Build America Podcast

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 287 - What is "Delegated Design"? – With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner turned consultant, on this episode of the Pipeline Podcast as he delves into the concept of delegated design in construction. He explains the traditional Design-Bid-Build model and how delegated design fits into this framework. Scott provides real-worl...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 286 - What’s that High Track Dozer All About? – With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner turned consultant, on this episode of the Pipeline Podcast as he discusses high track dozers – this being a focus on Caterpillar's innovative elevated sprocket design. Learn about the history, benefits, and drawbacks of these powerful machines, a...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 285 - Load Path & Building from the Bottom Up – With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner turned consultant, on this episode of the Pipeline Podcast as he delves into the critical concept of load path in construction. He highlights how load travels through structural elements and the importance of understanding this process from the b...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 284 - Increase Profit by Rule of 27 – With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner turned consultant, on this episode of the Pipeline Podcast as he delves into the Rule of 27, a method to boost profitability in heavy construction. Scott breaks down the concept of profitability, emphasizing the crucial balance between revenue and expenses. He...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 283 - Data Collection Without the $100,000 Fancy Toys – With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner turned consultant, on this episode of the Pipeline Podcast as he highlights the accessibility of tools for data collection, debunking the notion that expensive equipment is necessary. He provides practical and inexpensive alternatives, rangin...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 282 - Two Negatives of Owning Your Own Construction Business – With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner turned consultant, on this episode of the Pipeline Podcast as he candidly discusses the harsh realities of entrepreneurship in the construction industry. From cash flow woes to navigating personnel challenges, Scott shares valuable ins...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 281 - Red Flags in Bid Day v. Change Order Pricing – With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner and current professional engineer, on today's episode of the Pipeline Podcast. Scott delves into the critical differences between bid day pricing and change order pricing, shedding light on the factors influencing each and offering insights...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 280 - How to Make a Submittal – Check, Check, Check! – With Scott Jennings In this episode of the Pipeline Podcast, Scott Jennings, a former construction company owner turned consultant, dives into the art and science of making successful submittals in heavy construction projects. Join Scott as he shares one very good method to improve your submittal success rate. Learn...

In this episode, we explore the intricate world of rebar installation and uncover the critical do's and don'ts that can make or break your construction schedule. Hosted by a seasoned inspector, the episode provides valuable insights into the top problems faced in rebar installation, ranging from clearance issues to tie wire housekeeping. Learn how conscientious workers and timely inspectio...

In this episode, we unravel the key elements of construction activity cost control – real time tracking. The discussion revolves around understanding the daily cost of operations, the significance of labor and equipment costs, and the ability to run "what-if" scenarios to protect your budget. The host provides insights into the difference between budgeted and actual costs, offering a pra...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep277 - Construction Crossword Challenge – With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner and professional engineer turned consultant, in this unique episode of the Pipeline Podcast. Today, Scott introduces a special feature: a construction-themed crossword puzzle! As he takes you through the puzzle, Scott offers insights and challenges related t...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep276 - Trench Talk - Kelly Jennings, Small Business CFO – With Scott Jennings In this insightful episode, Scott Jennings engages in a candid conversation with Kelly Jennings, a seasoned accountant with extensive experience in the financial world. The discussion covers the fundamentals of accounting, its importance for business growth, and tips on maximizing the benefits of...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep275 - Profitability the Easy Way – Via the Bottom Line – With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner turned consultant, as he explores profitability in construction. Learn practical ways to enhance your bottom line without just focusing on production speed and efficiency. Scott shares insightful tips on managing finances, investments, and sm...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep274 - What's a DRB? – With Scott Jennings In this episode of The Pipeline Podcast, Scott delves into the traditional claims process and explores the stages where disputes typically arise. Discover the DRB approach and its effectiveness, with insights from the successful model employed by the Washington Department of Transportation. I hope you find this episode as info...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 273 - ELB v. HDD or Jack and Bore or Microtunnel  – With Scott Jennings In this episode of The Pipeline Podcast, Scott explores trenchless pipe installation methods, comparing traditional Excavate-Lay-Backfill (ELB) with innovative trenchless approaches. ELB involves trench excavation, pipe laying, and backfilling. Trenchless methods, such as Horizontal Directional Drill...

Ep 272 - Get a Master’s Degree in Engineering?  Umm… –The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 272 - Get a Master’s Degree in Engineering?  Umm…  – With Scott Jennings In this episode of The Pipeline Podcast, Scott reflects on the personal and professional aspects of obtaining a master's degree in engineering. With insights into the expectations of the engineering world and the unique experiences associated...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 271 - Trench Talk: Paul Kennedy, Surety (Bonding) Agent  – With Scott Jennings In this episode of The Pipeline Podcast, Scott Jennings and Paul Kennedy, each with over thirty years of experience in the construction industry, provide valuable insights into the core concepts of bonding. They cover essential topics, including defining bonding, bid bond costs, initiating the...

Ep 270 - Selling Your Business – EBITDA is “Bullshit Earnings” –The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 270 - Selling Your Business – EBITDA is “Bullshit Earnings”  – With Scott Jennings In this episode of The Pipeline Podcast, Scott shares with us selling a construction business involves challenges in determining its value, with factors like EBITDA and various valuation methods playing a role. Finding a buyer...

Ep 269 - Know Your Audience – Legally and Practically –The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 269 - Know Your Audience – Legally and Practically  – With Scott Jennings In this episode of The Pipeline Podcast, Scott emphasizes the paramount importance of understanding your audience in project communication. Effective communication, whether written or verbal, is not only essential for efficiency but also carries...

Ep 268 - Your Construction Career Path – 90% is Your Drive –The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 268 - Your Construction Career Path - 90% is Your Drive  – With Scott Jennings In this episode of The Pipeline Podcast, Scott outlines a typical construction career path and emphasizes the importance of drive in succeeding in this industry. Scott discusses the choice of whether or not to pursue a college educatio...

Ep 267 - Forensic Reporting 101 –The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 267 - Forensic Reporting 101 – With Scott Jennings In this episode of The Pipeline Podcast, Scott explores forensic engineering, which is vital in construction and as a potential career change. He explains the causes of property loss, emphasizing report-writing skills. The steps of making a report are explained, such as collecting data, ge...

Ep 266 - What’s a Deposition? –The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 266 - What’s a Deposition? – With Scott Jennings In this episode of The Pipeline Podcast, Scott talks about what a deposition is in the context of the legal process; he places a specific emphasis on its role in construction disputes. The episode begins by outlining the construction dispute resolution process, which typically involves notifyi...

Ep 265 - Project Specifications – The Basics, in Five Minutes –The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 265 - Project Specifications – The Basics, in Five Minutes – With Scott Jennings In this episode of The Pipeline Podcast, Scott discusses the fundamental elements of project specifications in construction. The episode outlines three main parts of project specifications and highlights their significance. It emp...

Ep 264 - Concrete Formwork Takeoff 101 – It’s All About SFCA –The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 264 - Concrete Formwork Takeoff 101 – It’s All About SFCA – With Scott Jennings In this episode of The Pipeline Podcast, Scott provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of concrete formwork takeoff.  Scott drives straight to the heart of the takeoff: square feet of contact area (SFCA). This episode...

Ep 263 - The Differing Site Condition - Careful! –The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 263 - The Differing Site Condition - Careful! – With Scott Jennings This podcast episode discusses the critical impact of the Differing Site Conditions (DSC) clause for, primarily, underground contractors. This common Contract clause addresses unexpected physical conditions during the work that weren't outlined in the...