Onboarding That Works: How To Set Up New Hires for Long-Term Success

In this episode of Remodelers On The Rise, Kyle Hunt is joined by Bryan Williams of Squirrel Solutions to talk all things onboarding. From prepping before day one to setting clear expectations and leveraging self-learning tools, Bryan walks through a simple, practical nine-step onboarding framework remodelers can apply right away. You’ll also hear why great onboarding isn’t just about forms and checklists—it’s about culture, connection, and setting your new hires (and your business) up to thrive. If you’re about to hire or want to improve how you bring new team members into your remodeling business, this conversation is packed with actionable ideas and tools. Looking to strengthen your onboarding process? Squirrel Solutions is offering a free Onboarding Starter Guide designed to help remodelers create a smooth, professional, and engaging first-week experience for new team members. Inside, you’ll find practical tips and checklists to set clear expectations, build confidence, and set employees up for long-term success. Download your free guide here! ----- Today's episode is sponsored by Builder Funnel! Click here to learn more about how Builder Funnel helps remodelers and home builders grow through strategic digital marketing. ----- Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights! ----- Takeaways Onboarding is an underappreciated skill in remodeling businesses. Proper onboarding can significantly improve employee retention. Pre-onboarding communication helps ease new hires' anxiety. Budgeting for onboarding is crucial for effective training. Defining core expectations involves the entire team, not just one person. Leveraging self-learning tools can save time and resources. Regularly reviewing job descriptions ensures they remain relevant. Setting clear goals for new hires fosters a productive culture. Collecting feedback on the onboarding process is essential for improvement. A strong conclusion to onboarding can leave a lasting positive impression. ----- Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 03:30 The Importance of Onboarding 09:44 Pre-Onboarding Strategies 14:43 Budgeting for Onboarding 17:47 Defining Core Expectations 20:11 Leveraging Self-Learning Tools 26:05 Reviewing Job Descriptions 32:36 Setting Goals and Collecting Feedback 37:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts