The Deconstruction Podcast

Most contractors are slow right now. Input prices are up nearly 20%, new construction starts are down, and the guys who are still busy aren't doing anything magical. They just never stopped doing the basics. This episode gets into what those basics actually are, and why skipping them early is what puts companies in trouble when the market tightens.

Kosta, Johny, and Charlie break down what they'd prioritize if they were starting trades company from scratch in 2026, including running lean, getting processes in place from day one, and building GC relationships that carry you through slow periods. They also get into the labor shortage numbers that keep getting reported versus what they're actually seeing on the ground — 60 resumes on the desk, guys from union companies applying to non-union, and projects that just aren't there.

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Chapter Timestamps

00:00 – Intro + customer review (Pacific Shine on switching from Jobber)
01:30 – Why contractors need an AI-powered website in 2026
07:48 – If you were starting your trades company today, what would you do?
12:17 – Building GC relationships and why it keeps you busy when others go slow
17:30 – Construction economy: tariffs, rising input costs, and what's really happening
35:38 – The labor shortage myth: 60 resumes and not enough work to hire them
48:30 – Spring outlook for Ontario construction
51:18 – Charlie's billboard: "No one cares about you"