Professional Builders Secrets

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Varant Bomoushakian, Head of Operations at APB. In this episode, Varant breaks down what it really means to become an AI First building company in 2026 and beyond. He shares why most businesses are getting AI wrong, how leadership must drive adoption from the top down, and the practical steps builders can take to move from chasing shiny tools to embedding AI into daily habits, workflows, and team culture.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 227 YOU WILL DISCOVER
What “AI First” actually means (and what it definitely doesn’t)
The three biggest mistakes builders are making with AI right now
Why leadership and culture determine whether AI adoption succeeds or fails
How to move from shiny AI tools to real operational ROI
Practical examples of how AI can increase output without increasing headcount
and much, much more.

ABOUT VARANT BOMOUSHAKIAN

Varant is an operations strategist with over 15 years of experience, specialising in driving operational innovation and excellence across various industries, from startup ventures to established companies. Oriented towards continuous improvement and not afraid to get ‘hands-on’ to develop and achieve transformation, efficiency, and growth strategy targets.

Connect with Varant: linkedin.com/in/varantb/

TIMELINE
5:22 What AI First isn’t (and the myths holding builders back)
7:30 The true definition of an AI First company
9:01 The three levels of AI integration in a building business
10:45 Why margins and rising costs make AI urgent in 2026
16:00 The 3 biggest mistakes builders are making with AI
36:05 Why AI must become a daily habit, not a one-off initiative

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Trapper Roderick from Roderick Builders. In this episode, Trapper shares how seeing both sides of the industry shaped his approach to building a profitable company, and why getting clarity on your numbers is non-negotiable.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 226 YOU WILL DISCOVER
Why most builders don’t have real visibility over profit
The danger of “cost plus 10” and underestimated overhead
How Trapper tightened up pre-construction to reduce risk
The systems and tools he uses to track budgets, WIP, and change orders
Why marketing and being on camera builds trust before the first meeting
And much, much more.

ABOUT TRAPPER RODERICK

Trapper is a fifth-generation builder carrying forward a family legacy of craftsmanship by creating modern, emotionally powerful homes across Utah’s Wasatch Back. As President of Roderick Builders, Trapper leads the design vision, guides clients through the process, and partners with top architects to bring bold, meaningful ideas to life..

Connect with Trapper: linkedin.com/in/trapper-roderick/

TIMELINE
2:30 Growing up in construction and seeing both sides of business
8:45 The painful project that exposed hidden overhead
14:20 Why “cost plus 10” isn’t real profit
18:30 Switching to fixed price and leveling up pre-construction
25:40 Marketing, content, and building trust before the first meeting
34:10 Final advice: work on the things that scare you

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode featuring Erika Mosse from JobTread, and Russ Stephens, Co-founder of APB. Recorded during our webinar series for the 2026 State of Residential Construction Industry Report, the two unpack what actually drives the most profitable projects, pairing real data with real-world insights.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 225 YOU WILL DISCOVER
Why profit “disappears” even when jobs seem healthy
How scheduling delays quietly destroy margins
The importance of knowing your fixed expenses per job per day
Where change orders and selections cause the biggest profit leaks
How systems, KPIs, and client handbooks tighten project delivery
And much, much more.

ABOUT RUSS STEPHENS

Co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders, Russ is a data analysis expert who has introduced data-driven decision making to the residential construction industry. Russ is also a proud member of the Forbes Business Development Council.

Connect with Russ: linkedin.com/in/russstephens

ABOUT ERIKA MOSSE

Experienced, dynamic business leader with a proven track record in content strategy, operational excellence, and editorial craftsmanship. Skilled in mentoring high-performing teams and fostering a collaborative environment. Passionate about innovation, great storytelling, and connecting with an audience. Believer in the joy of driving a fast car with a manual transmission.

Connect with Erika: linkedin.com/in/erika-mosse-56488535/

TIMELINE
2:30 Why builders don’t see profit problems coming
8:45 Scheduling delays as the “silent killer” of profit
15:30 Fixed expenses per job per day (and why builders must know this number)
22:10 How change orders and selections derail timelines
33:40 The importance of systems, KPIs, and one source of truth
45:20 Pricing for profit and running tighter, more disciplined projects

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with APB Co-founder Russ Stephens, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda, to break down the insights and data from the 2026 State of Residential Construction Industry (SORCI) Report, and translate the numbers into practical actions builders can take to become more profitable, more systemised, and less trapped in the day-to-day firefighting.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 224 YOU WILL DISCOVER
The intention vs action gap (why “systemise” stays on the to-do list)
Why more hours doesn’t mean more income
How to stop being the bottleneck
The “illusion of profit” and why bank balance ≠ profitability
The key financial levers builders must understand
How systemisation lifts revenue, margins, and owner returns
And much, much more.

ABOUT RUSS STEPHENS

Co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders, Russ is a data analysis expert who has introduced data-driven decision making to the residential construction industry. Russ is also a proud member of the Forbes Business Development Council.

Connect with Russ: linkedin.com/in/russstephens

ABOUT ANDY SKARDA

Head Coach at the Association of Professional Builders, Andy specialises in helping business owners in the building industry identify and implement the skills and systems they need to be successful, without needing to go back to school. Or more importantly, without going bust.

Connect with Andy: linkedin.com/in/andy-skarda-92a6875/

TIMELINE
02:00 Why this year’s industry data reveals deeper insights than ever
08:10 The gap between what builders want to fix and what actually gets done
15:40 Why working 60+ hours leads to lower income
23:30 The illusion of profit and why most builders misread their numbers
31:45 Systemised vs non-systemised builders (and the revenue gap)
40:20 Where builders should start to break the owner bottleneck

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Tyson Lawes, Head of Sales at the Association of Professional Builders. In this episode, Tyson dives deep into the sales mindset challenges builders face and explains why sales is less about scripts and techniques, and more about intent, self-awareness, and becoming a trusted advisor.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 223 YOU WILL DISCOVER
Why sales is a mirror of your mindset and personal growth
The biggest reasons builders resist sales
How to shift from “salesperson” to trusted advisor
Why intent matters more than technique in sales conversations
Why asking better questions builds trust faster than pitching
Practical tools to reset before and after challenging sales calls
And much, much more.

ABOUT TYSON LAWES

Tyson Lawes is Head of Sales at the Association of Professional Builders, with over a decade of experience in sales, leadership, and behavioural psychology. Passionate about mindset and performance, Tyson helps builders grow through stronger sales conversations, trusted advisor relationships, and high-impact leadership.

Connect with Tyson: linkedin.com/in/tyson-lawes-456b56188/

TIMELINE
2:49 Why sales is a mirror of your mindset
6:18 Why most builders resist sales (and how it limits growth)
10:44 How to shift from salesperson to trusted advisor
19:36 Why you accept objections you haven’t overcome yourself
25:24 Practical tools to reset before and after sales calls
27:25 The biggest mindset shift builders need to improve sales conversations

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders