Construction Brothers

Today we talk to Ben Patton of TreeCycle, a Vancouver-based company focused on helping construction companies use more repurposed wood.    While working as an arborist, Ben noticed that 90% of the wood he dealt with was either turned into firewood or wood chips or just thrown in a pile. He found himself wondering why more of this wood wasn’t being used as lumber. One day he dragged a log behind his van and milled it down himself in order to make a coffee table.   This experience and these concerns drove Ben to find some partners and start a company to facilitate the recycling and reuse of wood waste from construction sites. TreeCycle now recovers wood from demolition projects and repurposes it into structured lumbers, dimensional lumbers, raw timbers, siding, and more.   Sometimes Ben’s company handles the process directly, and sometimes they consult with companies who want to handle the process themselves. In those cases, TreeCycle will coordinate site-source separation, clean up the wood, categorize the boards by size and type, and store them for future use.    We explore the financial aspect of reclamation and recycling. An increasing number of customers are willing to invest in reducing their environmental and climate impact. To be sure, this requires some extra time, effort, and money. The cost can be reduced, however, with careful planning. TreeCycle aims to offset the time and expense by saving companies money on lumber.    We discuss how the 2021 spike in lumber prices added some momentum to their operation. Then Ben mentions a few specific products that his company produces:  Cross-laminated timbers (CLD)Dowel-laminated timbersGlue-laminated timbersSubstitutes for pressure-treated wood (including a non-toxic solution that is still being developed)We talk about LEED certification and other efforts toward documenting carbon footprint and discuss approaches that seek genuine change rather than just checking boxes for looks. TreeCycle’s business is aimed to take companies and projects beyond greenwashing and into authentic investment in reducing waste. It’s about sourcing something from 4 miles away rather than 100 miles away.    Anyone who has attempted to repurpose lumber knows that boards can be filled with nails and screws. Ben discusses how TreeCycle addresses these issues and talks about a pending partnership with Urban Machine.   Ben’s Megaphone Message: We need to look toward reducing as much waste as possible. It might take just a little more time and a little more effort, but it is a lot better for the planet if we start making these efforts.    Find Ben Online: LinkedIn, Treecycle Canada Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“In my day, you could get a candy bar for a nickel!”    Different generations have different reference points when it comes to money in general and compensation in particular. And those perceptions play a big role in recruitment and retention of employees.     It’s wise to be aware of your own bias when it comes to matters of compensation. This is true whether you’re in a position to set pay rates for others or you’re simply in a position of working for pay that is set by others.   The market matters more than your feelings. Also, demonstrated competency matters more than your feelings.    Take a look around. See what the fair market value is for your work or the work you’re hiring others to do.  Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we start out with a little chat about the way that our generational media tastes have influenced us. We touch on Seinfeld (who had a thing or two to say about construction) and radio-recorded cassettes of Frogstomp. Tyler shares what song smashes him emotionally when it interrupts his Hank.   In our 149 episodes, we’ve talked to specialists from just about every step in the commercial construction process. One specialty we haven’t addressed yet is steel detailing.    “Wait,” you say, “Isn’t Eddie a steel detailer.” Well, as a matter of fact he is. How convenient. (If you’re not familiar with Eddie’s company, check it out.)   When someone asks a steel detailer what they do for a living, the answer can be a tricky one. To a layperson–and even to some construction-industry people–the work of a steel detailer sounds like the work of an architect or engineer.    When did the term BIM come into use? Make your guess before listening for the answer.    Eddie shares about his entry into this line of work and learning that steel detailers are not supposed to make the smallest step in a direction other than what they’ve been told to do. An entire project can be brought to a standstill if a single detailer is working on an RFI.    We discuss the actual job description that guides steel detailers: They take the drawings from the structural engineers and turn it into a highly specific deliverable that tells the boot-wearing. They count out the shear plates, the nuts, the bolts. They build a detailed model of the steel structure that is used by an erector team.   This work is incredibly important. A single, tiny error by a detailer on a $20,000 beam can have a terrible financial domino effect. Yes, software does a great deal of the math, but even the best detailing software is useless unless it’s in the hands of a skilled detailer.    Detailers need to work in a hurry. Surprisingly a set of Lego instructions are likely more detailed than some of the shop drawings being produced today despite the amazing computing power we have at our fingertips. Unfortunately, as we discussed in last week’s episode, communication is often lacking. An average 40-ton job (a 10,000 square foot structure) has the potential for about 45,000 errors in the steel assembly alone.    