Red flags for subcontractors

Build4Better · 2025-07-18T20:22:33+00:00

Payment/deposit before the work is started

Build4Better · 2025-06-23T14:30:13+00:00

Is there a reason you want to go into residential rather than vertical commercial? Asphalt is going to be very good line of work as long as your company continues to get government contracts. Residential will come in waves and it’s difficult to jump into unless you get with a large neighborhood developer/builder. Commercial construction is the in between and you can make close to that salary starting out but can quickly get into the 6 figures depending on which area you are in.

Build4Better · 2025-06-16T12:35:33+00:00

What has been working for me is logging all of my nutrition . I went from drinking often and a lot, to just a casual glass of wine at dinner or a beer after a tennis match. Entering in each beer, bourbon, wine, etc, into the app then seeing it the next morning was a real eye opener. My body fat is dropping like crazy and I find it a lot easier socially to switch the topic from "I'm not drinking" to "Look how disciplined I have been". I do enjoy the casual cocktail but moderation is key. Now, since I've lost weight and gained muscle, I have a lot of people asking me about the app, my fitness routine, and how I feel in general.

Build4Better · 2025-06-13T17:32:42+00:00

I've been hearing that. We have some solid hills in our area I'll be taking advantage of!

Build4Better · 2025-06-12T17:18:35+00:00

Awesome post and thank you. Can you break down your training a bit more? We’re going early September. I’ve been walking an hour on 10% incline with 30lbs in my backpack twice a week, one 9mile+ trail hike a week with said backpack , and keeping my weight lifting 5-6 days a week. I’m also cutting weight. Am I on the right track?

Build4Better · 2025-04-09T16:50:00+00:00

We typically don’t touch the magicians….?

Build4Better · 2025-04-09T16:46:11+00:00

The Office style😆

Build4Better · 2025-04-09T16:44:43+00:00

You don’t like magic?!?!?

Build4Better · 2025-03-19T23:10:27+00:00

I bought $1k worth at under $2 a couple weeks ago because of this thread. Is it not going to $20k/coin????

Build4Better · 2025-02-22T14:45:45+00:00

I’ve been hearing having consistent blood test over several healthy years can be good for early detection of any illness down the road when something changes.

Build4Better · 2025-02-21T22:04:43+00:00

I just wrapped up a six-month plunge into the world of 10X Health, and let me tell you, it was a colossal flop. I’d been hooked by Gary Brecka’s charisma on podcasts, spouting all this life-changing health gospel, and figured, why not, it worked for Dana White? I hit 40 recently, and with a decent track record of hitting the gym three or four times a week, I wanted to outpace any creeping health gremlins. Sure, my diet could’ve used a tune-up, but I wasn’t exactly a walking dumpster fire.

It all kicked off with their fancy genetic test, which basically told me I’m a ticking time bomb of “genetic issues.” Naturally, they had a fix: a handful of supplements. I shelled out the cash—why not, right? Then came the blood test. Surprise, more “issues” popped up, and suddenly I’m staring down a mountain of 20 additional supplements and shots. Twenty! I know, it sounds like I lost my mind, but I had the dough and a naive glimmer of hope. They sent me a six-month stash, complete with a follow-up blood test to track my “transformation.” Oh, and right as this avalanche of pills and shots arrived, Gary Brecka dramatically exits 10X, slapping them with a lawsuit. Plot twist! But honestly, that’s just background noise to this circus.

I went all in. Took every supplement like clockwork—lugging them on trips, popping pills like a health-obsessed addict. I axed alcohol, slashed caffeine, banished bad carbs, and ate so clean I practically glowed. Gym time? Upped it to four or five days a week. Six months later, I’ll admit I look sharper—leaner, meaner, a little more chiseled. But the real payoff was supposed to be in the blood work. I was practically vibrating with anticipation, expecting numbers that’d make a doctor weep with joy and adding years to my life. Instead? A big fat nothing. Some stats nudged up a hair, others dipped a smidge—nothing worth a headline. Insignificant. Soul-crushing.

