Welcome to a solo episode of I’m The Gaffer

Gavin Coyle finally answers the #1 question he gets asked every single week:

“How the hell do I win tenders without being the cheapest bidder?”

If you’re a small-to-medium contractor sick of losing work, getting undercut, or telling yourself “it’s all backhanders and who you know,” this 53-minute masterclass will change everything.

This is the exact playbook Gavin uses (and teaches his clients) to win multi-million dollar tenders while still making a proper margin.

Episode Highlights

00:00 Intro + Hustro sponsor

00:21 The question Gavin gets asked more than any other

01:20 Why “brown envelopes” is the loser’s excuse (and the truth)

02:16 Find clients who actually value you (they exist!)

03:13 Sub-contractor model vs direct labour – the hidden reason you keep losing

05:38 Professional tender writers – worth every penny?

06:04 ISO / accredited systems – when you NEED them (and when you don’t)

08:23 The €5M+ tender rule nobody talks about

09:21 Sub-contractor vetting – get this wrong, and you’re instantly disqualified

10:20 ALWAYS ask for the scorecard feedback (and what to do with it)

12:14 It’s not price – it’s TRUST

19:44 Tell a STORY in your tender (most submissions read like a robot wrote them)

22:33 Build your tender library NOW (central folder = game changer)

25:28 Commercial profiles & photos of your key people (huge differentiator)

29:24 Modern slavery & supply-chain risk – clients are terrified of this

33:37 Clients care more about things NOT going wrong than saving €10k

34:36 De-risk the project for them = become the safe pair of hands

36:31 Add unasked-for innovations (toolbox talks, leadership walks, off-site fab)

41:13 Treat every tender like your company’s most important sales pitch

44:32 The team you promise MUST be the team that turns up

45:59 Build relationships BEFORE the tender drops

47:57 The follow-up email that saves tenders from the spam folder

50:19 Shift the conversation from COST to VALUE & TRUST

Sponsored by Hustro.com – the simplest construction management software on the planet.

I'm The Gaffer, hosted by industry expert Gavin Coyle, is the essential podcast for construction people, offering insider insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies to blueprint unprecedented success in the dynamic world of construction. Whether you are still ‘on the tools’, just getting started, a seasoned site manager focused on large-scale project management, or a fast-growth building industry entrepreneur/developer, this podcast is for you.

Gavin's guests, ranging from influential thought leaders to boots-on-the-ground practitioners, share their stories, successes, and failures, and offer invaluable lessons and tips, allowing you to have a 360-degree view of the construction landscape. This podcast is a must-have shared learning space for any person looking to achieve success in the building

industry.

As a construction person, this podcast is your go-to source for navigating the complexities of the construction industry, where success is not just built; it's crafted with precision, passion, and the right knowledge.

I’m The Gaffer, available on

Apple https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer

Spotify https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@imthegafferpodcast

Website https://www.imthegaffer.com/...

Welcome to Episode of I’m The Gaffer

Gavin Coyle sits down with Brad Huebner, ex-Marine, multi-business owner, and the coach who has quietly helped hundreds of contractors finally get paid what they’re worth.

If you’re working yourself to death, barely paying yourself, and still stuck under €/£/$1M – this episode is your wake-up call.

We go DEEP on the stuff nobody else will say out loud:

– Why 80-90 % of profitability problems are simply “not charging enough.”

– The brutal “crazy cycle” that keeps trades stuck at 70-90 hour weeks

– Why mindset is 90 % of coaching (and how childhood baggage is silently killing your pricing)

– The $35k vs $30k + efficiency example that will blow your mind

– Why picking ONE ultra-specific niche is the fastest way to dominate your town

– The exact 4-step blueprint Brad uses: Mindset → Finances → Sales/Marketing → Systems

Sponsored by Hustro.com – the simplest construction management software on the planet.

Episode Highlights

00:00 Intro + Hustro sponsor

00:16 “Outworking the inefficiencies” – why most have no parachute

00:55 The contractor who’s drowning right now (70-90 hr weeks, no pay)

07:40 The #1 problem across the board: NOT charging enough

12:53 The vicious “crazy cycle” explained

18:42 It’s relationships & communication, not just the task

21:07 Stop work the SECOND you’re not paid

24:27 90 % of coaching is MINDSET – self-worth & people-pleasing

28:19 Gavin opens up about losing his brother & how grief shaped his business decisions

40:46 Step 2 – Finances: kill the services that lose money TODAY

48:16 $35k bathroom vs $30k + $1k efficiency (the math that changes everything)

