have a culture of accountability (07:33)
 
Thinking traps that keep construction leaders stuck (09:46)
 
Clarity of results: define what winning looks like (14:27)
 
Clarity of process: build your playbook (20:55)
 
Clarity of vision: connect work to purpose (25:06)
 
Real-world impact stories (29:44)
 
Quick recap (32:36)
 
Final thoughts (35:31)
 
 
 
Additional Resources:
 
⚡Download our FREE Strategic Planning Guide HERE
 
⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE 
 
–
 
⚡Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
 
⚡Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE
 
⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE
 
--
 
The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time.
 
Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

Accountability Requires Clarity: How to Get Your Team to Take Ownership | E418

🚀Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE
 
☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE 
 
–
 
EPISODE 417: Are you tired of doing everything in your construction business and still feeling stuck? 
 
Most construction business owners believe that working harder will solve everything. However, Daniel Queen, founder of Built by Coalition, a custom home building company in Charlotte, North Carolina, discovered that by wearing too many hats, he became the bottleneck in his business.
 
In this episode of the Construction Leading Edge podcast, Daniel shares his transformative journey from a burned-out solo builder to a strategic leader.
 
Today, you'll hear…
 
 • 

The mindset shift that helped Daniel stop being the bottleneck
 • 
 • 

Why working harder isn't the answer (and what works instead)
 • 
 • 

How letting go of control transformed Daniel's team
 • 
 • 

Why involving his team in creating systems was crucial 
 • 
 
…and more!
 
Are you ready to systematize your construction business and reclaim your time?
 
Tune in now!
 
 
 
Key Takeaways:
 
Introduction (00:00)
 
The story behind "Built by Coalition" (02:39)
 
Struggles with doing everything solo (04:28)
 
Implementing systems and processes (17:39)
 
How clarifying everyone's role is crucial (19:50)
 
Wearing many hats isn't serving your clients (23:12)
 
Results of focusing on pre-construction (25:57)
 
Keys to implementing changes in your business (32:21)
 
Let your team help design systems (35:38)
 
The real value of the CEO Alliance group (37:33)
 
Gaining understanding of everything (39:42)
 
Why join the SYCB program (42:32)
 
Final question (43:47)
 
Episode wrap-up (47:06)
 
 
 
Additional Resources:
 
⚡Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE
 
⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE 
 
–
 
⚡Check out Built by Coalition's website HERE
 
⚡Follow them on Facebook and Instagram
 
–
 
⚡Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
 
⚡Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE
 
⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE
 
--
 
The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time.
 
Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

Get Out of the Builder Trap with Daniel Queen | E417

🚀Download our FREE Strategic Planning Guide HERE
 
☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE
 
–
 
EPISODE 416: Is your construction business always in firefighting mode?
 
As a project manager turned integrator at Matchless Concrete Construction, Cole West knew they were growing too fast, but they were also bleeding money, missing deadlines, and drowning in chaos.
 
In this episode of the Construction Leading Edge podcast, Cole shares how he and his team have dramatically reduced chaos, boosted margins, and reclaimed lost time.
 
Today, we'll talk about…
 
 • 

The "Big 5" strategy that eliminated confusion and boosted accountability
 • 
 • 

How weekly planning meetings turned chaos into control
 • 
 • 

The key tools that uncovered hidden inefficiencies (and hidden leaders)
 • 
 • 

The mindset shift that saved the company $45k/month
 • 
 • 

Why structure—not hustle— is the real path to freedom
 • 
 
…and more!
 
If you're ready to stop firefighting and finally build a construction business that runs smoothly, this episode will show you what's possible when you systematize your business.
 
Let's dive in!
 
 
 
Key Takeaways:
 
Introduction (00:00)
 
Cole West's role and shift to integrator/strategic planner (01:49)
 
Why Cole left corporate retail for construction freedom (04:40)
 
How construction business owners can attract corporate talent (07:14)
 
The problem with rapid growth without proper systems (08:56) 
 
What chaos looks like in construction (14:35)
 
Importance of simplifying job descriptions (20:24)
 
The CEO Schedule and Revenue Maximizer tools (26:32)
 
What does the business look like now? (29:20)
 
Cole's most powerful scripted question (32:02)
 
Achieving historical wins for the company (36:41) 
 
Last piece of advice (42:40)
 
What's next for Matchless Concrete? (47:36)
 
Episode wrap-up (48:42)
 
 
 
Additional Resources:
 
⚡Download our FREE Strategic Planning Guide HERE
 
⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE 
 
–
 
⚡Visit Matchless Concrete Construction's website for more information HERE 
 
⚡Follow them on Facebook HERE
 
–
 
⚡ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
 
⚡ Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE
 
⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE
 
--
 
The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time.
 
Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

Scaling Fast? Stop Chasing Sales and Fix THIS First with Cole West | E416

🚀Download our FREE Strategic Planning Guide HERE
 
☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE 
 
–
 
EPISODE 415: Do you always feel like you're constantly putting out fires, drowning in details, and barely keeping your construction business afloat? It doesn't always have to be that way.
 
