Construction Hot Takes

Ascent Consulting

Hosted by Adam Cooper, CEO of Ascent Consulting, alongside Senior Consultants Gregory Gorman and Jeff Robertson, Construction Hot Takes show dives into the gritty, unfiltered realities of building a profitable construction company. With nearly 100 years of combined experience, they’ve been there—from carrying gear on job sites to leading Ascent, a consulting powerhouse that exclusively serves construction companies across North America.

Each episode is packed with insights, strategies, and insider knowledge from the industry’s top consulting firm for contractors. Discover what big national contractors know about growing a business, get actionable advice on boosting efficiency, and learn how to supercharge your project pipeline. Tune in, get inspired, and gain the knowledge to take your construction business to the next level.

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#61
Friday · 7 min
Whose Fault Is a $25M Overrun, Estimating or Engineering?
How do you lose $25 million on one job? By building exactly to the construction spec while a second engineering spec, signed off by your own leadership, sat unread until the systems were turned on. If you run design-build work, sit between an engineering department and an estimating department, or have ever assumed someone upstream read the owner's performance criteria, this is the failure that nobody catches on a walkthrough. In this episode, Adam Cooper walks through the job with Greg Gorman and Jeff Robertson, answers the comments it drew, including whether submittals should have caught it and whether the estimator deserves the blame, and gets into what it actually cost the people involved. Here is the TikTok video source for the comments: ‘$25M Spec Miss’: https://www.tiktok.com/@construction.hottakes/video/7657698121111129358 Build a business that runs without you: https://ascentconsults.com/build-it-better-ebook/ Chapters: 00:00 – Cold Open and Episode Introduction 00:24 – The Specification Mistake That Cost $25 Million 02:02 – How Did the Error Escape the Submittal Process? 04:33 – Why Didn’t the Owner Catch It Earlier? 05:47 – Was It Really the Estimator’s Fault? 5 Reasons Construction Projects Fail: https://blog.ascentconsults.com/5-reasons-construction-projects-fail For operational assessments and process review: https://ascentconsults.com/ops_assessment/ Adam Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcooper/ Greg Gorman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-gorman-hern%C3%A1ndez-mba-115ba34/ Jeff Robertson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrobertson72/ Check out all the Construction Hot Takes episodes on the Ascent website!: https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/ Follow Ascent Consulting on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ Follow the Construction Hot Takes Podcast on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/constructionhottakespodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@construction.hottakes #Construction #DesignBuild #ConstructionManagement
#60
September 4 · 12 min
Will AI Replace Your Superintendent?
Will AI replace the superintendent who won't use it? Not completely, but it could help your most experienced employees perform better and share their knowledge. A superintendent who knows how to build keeps the job. The one who also uses these tools gets better information can make the same calls sooner. If you run the field and have been told AI is coming for the trailer, or you are deciding whether to put these tools in front of your supers at all, the hosts do not agree with each other here and that is the useful part. In this episode, Greg Gorman, Adam Cooper, and Jeff Robertson work through this issue, sort out where the tools genuinely help when expert judgment does not transfer, and get into what happens to institutional knowledge as the most experienced people age out. Here is the LinkedIn video source for the comments: ‘AI and the Superintendent’: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7483899974649409536/ Build a business that runs without you: https://ascentconsults.com/build-it-better-ebook/ Chapters: 00:00 – Cold Open and Episode Introduction 00:45 – Will AI-Savvy Superintendents Replace Those Who Aren’t? 02:54 – Balancing Human Expertise and AI 07:50 – Judgment, Paperwork, and Better Decisions 11:39 – Agentic AI vs. Basic Automation Procore Isn't Broken, It's Just Not Built Around You Yet: https://blog.ascentconsults.com/procore-isnt-broken-its-just-not-built-around-you-yet For AI in construction, in firms with clean data and disciplined process: https://ascentconsults.com/ai-for-construction-companies/ Greg Gorman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-gorman-hern%C3%A1ndez-mba-115ba34/ Adam Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcooper/ Jeff Robertson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrobertson72/ Check out all the Construction Hot Takes episodes on the Ascent website!: https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/ Follow Ascent Consulting on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ Follow the Construction Hot Takes Podcast on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/constructionhottakespodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@construction.hottakes #Construction #AIinConstruction #Superintendents
#59
August 27 · 25 min
Job Costing Fundamentals: Are You Actually Making Money on Each Job?
