The Pipeline Podcast

Ep 254 - Measured Mile: It’s Not Just for Contractors

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 254 - Measured Mile: It’s Not Just for Contractors – With Scott Jennings

Listen to the most recent episode of "The Pipeline Podcast," wherein Scott discusses the importance of both the contractor and the owner knowing the “measured mile” on important aspects of the work.  Scott defines the measured mile and why it is important for owners in claim defense, change order negotiation, and the building of production databases for owners.  Don't miss this exploration of the measured mile, its benefits and significance!

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Ep 253 - Partner, But Not Necessarily Via Partnering

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 253 - Partner, But Not Necessarily Via Partnering – With Scott Jennings

Listen to the most recent episode of "The Pipeline Podcast," wherein Scott delves into the fascinating concept of partnering, an innovative approach that emerged decades ago with the purpose of bringing contractors and owners together in a semi-formal setting to align their goals. Join me as we explore the significance and benefits of partnering in the construction industry.

I hope you find this episode as informative and as exciting as we have.

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Ep 252 - Stroke: You’re Having One Right Now

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 252 - Stroke: You’re Having One Right Now – With Scott Jennings

Listen to the most recent episode of "The Pipeline Podcast," wherein Scott discusses the importance of tackling big issues at work before they become unmanageable and exponentially grow out of proportion. He emphasizes that identifying and addressing issues early on can help avoid more significant problems down the line.  Act fast – whether your answer to a Contractor (or Owner) is good or bad!

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Ep 251 - Contractor Estimating: Drop the Curtain

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 251 - Contractor Estimating: Drop the Curtain – With Scott Jennings

Listen to the most recent episode of "The Pipeline Podcast," wherein Scott discusses true, unadulterated contractor estimating.  This article is a wakeup call to Owners on how tight actual Contractor estimates are.  Scott addresses head on with no filter the true cost of overhead and profit for contractors.  Learn more as you listen to the episode!

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Ep 250 - New Civil Grads: Three Roads, Choose One!

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 250 - New Civil Grads: Three Roads, Choose One! – With Scott Jennings

Listen to the most recent episode of "The Pipeline Podcast," wherein Scott discusses three possible paths after you graduate with a civil engineering degree. The article outlines these options: construction, engineering, and construction management. Listen more to know which course is right for you!

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–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 249 - Construction in Thailand: 1st and 3rd World Combined – With Scott Jennings

Listen to the most recent episode of "The Pipeline Podcast," wherein Scott Jennings discusses his visit to Thailand and how it is a combination of both old and new construction methods and equipment.  This is comparable to his writeup on Laos in late 2019, early 2020.  Listen to the episode to learn more!

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Ep 248 - Your Last Choice: The Total Cost Claim Approach

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 248 - Your Last Choice: The Total Cost Claim Approach – With Scott Jennings

Listen to the most recent episode of "The Pipeline Podcast," wherein Scott Jennings discusses everything about what a Total Cost Claim is. When selecting a method of claim recovery in a claim situation, this is typically the weakest option. Listen to the episode to learn why!

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Ep 247 - What is Extended Performance?

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 247 - What is Extended Performance? – With Scott Jennings

Listen to the most recent episode of "The Pipeline Podcast," wherein Scott Jennings discusses what Extended Performance is - the schedule component and the cost component. From his personal experience, it's "for the most part" a real cost! Listen to the episode to learn more!

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Ep 246 - Mindset Differences – Major Leaguers v. Minor Leaguers

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 246 - Mindset Differences – Major Leaguers v. Minor Leaguers – With Scott Jennings

Listen to the most recent episode of "The Pipeline Podcast," wherein Scott Jennings compares and contrasts the mentalities of major league contractors and those of minor league contractors, highlighting three key differences. Additionally, Scott discusses why planning the work is critical to success. Learn more as you listen to this episode!

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Ep 245 - An Offering of a Contractor’s Standard of Care

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 245 - An Offering of a Contractor’s Standard of Care – With Scott Jennings

Listen to the most recent episode of "The Pipeline Podcast," wherein Scott Jennings proposes a standard of care and how this benefits owners, engineers, and contractors! At the same time, Scott tells us why having a contractor’s license is no different than having a license to practice engineering, medicine, and law.