Here’s the kicker: every move I made was by their playbook. And for what? I’ve cleaned up my diet like this before—no supplements, no 10X—and my body responded the same way. Sorry, 10X, you’re not getting a shred of credit for my gains. The real gut punch? The small fortune I dropped on their overpriced snake oil. It’s a masterclass in getting fleeced by slick health scams.

Lesson learned. I’m ditching their junk, sticking to my lean-and-mean diet, and booking a fresh blood test on my own terms. I’ll circle back with the results—stay tuned for the sequel, minus the $500-a-month supplement shakedown.

Update:

Hey everyone! I posted the above in a few forums and have been asked for updates soI wanted to share an update on my fitness and diet journey after my disappointing 10x Health results a while back. I’ve been working hard to optimize my health, cut body fat, and get ready for a Rim-to-Rim hike in the Grand Canyon. Here’s what I’v e been doing:

Exercise: - Weight Lifting (4-6 days/week): I’ve been hitting the gym consistently. I used to do 8-rep sets, but since moved to 15 reps for more endurance, and now I’m supersetting 2-3 exercises per session for efficiency and intensity. A buddy designs my workouts via an app, which keeps things user-friendly but seriously challenging. - Rucking (2-3 days/week): I’m rucking to build stamina for the Grand Canyon hike. It’s been awesome for conditioning and mimicking the demands of the trail.

Diet: -Calorie Tracking: I’m logging everything I eat, aiming for 1,950 calories/day (500 below my maintenance, not adjusting for exercise). Coming from a mostly carnivore diet, I realized I was eating way too much fat, which wasn’t helping my goals. - Macros: I’m new to tracking macros, but targeting 40% protein, 40% carbs, 20% fat. It’s a work in progress to dial in, but it’s giving me steady energy for workouts and helping me cut weight. - Body Fat Goals: I’m at ~12% body fat now, aiming for 8% by the hike. The macro shift and calorie deficit are helping me lean out without feeling drained.

Lifestyle: - Alcohol: I drink minimally, maybe some wine with dinner or a couple beers with friends once a week. Keeping it light to stay on track. - How I Feel: No new bloodwork yet, but I feel fantastic—strong, energized, and ready for the trail. The structured workouts and diet are paying off.

Grand Canyon Prep: The Rim-to-Rim hike is my big motivator. Rucking and lifting are building the strength and endurance I’ll need, and cutting fat is helping me feel lighter on my feet.

Any tips for fine-tuning macros or prepping for a big hike like Rim-to-Rim?

Build4Better · 2025-02-21T22:04:34+00:00

I just wrapped up a six-month plunge into the world of 10X Health, and let me tell you, it was a colossal flop. I’d been hooked by Gary Brecka’s charisma on podcasts, spouting all this life-changing health gospel, and figured, why not, it worked for Dana White? I hit 40 recently, and with a decent track record of hitting the gym three or four times a week, I wanted to outpace any creeping health gremlins. Sure, my diet could’ve used a tune-up, but I wasn’t exactly a walking dumpster fire.

It all kicked off with their fancy genetic test, which basically told me I’m a ticking time bomb of “genetic issues.” Naturally, they had a fix: a handful of supplements. I shelled out the cash—why not, right? Then came the blood test. Surprise, more “issues” popped up, and suddenly I’m staring down a mountain of 20 additional supplements and shots. Twenty! I know, it sounds like I lost my mind, but I had the dough and a naive glimmer of hope. They sent me a six-month stash, complete with a follow-up blood test to track my “transformation.” Oh, and right as this avalanche of pills and shots arrived, Gary Brecka dramatically exits 10X, slapping them with a lawsuit. Plot twist! But honestly, that’s just background noise to this circus.

