Hey everyone, I uh just recorded another

episode with Stephen Reyes of Reyes and

Sun Construction. Uh Stephen's both a

friend and also uh happens to be my

framer and well I say framer but in

reality he uh does way more than just that for us at this point. uh I would say all rough carpentry but anytime

there is a

a void I guess in like sculpts of work

uh quality or anything like that um within reason he's the guy that I rely on and he's

essentially most importantly just an awesome guy uh really great dude and uh

I've we've it's been a been over a year

um that he's been like a really big part

of the team. Uh,

>> but I I see Stephen as somebody that we want to have around for a very very long time and uh I connect with him both as a

friend and

a business colleague. So, um I was actually excited to have him on um for several reasons. First of all, what he represents to Fernhill as a whole. Uh,

second off, I think having somebody from the rough carpentry perspective of things is

in alignment with where I want this podcast to be going. Rough carpentry is probably one of the fields hit the most by the labor shortage. I'd have to imagine it's not something that's

able to tell stories. I think in the same way that trim carpentry, finished carpentry, furniture making, electricians, plumbers

might be able to, but yet it is such a fundamental part of all of this. Stephen

and I have talked about how the industry is changing, how it's hard to get good help, loyalty, things like that. And we touch on all those things in this podcast. Um,

good episode, great dude. Um, hope you

guys enjoy it. I I am trying to make it more of a thing to have on people on this side of the equation. What I mean by that is I want more contractors, trade partners, things like that. So, if you're listening to this or watching now that we're up on YouTube, check out the YouTube channel and somebody comes to mind, whether it's a vendor, trade partner, um a builder

that you think number one aligns with what this podcast represents and maybe

has something to say, an opinion, a perspective, please just have them reach out um via socials, email, whatever's easiest for them. and uh no guarantees on anything, but you know, I I do want to make sure that we're uh build continuing to build the community.

>> Thanks again, Stephen. I appreciate it. He uh actually came down from framing up

on the ridge above my office here um to come and do this kind of on short notice just cuz I happen to have all the cameras and stuff set up. So, I I appreciate him doing that and uh enjoy

Stephen Ray Rais and Suns Construction.

Yep. You hear me? >> Yeah. >> Cool. >> Yep. I >> think we're actually already dialed. >> Nice. >> Is he enough? >> Yep. >> So, you got nothing you want to talk about? >> Um, no. I don't know. I think you can take charge. >> Okay. Um,

Mr. Steven Rays raising Sun

Construction. >> First question, how is it working for

Fernho? >> It's uh I guess it's for me I guess coming on

new it's challenge just learning new systems and everything. Um but it's uh

it's challenging in a in a great way. I would say I'm learning a whole lot. Um

yeah, man. just trying to build cool

stuff with cool people. So, I think I take take it all in and in and that and

learning uh your ways because obviously, you know, you're been in the industry and everything. So, I kind of have that respect and yeah, man, it's it's it's been good.

>> Well, I think well, I should say this.

Raising sons, framing's your main thing,

but you also do other stuff, right? >> Yeah. Yeah, we do uh decks and

siding and stuff. So, >> yeah. And but most of the stuff you've

been doing with me is in the rough carpentry. It's called cost code area.

Uh framing, siding, things like that,

decking. Um

I we'll get into like, you know, your story and all that stuff. I think it's cool and it's also appropriate, but I am

kind of wanting you to pull back the curtain and and selfishly I want to know

what it's like working for us, you know, because you work a lot directly with Michael who's obviously part of the team and stuff like that. And you've told us kind of at different points that it's different

than what you're used to. I think it

might be fun with the mic on, you know, like give it to me straight as always, right? Uh, I want to know how,

>> you know, the good things, the bad things, like what what's been the curve um of all of it because, you know, you and I have said, you know, certain points in time I got a mic in front of me and I'm screaming this or that at the top of a metaphorical mountain, but you

know, you're part of the team, part of the Fernhill family in my mind. And so, I want to hear that from you.

>> Um,

yeah. So, it's been, like I told you in

the beginning, it's been different and meaning in the way of uh you're a lot more hands-on. So, and I think it's appropriate because you're trying to build your, you know, your brand. So, I think that's a lot different um and not

not going back or not um shaming my

other clients, but >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. >> I think the branding you have more of like a fixed on what you want. So, um I

think you're more into it more. So, um I

would say you're a lot more hands-on. So, everything is intentional on your

part. So, um and I think my guys also

that were on site for the first project that we met and that we did for you guys. I think my guys weren't used to that. So you guys coming on site like

the first week or during the first week and making sure that everything's going the way it's supposed to. >> Um it was kind of a change for them, you

know, and um

so >> well here. Let me ask you this then because that right there is something

you've watched me be overly careful

about because I don't want to intimidate people or anything like that because that's definitely not what it is. It's very you know, it's not that hard to execute for us, but I understand that it could also be a little bit different. So, I I don't want to, you know, make it a bigger thing than it needs to be, but being like, hey, just so you know, we do it this way, we're not that way, we do it this way. But I also try to

communicate especially to Michael that you know if somebody's willing to ask for this or that you know like in order to clarify we have to then fulfill our our responsibilities or else it ends up being just that you guys are aimlessly trying to you know hit some marker or that this or that.

