Meet Chad Prinkey, Founder & CEO
Chad Prinkey is the Founder and CEO of Well Built Consulting, a firm that has carved out a niche exclusively serving small to mid-size general contractors, construction managers, specialty contractors, owners, and developers in the building industry. Since 2008, he has developed nearly 200 client relationships across North America by delivering real results and maintaining trust. As a leader, Chad combines deep construction industry expertise with a friendly, no-nonsense approach that clients appreciate. He is passionate about driving positive change in the construction sector and helping good companies become truly “well built” organizations.
Professional Highlights
15+ Years Industry Experience: Over 15 years of consulting in the construction industry, building trusted partnerships since 2008.
Specialized Focus: Exclusively works with small and mid-size contractors, construction managers, and developers to boost their performance.
Broad Impact: Delivered keynote presentations and training programs to 120+ construction companies and industry associations across North America.
Author: Wrote Well Built: How the Top 2% of Construction Contractors Create Superior Value, Profits, and Excellence (2024), which became a #1 Amazon new release in multiple business categories.
Podcast Host: Co-hosts The Morning Huddle construction leadership podcast, interviewing industry experts and sharing best practices weekly.
Trusted Advisor: Praised by industry leaders – for example, Balfour Beatty’s president says Chad “gives us the model and tools to consistently be the best” in class, and a longtime client saw their business grow tenfold with Chad’s guidance.
Background & Experience
Chad’s journey in construction began from the ground up. In high school and college he worked as a laborer for a residential contractor, doing framing, concrete, masonry, and roofing work. This hands-on field experience gave him a deep appreciation for the hard work that goes into building projects – and also the insight that his own strengths lay not in the technical trades, but in leading and improving the business side of construction.
In 2008, Chad discovered his calling as a consultant during a training session with a veteran construction executive. A few months after the session, that executive told him, “I’ve been doing things the hard way for a long time... This stuff is changing my life!” Hearing how his advice sparked a personal and business transformation “hooked” Chad on the impact he could have. He has devoted his career since then to helping construction companies get a better return on their time, money, and effort, ultimately founding Well Built Consulting to fulfill that mission. Under his leadership, Well Built exclusively serves the building industry, focusing on the unique challenges of contractors and builders. Chad has successfully guided countless construction executives to unlock higher performance and success through this practice
Consulting Focus & Philosophy
Chad’s consulting approach is hands-on and rooted in real-world experience. He helps construction leaders put the right systems and culture in place across their businesses – from improving team skills and compensation structures to strengthening communication on project teams. Because of his field background, none of Chad’s advice is just theoretical; he ensures every solution is practical and proven to work on actual jobsites and within busy construction offices. His goal isn’t just to solve one-off problems, but to nurture a company-wide culture of continuous improvement and leadership excellence. In Chad’s view, lasting success comes from building great people and processes at every level of the organization, not from quick fixes.
Clients often note that Chad is frank and straightforward in his style – in the best way. He truly cares about the people and companies he works with, and it shows in his genuine commitment to their success. At the same time, he isn’t afraid to tackle uncomfortable issues head-on. Chad is very comfortable with difficult conversations and conflict resolution, which helps him get to the truth and address challenges that others might avoid. This blend of empathy and no-nonsense candor builds trust. “People should do business with people they trust,” is a principle Chad and his team live by. In fact, one industry executive described Chad as a “sought-after consultant and thought leader” who has the “courage and conviction to challenge the status quo and stand for positive change.” That reputation for bold, positive leadership is reflected in the core values of Well Built Consulting and in every client engagement Chad undertakes.
Chad also ensures his clients get comprehensive support for whatever business improvements they need. Under his guidance, the Well Built team delivers a full spectrum of solutions – from strategic planning and executive coaching to peer group facilitation, succession planning, and leadership training – all tailored to construction businesses. This holistic approach means Chad can help whether a contractor is refining day-to-day operations, developing their next generation of leaders, or mapping out growth and acquisitions. By replacing outdated industry norms with better strategies and tools, he positions companies to raise the bar for their employees, customers, and partners. Ultimately, Chad’s philosophy is that “good companies raising the bar” will elevate the entire construction industry, and he is determined to be a catalyst for that progress.