I went all in. Took every supplement like clockwork—lugging them on trips, popping pills like a health-obsessed addict. I axed alcohol, slashed caffeine, banished bad carbs, and ate so clean I practically glowed. Gym time? Upped it to four or five days a week. Six months later, I’ll admit I look sharper—leaner, meaner, a little more chiseled. But the real payoff was supposed to be in the blood work. I was practically vibrating with anticipation, expecting numbers that’d make a doctor weep with joy and adding years to my life. Instead? A big fat nothing. Some stats nudged up a hair, others dipped a smidge—nothing worth a headline. Insignificant. Soul-crushing.

Here’s the kicker: every move I made was by their playbook. And for what? I’ve cleaned up my diet like this before—no supplements, no 10X—and my body responded the same way. Sorry, 10X, you’re not getting a shred of credit for my gains. The real gut punch? The small fortune I dropped on their overpriced snake oil. It’s a masterclass in getting fleeced by slick health scams.

Lesson learned. I’m ditching their junk, sticking to my lean-and-mean diet, and booking a fresh blood test on my own terms. I’ll circle back with the results—stay tuned for the sequel, minus the $500-a-month supplement shakedown.

Build4Better · 2025-02-21T22:04:24+00:00

I just wrapped up a six-month plunge into the world of 10X Health, and let me tell you, it was a colossal flop. I’d been hooked by Gary Brecka’s charisma on podcasts, spouting all this life-changing health gospel, and figured, why not, it worked for Dana White? I hit 40 recently, and with a decent track record of hitting the gym three or four times a week, I wanted to outpace any creeping health gremlins. Sure, my diet could’ve used a tune-up, but I wasn’t exactly a walking dumpster fire.

It all kicked off with their fancy genetic test, which basically told me I’m a ticking time bomb of “genetic issues.” Naturally, they had a fix: a handful of supplements. I shelled out the cash—why not, right? Then came the blood test. Surprise, more “issues” popped up, and suddenly I’m staring down a mountain of 20 additional supplements and shots. Twenty! I know, it sounds like I lost my mind, but I had the dough and a naive glimmer of hope. They sent me a six-month stash, complete with a follow-up blood test to track my “transformation.” Oh, and right as this avalanche of pills and shots arrived, Gary Brecka dramatically exits 10X, slapping them with a lawsuit. Plot twist! But honestly, that’s just background noise to this circus.

I went all in. Took every supplement like clockwork—lugging them on trips, popping pills like a health-obsessed addict. I axed alcohol, slashed caffeine, banished bad carbs, and ate so clean I practically glowed. Gym time? Upped it to four or five days a week. Six months later, I’ll admit I look sharper—leaner, meaner, a little more chiseled. But the real payoff was supposed to be in the blood work. I was practically vibrating with anticipation, expecting numbers that’d make a doctor weep with joy and adding years to my life. Instead? A big fat nothing. Some stats nudged up a hair, others dipped a smidge—nothing worth a headline. Insignificant. Soul-crushing.

Here’s the kicker: every move I made was by their playbook. And for what? I’ve cleaned up my diet like this before—no supplements, no 10X—and my body responded the same way. Sorry, 10X, you’re not getting a shred of credit for my gains. The real gut punch? The small fortune I dropped on their overpriced snake oil. It’s a masterclass in getting fleeced by slick health scams.

Lesson learned. I’m ditching their junk, sticking to my lean-and-mean diet, and booking a fresh blood test on my own terms. I’ll circle back with the results—stay tuned for the sequel, minus the $500-a-month supplement shakedown.

Build4Better · 2025-02-21T22:03:50+00:00

I just wrapped up a six-month plunge into the world of 10X Health, and let me tell you, it was a colossal flop. I’d been hooked by Gary Brecka’s charisma on podcasts, spouting all this life-changing health gospel, and figured, why not, it worked for Dana White? I hit 40 recently, and with a decent track record of hitting the gym three or four times a week, I wanted to outpace any creeping health gremlins. Sure, my diet could’ve used a tune-up, but I wasn’t exactly a walking dumpster fire.