Eddie mentions these industry organizations:  SEI: Steel Engineering InstituteAISC: American Institute of Steel Construction   Aspiring steel detailers need to learn several things: SoftwareAn industryCustomer relationsPatience: You’ll deal with big-time information fatigue. Adaptability: The industry is always evolving. Problem solvingWriting: If you don’t write an RFI thoughtfully, you won’t get the information you need.   Eddie shares about the anxiety that can come with detailing work. (See this related Five-minute Friday episode.) The pressure is substantial because small errors can create huge, expensive problems. This means that you’re double-checking everything multiple times: pre-approval, after modeling, before sending, after plotting, after team review, before fabrication, after change orders… In other words, you’re double-checking all the time.   At the risk of jinxing himself, Eddie says he feels that he has a good team with a good bunch of guys. We discuss the paradox of encouragement and affirmation that is always craved but often brings a cynical response.    What are the joys of detailing? You get to work on large projects and see a wide variety of structures–everything from single-family homes to entertainment venues and high-rises. When you drive past a building that was built with your drawings, you feel a deep sense of pride.    We discuss the confidentiality requirements but also mention at least a couple that we can mention specifically: The National Infantry Museum and Wawa convenience stores in Florida.   We share a couple technical tips for those of you who are detailers. Then Eddie reflects on a few memorable detailing experiences–some good and some bad. Then we wrap up with some overall-construction-industry insights and some personal reflections from the perspective of a detailer.   Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It sounds so abstract. It is.    Yet it’s so important.   Atmosphere is one of the things that employees look for in a place of employment…   It’s not just about having bean bags and ping-pong tables in the office.    It’s about a sense of comradery and trust. It’s about a healthy workplace culture. Does it feel good to be at this workplace?    It’s not about whether the employer says their company has those things; it’s about whether those things actually define the workplace.    Today we just scratch the surface of the elements that create atmosphere: the architecture of the office, the decor, the way people speak to each other.     In short, it’s about being intentional. A little bit of thought and action can make a difference. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have finally cleaned out our podcast studio, which had been converted into a company-Christmas-party venue. We start out today with some post-Christmas chit-chat about the challenges of Lego (or Legos if you’re an amateur), dog fur, and brotherly Christmas-gift arms race. Then we get down to business.    As we kick off our conversation about construction docs, we start with some thoughts about history. It’s currently easier than ever for us to access any and all information… This creates some amusing pronunciation problems: Rivet? Revit?   We’ve come so far from the day of slide rules.    We tend to romanticize the old days, but they were certainly more simple in some respects. This conciseness often led to a greater clarity.    The new tools have made some parts of the process so easy, but so much is still missed.    We find ourselves having to fill in the gaps with safe inferences, estimating upward to cover our butts. This leads to raised costs. Increased time spent in RFI just adds to the problems. (We make a reference to this RFI-related episode.)   We discuss the contributing forces: The owner has a why and a when. They also have financing concerns, insurers, and more. The architects have concerns about the how. They have risk-exposure concerns and legitimate needs for control over the process. Of course the list continues from there through several more stakeholders, each of whom has a legitimate set of priorities.   We discuss early release. Eddie shares about projects that have broken ground with only 30% documentation. He also explains how scope gap can develop in those situations. Details are missed. This sets a troubling precedent and establishes the tone for the rest of the project.    Eddie suggests that most of the industry is currently operating on the border of the minimum standard of care. That’s where bids are set. We talk through the various considerations surrounding some past projects and bids.    When we’re given incomplete plans, we submit RFIs. When the pile of RFIs overloads the responsible parties, the responses they give are insufficient. And the downward spiral of quality continues.    Better planning = a better outcome. Think about how much more productive you would be if you didn’t have to spend any time on RFIs. Surveys suggest most people think they’d be 2.5x more productive. If we can recognize this, our outcomes will be better. When you crunch the numbers, it makes pretty clear sense to invest more time on design.    Communication is easier than ever, but this means good communication is harder than ever. So many notifications! So many messages! It’s up to each person to set aside those distractions and focus on doing the job well.    We’d like to hear your thoughts on these things. Shoot us a message if you have some insights.     Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn   If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we chatted with Bob Goff for a recent episode, he mentioned in passing that he had never lost a case in his work as a construction lawyer. Although he acknowledged that he was a good lawyer, he said the real key to his winning record was that he knew which cases to take.  So often, the key is choosing the right project to pursue. The money is made on the job pick, just as profit in real estate is made on the buy.  Choosing projects poorly can lead to a number of problems. Your employees will be displeased. You’ll be unavailable when a good opportunity comes along.  When you pick your jobs wisely, everything else will go more smoothly. Take the time to think through things. The questions are not necessarily difficult, but it can be easy to forget them when you see dollar signs.  Don’t forget that it’s about profit, not revenue.  Even if you’re not in a position to choose projects, having this kind of mindset can make you a more valuable member of the team.  Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re looking to hire military veterans, you’ll come away from this episode with some solid action items.   Today we talk to Jay Snyder. Jay is a lieutenant colonel in the US Air Force Reserve and has served six years of active duty. He is also the president of Big Blue Innovations, a construction consulting firm. Jay has been in the private construction industry for more than 20 years, and he joins us today to talk about increasing the recruitment of military veterans into the construction industry.    Military vets are exceptionally well-qualified for employment in the construction industry. Jay runs down a list of reasons this: They’re used to rigor and structure. They’re accustomed to establishing a sense of comradery. They understand the value of training and careful execution. They know how to trust their teammates.They have experience adapting to always-changing circumstances.   Jay shares a bit about his experience returning from active duty. He’d been doing project management while deployed. He expected to have a smooth transition from that role into construction. He was surprised to find that the private sector didn’t really understand what he’d done or know how to fit him into their structures. Jay realized that he needed to use different words.    Jay talks through a list of organizations that work with veterans to get them set up on post-active-duty employment. Here are a couple that he mentions: ESGR (Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve): Facilitates communication between veterans and companies who are seeking to employee TAP (Transition Assistance Program): Seeks to prepare service members for their transition back to civilian life. Jay encourages employers to connect with TAP and discuss how they can work together   We discuss how military draw-downs lead to large pools of potential employees. Not all of the people in this pool are looking for immediate employment, but a great many of them are. We discuss the benefits of actively targeting these people for recruitment.    Eddie discusses specific candidate pipelines that companies establish from colleges or training facilities. Jay explains that these pipelines can function like flywheels, requiring very little effort once they’ve been established.   As an industry, we need to communicate as clearly as we can with service members and transition-assistance programs in order to ensure that veterans feel welcome into our field.   Jay's Megaphone Message: The construction industry is in the midst of a huge transformation toward increased sophistication. Much of this transformation is occurring in response to a lack of people to fill positions. Companies that want to take the simpler route should make a concerted effort to recruit veterans.      Find Jay online: LinkedIn - Big Blue Innovations   Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we are re-airing a 5 Minute Friday from this past April. Even if you’re not a particularly religious person, you’ve probably heard the Bible verse that inspires today’s episode: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." The best leaders are those who give themselves up for the good of others. People respond to that sort of leadership.  If your primary motivation in the workplace is to promote and protect yourself, people will not line up behind your vision. Leadership requires respect for others. It requires you to empathize with those you’re trying to lead and putting their interests before your own.  Eddie shares a metaphor of a full-to-the-brim cup. If you fill your mind with positivity and thoughtfulness, that’s what will splash out when you’re bumped by challenging circumstances.  Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest this week is someone we've wanted to interview for a really long time.    Bob Goff is the author of two New York Times best-sellers- Love Does and Everybody Always - He's also a recovering construction lawyer after practicing for 25 years. He is now a writer, speaker and founder of the non-profit "Love Does" dedicated to helping kids in conflict areas.    Bob has been a massive inspiration to both brothers, and we were absolutely honored to chat with him.    Related Links Love DoesEverybody AlwaysDream Big   Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's five minute Friday, Tyler and Eddie have the 4th annual reading of the Christmas Story.  We hope that everyone has a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!     Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.