What in feedback to me what I'd be interested to know is like where do you think we do a really good job of like setting the standard? where somewhere else that we could maybe do better. >> Yeah, I think um it wasn't in um it's like you said right now um

like you guys coming on early. I think it's a great thing. I think uh it was just my guys that were just I think more

the hands-on or the framer um down to

the labor. It's kind of more of like hey, let's get this done. you know, the boss, they want to they want to make sure that something is up so that way when the boss comes, you can see something with, you know, >> it's um but for me it's not that. It's

>> I like you guys coming in that early and

making sure, hey man, we're used to this and if we're doing it different, then you guys catch that, you know. Um,

but I think as far as where you can do better or not, I I think I mean you guys

are doing >> I know there's some >> um >> I know you want more material there. >> Um yeah, I mean as far as material,

I mean it's always a little bit more but it's it's it's different. I think um I

think for material it's different because I'm also doing my materials on

basement. So >> yeah. Yeah. >> Um it's always it's always fluctuating.

But I think I mean not to be a brown nose or nothing like that but um yeah man I think you guys do great. Um you guys are very experienced in your guys's area. Um, I mean obviously you guys don't know everything, but I think it it complements where you guys tell me if

hey, can we do it this way and you guys are open to my opinion as well. So I think it really it really balances everything out. So I don't think um yeah

man I think it's it's great. Um

>> well to piggy on that because that's actually you know having done a couple of these double studs. Now I think you

know there's the numbers that I see on the back end and that can influence like

what I bring to architects or potential clients or clients as to like the best way of doing it. But I really need that

feedback from you to be like hey this

works well. Hey should we have the continuous top and bottom plate or do we want them to be independently floating walls? Which one's easier? Should we be erecting this? Like I mean I remember even for the Eagle Ridge project, we were sitting here in the office and

I had concerns about because you know

since the outer stud had to be a 2x6

because of the 10 foot top plate and then we had a 2x4 staged on the inside. I had concerns that if you lifted it without the 2x4 being part of it that the toenailing just wouldn't get us that flatness standard. And I can't remember what you end like I think you ended up doing a combo in the field, right? like some of you did on the ground, some you didn't. But you just told me, hey, we'll hit the same flatness factor no matter what. And it was like my responsibility then to be like, hey, you're telling me you're going to hit the mark. I can be worried all day long, but if you hit the mark, you hit the mark. And now post facto,

you know, the the next one of the next projects is actually also going to be a double start construction up in Loveland. I need to know from you then, hey, 10

foot top plate, what's the best way?

Um, well, based off this one, I think it would be better or inside would be a

double plate or separated. >> Separated. >> Yeah. Just because the 2x8 unless we get

a All AL bottom plate, then I think it's achievable. >> Yeah. >> Just the 2x8 dug was uh, you know,

there's bolds. So, trying to put the bottom 2x4 Alice out flush with the

wall. We weren't able to get it all the way. So, we were what we did is I told

uh my guys to have to hit it with one nail and then once we stood it up, if we

need to flush it in, then we hit the other nail on the other side. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, I think um if it's not going to be ALS bottom 2 by8 plate, I think

separated would be >> ideal. But, see, that's the thing. I I appreciate that because now and you know this if I don't if I get a set of prints from the architect or the engineer or whatever and it's just hey built this like there's zero chance that we can influence how the top and bottom plates are like zero chance. >> Oh for sure. But knowing that feedback and I mean admittedly like you know everyone can say hey yeah I think that's a good idea that's a bad idea like it's important to hold space for both but you know without that feedback I can't go to the design team like hey just so you know we can get that flatness factor but

in order to do it we need this this that and the other and like that's going to influence a lot of stuff and it has to happen before people are too far into the design I think. Um so I appreciate

that about you. Um,

I told Michael that like having you on the podcast, you know, and he was curious about what I was going to ask him. I want to put him on the spot. I want to know what he thinks about working for us. But on top of that, I also said to him and he greeted fully that there was a very distinct moment

for us that

you know I think as a as a I don't want

to use the word strategy but just a concept that I like is you know you lead with culture and if you lead with culture you can train people to be this way or that way and like that's that's specificity right and so we always said you know like when we find those certain sub or guy or or

girl or woman or whatever it is that

aligns with that culture mindset that we want to be promoting that we have to do everything we can to

you know not only like keep them around but elevate them in tandem with us and

Michael pointed out like a very specific moment where I can't

we thought it was maybe like the window headers at the Darly project or something something that just it happens right And your simple response was

like, "We'll fix it. Done." It's like,

"Period." That was just it. And I

remember after that happening that Michael and I were sitting at one of our meetings here and we're just like, "Stephen's our guy. That's all you could