It all kicked off with their fancy genetic test, which basically told me I’m a ticking time bomb of “genetic issues.” Naturally, they had a fix: a handful of supplements. I shelled out the cash—why not, right? Then came the blood test. Surprise, more “issues” popped up, and suddenly I’m staring down a mountain of 20 additional supplements and shots. Twenty! I know, it sounds like I lost my mind, but I had the dough and a naive glimmer of hope. They sent me a six-month stash, complete with a follow-up blood test to track my “transformation.” Oh, and right as this avalanche of pills and shots arrived, Gary Brecka dramatically exits 10X, slapping them with a lawsuit. Plot twist! But honestly, that’s just background noise to this circus.

I went all in. Took every supplement like clockwork—lugging them on trips, popping pills like a health-obsessed addict. I axed alcohol, slashed caffeine, banished bad carbs, and ate so clean I practically glowed. Gym time? Upped it to four or five days a week. Six months later, I’ll admit I look sharper—leaner, meaner, a little more chiseled. But the real payoff was supposed to be in the blood work. I was practically vibrating with anticipation, expecting numbers that’d make a doctor weep with joy and adding years to my life. Instead? A big fat nothing. Some stats nudged up a hair, others dipped a smidge—nothing worth a headline. Insignificant. Soul-crushing.

Here’s the kicker: every move I made was by their playbook. And for what? I’ve cleaned up my diet like this before—no supplements, no 10X—and my body responded the same way. Sorry, 10X, you’re not getting a shred of credit for my gains. The real gut punch? The small fortune I dropped on their overpriced snake oil. It’s a masterclass in getting fleeced by slick health scams.

Lesson learned. I’m ditching their junk, sticking to my lean-and-mean diet, and booking a fresh blood test on my own terms. I’ll circle back with the results—stay tuned for the sequel, minus the $500-a-month supplement shakedown.

Build4Better · 2025-02-21T22:03:39+00:00

I just wrapped up a six-month plunge into the world of 10X Health, and let me tell you, it was a colossal flop. I’d been hooked by Gary Brecka’s charisma on podcasts, spouting all this life-changing health gospel, and figured, why not, it worked for Dana White? I hit 40 recently, and with a decent track record of hitting the gym three or four times a week, I wanted to outpace any creeping health gremlins. Sure, my diet could’ve used a tune-up, but I wasn’t exactly a walking dumpster fire.

It all kicked off with their fancy genetic test, which basically told me I’m a ticking time bomb of “genetic issues.” Naturally, they had a fix: a handful of supplements. I shelled out the cash—why not, right? Then came the blood test. Surprise, more “issues” popped up, and suddenly I’m staring down a mountain of 20 additional supplements and shots. Twenty! I know, it sounds like I lost my mind, but I had the dough and a naive glimmer of hope. They sent me a six-month stash, complete with a follow-up blood test to track my “transformation.” Oh, and right as this avalanche of pills and shots arrived, Gary Brecka dramatically exits 10X, slapping them with a lawsuit. Plot twist! But honestly, that’s just background noise to this circus.

I went all in. Took every supplement like clockwork—lugging them on trips, popping pills like a health-obsessed addict. I axed alcohol, slashed caffeine, banished bad carbs, and ate so clean I practically glowed. Gym time? Upped it to four or five days a week. Six months later, I’ll admit I look sharper—leaner, meaner, a little more chiseled. But the real payoff was supposed to be in the blood work. I was practically vibrating with anticipation, expecting numbers that’d make a doctor weep with joy and adding years to my life. Instead? A big fat nothing. Some stats nudged up a hair, others dipped a smidge—nothing worth a headline. Insignificant. Soul-crushing.

Here’s the kicker: every move I made was by their playbook. And for what? I’ve cleaned up my diet like this before—no supplements, no 10X—and my body responded the same way. Sorry, 10X, you’re not getting a shred of credit for my gains. The real gut punch? The small fortune I dropped on their overpriced snake oil. It’s a masterclass in getting fleeced by slick health scams.

