Latest Subcontractors Podcast Episodes
The problem with UCSBs '"dormzilla" project | Walkthrough Wednesday
Built with Billd - December 29, 2021 10:00 - 6 minutesUC Santa Barbara faces backlash on their proposed “Dormzilla” project. In the proposed plans for Munger Hall, an 11-story, 1.68 million square foot student housing center, 94% of the bedrooms had no windows. Plus, with a density of 221,000 students per square mile, Munger Hall would be the 8...
The future of education in the construction industry
Built with Billd - December 27, 2021 10:00 - 32 minutesThe number of students transitioning into the construction industry has steadily declined over the past decade. One reason for this could be due to the lack of vocational training in schools. On this week's episode of Built with Build, we sat down with Dr. Patrick Suermann, department head of t...
Is the “call before you dig” system broken? | Walkthrough Wednesday
Built with Billd - December 22, 2021 10:00 - 5 minutesFailures and inefficiencies in the 8-1-1 system are costing consumers $61 Billion per year. Why? Because 8-1-1 policies lack teeth and they don’t mandate the reporting of damaged utility lines. Plus, utility companies and third party locaters are being sent to do work for projects that don’t ...
Is the “call before you dig” system broken? | Walkthrough Wednesday
Built with Billd - December 22, 2021 10:00 - 5 minutesFailures and inefficiencies in the 8-1-1 system are costing consumers $61 Billion per year. Why? Because 8-1-1 policies lack teeth and they don’t mandate the reporting of damaged utility lines. Plus, utility companies and third party locaters are being sent to do work for projects that don...
Episode 48 - The construction knowledge gap
Own The Build - December 20, 2021 09:00 - 34 minutes ★★★ - 1 ratingIn this episode, Paul and Liam are joined by Gregor Harvie, Co-Founder of Designing Buildings, a business whose mission is to put all construction industry knowledge in one place and make it available to everyone for free. In this episode, we discuss ‘the construction knowledge gap’, how it hold...
The construction payment cycle is broken | Finance Friday
Built with Billd - December 17, 2021 10:00 - 4 minutesThe construction industry has failed subcontractors. Why? Contractors are acting like a bank and floating money for somebody else's project, but not getting paid back for it for roughy 90 days. Except unlike a bank, you’re probably not charging interest on your money. If you’re not paid fo...
The construction payment cycle is broken | Finance Friday
Built with Billd - December 17, 2021 10:00 - 4 minutesThe construction industry has failed subcontractors. Why? Contractors are acting like a bank and floating money for somebody else's project, but not getting paid back for it for roughy 90 days. Except unlike a bank, you’re probably not charging interest on your money. If you’re not paid for 9...
An influx in civil spending could put even MORE strain on the industry labor shortage | Walkthrough Wednesday
Built with Billd - December 15, 2021 10:00 - 5 minutesBrace for impact. The recent uptick in civil spending could put a serious strain on the current labor shortage. As more and more jobs are coming down the pipeline, the demand for labor will continue to increase. What happens when the supply of construction workers fails to meet the demand? Hi...
The key to reducing risk on every construction project
Built with Billd - December 13, 2021 10:00 - 21 minutesThe construction industry is risky for subcontractors because a lot of things are out of their control. Lack of labor availability, rising material prices, and supply chain delays. On this week’s episode, we sat down with Grey Fry, VP of Marketing, at Esub, to talk about how subcontractors can...
Episode 47 - The tech is there, why no takeup
Own The Build - December 13, 2021 09:00 - 31 minutes ★★★ - 1 ratingIn this special episode, Paul and Liam are not joined by any guests. Instead, they talk about the adoption of technology in construction, how it differs from other sectors and what we can learn from other industries to improve more quickly. Paul and Liam frequently refer to the technology adop...
You NEED to understand the concept of leverage | Finance Friday
Built with Billd - December 10, 2021 10:00 - 5 minutesLeverage is an extremely powerful tool that can fuel your businesses growth. By using other peoples capital to expand your business, your return on investment is much higher because you're not using your cash on hand to finance the growth; allowing you to reinvest it in other areas of your busi...
Cybersecurity attacks in the construction industry? | Walkthrough Wednesday
Built with Billd - December 08, 2021 10:00 - 8 minutesAccording to NordLocker, construction is the No. 1 industry hit by ransomware. Victims have ranged from multi-billion dollar companies in Asia, all the way down to small family businesses in Texas. Companies are most vulnerable through email, malware - and most recently - siegware through smar...
Episode 46 - Managing the party wall process
Own The Build - December 06, 2021 09:00 - 37 minutes ★★★ - 1 ratingIn this episode, Paul and Liam are joined by Carl O’Boyle, Managing Director of Tayross Associates, for a frank discussion about party wall surveying. This episode discusses Carl’s experience as a party wall surveyor and how property developers can learn a lot by engaging with their neighbours. ...
Why you should rethink debt in construction | Finance Friday
Built with Billd - December 03, 2021 10:00 - 9 minutesYou've probably heard this saying once or twice - "there is no such thing as a free lunch." Somewhere along the line you paid for it; either directly or indirectly. The same applies to your business. It costs money to grow and understanding how to leverage debt responsibly, is the key to long...
Slow payments affect MORE than just the subcontractor | Walkthrough Wednesday
Built with Billd - December 01, 2021 10:00 - 7 minutesSlow payment will cost the construction industry $136 Billion in 2021. Slow payments drastically decrease your cash conversion cycle and make it impossible for you to increase the number of jobs you’re on. When subcontractors are forced to cover the cost of wages and materials before being pai...