ever ask of somebody that wants to be a part of the team." And so, like, we like

immensely appreciate that about you. And even though I think we have like great subs, great team, I still think that it's an incredibly rare thing in today's like economy,

world, whatever. And so, you know, I

wanted to make sure to give you props for that because like we we really really enjoy working with you. And um it

seems even with the more you have going on, like you still just never compromise on that, which is something I that really like resonates with my mindset as

well. >> Yeah. Thank you, man. I appreciate that. Um, yeah. I think that's what's what I'm trying to build. Exactly. And I think that's why we kind of are cohesive and

our, you know, um, me working for you

and us working together. Um,

it's it's kind of a a good thing, a good

feeling, I guess, um, to see that you're seeing that. Um,

but yeah, that was uh that's something that I kind of take pride in is if I do make make a mistake, um, we're going to fix it. um you know it's it's not um

there's no other way. >> Yeah. >> Um but yeah, >> I mean it happens, right? So >> yeah. Yeah. >> I I try to make sure that clients I'm not perfect. If anything though, it's the

measure of how you handle

quote unquote [ __ ] happens. That defines you as a company as an individual more than anything else as opposed to whether or not it did happen. Um

I think on a business front something that I'm curious about is that uh I know

you've kind of talked about you growing big, you being in the field, being

small, specialized, and you've kind of gone back and forth, I think, as long as we've known each other as to like what the actual best way of achieving that

is. Where are you at with that right now? You still want to be big or you want to be specialized, high-end?

>> Um I don't know, man. Um, it's really

that's really what I'm at right now. I'm really trying to figure out where I want to go. I mean, I still want to do the reframing and but I really want to take off my belt as well. >> Mhm. >> Um, to be more on the business side and

go out there and um yeah, it's uh

yeah, I don't know. I think uh I mean I

don't want to be big like have a big big

company. Um, but I do want to do maybe

several projects, you know. Um, have two, three good teams. Um, but right now just >> Are you still interested in the commercial stuff? Because I know you had done like one or two of those bigger like multiome type things. >> Uh, no. No, for sure not. Um, I want to stay with custom homes. Um, we also do

basement. Uh, we're kind of do a lot of basements. Um, but yeah, I think I want

to go more your your way and stick as far as four

four or five good builders, you know. Um, >> yeah, >> I don't know how big a company would be or how much work I can be >> that is going to be coming in, but uh as

far as big big um I mean two three crews would be nice. I have one right now. So, >> and then I'm the second crew. So,

>> um it's kind of a difficult man. What

about because to me like as a rough carpenter you represent

maybe the epitome of the labor shortage

and you know you and I have talked about how hard it is to find good guys. Um I

think you know that might be one type of

problem for somebody in plumbing, another type of problem for somebody in electric uh the electrical field. I

think the or or even the finished carpentry field. I think the rough carpentry field might be the one that's hit the hardest.

How have you experienced that? I know you and I have had like conversations about just how much it's changed over like recent years trying to find people that are qualified and stick around with like some sense of

I don't want to say like you know loyalty necessarily, but just pride in what they're doing to the point where you can start to invest in them so that they invest and turn back towards you. Um, what what are you seeing right now

with that? >> Yeah, I think it's uh I think it's a

little bit of everything. Um, but I am

having trouble finding good help. I think um

I don't necessarily know where it's coming from. I've barely been in

construction for about six years. uh

maybe a little bit more doing other

besides framing doing roofing and landscaping, hardcaping and stuff but um

I don't know um I would like to stay positive and say there is good people but they just have a job you know so it's kind of um so now what I'm kind of

doing is implementing

like you said implementing more of my culture and investing more in the guys that are

staying and working hard. I'm trying to implement bonuses per job um for like my

foremans and stuff and even down to the labor, but um the labors are always the

first to go, you know, they're always just jumping from job to job. >> You think that's a money thing or is it a consistent? Um,

so there's another I think stereotype I would say because I think the framers like you said it's it's kind of like the

I wouldn't say this is something that I heard somewhere where um they said it like this. They said remember you're you're a small company

so people are not going to be trying to go

for the small company. You know the good guys are not looking to go work for a small company. they're looking to go look to go work for a bigger company. >> So, you're going to get the bottom of the barrel kind of. Um, so it's kind of just filtering through that and finding a guy that is going to be like, "Oh man, this guy takes care of me, so I, you know, I'll take care of him." Um, but

yeah, I am having uh kind of a little problem right now. I wouldn't say problem. It's just five years. I'm my

business is barely six years old. So, I think like I said, I'm implementing that culture into my business where people are going to hear, "Hey man, you hear what Steven's doing or hey man, um Ubaldo's working with this guy that, you know, he takes care of him and you know, he's always uh you know, you don't have

to go looking for your check or you're not >> Yeah. >> doing some crazy stuff." You know,

>> I mean,

saying it's a problem. comment.

It would be inaccurate to say that it's a problem that I think you're just just you are experiencing. I would be surprised if there's any other rough carpentry guys out there that aren't to some extent experiencing that as a

challenge on their within their

business. If anything, it's just something that we we knew was coming. Labor shortages, the demand does not

while demand might be down a little bit here in the Front Range, it's still very high, especially comparatively speaking to the rest of the country. Um, I I you know, I kind of just want to say I I I think sometimes people think that the bigger companies represent stability,

maybe benefits, things like that. And that is true. That is true.

But it doesn't mean that a small business can't be that either. And

you know, I I remember back when I was in my early 20s, when I was still in Ohio, that I had a lot of guys um

laborers working for me. And there was another company that actually got a little bit upset with me. Some of those guys

actually came over and uh actually asked

one of my foremen for a job. Of course,

like we he was actually uh employed with

making sure that we always had the labor force. Thing was, we simply just paid

more. And for whatever reason, I paid

more. Um, but on top of it, we just tried to

treat people with respect and if we didn't have a Friday with a full workload, you know, I made sure that there was work for guys to be doing to like, you know, a lot of times that meant I met was losing money. But when the guy kind of confronted me about all this, I was like, "Hey, you treat your guys like [ __ ] Don't pay them well.

That sounds like your problem, not mine." And so I think little small

companies can actually maybe they

recognize that's how you attract culture. Maybe that's the way that's what people are looking for at the end of the day. So doesn't have to be one or the other. But I also think that as you're scaling, which we both are, it's

a hard thing every time you go to scale, which is inherently is overextending yourself to a certain extent to also make those big promises to take care of people, their families, the mortgages, whatever it might be. So I I feel you big time on that. Um, but I mean do you

think is it like you and I have talked about does it make make you more interested in things like panelization and machines and like incorporating that into the workflow or do you think that's there's a there's obviously a balance there? >> Yeah. I mean, penalization that would be

I mean, you keep you guys busy during winter, you know, um you don't slow down

as far as if you keep the schedule, you don't slow down as far as prepping projects where it's going to snow. Um

especially in your areas. Um but no,

yeah, I think I agree with you. Um I try to pay my guys uh good wages. Um so I

think um funny story, I just had this guy uh he's been working me since the beginning, five years, Lombberto. And um

I think it's also a problem with um

I don't know exactly, but this guy always it's a money problem. He always has money problems. And he came to me,

he came and worked at one of my jobs and he's like, "Hey, uh Stephen, I'm going to go work for some other guy." He got this big project. He's like, "He's going to have steady work." And I'm like, "Oh,

bro, you've been working with me for five years consecutive." You know, like >> that's the definition of steady. And then he's maybe I don't know maybe he was offering no more or he thought I think it's just a mind process. Well, two days later he called me back and he's like, "Hey, Stephen, can I come back?" And because I trust this guy, he's been at some of some of my projects. Um so,

and I need I need people that I trust and that I know. He already knows my systems and how I like things. So, I was like, "Yeah, come on back." And I told him, "Hey, man. So, why'd you come back?" He's like, "Oh, well, this guy told me something good over the phone." And but when I went when I went outside, you know, it's totally different.

So, um yeah, I don't know. Um I'm just going to stay and keep grinding, keep into keep putting that that culture into my business, keep paying my guys good so that way other people can hear and eventually I tell my guys that that are

the guys that are with me right now, they kind of float sometimes depending

on how they feel or I don't know. Um,

but I tell him, "Hey, there's going to be a time when you're not going to have

a chance to come back. You know, I'm gonna get those steady people. I'm gonna find those people and they're gonna >> it's going to be it, you know." >> Yeah. So, >> no, I but I think you know this my

my favorite guy you got on site is your dad. And like my Spanish is okay. It's

not good, that's for sure. But it's okay. Your dad's English, let's say.

It's okay. Um, but he's my favorite. like it just works and such in such like

such an honest way too. I don't know like it's like there's obviously no language being exchanged that's like making me feel that but just watching him seeing how he is on the projects and take care of things and I mean you got your two brothers working for you because I think Marco's back with you again right? >> Yeah he saw him at Darly. Um

I mean I think that's a product right there in itself. Like it's a family business. >> Yeah. Yeah. My dad's a hard worker. Um he's been a framer for 30 years. So um

yeah, he just get puts his head down and

keeps working, you know. He's he birthday just passed on Monday. So >> yeah. >> Uh yeah, he says he's 32 years old. So

says he's going down. >> May that's for sure. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> How old is he? He is uh 60

67. >> No way. >> Um if he was if he was

>> wait a minute. Um

>> that's the case. I'm going to start I'm on the framing crew tomorrow. So I look

>> it was uh he was 25 and I'm 37.

>> Okay. >> So 64.

Yeah. >> Yeah. 64. Yeah. Um

>> Yeah, man. He's uh he actually had his own business. Um not

an NLC, but uh I think he's getting a

little bit too old, so he's he works by himself a lot. So, >> he kind of help he's helping me out now. Um it's actually been fun and

um been a good help, man. I mean, I

think that there's also,

you know, it's not to say that you can't have this without family being involved in your company, obviously, but uh, you know, I grew up working for my dad and

watching like because, you know, you got your other brother up with your dad at this project right now and Lions.

