Unpacking Construction Finance Management
If there’s one thing that doesn’t get talked about enough in the world of custom home building, it’s money. Not just how to make it—but how to manage it, invest it, and leverage it wisely. Construction finance management is essential. So of course, the curious builder collective took a deep dive.
At our recent collective event, we hosted a session on financing and investing, led by Sahand—a financial strategist who works with business owners across industries. It was a raw, honest conversation that pulled back the curtain on the real financial challenges—and opportunities—that builders in the construction industry face every day.
A New Way of Looking at Business
If we had to sum up the event in one sentence it would be this: It’s less about spreadsheets and more about mindset.
We started to see our businesses not just as projects, but as investments in themselves. Sahand challenged us to think beyond the daily grind: Are you investing in yourself? In your team? In creating multiple income streams? And if the market slows down, do you have lines of credit in place—not because you need them now, but because having them gives you options? Her advice about cash flow management and financial planning was game changing.
One powerful idea that stuck with many of us: “Never leverage for employees. Leverage for profit.” Borrowing just to meet payroll might not be the healthiest move. But borrowing to take a calculated swing—whether it’s launching a spec home or expanding into a new market? That could be a risk worth taking! Not all financial aspects are as simple as what a project costs, you have to use strategic planning in the construction business!
Getting Personal
This session wasn’t just about learning from Sahand. It was about learning from each other. One of the most valuable parts of the conversation came from builders who opened up about their own projects, like our spec home Mysa, that sparked questions around financial strategies, cost overruns, investor partnerships, rate of return, and all the gritty logistics that don’t get talked about nearly enough.
In sharing, others followed suit. People spoke candidly about cash vs. credit, about what’s “normal” and what’s just plain smart. Some builders run all-cash businesses, others use leverage strategically. Some invest in tech, others in real estate. While many builders had different financial processes, this was a great opportunity to learn from each other! One remodeler, for instance, owns five or six rental properties with a clear goal to grow that portfolio to 15 or 20—his version of a retirement plan.
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Community Over Competition
One of the most memorable moments came from Paul Crumrich of Greenway Solar, who owns four businesses and wasn’t shy about sharing both wins and losses. That openness and his real-world examples set the tone. This wasn’t about showing off balance sheets and healthy cash flow—it was about equipping each other with real, hard-earned insights.
It was one of those events where you can feel people really listening. There were nods, note-taking, those little moments of eye contact when something clicked.
It’s one thing to have an idea in your head; it’s another to say it out loud, watch the room of industry professionals react with real-time data, and realize: maybe this idea has legs—or maybe it needs a little work. Either way, the feedback loop was immediate and incredibly valuable.
Why We Need to Talk About Construction Finance Management
Too often, money talk stays behind closed doors. But the truth is, every builder is making financial decisions every single day. Whether it’s how to fund payroll, what kind of equipment to invest in, or when to take on a spec home, we’re all navigating these waters. When we open up these conversations, we all get to gain perspective, confidence, and new strategies.
The biggest win from this session wasn’t a hot tip or a new tool (though there were plenty of those). It was the reminder that we’re all in this together—and we all benefit with a deeper understanding when we share not just the highlight reels, but the hard stuff, too.
So, here’s to more financial transparency. More open conversations. More smart risks. And more builders investing in the most important thing they’ve got: themselves.