You can feel the money moving. You can't tell if any single job is making it. In this episode, Greg Gorman breaks down job cost management and why hidden jobs that quietly bleed can still occur in a profitable company. Plus the three fundamentals that make job costing work and why you can still save a job at 40 to 50 percent complete (but rarely at 75). Chapters: 00:00 - Why job cost management is a top priority 02:13 - How does company profit hide a bleeding job? 03:45 - What actually counts as a job cost? 09:54 - The three fundamentals of job costing 15:51 - How do you catch profit fade in time? 19:42 - Why acting at 40-50% beats a locked-in loss For fractional CFO support: https://ascentconsults.com/fractional-cfo/ The operator's playbook for scaling construction: https://ascentconsults.com/build-it-better-ebook/ Greg Gorman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-gorman-mba-115ba34/ Check out all the Construction Hot Takes episodes on the Ascent website! https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/ Follow Ascent Consulting on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ Follow the Construction Hot Takes Podcast on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/constructionhottakespodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@construction.hottakes #Construction #JobCosting #ConstructionFinance
#58
August 13 · 25 min
Your Data is All There. Why Can't You See It in One Place?
In this episode, Adam Cooper and Jeff Robertson break down how contractors go from siloed systems to one source of truth for their data, why Procore is built for projects (not company management), and the three ways to actually connect your stack. Including: Off-the-shelf connectors, custom middleware, and a data lake, plus where AI is heading over the next 12 to 24 months. Chapters: 00:00 - The 300-job treasure hunt 03:35 - Why don't your systems talk to each other? 05:54 - What is a data lake, really? 08:03 - Connectors vs. custom middleware 16:08 - Where is AI taking system integration? 19:33 - How contractors end up with a messy tech stack See if your data's ready for AI: https://ascentconsults.com/get-your-ai-score-card A helping hand with AI in construction: https://ascentconsults.com/ai-for-construction-companies/ Adam Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcooper/ Jeff Robertson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrobertson72/ Check out all the Construction Hot Takes episodes on the Ascent website! https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/ Follow Ascent Consulting on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ Follow the Construction Hot Takes Podcast on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/constructionhottakespodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@construction.hottakes This week, try to build one company-level view of your active jobs. Where it breaks is where your systems aren't connected. #Construction #ConstructionTech #ConstructionAI
#57
August 6 · 27 min
Do We Even Need General Contractors? Reacting to Your Construction Hot Takes
Holding your hot takes to the fire in this episode, Adam Cooper, Jeff Robertson, and Greg Gorman take on what our audience actually posted: Do we even need general contractors? Does safety paperwork do anything? Does one platform really fix the chaos? Plus the E-Myth, GCs with skin in the game, one big job versus ten small ones, and whether LEED earns its cost. Chapters: 00:00 - We went ‘viral’ on TikTok 01:18 - Should you pay yourself first? 03:57 - Do we even need general contractors? 12:39 - Does safety paperwork actually do anything? 19:28 - How do GCs lose money on a bid? 25:41 - Can you really force a jobsite to be safe? 31:17 - One platform for everything, and is LEED worth it? For operational design and process help: https://ascentconsults.com/operational-design/ The operator's playbook for scaling construction: https://ascentconsults.com/build-it-better-ebook/ Adam Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcooper/ Jeff Robertson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrobertson72/ Greg Gorman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-gorman-mba-115ba34/ Check out all the Construction Hot Takes episodes on the Ascent website! https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/ Follow Ascent Consulting on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ Follow the Construction Hot Takes Podcast on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/constructionhottakespodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@construction.hottakes Drop the take you disagree with in the comments. The sharpest ones become a future mailbag episode. #Construction #GeneralContractor #ConstructionManagement
#56
July 30 · 27 min
CFO vs. Controller: Which Does Your Business Actually Need?
In this episode, Greg Gorman and Jeff Robertson breaks down the key differences between a CFO and a Controller, why so many growing construction companies hire without clear expectations, and how defining the right role can lead to better financial decisions and long-term growth. Chapters: 00:00 - Pre-Show Banter & Studio Setup 01:50 - Trending LinkedIn Discussion 05:43 - CFO vs. Controller Roles Defined 10:03 - Financial Strategy & Risk Management 17:27 - Audience Insights & LinkedIn Feedback 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 your business's operations? 📈 Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes
#55
July 23 · 30 min
Don't rely on AI to fix this part of your business. It makes it WORSE.