Industry Thought Leadership
Beyond his day-to-day consulting, Chad is an active thought leader in the construction realm. In 2024, he published Well Built: How the Top 2% of Construction Contractors Create Superior Value, Profits, and Excellence, distilling over fifteen years of experience into a clear roadmap for success. In this book, Chad lays out step-by-step how contractors can upgrade how they operate, strategize, manage teams, win new business, and deliver for customers in order to join the elite top 2% of performers. It’s a blueprint for building a company that consistently outperforms the competition in both value and profitability. Well Built earned significant acclaim – it debuted as a #1 New Release on Amazon in multiple industry and management categories, and it garnered praise from both experts and peers for being an “actionable playbook” and “blueprint for excellence” in the construction business. As Chad humbly notes, Well Built is his first book, and he “can’t wait to keep writing” to share even more insights with the industry.
Chad also shares knowledge as the co-host of The Morning Huddle, a weekly construction leadership podcast. On the podcast, he interviews experts from all corners of the building industry – from innovative contractors and trade professionals to authors and association leaders. These conversations focus on practical do’s and don’ts that help companies become “well built,” covering topics like market trends, team building, technology, and client service. Through The Morning Huddle, Chad amplifies new ideas and success stories, aligning with his mission to elevate industry standards and collaborative practices. Listeners value the way he draws out candid, useful lessons from guests, thanks to his curious and engaging interview style.
In addition to writing and podcasting, Chad is a sought-after speaker and educator in the construction sector. He has delivered keynote speeches, workshops, and training programs for over 120 construction companies and industry associations to date. From local builder conferences to national trade conventions, Chad’s sessions are known for being dynamic, insightful, and immediately applicable. (His background in performance – he’s a trained stage actor who “relishes opportunities to speak to groups and move people” – certainly helps keep audiences engaged.) Chad covers topics ranging from strategic planning and business development to leadership and culture, always with the aim of helping contractors improve and thrive. Through these efforts as an author, podcast host, and speaker, Chad has established himself as a genuine thought leader championing better business practices in construction.
Client Impact & Success
& Many More…
Chad’s impact can best be measured by the success of the companies he’s advised. He has built nearly two hundred client relationships by delivering tangible improvements and ROI for construction businesses across North America. Many of those clients have worked with him for years, a testament to the trust he earns and the results he delivers. Executives often report significant gains in profitability, team performance, and growth after implementing Chad’s recommendations. For example, one long-term client shared that over 14 years of working with Chad, their company grew tenfold in size, with Chad playing a leading role in making that possible. Another industry CEO said they consider Chad a true partner to their business and emphasized that his wisdom has “fueled our success” over the long haul. Even leaders of large national firms echo these sentiments – the President of Balfour Beatty Construction lauded Chad for giving them “the model and tools to consistently be the best” in the industry.
Such endorsements paint a clear picture: Chad doesn’t just give advice and leave – he becomes a trusted ally invested in his clients’ outcomes. He measures his own success by the real, lasting improvements his clients achieve, whether that’s doubling their profit margins, expanding to new markets, or building stronger internal teams. Under Chad’s guidance, contractors have improved employee engagement and company culture (leading to that virtuous cycle of happy employees, happy customers, higher profit). He has helped companies reduce turnover by implementing better training and career development programs. He’s guided firms through strategic transitions like acquisitions and ownership succession while preserving their legacy. In every case, Chad’s focus is on delivering results that not only benefit the individual client, but also “set a precedent for excellence and progress across the construction landscape”. His commitment to improving the industry as a whole shines through in each success story.
Personal Life & Passion
Outside of work, Chad is a family man and a natural performer – passions that influence his professional life as well. He lives in Baltimore County, Maryland with his wife, Lindsey, their three sons, and two black Labrador retrievers. If he’s not consulting on a jobsite or recording a podcast, you might find Chad on stage or at least entertaining a crowd. He has a lifelong love of the performing arts and even formal training in it, which is one reason he’s so at ease speaking to large groups. This performer’s flair, combined with his genuine empathy, allows him to connect with and inspire people from the field crews to the C-suite. Chad often says he feels fortunate to work with people he admires – both his clients and his own team. He approaches every engagement with energy and optimism, seeing it as an opportunity to make a positive difference. Whether he’s coaching a young project manager on leadership skills or helping an owner plan for the next decade, Chad brings the same enthusiasm and frank honesty that have become his trademarks. It’s all part of his broader passion: to “change the building industry for good” by improving one company, one team, and one person at a time. With his blend of industry savvy, heart for people, and relentless drive for excellence, Chad Prinkey embodies what it means to be a well-built leader in the consulting world – and he’s on a mission to build up others to do the same.