There's just something about like some I don't know if it's just a sense of pride or something that comes along with like family crews and myself having been a

part of one like it's tangible. It's kind of fun as well because it's even like, you know, it's like people talk to each other differently when you're family. Of course. >> Yeah. >> So, >> yeah. Yeah. I think it's a lot more um and then my dad and my brother actually been working together for since my brother Rudy's I think my brother Rudy's been a framer maybe 15 years. So, um

it's kind of fun having them on site and everything. >> Yeah. Um, so

yeah, I think it's uh I mean they barely

started working with me, but

I think it's like like you said, it's kind of a it's kind of seems different. Like with this project, it's me and my dad and my brother. So it's >> Yeah. >> It's kind of more of a like, oh man, you know, this is built by >> totally >> by Reyes. >> Yeah. >> So it's kind of And um Yeah, man. It's

>> been fun. Well, all that being said, so

you there's a climbing term over Stoker.

You ever heard that before? >> No. >> It's like the guy that's just like super

psyched, super excited about like

climbing 247, just obsessed with it.

Granted, I love this industry. guys. My

wife would probably say that I spent way too much time on YouTube or researching

this or that or drawing this.

But I think you're pretty

very alike in that sense. You know, uh

definitely are motivated, which I respect and appreciate and resonate with, but you also just kind of obsessed with what you're doing in a good way. Um

that all being said, considering where the company is right now, where do you want it to go? like maybe what's like the five ten year uh ideal plan? Um you

know like what's your what's your dream project in like five years?

>> Um I mean it would it's probably going to be a year away, right? It's going to be your project. >> Yeah. Yeah. So I think and now that I'm

sitting here talking to you and you asked that question um like do you want

to be a big company or a small company?

I just wanna, like I said, I want to have three, four good builders and be

able to make everybody happy, you know,

and I think that's possible because once I um

I'm not that deep into construction, but six years and I kind of come from a different um

I don't know how you would say it. It's like you said, I'm I'm in love with this man. And it it's a it's probably like

the I would say um the honeymoon stage I

would say in construction. So >> yeah. Yeah. Um, so I love, like you

said, I am one of those guys that at home I'm looking if I think of, oh, we

got this to finish. Let me see how this

is built or let me see how different different people build it or what's the, you know, what's the easiest or

um, so like I said, just thinking about what that question that you asked. Um,

in five years, I want to be able to have projects from you. um projects from from uh the

clients and just a steady three four

projects uh three four builders with with projects, you know. Um >> that's security. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's just and and it's not um

so I I don't know. I don't like jumping from contractor to contractor, you know. I think uh I have this list that I made.

It's like a

um what is it called? the

um it's just my list of what I want. So it has like hey I want I wanted to get a new truck. I think I made it like 5 years ago and one of them it says uh have enough jobs to be able to choose from the jobs, right? Um, so I think it's it's just having steady work from

three clients and um just learning more

helping you build helping you guys my

helping you build your your brand and um

Yeah, man. I think that's awesome. I think that's that's exactly where I want to be at is um so I would say small.

>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. It's uh >> it's funny because uh

>> Oh, you haven't met the guys that are over there on Darly right now, but you know FSwood Works, those guys. Um >> Tim, he's uh he's been around for a long

time in the Front Range um working for FS and >> we were just talking. I forget how it

came up, but it was basically uh he

mentioned how in in the old days he he

had actually I don't even think it was it was recent he asked another GC he

needed something for his house and he's like hey I won't give away my subs until the day I die you know he wouldn't like expose who his subs were and I was like that's crazy because I mean don't get me wrong I don't want to lose my good subs but at the same point in time I want to promote them like I I don't want them to hedge their entire business on me if that's not what the business model is. Um, you know, I'd

love to have it be that way, but you know, that being said, if you get anyone from this podcast, I'll be happy for

you, but I'll be still.

I I still need you. Um, but it's like, you know, you got to promote everyone because the more I promote you, the more you're able to promote me and better we're all off in the end. And the other thing is too is I feel like the more we work together like even take this ego rich project I don't have to say the certain like same things to you just to accept that expectation which is natural part of the process you just know now like you know how like we want in or you you know hey we learned that this is the way that we want to be doing it here like it's just how it is. It's like that rapport, man. That's a product that that's tangible. Like the client for that project knows that they they can

tell the difference between us having communicated in a way that you feel comfortable with our means and methods as opposed to you just showing up and having a million different questions. Like you know you that takes time and

also I think it takes betting on people at a certain point too. You know, you have to see something >> for sure. Um, yeah, I think it all goes

with the pre-construction, right? Um, I think you have a good system. I think, like you said, we we had that meeting beforehand. Um, and I think a few things

changed and everything. So, once we were up there, we didn't we weren't blindsided or anything. I think only the the trust, right, were a little bit different, but >> yeah, >> it's not it's not like we weren't blindsided or anything. So, I think the pre-construction the precon on your guys' end is is uh is is good. Um, so by

