The Best Contractors Are Planning Now for 2026

Want to win 2026? Here’s the one thing every top contractor is doing right now.

They’re planning.

Not guessing. Not hoping. Not copying-and-pasting last year’s spreadsheet and calling it “done.”

They’re stepping out of the daily chaos to build a clear plan for where their business is going, how they’ll grow, and how to get their whole team rowing in the same direction.

Because here’s the truth:
You don’t need more ideas. You need clarity.
You don’t need more hustle. You need alignment.
You don’t need to work harder. You need to work intentionally.

Recently Nexstar Business Coach Carlos Aponte and I sat down with Hannah Belloli, editor at ACHR The News, to unpack what the best contractors are doing now to set themselves up for success.

Click here for the full podcast episode titled Win 2026: Why the Best Contractors Plan Now.

Carlos and I cover it all with Hannah:

• How to avoid the planning pitfalls;
• The difference between a real plan and a wish list;
• Why your marketing plan is your biggest leverage point;
• Breakthrough moments that changed the game for contractors who finally committed.

And, we share details on a new workshop framework we’ve developed for meeting our members where they’re at in support of their business needs. Members now choose the level of Marketing Planning Workshop (MPW) and Business Planning Workshop (BPW) that aligns with the current state of their business while hitting the mark on high-impact content and flexible formats:

• Foundational – Just starting out or strengthening the basics? Start here.
• Core – Ready to build a full plan and walk away with it in hand.
• Plus – For seasoned businesses seeking personalized coaching and advanced strategies.

Don’t wait to take control of your business growth. If you’re a Nexstar member, click over to our new BPW/MPW page on the member website – and call your coach!

If you’re not currently a member but are curious to learn more about Nexstar and our mission to help the world’s best tradespeople become the world’s best businesspeople, contact us today.

About the author:

Marketing Coach Jeff Wright joined Nexstar in 2020 after having spent almost 20 years in the marketing industry. Jeff worked with iconic brands, helping them to become best-in-class leaders; he has a passion for connecting businesses within their community to engage their consumers. Jeff also taught marketing at the collegiate level, and he has a passion for helping Nexstar members grow their business. Follow Jeff on LinkedIn for more insights.