EPISODE 435: Are you still using outdated tools like Excel for estimating? Time to switch to the cloud! In this week’s episode of The ConTech Crew, my co-host Nathan Wood and I sit down with Dustin DeVan, CEO of Ediphi, a cloud-based estimating tool. Dustin, who also founded BuildingConnected (later acquired by Autodesk), shares his journey from general contracting to pioneering cloud-based tools for cost estimation. Ediphi’s cloud-based platform offers a collaborative, adaptable approach to...

EPISODE 434: We are in an exciting, transformative era where new technologies, like AI, are reshaping industries at every level. But is the construction industry truly prepared to embrace these advances without fear? In this week’s episode, Jeff Sample chats with Usman Shuja, the CEO of Bluebeam, about how AI and technology impact the construction industry. With a background in AI development across high-stakes industries, Usman provides a unique perspective on the challenges and...

EPISODE 433: Imagine a construction site where every tech tool talks to each other seamlessly–no re-entry, no manual updates–just data flowing effortlessly. Sounds ambitious, right? In this episode of The ConTech Crew, Nathan Wood and I sit down with Nick Caravella, Director of Growth and Industry Strategy at Avicado, a company dedicated to helping construction owners and teams create a connected digital workflow. Today, Nick shares how his background in architecture shaped his understanding...

EPISODE 432: Is your construction process as efficient as it could be? In this week’s episode, Wyatt Jenkins, Chief Product Officer at Procore, shares insights into how Procore is revolutionizing the construction industry with its latest innovations and what to expect at Groundbreak 2024. With deep roots in construction, Wyatt brings a personal touch to the discussion, highlighting Procore’s commitment to creating safer, more productive job sites through cutting-edge technology, like AI and...

EPISODE 431: Have you ever wondered if robots are quietly replacing jobs across industries like construction, shipping, manufacturing, or even tech? In this week’s special episode of The ConTech Crew, we team up with our friends at The Construction Dorks Podcast for a deep dive into the shrinking SaaS market and the rise of automation. Industry experts Jonathan Marsh, Trent Leinenbach, and Travis Voss discuss why companies are reconsidering their software strategies, whether robots should be...

EPISODE 430: Are you looking to design a software solution that perfectly fits your construction business needs? In this week’s episode, we dive into how EllisDon, a Canadian-based construction leader, has quietly developed its own digital tools to streamline operations and maximize efficiency. To give us an in-depth look at how EllisDon does it, we’re joined today by Samantha Erlich, Director of Product, and Kersti Nurka, UX Manager, who both represent the software development arm of...

EPISODE 429: Have you ever been knee-deep in a project, only to discover you’ve missed a crucial building code? It’s frustrating and costly, right?  What if you could avoid those mistakes with just a few clicks? Meet Scott Reynolds, co-founder & CEO of UpCodes, who’s leading a revolution in construction by providing open access to building codes through an online platform. In this episode, my co-host Nathan Wood and I sit down with Scott to discuss the critical role building codes play in...

EPISODE 428: Ever dreamed of ditching the headaches of managing your construction crew to focus on what you do best–building? Today’s guest has the perfect solution to your problem. In this week’s episode, my co-host Nathan Wood and I sit down with Lou Perez, a former pro snowboarder turned tech entrepreneur. Lou shares his story of transitioning from pro snowboarding to carpentry and ultimately co-founding Lumber, an AI-powered workforce management platform built specifically for the...

EPISODE 427: Digital twin has become a buzzword–but what does it really mean? In this episode, my co-host, Tannis Liviniuk, and I sit down with Dylan Underhill, a BIM and VDC consultant at Trillium Advisory Group, to break down the concept of digital twins.  Today, we’ll explore how digital twins function more as a workflow and methodology, the best strategies in building a digital twin, and the challenges of bridging the generational gap in construction–especially when it comes to adopting...

EPISODE 426: Research shows that 13% of a construction professional’s workday is spent looking for information that they need to do their jobs. Let that sink in. But is technology alone the answer to this crisis? In this week’s special episode, live from The ECC Future Leaders Conference, I’m joined by industry experts Tannis Liviniuk and Nathan Wood to discuss the ongoing challenges in construction communication and collaboration. We’ll dive into how construction teams are often bogged down...

EPISODE 425: Whether it’s misplaced cards or redundant training, managing construction credentials can feel like a full-time job–but not anymore with BuilderFax. In this week’s episode, my co-host Nathan Wood and I sit down with Christi Pilutik, CEO of BuilderFax, to talk about her mission to change how craft workers manage their credentials and career growth. With a solid background in HR and construction consulting, Christi shares her insights on the current state of the industry’s...

EPISODE 424: Mental health in construction isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. But how do we empower the industry, especially its leaders, to talk about it openly? In this week’s Pause for the Cause episode with co-host Rob McKinney, we interview Paul Lawson, Risk Management Coordinator and Lead Mental Health Advocate at Mid-City Electric/Technologies, to explore his unique path from ministry to construction. Paul shares how his background as a pastor and two-time cancer survivor...

