Construction Hot Takes

In this episode, Jeff Robertson dives into AI in construction, breaking down adoption tiers, practical use cases, and how contractors of all sizes can leverage AI to protect margins, streamline processes, and grow their business. Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction: The Solo Podcast 4:27 – Understanding the AI Marketplace 6:52 – The Three Tiers of AI Application 12:12 – Market Adoption: Large, Mid, and...

A.I. is affecting every single facet of the construction industry. We are committing to doing a quarterly update, and this is the Q1 2026 State of A.I. update from the Construction Hot Takes podcast. Here, we talk through 5 key updates in the world of construction A.I. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro to AI Trends 04:02 – Embedded AI "Co-pilots" 07:11 – Document & Contract Intelligence 12:22 – AI-Assis...

In this episode, Gregory Gorman draws on his industry leading expertise in construction accounting especially as it has been dramatically affected by A.I., specifically how A.I. is enabling the continuous close. Chapters: 0:00 – Intro to Market Trends 1:52 – Understanding Risk Management 3:29 – Scaling Your Operations 6:09 – Tech Integration in Construction 10:55 – Future Outlook & Closing Che...

In this episode, Katherine Cooper talks about the new wave of search in 2026 that is powered by A.I. While many have already familiarized themselves with Search Engine Optimization, Answer Engine Optimization and Generative Engine Optimization remain untapped by most even prominent firms. Be sure to check this episode out and walk away with some of the key next steps that your construction firm ca...

In this episode, Gregory Gorman and Adam Cooper do a quick episode on the basics of private equity for construction businesses. Having plenty of experience working with construction firms with interest in working with private equity, this can provide you with some context. If you have any specific questions Adam or Gregory will be able to speak in depth with you about your concerns so please reach...

In this episode we are joined by Joshua Gregory, VP at Alston Construction, and friend of Adam Cooper since high school. They draw from their respective experiences in the world of construction to talk about the divide between pre-construction estimation and post-launch operations, and the reasons one may want to appreciate both sides no matter which side one works on. Hope you enjoy this episode....

In this episode, Jeff Robertson, Gregory Gorman, and Adam Cooper talk about the reality of ERP implementation. Especially if you are considering this for your construction organization, this episode will be highly valuable for you as the conversation goes through the many facets of consideration that must occur in order for a successful, smooth changeover to occur. Check out our whole catalog of C...

In this episode, Katherine Cooper and Adam Cooper talk about the functions of sales, marketing, and business development within the context of residential construction firms. Check out our whole catalog of Construction Hot Takes episodes on our website! https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/ Interested in learning how Ascent's consulting services could potentially help improve...

In this episode, our resident finance expert Gregory Gorman and operations expert Jeff Robertson talk about how artificial intelligence is transforming the world of construction accounting. We get really specific in this episode, so we hope you find value in this conversation. Check out our whole catalog of Construction Hot Takes episodes on our website! https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot...

In this episode, Katherine Cooper and Adam Cooper discuss the differences between sales, marketing, and business development within the context of a commercial construction firm. Check out our whole catalog of Construction Hot Takes episodes on our website! https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/ Interested in learning how Ascent's consulting services could potentially help impr...

Jeff Robertson and Greg Gorman settle the long-standing feud between Operations and Finance. They explore the root causes of friction between the two departments and show how building trust and implementing the right processes can bring both sides together. There is a great deal of time, money, and workplace productivity to be gained when Operations and Finance see eye-to-eye. Check out our whole...

Jeff Robertson, Greg Gorman, and Adam Cooper discuss the selection process for a new ERP. It’s important to have a clear understanding of your business needs and what you expect from the new system. Implementing an ERP is a lengthy process, which makes choosing the right one the most critical step. You’ll also need to define the timeline and resources required to fully learn, implement, and go liv...

Adam Cooper and Jeff Robertson are two of the co-hosts of the Construction Hot Takes Podcast, but besides being prolific podcasters, they have a combined 6+ decades of experience in the construction industry. In this episode, they reminisce on some of the best and worst construction projects they've been on in hopes to share with listeners in pains or inspire them regarding the growth that can be...