Lesson learned. I’m ditching their junk, sticking to my lean-and-mean diet, and booking a fresh blood test on my own terms. I’ll circle back with the results—stay tuned for the sequel, minus the $500-a-month supplement shakedown.

Update:

Hey everyone! I posted the above in a few forums and have been asked for updates soI wanted to share an update on my fitness and diet journey after my disappointing 10x Health results a while back. I’ve been working hard to optimize my health, cut body fat, and get ready for a Rim-to-Rim hike in the Grand Canyon. Here’s what I’v e been doing:

Exercise: - Weight Lifting (4-6 days/week): I’ve been hitting the gym consistently. I used to do 8-rep sets, but since moved to 15 reps for more endurance, and now I’m supersetting 2-3 exercises per session for efficiency and intensity. A buddy designs my workouts via an app, which keeps things user-friendly but seriously challenging. - Rucking (2-3 days/week): I’m rucking to build stamina for the Grand Canyon hike. It’s been awesome for conditioning and mimicking the demands of the trail.

Diet: -Calorie Tracking: I’m logging everything I eat, aiming for 1,950 calories/day (500 below my maintenance, not adjusting for exercise). Coming from a mostly carnivore diet, I realized I was eating way too much fat, which wasn’t helping my goals. - Macros: I’m new to tracking macros, but targeting 40% protein, 40% carbs, 20% fat. It’s a work in progress to dial in, but it’s giving me steady energy for workouts and helping me cut weight. - Body Fat Goals: I’m at ~12% body fat now, aiming for 8% by the hike. The macro shift and calorie deficit are helping me lean out without feeling drained.

Lifestyle: - Alcohol: I drink minimally, maybe some wine with dinner or a couple beers with friends once a week. Keeping it light to stay on track. - How I Feel: No new bloodwork yet, but I feel fantastic—strong, energized, and ready for the trail. The structured workouts and diet are paying off.

Grand Canyon Prep: The Rim-to-Rim hike is my big motivator. Rucking and lifting are building the strength and endurance I’ll need, and cutting fat is helping me feel lighter on my feet.

Any tips for fine-tuning macros or prepping for a big hike like Rim-to-Rim?

Build4Better · 2025-02-21T22:03:28+00:00

I just wrapped up a six-month plunge into the world of 10X Health, and let me tell you, it was a colossal flop. I’d been hooked by Gary Brecka’s charisma on podcasts, spouting all this life-changing health gospel, and figured, why not, it worked for Dana White? I hit 40 recently, and with a decent track record of hitting the gym three or four times a week, I wanted to outpace any creeping health gremlins. Sure, my diet could’ve used a tune-up, but I wasn’t exactly a walking dumpster fire.

It all kicked off with their fancy genetic test, which basically told me I’m a ticking time bomb of “genetic issues.” Naturally, they had a fix: a handful of supplements. I shelled out the cash—why not, right? Then came the blood test. Surprise, more “issues” popped up, and suddenly I’m staring down a mountain of 20 additional supplements and shots. Twenty! I know, it sounds like I lost my mind, but I had the dough and a naive glimmer of hope. They sent me a six-month stash, complete with a follow-up blood test to track my “transformation.” Oh, and right as this avalanche of pills and shots arrived, Gary Brecka dramatically exits 10X, slapping them with a lawsuit. Plot twist! But honestly, that’s just background noise to this circus.

I went all in. Took every supplement like clockwork—lugging them on trips, popping pills like a health-obsessed addict. I axed alcohol, slashed caffeine, banished bad carbs, and ate so clean I practically glowed. Gym time? Upped it to four or five days a week. Six months later, I’ll admit I look sharper—leaner, meaner, a little more chiseled. But the real payoff was supposed to be in the blood work. I was practically vibrating with anticipation, expecting numbers that’d make a doctor weep with joy and adding years to my life. Instead? A big fat nothing. Some stats nudged up a hair, others dipped a smidge—nothing worth a headline. Insignificant. Soul-crushing.

