What The Top 2% Of Builders Do Differently

Most builders work hard.

But why is it that some builders struggle while others break through and start seeing serious results?

The difference isn’t effort—it’s focus.

Because if you’re working hard on the wrong things—chasing bad leads, managing everything yourself, and relying on hope instead of data—you’re setting yourself up for stress and stagnation, not success.

The top level of coaching at APB is known as Elite Mentoring. It’s reserved for the top 2% of builders in our coaching cohort, and is designed for those who already have a profitable, successful business but want to go further, faster. With structured accountability and a clear strategy, these builders systematically pursue their long-term personal and professional goals—without wasted effort.

Each year, we track the results of our Elite Mentoring clients. Here’s what we learned from their success in 2024.

Bigger Contracts, Better Clients

Most builders want to grow. But growth without control can be dangerous—it leads to more jobs, more staff, and more stress… without bigger profits to show for it.

In 2024, our Elite Mentoring clients achieved remarkable growth, with revenue increasing by an average of 69.3%. Some saw gains as high as 123%, while even the lowest growth recorded was a solid 27.5%. At the same time, their average contract value nearly tripled, rising from $499K to $1.4M. This allowed them to take on fewer projects while making significantly more profit per job, proving that smarter, more strategic growth leads to better results—not just more work.

So, how did they make these big jumps?

The simple answer: they improved their marketing.

But they didn’t just throw more money at ads—they focused on the right areas:

• Clear niche positioning – No more bidding on everything and trying to build for anyone. They only attracted the right clients.
• Strategic messaging – They tested and refined ads weekly to optimise results for the clients that best fit their business.
• Authority through content – By consistently producing valuable content, they positioned themselves as the builder of choice, attracting better-qualified leads who were already sold on their expertise.

The takeaway? Instead of chasing more work, they dialled in their positioning to land fewer, higher-margin jobs.

Protecting Cash and Profit

A $1.4M project is meaningless if the margins are tight.

That’s why our Elite Mentoring clients didn’t just focus on growing revenue—they implemented changes to improved profitability and strengthened their cash flow.

In 2024, they saw gross margins increase by 5.25% on average (ranging from 3% to 8% growth) and net margins grow by 5.75% (ranging from 3% to 9% growth). At the same time, they reduced their fixed expense-to-revenue ratio from 16% to 11.1%, meaning they kept more of what they earned.

But improving margins alone wasn’t enough. They also focused on financial stability, ensuring their businesses weren’t just profitable on paper—but built to withstand downturns.

Most builders live and die by cash flow. When times are good, it’s easy to feel like everything is fine. But when a downturn hits? Many realise too late that they don’t have enough reserves to survive.

Elite Mentoring clients changed that. In 2024, their average cash reserves grew from $220K to $924K, giving them a financial safety net and the ability to reinvest in growth without unnecessary risk.

They achieved this by streamlining operations, reducing fixed costs, and improving cash flow management. By increasing efficiency across projects, they ensured jobs finished on time, suppliers were paid in advance (securing better terms), and invoices were settled faster. Instead of relying only on markup increases to boost margins, they tightened up their operations—allowing them to increase profitability without unnecessarily raising prices.

The result? Higher profits, stronger cash flow, and a business built for both stability and growth.

More Freedom, Less Stress

Most builders think they’re growing a business… but in reality, they’re just building a job for themselves—one that demands long hours, constant problem-solving, and little time for anything else.

The real goal isn’t just to grow revenue—it’s to build a business that gives you freedom.

That’s exactly what our Elite Mentoring clients achieved. One builder reduced his body fat from 21% to 15%, improving both his energy levels and his leadership. Another made Friday gym sessions with his wife and a personal trainer a permanent part of his routine. No-phone date nights became non-negotiable. One builder went from never picking up his kids from school to doing it twice a week. Another finally took two holidays in a year—after four years without a single break. One even started working toward a private pilot’s license, something he had dreamed about for years.

How did they make these changes without sacrificing their business?

• Systems over stress – Instead of constantly fixing problems, they put systems in place to prevent them.
• Time blocking – They scheduled personal priorities the same way they scheduled client meetings.
• Redefining success – They stopped measuring success by how busy they were and started focusing on building a business that could run without them.

The result? More time, less stress, and a business that works for them—not the other way around.

What’s Next?

Elite Mentoring isn’t something you can simply join. It’s an invitation-only program, reserved for the top 2% of builders in our coaching cohort. With only two intakes per year, the opportunity to step up is limited—and not every builder qualifies.

Our Elite clients are building a high-performance business that runs efficiently, generates strong margins, and gives them the freedom to step back when they choose.

If you’re already a Business Coaching client and believe you’re ready for the next level, speak with your coach about what it takes to be nominated.

Not everyone gets in. But for those who do, it changes everything.