In this episode of the Construction Leading Edge podcast, I sat down with Tod Ingersoll, founder and president of NuWood Creations, who scaled his company from doing small projects to 7-figure design-build jobs by doing something most contractors avoid—letting go.
 
Today, we'll talk about…
 
 • 

The unspoken rule that separates thriving construction businesses from overwhelmed ones
 • 
 • 

Why "just enough to start" is sabotaging your growth and profits
 • 
 • 

How Lean manufacturing tactics transformed Tod's operations
 • 
 • 

The real power behind pre-construction planning
 • 
 • 

Why doing less yourself creates more for your construction business
 • 
 
..and more!
 
If you're overworked and stuck in survival mode, this episode will give you the roadmap on how to scale without burnout.
 
Let's dive in!
 
 
 
Key Takeaways:
 
Introduction (00:00)
 
Tod Ingersoll's journey into construction (02:43)
 
Applying Lean management strategies in construction (07:57)
 
Manufacturing vs. construction mindset (09:02)
 
Challenges of a rapidly growing business (14:50)
 
Ripple effects of outgrowing your systems (19:38)
 
Importance of a robust pre-construction process (22:26)
 
Impact of clear systems and processes (28:08)
 
How to get your team on board with new processes (29:46)
 
Keys to empowering your team (34:14)
 
How to reclaim your time freedom (37:50)
 
Advice for those thinking of joining the SYCB program (39:25)
 
How to successfully implement systems and processes (43:33)
 
Advice for new construction business owners (47:34)
 
Episode wrap-up (48:44)
 
 
 
Additional Resources:
 
⚡Download our FREE Strategic Planning Guide HERE
 
⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE 
 
–
 
⚡Follow NuWood on Facebook and Instagram
 
⚡Visit NuWood Creations' website for more information HERE
 
–
 
⚡Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
 
⚡Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE
 
⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE
 
--
 
The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time.
 
Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

7-Figure Growth Starts with Lean Systems w/ Tod Ingersoll | E415

🚀Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE
 
☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE 
 
📝Is Your Construction Business Ready to Scale? Take the FREE Online Assessment HERE
 
–
 
EPISODE 414: Have you ever had a project delay wreck your schedule and cash flow?
 
Most of us would argue that project slippage is beyond our control, but actually, it's not.
 
In this episode of the Construction Leading Edge podcast, I'll unpack four powerful strategies to stop project slippage from derailing your business.
 
Today, you'll learn…
 
 • 

Why project slippage is more predictable than you think
 • 
 • 

How to build a pre-construction system that protects your schedule
 • 
 • 

What "overselling" really means (and why it's essential)
 • 
 • 

Why your clients aren't the problem—your system is
 • 
 
and more!
 
If you've ever felt like your clients or circumstances are running your company, this episode will show you how to take the reins back.
 
Let's dive in!
 
 
 
Key Takeaways:
 
Introduction (00:00)
 
What happens when a project is delayed (01:59)
 
Most contractors make this mistake (05:43)
 
How to establish pre-construction milestones and expectations (07:45)
 
Why you should sell more than 100% of your capacity (19:51)
 
Why every project needs a firm go/no-go date (20:48)
 
Have a flex track project ready to go (25:45)
 
Quick episode recap (27:27)
 
Why the problem isn't clients (29:25)
 
 
 
Additional Resources:
 
⚡Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE
 
⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE 
 
⚡Is Your Construction Business Ready to Scale? Take the FREE Online Assessment HERE
 
–
 
⚡ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
 
⚡ Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE
 
⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE
 
--
 
The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time.
 
Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

The Hidden Reason Your Projects Keep Slipping—and How to Stop It | E414

EPISODE 204: What you'll get out of this construction podcast episode:
 
- How can going modular help builders deal with the current lumber price situation?
 
- "All modular homes are prefab homes but not all prefab homes are modular homes." What does that mean?
 
- What's in it for the homeowner in the way of indoor air quality?
 
- What is the business opportunity in the modular business?
 
- A few misconceptions and myths about modular?
 
- How are permitting and inspections handled on modular homes?
 
- If a builder wants to build either a spec or custom modular home, how would they get started?
 
- What is going on at the macro-level in the industry?
 
- Escalation clauses and contingency fee in financing to mitigate the risk of skyrocketing lumber prices.
 
- The confusing "M" words.
 
- Is modular is a type of home or a construction method?
 
- Modular math allows for speed.
 
 
 
Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode:
 
Fieldchat: Messaging built for construction teams - https://get.fieldchat.com/edge
 
GoSite: Take Control of Customer Reviews - https://www.gosite.com/podcast
 
Be Your Own CFO Masterclass: Master the financial side of the business - https://buildermasterclass.com/cfo
 
3 Questions to Help You Get Paid for Estimates: https://buildermasterclass.com/script
 
Impresa Modular: https://impresamodular.com/
 
Connect with Ken Semler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kensemler/

Modular Construction: The Problems it Solves and Opportunities It Creates with Ken Semler | E204

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