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Ep 244 - Business In Hawaii Is The Same, But Totally Different

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 244 - Business In Hawaii Is The Same, But Totally Different – With Scott Jennings

Listen to the most recent episode of "The Pipeline Podcast," wherein Scott Jennings talks about Hawaii and what to expect if you come to do business here.  Although directed at the construction industry, this likely works in all industries here in the Aloha State.

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Ep 243 Pipeline Trench Talk 01 - Crane Operator Clem Conceicao

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 243 Pipeline Trench Talk 01 - Crane Operator Clem Conceicao – With Scott Jennings

Listen to the most recent episode of "The Pipeline Podcast," wherein Scott Jennings talks with Mr. Clem Conceicao, a longtime crane operator in Hawaii. In this episode, the two discuss the most important topic related to crane operation: safety.  As Clem says “the equipment always wins” in reference to man versus machine.  Clem also offers guidance to young engineers and craftspersons who are coming up in the business. What are our opinions of this generation's learning and education? Find out by listening to this episode!

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Ep 242 How To Start A Professional Construction Company

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 242 How To Start A Professional Construction Company – With Scott Jennings

Listen to the most recent episode of "The Pipeline Podcast," wherein Scott Jennings talks about starting a professional construction company. He will discuss the methodical procedure, as well as the mindset and motivation necessary to launch a new business.

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Ep 241 What’s the Difference Between Unit Price and Lump Sum Bids?

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 241 What’s the Difference Between Unit Price and Lump Sum Bids? – With Scott Jennings

Listen to the most recent episode of "The Pipeline Podcast," wherein Scott Jennings talks about the difference between unit price and lump sum bids. After listening to this episode, you will better understand each one as a result of learning both the positives and negatives associated with both.

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Ep 240 The Low Bid Model – Time to Go?

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 240 The Low Bid Model – Time to Go? – With Scott Jennings

Listen to the most recent episode of "The Pipeline Podcast," wherein Scott Jennings gives us a quick evaluation of the two primary evaluation methods used by owners in the award of construction projects. The two primary methods by which an owner will assess a contractor's proposal are either “low-bid wins” or some qualification-based evaluation. We will learn about these techniques in this episode, along with how they differ from one another.

In this episode, we will learn why it is critical to have a contractor who is not just financially stable, but competent, quality-oriented, and cooperative.

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Ep 239 Utility Drawings 101: The Plan and Profile

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 239 Utility Drawings 101: The Plan and Profile – With Scott Jennings

Listen to the most recent episode of "The Pipeline Podcast," wherein Scott Jennings walks us through the fundamentals of how to read a utility plan and profile. One thing is consistent throughout utility plans, and that is the fact that no two drawing sets are ever laid out the same. After listening to this episode, you'll be on your way to talking intelligently about utility plans!

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Ep 238 Subsurface Disclaimers Don’t Hold – Travelers v. U.S.

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 238 Subsurface Disclaimers Don’t Hold – Travelers v. U.S. – With Scott Jennings

Listen to the most recent episode of "The Pipeline Podcast," in which Scott Jennings discusses the age-old controversy surrounding the reliability of the geotechnical data contained in or related to the bid package.  Can the geotechnical report be relied on to establish a DSC (differing site condition)?  This Is an issue in and out of courtrooms across the country. In this episode, Scott will discuss the applicability of the geotechnical report and the typical exculpatory language supporting its use.  Scott discusses, arguably, the most well-developed court case related to this issue:  Travelers v. USA. Gain more information by listening to this episode!

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Ep 237 Parkinson's Law - Hoping to Quantify Pacing

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 237 Parkinson's Law - Hoping to Quantify Pacing – With Scott Jennings

Listen to this latest episode of “The Pipeline Podcast,” where Scott Jennings talks about Parkinson’s Law and its relation, or not, to claim offense or defense. The adage known as Parkinson's Law states that "...work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion." Scott acknowledges that, although this could be an excellent tool in your claims toolbox, the use of this law doesn't seem to have been established in the United States.  Scott draws a connection to Parkinson's Law and pacing, but is still looking for help here. Listen to this episode to learn more!