the time we're we're up there, we instead of having 100 questions, we only have 20 questions, you know. >> Um, >> yeah. No, I try to set that expectation, too. I found that I need to be a little bit better with clients almost that they think that because of pre-construction, we're going to have zero questions. >> It's not that. It's that we just want to be really intentional about like what questions we have left and we're going to hold make sure that we have the bandwidth the inevitable questions that come up because if if it becomes a fire drill, you know, there's a project right

now that both you and I will know which one I'm talking about that's just there's just questions that need to be answered that shouldn't have to be answered and it takes up time from me

forwardly addressing the next phase. And

so therefore when there is that remaining question being asked that I I

would not want that question to still be on the table under the Fernhill standard like but I don't have the bandwidth because I'm putting out other fires that is tangible by everyone on the site like whether or not anyone even knows what actually happens that's just a different experience for people. >> Yeah I agree. Um,

yeah, I think uh it's like you said,

it's going to be just because of the pre-con, it's going to be zero questions. Um, and I think we hold those uh I think uh what was I think it was a 2x6. So going up there, I think the 2x6

was a big thing, right? Us knowing which one it is. And I think then coming up at the end, hey, it's going to be a 2x8 with >> Oh, yeah. >> So I think um >> Yeah. So >> Oh, you mean for the front wall with the big windows and stuff? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. Um, >> I mean that's another thing though is I mean I'm we're still onboarding you with

it, but Procore is not the most residentially friendly software out

there. It fits our means and methods for

sure. Um, but it's hard sometimes to get

buy in from the subs. You could imagine like if it's your first time working with us, like why would you learn how to use Procore and like this complicated like way of doing all of it? But you're starting to

use it now. >> Yeah, >> I think you kind of like it, especially for like the observations and this checklist and stuff like that. Like I

think it's enjoyable. I mean, tell me about what your experience is with it because I I genuinely do want to know because it allows me also to cater things on the back end, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. No, I think everything is good. I think you just gave me the option to uh do RFI. So, I think that's

a big big that that was a good one for me and I think you like it as well, right? We can take a picture of something and and and >> and ask a question. So, yeah, I' I've been liking it. So far it's easy. The mobile one is really easy. And then if you want to go more in depth, you go on the laptop and everything. >> Yeah. >> Um >> have you been doing the photos? >> Um yeah, I took a couple photos. >> Yeah. >> Um if you want me to take take more, I don't know how if you want me to take like daily photos or everything. >> Yeah. Yeah. No, I mean we'll take I mean >> I think the Darly Project right now has like >> it's over 5,000 photos in it and it's wild how randomly you just need to refer back to something at one point.

>> Yeah. And it's just added information. I

mean, what's what's the >> Oh, yeah. It's it's so taken a couple

pictures. So, it's really good. Um, >> well, the other good thing about it, too, that I This one is a little bit of an anomaly because, you know, Michael's tied up at other projects and this one's so close to the office that I'm kind of handling it. Um, which is not normal,

but it just happens to make sense right now. But you could imagine, say there's a site super involved. I need a way of

filtering his communication with you in

a very concise way back into like where

we could then sit down at a meeting. I can see how many RFIs does Stephen have out like where is that report? How many observations are in Steven's port right now and what is that from him? Is that us driving the quality control down to him or just pre- punch items? Is this in scope out of scope? It's that without that level of documentation, I'm just relying on that site super to come back to us and just give me a list,

right? >> Yep. >> Like zero zero chance I can have like a

really especially as we scale like no way could I uh you know be really

organized with all that across like three four multi-million dollar crazy

custom one-off projects. There's just that's not a realistic expectation.

So, uh, like that's the logic behind a lot of that stuff. >> Yeah. Yeah. I think it's really helpful. Um, the question goes directly to you.

You know, I can pick project manager or whoever I need and >> ask that question directly. Like you said, right now you're you're managing it, so I'm asking the questions to you. >> Um, so yeah, I think it's really handy, man. It's It's really helpful. So, >> yeah. Um,

is there anything else on your mind about like the industry, about like your company and stuff? >> No, man. just trying to just trying to

build build more um get more out there.

Um >> you've tried this. So like I got to ask like cuz you see all the cameras and all

the stuff we were talking a little bit about before with like my strategy and stuff and you see me walking around as

an unqualified camera guy trying to film stuff. You want to kind of start to

build I think a little bit of a brand and presence for yourself.

What? It's hard. I hate being on camera.

