Precon Geeks

Can you relate to these stories? In this special episode of Precon Geeks, Beck Technology Content Team intern, Iman had a few questions of some of our employees who are “recovering estimators,” as Lauren likes to put it. We discovered precon is so much more than counting things, amiright? You guys have to be insanely detailed, know how to talk to so many different types of people, you provide a customer experience, you fill in the gaps, your problem solvers extraordinaire, you manage risk (and huge ones at that… that cost millions of dollars), and you have to be curious. Precon and estimating is a rewarding career and we’re here to talk about. Listen in to hear about the realities of working in precon…. we bet you nod your head more than once.

On this special episode of Precon Geeks, in celebration of Construction Inclusion Week, John hosts the Founder and CEO of Tough Leaf, Wissam Akra. Like Beck Technology, Tough Leaf serves the preconstruction community by connecting construction companies with diverse, local, and small firms. Tough Leaf also relies on huge databases for their innovative software. This episode of Precon Geeks is a can't miss for those preconstruction teams passionate about innovation, streamlining their processes, and are excited about new construction tech. To learn more about Tough Leaf, visit: Tough Leaf - Find Certified Minority and Women Businesses | Tough Leaf To learn more about Beck Technology, visit: Beck Technology | Construction Estimating Software (beck-technology.com)

“If in doubt, leave it out,” isn’t what will grow your career path in precon. On today’s episode of Precon Geeks, John hosts Aman Singh, Director or Preconstruction at Barry-Wehmiller Design Group to discuss the shifting mindset of what precon professionals and estimators can and need to be. For the best project outcomes and to mitigate risk, Aman says you need to think about how to build it, collaborate, and look at the big picture. If you are getting into precon, you no longer stop at the role of a mechanical estimator. You’re a builder. What skills do successful estimators and preconstruction professionals need? How do we grow preconstruction professionals into leadership roles? What is changing about positions in precon? Don’t miss this interesting look into Aman’s keynote speech at Precon World 2024. This year’s premiere precon event and conference will be held in Arlington, Texas on October 16-17, 2024, for two days of learning about preconstruction technology, how to solve common precon problems, and networking with peers. To register, visit our event page at Preconstruction Events and Hosted Webinars | Beck Technology (beck-technology.com) and use the code BTServices2024 for a 20% discount on your registration. and use the code BTServices2024 for a 20% discount on your registration.

How can we use data to provide unique solutions? The small margins in construction make it difficult to invest in adding value to the construction process; however, to win more work, you need to differentiate yourself from the others. The construction industry is slow to evolve but there are efficient and innovative ways to build better. Aaron and John talk about the challenges in construction and how we can solve them with emerging technologies.

“The preconstruction team is where the dreams of a project start to meet reality.” Mike Boren, Chief Product Officer at Beck Technology joins John on today’s episode to talk about typical precon problems and how the construction industry can overcome there. Mike is a tech guru who comes from a construction background and is extremely passionate about helping elevate precon teams. Precon teams can make the greatest impact on our built environment. How can we change the traditional perception of precon?

Does your company have goals? We’re betting they do. Is your current process going to help you reach those goals? What about exceeding those goals? John hosts Jonathan Wade, a Beck Tech account executive to talk about how technology helps precon departments add value to the overall business goals and how you can begin your estimating software evaluation.

What can we do to make the precon process better? How can we eliminate risk, train younger estimators, and create a better product with less effort? Are precon teams able to do all of this? John hosts Scott Higgins, Senior Vice President Preconstruction Services at Pepper Construction to talk about the innovative technology that precon teams are using to improve productivity, add value to owners, and collaborate more. Automation and machine learning are taking away those mundane and manual tasks that takes up estimators’ time. These revolutionary technologies are making it easier for precon teams to be more successful.

This week, the Precon Geeks are on a short break, so we are replaying an earlier episode about value engineering and bringing back the art of estimating. Value engineering is about how estimators can add value to owners and not just chopping things from the project to keep costs down. In this episode, John speaks the hard truth about how precon teams have traditionally isolated owners and how you can improve the relationship between precon, design, subs, and owners. This topic never gets old because it’s how you gain trust and win more repeat work.

On this episode of Precon Geeks, we shake things up some! John Reich hosts Patrick Tansey, Vice President of Construction at Schwob Energy Services. Schwob focuses on oil and gas construction and have some new, innovative technology they are building that is producing a neutral source of energy, eliminating methane and CO2 emissions at landfills. They are also working on fuel cell technology. These modern technologies are increasing efficiency and reducing construction’s environmental impact. Don’t miss this fascinating episode!

With over 200 preconstruction managers across 10 offices, Douglas Lee, Preconstruction Operations Manager at Brasfield & Gorrie stays busy! In a nutshell, Douglas manages leveraging Brasfield & Gorrie’s best practices and elevating their level of consistency. In this conversation, him and John talk about how Douglas navigates the challenges with aligning multiple offices and the innovative tools Brasfield & Gorrie are testing. Some of the precon tech of the future is going to surprise you!