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Ep 236 The Preparatory Meeting: Priceless

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 236 The Preparatory Meeting: Priceless – With Scott Jennings

Listen to this latest episode of “The Pipeline Podcast,” where Scott Jennings talks about Preparatory Meetings. The foundation of your house, so the saying goes, is most crucial component of the dwelling. It's because your entire house depends on it. In this episode, Scott will talk about the importance of preparatory meetings (as analogous to your home foundation!) for proper planning and execution of the work.  Scott also talks about ways to minimize the inspector's impact to the work using this special meeting.

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Ep 235 Legal Jargon and Process 101

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 235 Legal Jargon and Process 101 – With Scott Jennings

Listen to this latest episode of “The Pipeline Podcast,” where Scott Jennings talks about legal jargon and the legal process. Many construction professionals, including engineers, contractors, and agency representatives, frequently work within the legal system. Understanding legal jargon is advantageous once you are ever exposed to a legal matter on your job site.  Also, if you are reading articles within the industry, it can be a huge help too.  Scott discusses the various ways that a person can be exposed to legal issues during construction.  Additionally, he gives a detailed explanation of the legal process in sequential order. Tune in to the episode to learn more!

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Ep 234 Bonds and Bonding Capacity 101

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 234 Bonds and Bonding Capacity 101– With Scott Jennings

Listen to this latest episode of “The Pipeline Podcast,” where Scott Jennings talks about bonds and bonding capacity. In this episode, you will learn what a bond is and what it takes to get one if you’re a contractor, and what it means to call one if you’re an owner!  In addition to that, Scott explains how the calculation of bonding capacity is done. Listen for more!

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–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 233 Construction is Broken - Give me the Onsite EOR – With Scott Jennings

Listen to this latest episode of “The Pipeline Podcast,” where Scott Jennings talks about the alignment of owner wishes with contractor support. This episode explains why it’s so important that owners align their schedules and budgets with the support they give to a contractor in quality of documents and construction administration support from the engineer of record (EOR).  For many projects, the EOR is not directly available to the Contractor.  The value of this access is priceless to a project’s success.  Listen to this episode to learn more.

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–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 232 The Importance of As-Builts – With Scott Jennings

Listen to this latest episode of “The Pipeline Podcast,” where Scott Jennings talks about the importance of As-builts and their purpose. As-builts can be produced via PDF software, AutoCAD, or even paper and a set of colored pencils.  Additionally, Scott discusses why As-builts are essential and why they should be very thorough upon creation. 

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–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 231 University Cooperative Education – the Real Deal! – With Scott Jennings

Listen to this latest episode of “The Pipeline Podcast” where Scott Jennings talks about the importance of University Cooperative Education as it is relates to a candidate’s increase in value to an employer and their ability as a new hire to hit the ground running on day one!

This graduation requirement demands students learn how to develop a professional attitude and the foundational skills necessary to start in an industry.  In this episode, Scott explains how the main focus of cooperative education is teaching students about the real world they’re about to endeavor upon as a new member of the working community!

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–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 230 Water in the Hole! What’s it Mean? – With Scott Jennings

Listen to this latest episode of “The Pipeline Podcast” where Scott Jennings talks about the importance of understanding what water behavior in an excavation tells you about site conditions.  There is good water, and there is bad water.  Bad water is pretty much any water in your house - it causes degradation of wood frame members, settlement in your foundation, and many other things.  In a heavy/civil sense, it can do major things like introduce unwanted buoyancy in temporary or permanent structures and produce unwanted voids below ground.

In this episode, Scott goes over water inspection and field observation/research techniques to help you, your crew, and the structure stay safe during construction. It is also explained here that water may change with the seasons, so it is important to take this into account in addition to the water's velocity, the smell, and, if you dare, the taste. Scott further explains how respecting the water and having a backup plan will help your project succeed.

