Most deck builders think free estimates are just “part of the business.” But what if they’re actually the reason your calendar is full — and your profit isn’t?In this episode, Brad Huebner — Marine veteran, former contractor, and founder of Hammer & Grind — breaks down why free estimates keep builders stuck in the grind and how to shift into a real sales process that protects your time and increases close rates.After completing over 2,500 jobs in his own construction company, Brad learned that discipline, leadership, and structure matter just as much in sales as they do on the job site. Now he helps contractors stop chasing unqualified leads and start building predictable, profitable sales systems.If you’re tired of driving around giving free quotes that go nowhere, this episode will challenge how you sell — and show you a better way.

Sneak peek:

• Why free estimates quietly lower your authority — and attract price shoppers.
• How a paid consultation model increases close rates and protects your time.
• The exact sales mindset shift deck builders must make to stop chasing unqualified leads.

Website: hammerandgrind.com

Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@hammerandgrindpodcast

Book: Contractor Profit Blueprint https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com

Free Ebook Use Code: deckbuilder

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 if the people supplying your materials see growth signals in your business before you do?In this episode, April Edwards chats with Lainie Sleppin and Trisha Holman of Decks & Docks to unpack what suppliers and manufacturers are seeing across the market right now—and what separates the builders who are scaling from the ones who feel stuck.From professionalism in 2026 to co-op marketing dollars, partnership opportunities, and common mistakes builders make when asking for support, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what actually earns long-term backing from manufacturers.In this workshop, we’ll break down: • The real signals suppliers look for when deciding who to support • What builders misunderstand about co-op marketing and partnerships • Market shifts happening now that smart builders are paying attention to

decks-docks.com

@deck_dialogue­_

dutchessofdecking.com

tholman@decks-docks.com

lspleppin@deck-docks.com

And stop in to see their new showroom in Cornelius, NC!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 builders who have strong seasons don’t wait until April to fix what’s broken — they tighten up the systems now.

In this live episode, we’ll cover:

• What to review on your website before demand picks up

• Why lead quality matters more than lead volume

• The sales gaps that quietly hurt your close rate

• How strategic builders prepare differently

If you want spring to feel intentional instead of reactive, join us live.

Hosted by April Edwards, founder of Deck Builder Marketers and host of the We Love Deck Builders Podcast

Learn more about April Edwards

https://deckbuildermarketers.com/april-edwards/

------------------------------

Take the Next Step:

-------------------------------

Sign up for a FREE Growth Strategy Session

https://deckbuildermarketers.com/get-started/

Get a copy of The Deck Builder Marketing Playbook

https://deckbuildermarketers.com/book/

Join the Deck Builder Marketing Mastermind

https://deckbuildermarketers.com/join-group/

-------------------------------

Follow Deck Builder Marketers:

-------------------------------

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/deckbuildermarketers

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/deckbuildermarketers/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/deckbuildermarketers/

TikTok

https://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

In this episode, we’re joined by Dan Antonelli, CEO of KickCharge® Creative, to talk about how branding directly affects the quality of leads deck builders attract. We break down why solid craftsmanship isn’t enough if your trucks, website, and visuals don’t build trust fast — and how homeowners decide who feels “legit” before ever reaching out. Dan Antonelli shares what he sees holding builders back, where branding costs jobs without anyone realizing it, and what matters most to homeowners when choosing a deck builder.Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming:• How homeowners decide you’re “premium” before they ever call, based on your trucks, website, and overall branding.• The small branding mistakes that quietly cost deck builders good leads and attract price-shoppers instead.• What deck builders should fix first to get better leads without increasing ad spend, according to KickCharge Creative.

Check out Dan's latest book:Branded Not Blane: Kickcharge® Your Home Service Brandhttps://www.kickcharge.com/tips-tools/our-books-on-branding/

(and more)https://www.kickcharge.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

We’re breaking down why momentum often drops right after a builder decides to grow, including what gets underestimated early on, and what separates builders who gain traction from those who stall.

In this episode, we’re joined by Michael Boswell from Boswell & Associates, a leading marketing and consulting agency specializing in retail space optimization. Michael shares his expertise on designing showrooms that can maximize ROI for deck builders. With years of experience helping businesses in the outdoor living industry drive sales through strategic space design, he offers actionable insights on how to create a showroom that not only attracts customers but also boosts conversions. If you’re a deck builder looking to optimize your showroom and improve your client engagement, this episode is packed with tips that can transform your business.

In this episode, we chat with David Settlemyer, lead designer at Under The Sun Concepts (UTS Concepts), a luxury design and build firm known for its stunning custom outdoor living spaces. Recently, David and UTS Concepts partnered on multiple projects recognized at the 2025 NADRA National Deck Awards, including top honors for Open Porch and Product Display. He shares his design process, how UTS brings decks, patios, and outdoor features to life, and what’s next in luxury outdoor design.

Dr. Decks has an incredible reputation for sharing real-world insights and practical tips that will elevate your deck-building game. Whether you’re looking for business strategies, tech tips, or just some honest, builder-to-builder conversations, you’ll want to tune in.