How surety bonds can help contractors grow their business
Built with Billd - November 29, 2021 10:00 - 25 minutesIn the construction industry, surety bonds are put in place to ensure a project is completed within the terms of the contract. Contractors who are eligible for surety bonds have greater opportunities to win state, federal, and municipal construction contracts. GC's typically look for subcontra...
Episode 45 - The decline of the high street
Own The Build - November 29, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes ★★★ - 1 ratingIn this episode, Paul and Liam are joined by Andrew McDonald, Co-Founder of Credo Living and Tandem Real Estate. In this episode, we discuss Andrew’s experience as a Commercial agent and how he uses that skill now, as a property developer, to benefit from the evolution of the high street. Head...
How working capital relates to your businesses cash flow | Finance Friday
Built with Billd - November 26, 2021 10:00 - 5 minutesTo understand the health of your business, you need to know how working capital relates to cash flow. Working capital is the difference between your current assets and current liabilities. The larger the number, the more leverage you have to grow your business. However, a lot of contractors a...
What happens when demand exceeds available supply? | Walkthrough Wednesday
Built with Billd - November 24, 2021 10:00 - 6 minutesThe largest federal spending package on roads and bridges in over 70 years has just been passed. $550 Billion dollars will now be going into various infrastructure projects across the United States. However, this new influx of civil work comes at a time when labor shortages are already plagui...
Episode 44 - Can construction contracts be 500 words long?
Own The Build - November 22, 2021 09:00 - 40 minutes ★★★ - 1 ratingIn this episode, Paul and Liam are joined by Sarah Fox, a construction contract expert and Director at 500 Words who deliver simple digital trust-enhancing contracts to put construction companies in control. In this episode, we discuss the benefits of reducing the length of construction contract...
Understanding debt vs. equity financing | Finance Friday
Built with Billd - November 19, 2021 10:00 - 10 minutesWhether you’re just getting started or you’re looking to grow your business, leveraging financing responsibly will help accelerate your growth. There are two main types of financing that you should understand; debt and equity. Based on the current status of your business, one might be more ben...
Challenges with just-in-time inventory | Walkthrough Wednesday
Built with Billd - November 17, 2021 15:12 - 7 minutesThe lean approach to inventory management helps businesses align their inventory with demand. Industries have worked for decades to cut costs by keeping on-hand inventory low, but it requires a careful balance. Just-in-time inventory management has caused major delays in commercial constructi...
How to win more commercial construction jobs
Built with Billd - November 15, 2021 10:00 - 40 minutesIn commercial construction, marketing your business doesn’t come down to typical branding initiatives, like logos, websites, or brochures. You build your construction brand by delivering quality work in the field. However, you can only demonstrate that value once you’ve won projects where you ...
Episode 43 - Data-driven sustainability
Own The Build - November 15, 2021 09:00 - 39 minutes ★★★ - 1 ratingIn this episode, Paul and Liam are joined by Brittany Harris, the CEO and Co-Founder at Qflow, a digital platform enabling construction teams to collect real-time materials and waste data at the source. In this episode, we discuss how machine learning can reduce the amount of waste on-site and d...
Why the time value of money is crucial to understand | Finance Friday
Built with Billd - November 12, 2021 10:00 - 6 minutesMoney today is worth more now than the same sum in the future. Why? Inflation. Money can only grow through investments, and waiting to invest that same sum is an opportunity cost. Understanding the time value of money helps you make smarter investment decisions by choosing the right projects ...
$550 Billion may soon be headed our way | Walkthrough Wednesday
Built with Billd - November 10, 2021 10:00 - 4 minutesThe $1.2 Trillion infrastructure bill is steps away from the finish line. On Friday, the House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 228 to 206; sending the bill to the presidential desk. Should the President sign the bill into law, it will allocate $550 Billion to civil works spend...
Episode 42 - What working at a big developer teaches you about being a small developer?
Own The Build - November 08, 2021 09:00 - 33 minutes ★★★ - 1 ratingIn this episode, Paul and Liam are joined by Ben Richards, Director of Aura Homes, an SME Property Developer and an Award-Winning Architectural design company. This episode discusses how Ben's lessons while working at a prominent developer, the Berkeley Group, shape how he runs his SME property ...
Breaking down liquidity, AR, and DSO| Finance Friday
Built with Billd - November 05, 2021 09:00 - 6 minutesA critical aspect of managing your construction business effectively is understanding liquidity ratios and how you can calculate them. Current ratio, quick ratio, and days sale outstanding are important formulas that help you determine the strength and vulnerabilities of your business. These s...
The US and EU have reached a massive agreement | Walkthrough Wednesday
Built with Billd - November 03, 2021 09:00 - 4 minutesThe price for steel and aluminum products continues to increase as demand outweighs available supply. This has forced many contractors to pay a premium for any materials they can scrounge together. However, the US and EU recently reached an agreement to ease the tariffs on these products begin...
Episode 41 - Creating a production line mentality
Own The Build - November 01, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes ★★★ - 1 ratingIn this episode, Paul is joined by Lukas Olbrich, Co-Founder and CEO of Sablono, which is the world’s first Construction Execution Platform. In this fascinating episode, we discuss how data can give accurate, current information to project teams to inform crucial decision making. Head to www.ge...
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