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–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 229 Smartsheet™  - A Contractor's Dream – With Scott Jennings

Listen to this latest episode of “The Pipeline Podcast” where Scott Jennings talks about Smartsheet™. Scott discusses in this podcast how Smartsheet™'s great features make it a valuable tool for any kind of business, certainly construction! This cloud-based software’s platform can scale from a single project to full-scale work management of many processes.

Using Smartsheet™, which centralizes all of your data, you can plan, monitor, automate, and report on projects. To keep a project on track, everyone involved can see exactly what needs to be done – this is a collaborative software. Because of its customization and automation, it is made clear in this episode that this is not merely another Request for Information (RFI) submission program, it is for your business specifically, because you can customize it what you need!

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Ep 228 Pipe Encasement Flotation – Archimedes was the Man!

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 228 Pipe Encasement Flotation – Archimedes was the Man! – With Scott Jennings

Listen to this latest episode of “The Pipeline Podcast” where Scott Jennings talks about “Pipe Encasement Flotation” – In this podcast, Scott explains the relation of buoyancy to construction and how easy it is to calculate the buoyancy force on, say, a pipe within a concrete encasement pour.

In this episode, the calculation of pipe flotation (in a concrete encasement pour) is explained.  This allows the Contractor to design adequate tiedown for each stick of pipe. Estimation is an important and a high level skill, but knowing the math behind it and being able to analyze this gives the Contractor a greater understanding and will prevent construction mishaps.

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–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 227 Owners Loosen Up Your Grip! – With Scott Jennings

Listen to this latest episode of “The Pipeline Podcast” where Scott Jennings talks about “Owners Loosen Up Your Grip!” – In this podcast, Scott discusses how can a contract be fair to both parties by managing risks on both sides, the owner's side and the contractor's side.

In this episode, the importance of keeping a harmonious relationship between the contractor and the owner is discussed. The benefits of this healthy relationship, formed by fair contracting language, can eliminate an adversarial relationship and give a project its best chance for success!

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Ep 226 Reading Rebar Drawings 101

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 226 Reading Rebar Drawings 101 – With Scott Jennings

Listen to this latest episode of “The Pipeline Podcast” where Scott Jennings talks about “Reading Rebar Drawings 101” – What does rebar actually stand for? Well, it’s a shortened term for reinforcing bar. In the podcast, Scott discusses the importance of being able to read rebar drawings to ensure rebar is correctly installed so that concrete cracking is controlled and that catastrophic failure can be avoided.

In this episode, there will be a breakdown on how to read callouts, letters/acronyms, and numbers when it comes to analyzing what you see in a rebar shop drawing. Being able to read these drawings will make you a better constructor or inspector!

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–The Pipeline Podcast Ep 225 – Great Ways To Die – With Scott Jennings

Listen to this latest episode of “The Pipeline Podcast” where Scott Jennings talks about  safety hazard and risk assessment as it is important to be reminded because after all, you can’t protect your workers against hazards you are unaware of and unprepared for. Scott shared some scenarios and a couple of his experiences to portray a visual representation of what can happen, why it is necessary to be fully aware of possible accidents, and how important being cautious to your surroundings is. If you neglect your responsibility to protect yourself or even your employees, you could face financial or custodial penalties. Nevertheless, it all boils down to taking care of not only yourself but your employees too at work; because anytime can be your last day, let’s hear it from Scott on how to prevent that.

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–The Pipeline Podcast: Episode 224 -
Don’t Get Your P.E. License - A Ridiculous Statement With Scott Jennings

Listen to this latest episode of “The Pipeline Podcast” where Scott Jennings talks about “Don’t Get Your P.E. License”. PE. Its two letters and you see them on the back of people's names on business cards; they stand for a professional engineer, also known as a licensed engineer. And that basically allows you to design things that are used by the public, or at least the government deems that the person who has designed them is qualified to do so. When Scott came out of school, He tried to work under P.E. and he wanted to become a P.E. because he earned it, because he could. You know, who goes to medical school and doesn't get an MD who goes and gets a legal degree and doesn't sit for the bar. Having a P.E. license, it brings on liability and that's true.

