Behind the Build: Sitting Down with Fernhill’s Alex Molkentin on The Build Project Podcast

There are conversations that feel like content... and then there are conversations that stick with you.

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That’s exactly what happened when I sat down with Alex Molkentin, founder of Fernhill and host of The Build Project Podcast.

Alex has a gift for bringing out the real stories behind the work, the why behind what we do, and the how that actually makes it work. We talked about everything from builder psychology and process design to AI, cost codes, and what homeowners should really be asking before they sign a contract.

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🎧 Watch the episode on YouTube
📖 Read the episode show notes

Why This Conversation Was Different

The Build Project Podcast is a behind-the-scenes look at the people, processes, and stories shaping custom residential construction in Colorado, and beyond. Alex says it best: “It’s all about building cool shit — with even cooler people.”

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And this episode was exactly that.

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As someone who grew up in construction (begrudgingly at first), my career eventually pulled me back in, but from a different angle. I’m not out swinging a hammer. I’m here to help builders run more efficient, profitable, and system-driven businesses.

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That overlap, between the craft and the business, was at the heart of our conversation. And it made this episode one I’m genuinely proud to share.

Builders Need Systems, Not Just Skill

One of the themes we kept coming back to: you can’t scale if you don’t know your numbers.

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You’d be shocked how many seasoned builders are just now learning that they’ve been undercharging or duplicating expenses for years. I’ve seen builders uncover six figures in missed margin during a cleanup.

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That’s not a mistake. It’s a lack of clarity.

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In our conversation, we broke down a few simple truths:

• Standardizing your chart of accounts isn’t optional
• You need consistency across projects to get any real insight
• Scaling without clarity is gambling with your business
• Being a great builder doesn’t mean you can wing the financials

And the ones who succeed long-term? They treat their company like a business. They prioritize systems. They embrace visibility, even when the numbers aren’t what they hoped for.

AI Isn’t Coming for Your Job — It’s Coming for the Chaos

One of my favorite parts of the episode was talking about AI. Not in the abstract sense, but in the very real, very practical ways it's changing how builders work.

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AI isn’t going to replace great builders. It’s going to replace bad systems.

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Things like:

• Sorting invoices
• Matching receipts
• Tracking labor hours
• Reconciling costs
• Generating draw packages

The stuff that eats your time and introduces human error? That’s what AI is here for.

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Let’s get builders out of spreadsheets and back to managing projects, building relationships, and making decisions that actually move the needle.

Efficiency Is Not a Discount

Alex brought this up, and it hit hard. When you implement better systems and suddenly a job runs faster or cleaner, some clients think: “Shouldn’t that cost less?”

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Absolutely not. You’re not being paid for time. You’re being paid for results.

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Better systems mean:

• Fewer mistakes
• Cleaner reporting
• Faster delivery
• More predictable budgets
• More available time for PMs to solve real problems

Efficiency is a premium service, not a discount.

Advice I’d Give Any Homeowner

Alex asked me what I’d tell a friend building a custom home. Here’s what I’d say:

1. Ask how your builder tracks money
   Not just how they bid. How they bill. How they track change orders. How they prevent errors.
2. Don’t be sold by a handshake
   The best builders walk you through their process, not just the price.
3. Ask how they handle mistakes
   Every project has issues. The best builders have systems to catch and correct them early.

A Full-Circle Moment

From being dragged onto jobsites as a kid… To helping builders through construction tech… To sitting down with someone like Alex and having this kind of conversation?

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That’s a full-circle moment for me.

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What we’re building at Adaptive (and what I try to amplify through Builders, Budgets & Beers) is about giving builders real control over their business. The kind that makes work more rewarding, teams more aligned, and clients better served.

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This episode of The Build Project Podcast captured all of that. I’m grateful to have been part of it.

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🎧 Watch the full episode here: YouTube: Genuine Innovation in Construction
📖 Read the show notes and listen: Fernhill Podcast with Reece Barnes

And if you’re looking for more conversations like this, check out my show Builders, Budgets & Beers — where we get real about the business side of building.

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