The construction industry in 2025 finds itself at a juncture of culture clashing and generational divide. The old guard is the Gen X workforce who have come up through the ranks and are now in leadership positions, but navigate the world much differently than the Gen Z workforce entering and navigating the construction industry. These leads to big hairy questions and uncomfortable feelings from bo...

After working with construction firm after construction firm on marketing... we see the same marketing mistakes over and over again. So in this episode of the podcast, Katherine Cooper gets unfiltered on the big mistakes even large construction companies are making very frequently. Check out our whole catalog of Construction Hot Takes episodes on our website! https://ascentconsults.com/constructio...

The big promise of A.I. was automation, hyper-efficiency, and a solution to all of our problems. Especially in the construction industry, there were so many frontiers in which A.I. innovation was supposed to transform, automate, and improve the workflow. However many of us find ourselves in the predicament of spending seemingly more time managing the technology than reaping the benefits of the tec...

Electrical work is often the last thing noticed on a job site, but it is the first thing missed when it is not done right. Behind the wires, conduits, and deadlines is a story of resilience, faith, and a husband-and-wife team who built their company by refusing to settle. In this episode of Construction Hot Takes, we sit down with Chris and Lean Gaskin, the leaders of Gaskin Electric. Their journe...

What if you could guarantee quality across every layer of a home’s exterior — paint, siding, gutters, roofs, decks, porches — without the chaos of endless subs and callbacks? In this episode of Construction Hot Takes, we sit down with Charlie Dallavalle Jr., founder of Painting Plus, Siding Plus, and Gutters Plus. Charlie started as a college side hustle, painting homes in his neighborhood, and gr...

Budgets don’t just vanish — they’re lost step by step, phase by phase. And here’s the uncomfortable truth: most of the time, it’s not the client’s fault. In this episode of Construction Hot Takes, Adam and Jeff break down the real internal reasons projects spiral over budget — from business development overpromises to estimating misses, sloppy buyouts, and execution mistakes in the field. You’ll h...

Imagine standing outside your home just hours after a fire. The structure is damaged, smoke still lingers, and you don’t know what to do next. Who shows up to help you in that moment? That’s where 1-800-BOARDUP comes in. And Leading the charge is Beth Toenies, Chief Operating Officer of the company that’s turned chaos into clarity for homeowners across North America. With 134 franchise locations s...

Margins don’t just disappear — they get chipped away by bad estimates, buyout mistakes, schedule delays, and one of the biggest myths in construction: thinking “remaining budget” is the same as a forecast. In this episode of Construction Hot Takes, we dig into the real reasons general contractors go from a healthy profit to barely breaking even. You’ll hear straight talk on: Why good forecasting i...

Most construction companies talk a big game about safety. PPE, compliance forms, toolbox talks—but why do crews still cut corners? In this episode, Adam and Jeff tackle the uncomfortable truth: safety programs don’t create safety culture—leadership does . They share raw stories from the field, call out lazy thinking, and unpack why most “compliance-first” approaches are doomed to fail. If you’re a...

Do General Contractors still deserve their fee—or are they just expensive middlemen? In this provocative episode, Adam and Jeff tackle a controversial listener question: "Do we even need General Contractors anymore?" With the rise of tech-driven management and self-performing owners, the traditional role of GCs is under scrutiny. Join the debate as they explore: Why GCs transitioned from hands-on...

Managing your construction budget is tough—but who's got it tougher? Subs or GCs? Adam (former trade contractor) and Jeff (former GC) face off in this episode to settle a classic industry debate: whose project budget is actually harder to manage? You'll hear: Why subcontractor budgets might actually be more complex. Hidden pitfalls subs face daily that GCs rarely experience. Real-world stories of...

“That Could Never Happen Here…Right?” – A Cautionary Tale of Financial Fraud   What if one trusted employee could quietly put your entire company at risk?   This week on Construction Hot Takes , Adam Cooper and Jeff Robertson dig into a real-life story that could happen in any construction business.   With Greg out on the road, Adam shares a case of financial fraud at a billion-dollar firm, where...