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–The Pipeline Podcast: Episode 223–
I wrote A Children’s Book Because I Could– With Scott Jennings

Listen to this latest episode of “The Pipeline Podcast” where Scott Jennings talks about him writing his very own children’s book called “No More Potholes, Let’s Mill and Fill”. His objective is to get kids interested on what he does and nothing better than doing it by reading them a book at night. What’s the age range for this book? For the readers of these articles, you’ll probably follow along fine. And it’ll even be fun to explain to your kids what mom or dad does for a living and what the construction equipment is in the book. Scott Also mentioned that he always wanted to be an educator. So, with all this writing, he figured why not publish a book for kids. We hope you’ll support Scott, and the industry, and use his book to get your kids interested in our business.

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How To Purchase “No More Potholes, Let’s Mill & Fill” Book:

There are differences in an hour: a manhour, a crew hour, a 50-minute hour. And an hour’s not a day, so there is another calculation for a manday. Here is a quick explanation of these estimating terms...

Construction changes are generally handled in a similar way in most contracts. As a contractor you can develop good habits and controls to ensure you capture time and cost impacts.

Just three random important things for contractors that didn’t make up an article all on their own: the legality of audio recording, running one man short, the golden rule of bid forms.

There are very few “court-accepted” ways a contractor can quantify his or her loss as a result of labor productivity, or lack thereof. MCAA’s (Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Inc.) document PD 2 Factors Affecting Labor Productivity is one of the most widely used methods in practice.

There are basic differences between cash and accrual accounting.  Here’s a quick review...

Let’s run through an example. Let’s do an example so you see some of the challenges. Let’s take one cost code in your budget – let’s look at roadway subgrade. Below we have the budget for this cost. You can see the cost code is “1001” and there are five cost components of this cost code: labor, equipment, consumable material, permanent material, and subcontractor cost. This can be viewed in the columns from “Cost Code” to “Budget($)”.

Executive summary. An accurate job cost projection is vital to Company survival. And it’s not too complicated if you know the budget, the timing of your costs, and can do a little bit of estimating. It’s NOT about blindly relying on quantities completed!

In this webinar we discussed small/medium business cybersecurity and best practices, especially during COVID-19. It is always a good time to check-in on the security of your network, computers, and websites. And now with your employees, and data, working remotely, cybersecurity is critical.

Most traditional bond rates have two variables in their cost: the contract value and the time threshold. Do not forget to include both in time extension negotiations.

Construction Insurance & Bonding during COVID-19

Many video conferencing softwares are in existence. Which one suits you best? Which ones are easiest to use? Here’s one users’ opinions.

Most Project Owners are convinced that Contractors thrive on change orders. The truth is that most would prefer to have none. Read below a sort of open letter to Owners.

Extra work on a construction project must be delivered at fair and reasonable prices. Owners should know they have this right in their Contract, and Contractors should know the owners have this right too.

Most contractors use letters to communicate significant events in a project. Use letters to tell. Use RFIs to ask...

Whether in a bid situation or a change order negotiation, there is a way to boost your profit on paper by not “job costing” your equipment. Let’s talk depreciation.

Scott Jennings, P.E. facilitated a live 2-hour webinar and Q&A with attorney Scott Batterman, Esq. of Clay Chapman Iwamura Pulice & Nervell, Attorneys at Law from Honolulu, Hawaii to address one of the hottest topics now in the construction industry: Force Majeure due to COVID-19

Field experience is necessary to be a best of class construction and engineering professional. Can you or your employee relate to today’s article? Can you write your own article with similar anecdotes to these below? If you cannot, schedule some time in the field.

The management structure of sizable projects usually involves four major parties:  the owner, the construction manager, the designer, and the contractor.  Here’s how project management is structured and what the parties’ responsibilities are in two common project delivery methods.

Ensure that before you sign a change order, all of the necessary components of your negotiation are included. Here’s what to look for in a change order before you sign it. And don’t forget – you don’t have to sign it.

As a construction professional in the field, when information conflicts between plans and specifications, you should immediately seek the order of precedence section of your contract for guidance.