EPISODE 423: How ready is your construction business for the future? If you haven’t thought about AI and automation yet, you could be missing out on something big! In this week’s episode of The ConTech Crew, my co-host Travis Voss and I sit down with Aaron Hilger, CEO of Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), and Carol Duncan, President of General Sheet Metal and SMACNA, to discuss the evolving landscape of the construction industry. This conversation...

EPISODE 422: How reliant are digital technologies in improving construction safety?  In this week’s episode of The ConTech Crew, my co-host Rob McKinney and I sit down with Gabe Guetta, CEO and co-founder of SALUS, a young SaaS company specializing in construction safety. Gabe spent 15 years in construction, dealing with the challenges and stigmas that come with it. But when a near-miss job site incident occured, he realized there was a critical gap in how safety was managed in the...

EPISODE 421: Do you ever wonder why construction accounting is so challenging? I did, too, and so did this week’s guest, who has not only lived through these challenges but also developed innovative solutions to tackle construction’s accounting and profitability issues. Meet Chris Lee. Chris is an entrepreneur who transitioned from IT to construction and then to tech innovation–solving some of the most challenging problems in this industry.  He’s the mind behind Esticom, a cloud-based...

EPISODE 420: How do general contractors (GCs) spend most of their time? A recent study conducted on job sites reveals that GCs spend only 8% of their time in the field. The rest is consumed by tasks such as documenting discrepancies (16%), searching for the right information (15%), and meeting preparation (13%). Why are we wasting so much of these skilled professional’s time doing paperwork? Enter Trunk Tools–a platform designed to optimize workflows, enhance collaboration, and achieve a high...

EPISODE 419: Have you ever faced costly errors in your construction projects? Imagine if you could prevent them before they even happen. In this week’s episode, Nathan Wood and I sit down with Shir Abecasis, an Israeli military intelligence and cybersecurity expert turned CEO of FIRMUS. FIRMUS is an AI-driven pre-construction tool that analyzes PDF construction drawings and identifies potential design-related risks and errors at various project development stages. Today, Shir discusses how...

EPISODE 418: How can the construction industry become safer and more efficient? When we talk about construction safety, the strict implementation of hard hats on job sites is the first thing that comes to mind. However, what’s happening under that hard hat is equally important. In this week’s episode, my co-host Rob McKinney and I sit down with Sebastien de Ghellinck, founder and CEO of SkillSignal, to uncover the future of construction safety and well-being. Sebastien, along with his...

EPISODE 417: We often view technology as a quick-fix solution, but it isn’t.  Take AI, for example.  Many companies rush to innovate and release AI-driven products to gain market advantage.  However, this often overlooks the ethical and practical issues that should’ve been addressed first. This is exactly what our guest will unpack today. Meet Ritwik Batabyal. Ritwik is the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Mastek, a global IT company specializing in cloud and data migrations. With...

EPISODE 416: The construction industry has the highest rate of overdose deaths among major sectors. Yet, there’s still a stigma in tackling this opioid crisis. Thankfully, this week’s guest and his team have done the groundwork for creating healthier and safer construction job sites. To shed light on these critical issues, join me and my co-host, Nathan Wood, as we interview Cal Beyer, Senior Director of the SAFE Project. Today, we’ll talk about the pressing issues of mental health, suicide...

EPISODE 415: Have you ever wondered why some construction projects take so long and cost so much? Join me as I sit down with the incredible Maria Davidson, CEO and founder of Kojo, a construction technology platform built for trade contractors to manage procurement, tools, and warehouse support. Today, Maria and I talk about the critical role of materials management in construction delays and cost overruns. She shares how her company’s platform can streamline materials management for a...

EPISODE 414: With today’s information right at our fingertips, a huge portion of the construction industry is still heavily reliant on siloed data. Could this be the hidden productivity killer costing the industry millions of dollars? In this week’s episode, my co-host Nathan Wood and I sit down with Bob Salaj,  Director of Customer Advisory Team at Quickbase, to explore the intersection of Lean principles and digital transformation in construction. With his extensive experience across...

EPISODE 413: The construction industry has been using prefabrication for years, but there’s always been a bit of a disconnect. Typically, prefabrication doesn’t start until the bid is awarded to the fabricators. But what if there’s a way to speed up the process while building a sustainable future?  In this week’s episode, Nathan Wood and I speak with Michael Gustafson, vice president of strategy and business development at Qnect. As a structural engineer with extensive experience working with...

EPISODE 412: Burnout has long been a cause of higher suicidal rates in the construction industry. But what if there’s a way to detect burnout before anything worse happens? Join me in this week’s episode as my co-host, Nathan Wood, and I speak with Eitan Vesely, a former engineer turned successful founder. Today, we’ll talk about the world of employee well-being and how Eitan’s Watercooler, an AI-powered tool, helps companies detect and combat burnout in their employees.  We’ll explore the...