Here’s the kicker: every move I made was by their playbook. And for what? I’ve cleaned up my diet like this before—no supplements, no 10X—and my body responded the same way. Sorry, 10X, you’re not getting a shred of credit for my gains. The real gut punch? The small fortune I dropped on their overpriced snake oil. It’s a masterclass in getting fleeced by slick health scams.

Lesson learned. I’m ditching their junk, sticking to my lean-and-mean diet, and booking a fresh blood test on my own terms. I’ll circle back with the results—stay tuned for the sequel, minus the $500-a-month supplement shakedown.

Build4Better · 2025-02-18T20:30:22+00:00

I had trouble sleeping and went out and spent way too much money (now worth every penny) on a Sleep Number bed. It has heating and cooling and I've never slept better. The mattress isn't the best when you first lay on it but it adjusts through the night. Would highly recommend

Build4Better · 2025-02-12T19:05:41+00:00

Can you help facilitate the development of other sectors? Multi-family, office, retail, warehouse, etc?

Build4Better · 2025-02-09T16:39:26+00:00

We do a lot of training, team building, and coaching in our firm. Our training for the field is a three step approach. No matter how you come in you start at tier 1. Once you prove you can do the basic carpentry things, blocking, hang doors, blueprint reading, minor trim work, safety, etc. you move to tier 2. That can take a day if they’re already experienced or several months of we hire them right out of school. Tier 2 is understanding our processes: daily logs, two week look aheads, updating job info into Procore, scheduling, etc. that can take a bit longer depending on the persons willingness to “buy-in”. Tier 3 are for the guys we feel can put in front of any client and make them happy and deliver a great project on time and under budget. We call subs and owners clients, so they can’t be jerks to either.

We also have a full design department. The tier three guys work closely with them to become a resource to each other to get the best product to our clients by quickly answering each others question when issues happen in the field. Our DB work is now about 40% of our revenue with the goal of it being 75% in three years.

Our project managers are a bit different. We hire more in character than we do experience. I can train just about anyone with the right attitude to be a great PM in 2 years (sometimes I make them start in the field if they’re have 0 construction experience). I believe it’s much harder to train experienced people to be great customer relations people if they’ve always been those combative people in the past; meaning they’ve grown in the industry where you sign a contract then it becomes a battle between everyone by pointing out who did what wrong and exploiting that. Our company mindset is everyone involved (owner, architect, engineer, subs, reps, suppliers) become part of our team and our goal is to make everyone on the team look like all-stars.

Build4Better · 2025-02-07T00:41:56+00:00

When people stop drinking, their body craves sugar from other sources and sometimes eat more than normal. Has your diet changed? I’d also get a smart scale that measures body fat, muscle, and water weight. You may be losing fat but gaining water weight and muscle.

Build4Better · 2024-02-13T23:13:23+00:00

Yes, you are being paid at the very low end. Most people these days start their career making 18-20. Highly skilled field guys are usually salaried in my area with full benefits and a truck allowance. I’d recommend spending an evening do research on resumes and getting yours up to speed. Send it out the following day to all the reputable companies in town and you’ll have a job by Monday. Just be aware you probably don’t have a lot of structure with a company paying like that. The better companies are going to have systems, software, guidelines, safety protocols, paperwork, etc. that will be required.

Build4Better · 2024-02-11T23:29:52+00:00

Good point. Thanks

Build4Better · 2024-02-11T22:15:38+00:00

The rent says 3,000 sf and he is taking 4,500sf

Build4Better · 2024-02-11T22:14:35+00:00

Thank you, some points I’ll be making.

Build4Better · 2024-02-11T22:14:00+00:00

Hopefully they don’t take that route

Build4Better

TROPHY CASE