Builders of Authority

From Solo Contractor to $20M Goal: How to Scale a Deck Business in 2026

Adam McChesney

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0:00 | 32:18

Most contractors stay stuck swinging a hammer for 90 hours a week because they never make the jump from operator to owner. Trant, a third-generation carpenter based in Nottingham, New Hampshire, almost did. Then his wife told him they were having a kid, and everything changed.

In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, host Adam McChesney sits down with Trant to break down exactly how he went from solo contractor to building a custom deck and outdoor living company on track to hit $20M in annual revenue, and why niching down to decks (instead of being a master of all trades) was the single biggest unlock.

What we cover:
– Why niching down to decks streamlined his estimating, SOPs, and office operations
– The mindset shift from contractor to business owner — and the audiobooks and mentors that drove it
– How becoming a dad forced him to build a company that could run without him on every job site
– The marketing stack that built the brand: vehicle wraps, Google Ads, Google Business Profile, and targeted neighborhood mailers
– Why hiring a virtual assistant was one of the highest-ROI moves he made
– His 5-year plan: $20M in revenue and a dedicated outdoor living design center
– How to delegate the tasks outside your expertise so you can focus on growth

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✉️ CONTACT:
Email  adam@buildauthority.co
Website  adammcchesney.com