52:35 If Brad started again tomorrow: ONE niche from day one

55:20 Riches in niches + building a moat

57:13 Brad’s hidden life – 5 mission trips to Russia/Ukraine + world-championship pistol shooter

59:07 FREE BOOK (see below)

FREE GIFT FROM BRAD

Get Brad’s full book “The Contractor Profit Blueprint” 100 % FREE (normally $9.99)

→ https://www.thecontractorprofitblueprint.com

Promo code: GAFFER (all caps) – instant access

I'm The Gaffer, hosted by industry expert Gavin Coyle, is the essential podcast for construction people, offering insider insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies to blueprint unprecedented success in the dynamic world of construction. Whether you are still ‘on the tools’, just getting started, a seasoned site manager focused on large-scale project management, or a fast-growth building industry entrepreneur/developer, this podcast is for you.

Gavin's guests, ranging from influential thought leaders to boots-on-the-ground practitioners, share their stories, successes, and failures, and offer invaluable lessons and tips, allowing you to have a 360-degree view of the construction landscape. This podcast is a must-have shared learning space for any person looking to achieve success in the building industry.

As a construction person, this podcast is your go-to source for navigating the complexities of the construction industry, where success is not just built; it's crafted with precision, passion, and the right knowledge.

I’m The Gaffer, available on

Apple https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer

Spotify https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@imthegafferpodcast

Website https://www.imthegaffer.com/

Welcome to Episode of I'm The Gaffer – a raw, gut-punching episode!

Host Gavin Coyle dives deep with James Ford, founder of JT MOTIV, on the double-barrel crisis of addiction and mental health in construction. James bares all: from gambling at 16 to violent benders, rock bottom, and 15 years sober. Hear how pain builds strength, faith flips fate, and recovery rebuilds lives. A must-watch for contractors facing silent battles – with tips to spot signs and get help.

TRIGGER WARNING: Addiction, suicide, violence, trauma. If struggling, call Samaritans (116 123 UK/Ireland) or a loved one.

Sponsored by Hustro.com – the simplest construction management software for safer sites & faster fixes.

• James's addiction started: Gambling at 16 → suicide attempt
• "Two-fold illness": Physical cravings + mental obsession
• Rock bottom: Homeless, jaundiced, disowned
• Recovery miracle: 15 years sober + family rebuilt
• Faith's role: "Breakdown to breakthrough"
• Giving back: JT MOTIV speeches + 24/7 support
• Raw Q: "Better life without addiction?" (No – it shaped him)

• [00:10] Hustro.com – construction's simplest management tool
• [00:26] Raw Q: "Better life without addiction?"
• [00:55] "I'd have a better life... but no regrets"
• [01:25] 15 years addicted = 15 years sober – 2 lives
• [02:18] Meet James Ford: JT MOTIV founder
• [03:18] Addiction started: Gambling at 16, suicide attempt
• [05:09] "Violent drug lead" – dark isolation
• [07:27] "Choose your hard": Addiction vs recovery
• [09:07] Family fallout: "Couldn't even look after myself"
• [10:36] "Masks": Different faces for situations
• [12:55] "Illness of addiction" – WHO-recognized
• [15:49] Hustro.com – streamline safety & compliance
• [17:08] Breakdown to breakthrough: Pain builds strength
• [18:25] "Recovered, not cured" – daily work
• [21:36] Faith's role: "Relationship with Christ saved me"
• [23:05] Miracles: Rebuilt family + grandson
• [26:59] "Help 1 person/day" – JT MOTIV mission
• [27:29] Hustro.com – full ad (75% faster inspections)
• [29:03] Closing: "You're not alone – inbox me"

Connect with James Motiv directly:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-ford-jt-motiv-96b38530b/

Website: https://jtmotiv.com/

I'm The Gaffer, hosted by industry expert Gavin Coyle, is the essential podcast for construction people, offering insider insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies to blueprint unprecedented success in the dynamic world of construction. Whether you are still ‘on the tools’, just getting started, a seasoned site manager focused on large-scale project management, or a fast-growth building industry entrepreneur/developer, this podcast is for

you.

Gavin's guests, ranging from influential thought leaders to boots-on-the-ground practitioners, share their stories, successes, and failures, and offer invaluable lessons and tips, allowing you to have a 360-degree view of the construction landscape. This podcast is a must-have shared learning space for any person looking to achieve success in the building

industry.

As a construction person, this podcast is your go-to source for navigating the complexities of the construction industry, where success is not just built; it's crafted with precision, passion, and the right knowledge.

I’m The Gaffer, available on

Apple https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer

Spotify