>> Oh, I hate it. I I Well, it's not that I hate it. I just I'm not uh I don't think I'm >> Yeah, I'm It's kind of uncomfortable, I would say. >> I would rather put a belt on and uh let's build a house, man. But uh but yeah, I think uh I think you told me and

someone else had told me like, "Hey, man, you need to put your face on. You need to do more one-on- ones." And that's why I'm doing more of the Hey, my name. Um, so and then just watching you

do it and you being out there, I think it, you know, and then uh yeah, so it's

it's it's different, but >> in order to be out there, man, and uh I

think the clients and and the clients and the homeowners and they they want to see the face of who it is who's coming into my house, who's building my house, right? Um so >> yeah, I mean, especially for you, like right before we started recording, we were talking about like B2B, B T B T B T B T B T B T B T B T B T B TOC, my marketing chain is inherently a little bit different than yours. You're marketing to people within the industry. So the language that you have to speak is a little bit different than would be mine when I'm selling a a luxury product

to a consumer directly.

And I think I've told you this, but uh

it's why I don't do that many stories, frankly, because I don't like being on

at all. Uh the amount of takes it's been

just to be like, "Wow, this is still horrible, but I guess I'll put it out there." It's insane. Like terabytes and

terabytes of footage and countless

videos. And I feel bad for some of the people that like have been willing to, you know, do some of those videos with me, but then I look at myself that that guy is a rambling idiot. Like you're way better. Like, you know, I just don't think it's emblematic of who I actually am. But I have learned this that

everyone starts somewhere. I think I'm still starting out and I think it's

actually been really healthy for me to

recognize and hold space for the humility that it takes to put yourself out there times like even just like

having an opinion on something. I could

think, oh well that maybe is that a little risky for the business to think that or this about the industry? What if somebody disagrees with it? And then I

come back to it. I'm like, this is who I

am, man. Um, I'm gonna be who I am no matter what. And I believe wholeheartedly that who I am is going to resonate with somebody. Uh,

they'll want to hire me as a result. So, every time I don't put something up now, maybe that's being disingenuous.

um as long as I'm not like maybe misspeaking or whatever, but like within reason like just trying to be the most the more authentic I can be by putting myself out there, the more authentic the company's going to be. And if anything, that also creates accountability. Then when I act like you even told me like when we had a little disagreement, you know, hey man, you talk this way, you got to be like that. And you know, you saying that to me,

it was it was a it was a good thing. You

know, it's uh

I I look back at me putting stuff out there. You know what? That is who I am.

I have to be true to that right now. So,

it's hard. I feel you on it. >> Yeah. Um I agree with you on your I mean

being authentic, that's that's the way. And I see that through every video that you make and everything. Um, just so you know, from my feedback, it's it's good stuff. So, >> um, I'm always >> waiting for something to come up, you know, on on your end. And >> you love the camera, too, though, cuz I know when I get the camera out by you, man. Like, >> oh, for sure. Who doesn't camera action? >> Oh, for sure, man. If it's a And you

know, you got all the cameras. My dad's always excited, too. Now he's always on Yeah. He was all, "Hey, how do I find his uh how do I find his company?" and he's like, I go to his page, but I can't find his company cuz he's always looking at the videos and stuff. >> So, he's all into that, too, man. Um, so it's kind of cool. >> So, uh yeah, man. I think uh

>> I think uh the more we're out there, like you said, the more we're we're exposing ourselves and and being genuine and being authentic and um I'm kind of a

rambling idiot, too, but I think in front of the camera, I'm kind of more like uh kind of more stuck. So, but I

think on the job site, you you hear me on the job side, you I think that's the way that I am. Um, just trying to be more >> uh not shy, I guess, in front of the camera and stuff. So, >> maybe maybe you just got to have the camera always rolling because like half the time you guys are just singing, >> having a good time, and I'm like that's the best part of like you guys, you know? >> Yeah. I I do want to get like one of those um GoPros and put it up there for like a time lapse and everything. >> When another builder does like time lapse with us, every time we do a job, they put a camera and >> you see the whole thing in 30 minutes, whatever. Well, yeah. I think >> we can do that. I have I have like the construction timelapse camera they got.

>> Yeah, >> we'll do it next time. >> Yeah, >> maybe we'll even do it for like the siding and the decking. >> That would be good. >> Yeah. >> Um have when you meet GCs

I got you through a drywaller. >> Um >> yeah, that's surprisingly right there. Um so I was just I just cold call people

in the beginning. I was cold I haven't cold called in a minute or what would you call it? cold email or just >> I guess yes. >> Um yeah, so I would just go on to Google and find builders and email them

constantly. I would do it like every I

would say once a week, twice a week I would email the same builder, same builders. Um and the way you got me was

with the drywaller. I know him through another builder. Um he does their their drywall. Well,

you know, it's funny because my dad always would tell me that, hey, you want to meet a good uh good drywaller, you

ask the painter. You want to meet a good framer, you ask the drywaller. And like kind of this vertical chain. And so, I think that was probably a lot of my uh school of thought. And

I don't know if I could keep track of how I found all the team at this point now, but uh I'm pretty sure that was

like the the uh logic at least behind

asking it like for an introduction and stuff. So, but it's also funny. I think the other name he gave me was Kaufman. I think Kaufman's way far away. And I

don't think >> Yeah, I think he does it um Oh, if I'm not mistaken, he's probably like

south, I think. >> Yeah. Yeah, he he's way south. Yeah. >> Which is funny because I I've had one exchange with him before on social media. He got married in >> Oh, yeah. Okay. Small world. Um