There’s almost nothing more important than notifying your client, in accordance with the Contract, of a time and/or cost impact. Learn how to do it here.

Whether bidding a job together in one shared document, or running comparison estimates, the setup in a joint venture effort is critical to success. Consider establishing the following before starting your estimating effort. And, be consistent. Be consistent.

Do you often need a professional engineer to facilitate the construction at your projects? Here’s how to pick your engineer and to guarantee the quickest turnaround of the product you need.

Maintaining employment is a factor of your performance, but for construction and engineering firms it is largely dependent on a firm’s ability to bring in project after project. Who’s responsible for bringing in these projects? The answer lies below.

You’re probably reading this from America or Canada. Ever wonder what the infrastructure and construction means and methods are like in a smaller less developed country like Laos? [For those who haven’t tapped into Google yet to find out where Laos is, it’s a landlocked country adjacent to Vietnam (to the west) in Southeast Asia.]

A cubic yard is not a cubic yard when it comes to earthwork estimating and field operations. Know the difference to best estimate productions and to negotiate pricing in the field.

Takeoff is a primary function in the estimation of construction costs. A good takeoff includes more than is plainly seen on the drawings. Here is discussed the definition and purpose of takeoff along with what makes a takeoff good.

In a best case scenario, a construction claim will make the contractor financially whole again on the matter. In a worst case scenario, the contractor goes out of business. Most claims conclude somewhere in between with all parties unhappy.

Advice for life in general, and professional life, is often gleaned by the sharing of lessons and anecdotes. Here are some lessons to apply to both home and work.

The reader is introduced to the process of contractor estimating from initial project evaluation through the call for bond, the takeoff, the actual estimating of a civil project, an even the turn in of the bid...

A constructability review can significantly and positively impact a project. But what is it and what are the third-party reviewers looking for in their review? Here we look just at the drawings/plan review (not the specification and contract review).

Contractors are often brought into a project in the design phase to minimize cost.  Here are some guidelines on infrastructure project cost cutting measures from a Contractor’s viewpoint – it’s advice to a design team.

On a project with multiple subcontractors, and say you’re one of them, implement a winning strategy for claims success by joining other subcontractors.

Once the project starts, it is the Contractor’s project management team’s responsibility to update the client on a regular, usually weekly, basis. This is done graphically using a lookahead schedule in bar chart format (also known as a Gantt Chart). Here we discuss the contents and reliability of the lookahead schedule.

Cracks in construction provide information to a superintendent. We identify what you’re seeing and what it could mean in specific scenarios.

What are the “necessities” for software and apps for your construction business? Here’s a look at what’s out there – software and/or apps that are in use by successful firms to accomplish necessary functions in your business.

What do I need? If you’re doing more than a million dollars in sales a year in heavy/civil construction, I’d say you need the following tools in your construction software toolbox...

How many RFIs (requests for information) are too many on a construction project? Is it time, is it possible, to tie the number of RFIs on a job to the cost impact suffered by a contractor?

In the construction industry, there are three main tools used for scheduling. Pros and cons of Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project, and Primavera P6 are all briefly discussed. 

Education of your staff or of your client can be effectively done using SJ Construction Consulting LLC’s (SJCC) Crew Cost Clicker. Don’t talk about the cost per hour of a crew, show it. Live. 

Landing the work has enough challenges in meeting the scope, schedule, and cost requirements of the client. You’re defeating yourself if you can’t be polite and practice simple business etiquette.

If your client has been kind enough to consider doing business with you, don’t give him or her a reason to escort you out the door over something as simple as your behavior. Practice good business etiquette.

A quick background on terms you hear every day in federal construction contracting: Davis-Bacon, OSHA, Jones Act, and Buy American. 

It’s important as a contractor, or even as an owner’s representative, to know a bit more than the basics of scheduling. Familiarity of some of the terms is helpful regardless of what side of the table you’re on:  Contractor or Owner. 

One of the top complaints of construction employers is the collection of completed timecards – in a timely manner that is. Here is a suggestion for improvement you probably haven’t heard.