How to Run a High-End Luxury Renovation Business (Do this NOW!!)

#850 What if the secret to scaling a luxury renovation business had nothing to do with tools, talent, or even experience — and everything to do with trust? In this episode, host Brien Gearin sits down with Justin Dickinson of Cousins Co. Renovations in Portland, Maine, to unpack how he and his cousin built a thriving high-end renovation company from the ground up — with zero employee turnover and a reputation that sells itself. Justin breaks down how radical transparency with clients (including telling them upfront they might owe more money mid-project) actually wins more business, how the iron triangle of quality, time, and cost shapes every estimate, and why treating subcontractors like teammates is the ultimate competitive advantage. He also shares the operational backbone behind their growth: profit sharing, smart software, contingency planning, and knowing when to walk away from a bid. Whether you're in the trades or just building any service business, this one is loaded with practical wisdom you can use today! What we discuss with Justin: 0:00 The Quality, Time & Cost Triangle 0:21 Meet Justin: From Zero Construction Experience to Luxury Renovations 1:52 Communication & Setting Client Expectations 3:35 Building Trust From Day One 7:46 Starting Small & Growing Through Referrals 14:53 Scaling the Team With Profit Sharing 21:17 Managing Subcontractors & Building Relationships 27:17 Proposals, Pricing & the Cost Study Process 32:32 Margin Goals & Staying Fair 41:23 Managing Project Timelines & Avoiding Overruns Thank you, Justin! Check out Cousins Co. Renovations at ⁠CousinsCoMaine.com⁠: https://www.cousinscomaine.com/ To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MillionaireUniversity.com/training (https://www.millionaireuniversity.com/training)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. And follow us on: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/millionaire_university_mu/) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MillionaireUniversityMU/) Tik Tok (https://www.tiktok.com/@millionaireuniversity_mu?lang=en) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyG31bPcrqhbjvGsuz-JaXw) Twitter (https://twitter.com/Millionaire_Uni) To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors (https://www.millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors) . Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here (https://www.millionaireuniversity.com/podcast) ! #entrepreneurship #renovations #renovationbusiness #constructionbusiness #tradesbusiness #bluecollarbusiness #homeimprovementbusiness