I know. I I've thought about that too because I guess I market to architects

inevitably, but

it's to consumer in the end. Um,

like what do GCs want to see? Like how how do you pop up and >> Yeah, I don't know. Um,

I don't know. Like I'm just trying to think right now cuz now that you're saying like uh from you got you got my

name from a drywaller along with Kaufman and I kind of I'm like Kaufman's kind of like oh man that's kind of what I'm shooting for cuz he does a lot of uh I think he's like third generation >> frames. I think I think his dad and then his grandpa. >> Um don't really I I don't know him but I watch a lot of his stuff. Um so it's kind of cool. But yeah um I just think

come back to the authenticity. I think you guys are looking just for somebody that's going to bust their ass, you

know, along with with you giving them giving them work and us earning it at the same time. And um yeah, um I have

been I think I still have my first client from when I started my business

um going 5 years with that relationship. Um and they don't have no they're not

stopping anytime soon as well. Um and

then I have another one I think I got it the second year which is um Button Suns and everything and then you guys. So I think just I mean >> time man. >> Yeah it's just time and just being authentic and um if I >> if anything on my part is just being real with you and you the same way you

know I think um >> but yeah man just building that relationship and I think I see a difference. I know some things sometimes

or I don't know how it is but I try to look at it like once I'm building from you and I think this is something that you say as well once you're already family you know and I think that's how I I like to look at it when I'm building for somebody and I get this contractor and he's like hey man and on my end is

like hey man you're you're my friend already you know now I'm going to come and do this basement for you and I'm going to make sure that it's it's good you know um >> so it's business business relationship

and [ __ ] But I think I like to to look at it that way. It's like, "Hey man, Alex is my friend. Evan's my my friend.

How why am I going to leave this your project looking like like [ __ ] you know?" So >> yeah. Yeah. I know. Uh actually my wife has said it before that like

she's asked me how, you know, being friends with people because she says I can be kind of cutthroat when it comes to business. You know, I'm like I don't

know if that's how I would articulate it. I just think I I just want everyone

to be the best version of themselves. And you can't by you somebody on the team being a lesser version of themselves can't impact the ability of somebody else on the team to be the best version of themselves. I don't think that's fair. I don't think that's right. And that's not in alignment with the promise that I made the clients that hire us.

And so I'm like if you know if that means me setting expectations and all that so that you know clearly so that people can actually meet them in a kind

of direct way like so be it. Like you know I get that's tough but it's also hard when you're friends with people to be like hey man this is the effing standard. You know we agreed to it together but it's if anything it's I

hope you can feel this. It's like I

believe in myself to be able to hit that standard. my friends, I believe in you

to hit that standard. And so sometimes like being a good friend, being a bit good business partner is saying, "Hey

man, this ain't the standard. You and I

said to each other, this is where we want to do how we want to do it when we want to do it in this way or whatever.

So like, let's do it." It's just like like pony up. Let's go. So, it's hard to

find that balance between being good friends, I think, in business, but at

the same time, I think they can also

feed each other. I agree. I agree. I

think um it comes down to how you are as

a person as well, right? Um cuz I think once somebody's a friend like a friend friends friends it's not just based off of some something else but if you guys are friends friends I think if you tell

me something hey man Stephen this is not the way that you know we said we were going to do it um >> you know I'm not going to be like ah what >> no man I'm going to be like hey you're right >> let me fix this you know um so >> I think it's it's a good it's it's beating each other man it's um

>> it's the iron sharpens iron, you know. Um I think it's it's a good thing. Um >> and I'll say this too, like to advocate because it's somewhere that I've tried to hold myself accountable on is that you know if I go to you and say, "Hey man, like let's get this to the standard." There's another side of that equation because you're then going to respond, "Yep, you're right. Let's do it. No additional cost or whatever it is." Like that's how it's always been. The other side of that equation that I think is easy to talk about especially when I'm sitting in my seat here like is

that means that if you go hey man this is part of scope of work like

you know that's extra like I can't be then negotiating with I got to be like yeah you're right that's the two-way street right there that I think allows for uh

respect and conducive relationships

where you both grow in tandem each other because then it like in my mind another way of phrasing that would be like you both have situations where each other has an obligation to advocate for the other person like that's a mutual relationship >> for sure. >> There we go. >> Cool, man. Um I appreciate you doing this. Um sure anyone that follows the

socials will see you around um Instagram

and all that and the YouTube channel. Uh

tell the people where to find you. What's the best way to reach you? Socials, things like that. >> Uh social is I only have an Instagram, so it's Ryus Construct. Uh phone number

uh for any anybody who wants to work

with us. 970720577.

Um yeah, those are just the two areas that you can contact me. >> I'm sure hopefully you blow up after

this, man. >> Yeah, hopefully >> you'll be podcast famous. >> Yeah. Thanks for having me, man. Appreciate this. Yeah. Yeah, for sure. I do.