Construction Brothers – Details, episodes & analysis

We’ve learned a lot about this over the past two years of producing this podcast and we wanted to share the biggest tip to help you grow you brand or business. _________ In Other News We have been posting more on YouTube about our field experience with the Trimble X7 scanner. Make sure you go check it out and subscribe to that channel if you want to see some more content like that in the future! - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7OcpEn4q1_4yWXIY9Zuyiw
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What if Santa decided to expand his operation?

NOTE: If you’re interested in construction in extreme conditions, explore the links at the end of these show notes.

00:40 - Intro
We are dressed to the 9s and ready to help the Big Guy. Today we’re discussing what Santa would need to do to build a second headquarters at the South Pole in order to cut down on delivery times.

As our template, we’re using the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station as our model. Here are some facts about that structure:

• It sits on a sheet of ice that is 9,000 feet thick.
• The temperatures range from -117 degrees to +7.52 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The ice sheet on which it sits shifts roughly 33 feet per year.
• The project cost $175 million. In our Santa plans, we made some adjustments for inflation and settled on roughly $2,600 per square foot, which would put the total cost at roughly $3.14 billion.
• The center has 45 10,000-gallon fuel tanks for heating and vehicles.

07:36 - Labor Costs and Complications
Eddie rails against the millennial elves–their lack of motivation, lack of skills. It’s shameful. This is complicated by the fact that construction workers at the South Pole are able to work outdoors for only 15 minutes at a time due to the extreme cold.

We discuss what infrastructure employee-relations efforts would be needed for the elves to work through the 110-day outdoor construction season.

14:20 - Materials and Transportation
Again using the Amundsen-Scott Research Center as a guide, we discuss what it would take to ship all of the construction materials needed. 25 million pounds of cargo was hauled to the build site at 26,000 pounds per trip over 12 seasons on an Air Force LC130 plane.

20:52 - Other Facts about Antarctica and Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
We review some political facts about Antarctica as well as the research done there. This research includes glaciology, geophysics and seismology, ocean and climate systems, astrophysics, astronomy, and biology.

We discuss the complications of hiring people to work in an extreme environment like this.

The structure is mounted on 32 vertical columns that are each six feet into the snow and designed to be able to be added to as the snow pack increases. These columns are mounted on a floating footing made of 2x12 members boxed with ¾” plywood.

If you’re interested in learning more about real South Pole structures, explore these links:

• The B1M video Eddie mentioned about construction in Antarctica
• A video of Jerry Marty, NSF project manager, discussing the construction of the Amundsen-Scott Research Center.
• The official NSF site
• A 3-part Tour of the Facility (Link is to part 1)
• NatGeo video about construction at the South Pole
• Article about Antarctic buildings and bases

Check out the partners that make our show possible.

Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - TikTok - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening

Use code BROS at checkout for 20% off a seat of Bluebeam!

In this episode, we’re joined by Luke from Bluebeam to explore the cutting-edge advancements revolutionizing the construction industry. From innovative PDF tools to the integration of AI in BIM workflows, we unpack how technology is driving collaboration, efficiency, and creativity in ways we’ve never seen before.

🌟 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The behind-the-scenes of Bluebeam’s tools and their impact on modern construction.
• How Bluebeam Live events spark innovation and community building.
• Why AI and automation will shape the future of BIM by 2025.
• Real-world success stories, like transforming Austin schools and massive studio builds.
• The importance of connecting users to tools for streamlined collaboration.

💡 Highlights:

• [0:52] What makes Bluebeam events a safe space for innovation.
• [8:30] Features that save hours in design and project management.
• [17:08] The future of connected markups and metadata sharing.
• [31:45] Integrating Bluebeam with other tools to supercharge workflows.
• [45:12] Luke’s megaphone moment: A heartfelt message to the construction industry.

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Learn more about Bluebeam
• Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for updates
• Connect with Luke on LinkedIn

In this episode, we mention Peter Noyes. He's one of the first engineers at Bluebeam, who is still working on new product features almost 23 years later.

📢 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review! Have questions or feedback? Drop us a line at [email protected].

Andrew and David brought us gifts! Chocolate and buckets full of Bluebeam tips! 

01:00 - Chocolate Letters and Alaskan Trout
We start out today with some float-plane talk. Eddie shares about one of his trips to Alaska. Then we fess up to our lack of gift-giving etiquette and Tyler’s inability to wait when it comes to chocolate.

Finally, we get into a few distinct buckets of Bluebeam tips.

04:55 - Tips for Take-offs and Estimation
David discusses the process of taking a Google Maps screenshot and pasting it into a blank Bluebeam PDF. Once it’s in there, you can calibrate and scale the image for use within your designs.

He also talks us through photo- and map-overlay options that resemble augmented reality. Andrew shares about the Dynamic Fill feature, which allows users to do a take-off of an irregular shape. This tool allows you to easily apply custom measurement tools for dimensions including volume, which means that you can tag the area with fill materials, such as gravel in the case of a landscaping application.

David mentions the Visual Search feature, which can identify every light fixture, doorknob, or anything else that might otherwise need to be counted manually. This can be applied on multiple files.Andrew describes some Excel-integration features that could save tremendous amounts of time.

Tyler and Eddie mention a few ways they’ve used the simpler search and count features.

25:19 - 1+1=10 (Features That Combine To Be More Than the Sum of Their Parts)
Although Tyler detests the word “synergy,” he was excited to hear the list of value-added combos such as these:

• Compare Documents + Overlay Pages + Cloud Markups
• Custom Statuses + Studio Sessions + Scripts
• Cover Pages + Custom Columns + Custom Tool Sets + Custom Statuses
• Snapshot Tool + Change Colors + Custom Tool Sets + Scaling

43:44 - Delightful Little Tips
Andrew and David share a few standalone operations that he’s noticed people really appreciate:

• Add a Leader Line
• Align/Straighten
• Create a Category
• Auto-mark/Page Labels
• Multiply

Eddie suggests that users experiment occasionally by just right-clicking on everything you can in order to see what options await you there.

56:25 - Megaphone Message
David points out the need for everyone within the construction industry to take the initiative to mentor young people entering the industry. