OM DENNE EPISODE
Michael Krisa welcomes Patrick Lawler, VP of Lawler Construction, Inc., to discuss his journey from professional baseball player to construction industry leader.
As the son of company founder Jim Lawler (featured in the very first episode of our podcast), Patrick shares insights on family business dynamics, faith-based leadership, and the evolving challenges facing the construction industry.
What we discussed:
From Sports to Construction
Patrick's path from minor league baseball to the family construction business during the 2008 recession. Working on remodeling projects during tough economic times helped him discover his passion for building and project coordination.
Family Business Succession: Gradual transition from employee to partner, how his father never initially planned for his children to join the business but came to value their contributions. Patrick brings up the importance of proving worth through performance rather than family connections.
Faith-Based Business: Patrick and his father operate their company with Christian values at the core, starting meetings with prayer and viewing their work as a calling. This foundation provides stress relief and guides their business decisions.
Transparency in Construction: Lawler Construction's unique approach of showing clients actual costs down to the penny, including previous contracts and final invoices. They operate on a cost-plus model with full transparency rather than traditional markup systems.
Client Expectations: Strategies for preparing clients for potential challenges, including setting contingency allowances and educating customers about worst-case scenarios upfront. Patrick emphasizes the importance of under-promising and over-delivering.
Industry Challenges: Rising construction costs, labor shortages, and regional price variations. Why Arizona construction costs are high compared to other states, citing labor costs, shipping expenses, and regulatory requirements.
3D printed homes, AI in construction, the potential for technology to address labor shortages while maintaining quality in custom construction.
Attracting young people to the trades, the disconnect between perceived value of college versus trade education, and the need to change cultural attitudes about construction careers.
Patrick's separate venture, Home Base Developers, focuses on semi-custom homes in subdivisions, including the successful addition of RV garages - popular with retirees and snowbirds.
Work-Life Balance: How Patrick manages stress while juggling responsibilities as a business leader, father, and youth baseball coach.
Company Culture and Values: Emphasis on team meetings, open communication, and treating all employees with respect. Patrick explains how their faith-based approach attracts quality subcontractors and employees who share similar values.
Addressing the housing shortage, the role of tiny homes and alternative building methods, and maintaining quality while scaling operations.
Lawler Construction
https://www.lawlerconstructionaz.com
* Ranks in top 2% of Arizona contractors by volume
* 17-20 employees
* Semi-custom and custom homes rather than production building
* Operates with complete cost transparency, returning unused funds to clients
* 37-year family business legacy
Patrick Lawler serves as Vice President of Lawler Construction, Inc., family-owned construction company founded by his parents Jim and Cindy Lawler in 1985, based in Cottonwood, Arizona.
Patrick is positioned to take over the company that has built a reputation as one of Arizona's top contractors, ranking in the top 2% by volume. He serves as Managing Member of Home Base Developers, LLC, his own real estate venture in the Verde Valley area.
Married to Chanel Lawler, owner of the award-winning Chocolate Blonde Salon in Cottonwood, Patrick is father of three children, actively coaches youth baseball.