John hosts Greg O’Bryan, Senior Preconstruction Analytics Manager at The Beck Group. Greg manages all of The Beck Group’s construction historical cost and estimating data. He helps support the preconstruction team’s efforts in analyzing that data and using it to make the best project decisions. Greg talks about the roadblocks and the lessons learned on starting a process of capturing and utilizing your data. This is a don’t miss episode!

“Sometimes it just takes being kind to get that relationship started.” We love this advice from Matt Hammer, Chief Estimator at Haselden. On this episode, John and Matt talk about how Haselden has successfully built a list of about 500 trusted specialty contractors. As Matt says, you have to focus on relationships. Haselden hosts a meet and greet every Friday morning with their subs, they reach out to them, and keep regular communication with the field to get their feedback. They also discuss the challenges of establishing new relationships with trade partners and how Haselden has overcome those challenges. To watch Matt’s insightful Precon World 2023 session on change management during a software implementation, click here: Inside: Out Change | Matt Hammer and Jan Beran (youtube.com)

Today we’re talking about the use of artificial intelligence in preconstruction. How are tech companies adopting AI? How can precon use AI to their advantage? What is the future of the use of AI in preconstruction? We answer these questions, plus discuss how precon teams can overcome the challenges of adopting AI. (Spoiler alert: You know when those secret scenes roll at the end of the credits of a movie…might want to stick around a few seconds after the end of the episode to listen to Stewart’s regret…)

Garrett Join(s) John on this episode of Precon Geeks to talk about how best to tell the precon story of how a project got from point A to point B.  To learn more about DESTINI Estimator’s integration with Join, click here: DESTINI Estimator Integration with Join (beck-technology.com)

John hosts Jeff Ratcliff, Construction Manager at Edifice. The two met working together in preconstruction at The Beck Group and now that both have new positions at new companies, the two catch up about their time working on healthcare projects, dealing with the nuances of estimating, effective ways to lead different teams, conceptual estimating, and how golf is like precon.

Today, John and Suzanne talk about the best thing you and your team can do when you lose a bid. Don’t worry, no one sings “Let it go” in this episode. (But we bet you have it stuck in your head now. You're welcome.)

Hey there, podcast pals! 🎙️ On today’s episode, our host John is joined by none other than Chris Reeder, the Preconstruction Technology Manager at Brasfield & Gorrie. 🚀 Now, let me tell you, Chris is a precon wizard—he’s got the whole tech game on lockdown! As the go-to guru for all things tech in his precon team, he’s like the Captain Marvel of construction software. 💪 What’s his secret sauce? Well, Chris not only wrangles the tech but also weaves magic into processes. He’s the guy who ensures everything runs as smoothly as a well-oiled machine. 🛠️ In this lively chat, John and Chris dive into the nitty-gritty. They’re talking about: Data organization: Because let’s face it, a tidy database is like a closet with color-coordinated socks—life-changing! 📊 Tech juggling: Imagine Chris with a bunch of tech balls in the air, doing a flawless juggling act. 🤹‍♂️ Best practices for standardizing your database: It’s like teaching your dog to sit—consistency is key! 🐶 Why having a tech manager rocks: Chris spills the beans on how it’s like having a personal tech superhero on your precon team. 🦸‍♂️ And guess what? Chris recently dropped some knowledge bombs at Precon World 2023. 🌎🔥 His session on Production-Based Estimating Lifecycle: Strategy to Quantities to Analysis is a must-watch! Click the link below to catch it on YouTube. 🎬 Production-Based Estimating Lifecycle: Strategy to Quantities to Analysis (youtube.com) So grab your headphones, kick back, and let’s geek out with John and Chris! 🤓🎧

This is one of our funnest episodes! Recorded on the day of the total apocalypse, whoops, we mean eclipse, John hosts Ted Solomon and the two talk about the eclipse, the New Jersey earthquake and the worst preconstruction mistakes the two experienced during their careers as estimators. Listen in to hear some precon disasters and feel Ted and John’s pain. What is the worst precon disaster you’ve experienced? Tell us and John will share the worst of them in a future episode. (Don’t worry, you can remain anonymous.) Email precongeek@beck-technology.com

Even if you aren’t using the latest and greatest software or other innovative construction tech, without data and technology, you wouldn’t be able to do your job. Okay, you might be able to technically do it, but it wouldn’t be done right at all. On this episode of Precon Geeks, John hosts Ale Macias, a Preconstruction Specialist at Ryan Companies. Ale holds a unique position in the preconstruction team at Ryan because she and her team focus solely on precon tech. They research and establish the best process on how to perform estimating the most efficiently and accurately and adapt that to the different regions, project types, and clients that Ryan works with. This enlightening conversation talks about data and how Ryan Companies successfully uses this tech-focused team to support their estimators.

We’re in a risky business and anything that can help us mitigate that risk is worth evaluating. On this episode of Precon Geeks, John hosts ProNovos founder, CEO, and Chief Data Scientist Bruce Orr. ProNovos, like DESTINI Estimator construction estimating software, is a data-driven construction software. ProNovos helps teams standardize their workflows and identify and stop financial risks in projects. John and Bruce talk about how data can be best used in the construction industry and how innovative technologies are changing the way we build and improving lives.