In this episode, Jeff Robertson and Adam Cooper uncover why adding more software and even AI won't solve your biggest operational problems. If your systems don't communicate, your data is scattered, and your team is stuck entering the same information multiple times. Learn why integration matters, what AI can and can't do, and how Ascent Consulting helps construction companies evaluate, simplify, and integrate your technology stack to improve efficiency and support long-term growth. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Studio Set Discussion 00:17 - The Problem with Fragmented Tech Stacks 02:57 - Client Case Study & Custom Middleware Solutions 13:51 - Automation vs. Artificial Intelligence (AI) 24:33 - The Future of APIs, AI Agents, and Outro 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 your business's operations? 📈 Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes
#54
July 16 · 25 min
Why Most ERP Implementations Fail Before They Begin
In this episode, Greg Gorman, Jeff Robertson, and Adam Cooper get into why companies change their ERP's and why the "why" has to come before the "what." Is the need to change stemming from reporting you can't get, systems that don't talk, functionality you're faking with manual work? Plus, the real reasons behind a new ERP, questions to settle before you sit through a single demo, and why no system can handle it all. Chapters: 00:05 - Introducing ERPs in Construction 02:30 - Common Motivations for ERP Migration 04:40 - The Importance of "Why" Over "What" 14:20 - Best Practices for Evaluating a Transition 18:24 - The Myth of the All-In-One System 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 your business's operations? 📈 Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes
#53
July 16 · 31 min
Ops vs. Estimating: The $200,000 Miss (And How to End the Tension)
Why is there so much friction between the field and the office? In this episode of Construction Hot Takes, we dive deep into the healthy (and sometimes not-so-healthy) tension between Operations and Estimating. We discuss common pain points—from conceptual estimating hurdles to massive takeoff misses—and share proven solutions like formal project handoffs and staff cross-training. Whether you’re a project manager or an estimator, learn how to bridge the gap and deliver more profitable projects. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Conceptual Estimating 05:00 Estimating Documentation Grid and Project Manager Verification Practices 13:54 Line-Item Budget Validation 15:00 The Project Handoff Process 17:03 Handoff Meetings and Project Planning 26:15 Reducing Friction and Gaining Estimating Experience 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 your business's operations? 📈 Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes
#52
July 7 · 31 min
The Key to A.I. for Construction Companies is NOT A Software Choice...
In this episode, Jeff Robertson, Adam Cooper, and Greg Gorman discuss why AI readiness starts long before choosing an AI tool. They explain why clean data, consistent processes, and strong operational foundations are the keys to successful AI adoption in construction. Ascent Consulting helps construction companies prepare for AI by improving data quality, streamlining operational processes, and creating technology strategies that support long-term growth. Chapters: 03:21 - The Reality of AI Data Quality 05:44 - Building Foundational Data Practices 09:26 - AI Connectors and the Death of the Data Warehouse 17:50 - Automating Truth with Drone Technology 21:25 - Reducing Complexity to Focus on Building 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 your business's operations? 📈 Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes
#51
July 6 · 25 min
How To Scale Your $5m-$10m Construction Business
In this episode, Adam Cooper, Jeff Robertson, and Gregory Gorman dive into a topic that is so interesting: how to scale a smaller construction firm. Typically working with larger construction firms, they don't get to talk about the unique challenges presented by scaling a 7-figure construction company, but they get into it on this one. We really hope you enjoy, and are curious what other questions you may have for the hosts. Maybe we'll respond to your comment next! Chapters: 00:00 – Pre-Show Banter and Company Name Pronunciation 02:20 – Addressing a YouTube Comment on Scaling a Business 04:38 – Getting Out of the Center of the Wheel and Delegating Control 09:16 – Documenting Processes, Setting SOPs, and Ensuring Accountability 15:05 – Leveraging Software, Cash Flow Forecasting, and Creating a Growth Plan 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 your business's operations? 📈 Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes
#50
July 3 · 25 min
Owning Your Narrative in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (in Construction Firms)
In this episode, Katherine Cooper brings her deep knowledge of A.I. in construction industry digital marketing to deliver a powerful message. Joined by Adam Cooper, she discusses the ways in which construction industry leadership must pivot as they consider how to adapt to the new way of the digital marketplace. You will not want to miss this one. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction & Online Narrative 01:59 – Defining Your Digital Story 03:31 – Surviving the AI Search Evolution 06:22 – Market Timing & Platform Strategy 17:12 – Technical Breakdown & Wrap-Up 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 your business's operations? 📈 Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes
#49
June 25 · 24 min
Adam, Jeff, and Greg React to HOT TAKES About The Construction Business
Everyone loved Part 1, and Part 2, so we are doing Part 3! In this episode, Adam, Jeff, and Greg react to five HOT TAKES about the construction industry and decide whether they agree or disagree. You’re not going to want to miss this one. Comment with any takes you feel like deserve a reaction and dissection! Chapters: 00:00 – Segment Intro & Game Rules 00:46 – Communication Failures vs. Labor Shortages 05:19 – The Risk of Relying on One "Superstar" PM 08:56 – Why Field Superintendents Clash with Corporate 16:18 – How Bad Estimating Handoffs Impact Projects 21:31 – Will AI Replace Construction Superintendents? 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 your business's operations? 📈 Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes
#48
June 18 · 38 min
From Journeyman Electrician to 350+ Companies Helped: How Adam Cooper Built Ascent
Big contractors don't scale by accident — they scale through systems. Adam Cooper spent 20 years inside the largest electrical contractors in the country before founding Ascent to bring that behind-the-curtain playbook to the mid-market. In this episode: why your problems aren't unique, why the owner is usually the bottleneck, and the view of how a real construction business runs. Chapters: 00:00 – Adam Cooper’s Career Journey 08:06 – Why Ascent Consulting Was Founded 17:23 – Learning to Be a Consultant 20:59 – Growing Ascent Consulting Nationwide 24:23 – Key Lessons for Construction Companies 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 your business's operations? 📈 Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes
#47
June 11 · 16 min
Choosing the Right Hammer: Approach YOUR Construction Problem the Right Way
In this gameshow edition of the Construction Hot Takes podcast, we play a game that illustrates the reality of many construction firms looking to grow. In the construction consulting world, those that are "in A.I." feel like they can solve everything with A.I. but it's often much more nuanced and A.I. can't solve every issue. So which "hammer" (A.I., Procore, Ops) will match which "nail" (business scenarios)? Hope you enjoy! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Hammer vs. Nail 02:52 Case Studies: WIP, RFIs, and Estimating 08:31 Predictive Safety AI Success Story 11:15 Breaking Down Data Islands & Bid Roulette 14:59 Lightning Round & Key Takeaways 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 your business's operations? 📈 Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes
#46
June 4 · 17 min
New Software Gone WRONG: The BIGGEST Tech Issue for Construction Companies
In this episode, Adam Cooper and Jeff Robertson talk about an all-too-common issue found amongst growing construction companies. They purchase the latest software with all the bells and whistles which seem to promise smooth sailing, but upon installing into the business, ends up being a source of MORE work, not less. Software misalignment can take something that was supposed to be a good thing, and turn it into a nightmare. What are the common pitfalls? How does a firm go about fixing the misalignment that is the root of a lot of construction firm issues? This is an important one. We hope you enjoy! 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 your business's operations? 📈 Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes
#45
May 28 · 17 min
Your Subcontractor Might Be About to Burn You
In this episode of Construction Hot Takes, host Jeff Robertson dives into the often-overlooked but critical process of subcontractor pre-qualification. From identifying red flags like disappearing labor and aggressive billing to understanding key financial metrics, Jeff explains why every project manager must be a risk manager first. Learn how to look past professional relationships and focus on the data to prevent subcontractor default before it starts Chapters: 00:00 Subcontractor Default and the Power of Pre-qualification 05:50 Defining Pre-qualification: Beyond the Paperwork 02:22 The Cost of Ignoring Pre-qualification 07:23 Subcontractor Red Flags: Early Warning Signs 09:55 Predicting Failure: The Financial Review 13:11 Common Mistakes PMs Make with Pre-qualification 15:21 Final Action Items: Be Proactive, Not Reactive . 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 your business's operations? 📈 Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes
#44
May 21 · 28 min
Automation vs. A.I. in Construction: How To Navigate
In this episode, Jeff Robertson and Gregory Gorman deconstruct how construction firms could be thinking about automation and artificial intelligence in construction. We hope this brings lots of value to your construction organization! 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 your business's operations? 📈 Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes
#43
May 14 · 24 min
How To Achieve Your Construction Company’s Growth Targets In Months, Not Years (Strategic Planning)
In this episode of Construction Hot Takes, our hosts, Adam Cooper and Jeff Robertson, break down why strategic business planning is often the first thing construction leaders ignore—and why it’s the most critical for long-term survival. From the "engineering mindset" trap to identifying actionable milestones, learn how to move past reactive decision-making and build a roadmap that survives economic shifts. Hope you enjoy this episode! Chapters: 00:00 The "Day-to-Day" Trap: Why Leaders Avoid Strategic Planning 04:09 The Role of Third-Party Facilitators in Construction 06:33 The "Book Report" Method: Prepping the Team for Strategy 17:15 Actionable vs. In-Depth: Gradient Levels of Planning 18:50 Accountability: Ensuring the Plan Doesn't Gather Dust 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 your business's operations? 📈 Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes
#42
May 1 · 31 min
3 Reasons Your CFO Hates You (And It’s Costing You Money)
If your CFO feels like the enemy… it’s probably not them. Most business owners unknowingly create friction with finance—and it shows up in missed profits, bad decisions, and constant tension. In this episode, we break down the 3 biggest mistakes leaders make that drive their CFO crazy—and how fixing them can unlock serious growth. Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction: The CFO-Ops Dynamic 1:39 – Forecasts as a "Contract with the Future" 6:58 – Understanding "Potential Costs" vs. Real Risks 14:21 – The Friction of "Taking Profit" Early 25:31 – Bridging the Communication Gap 31:13 – The Most Expensive Sentence a PM Can Say 35:14 – Final Thoughts: Same Team, Different Languages Interested in learning how Ascent's consulting services could potentially help improve your business's operations? 📈 Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@ascentconsults?sub_confirmation=1

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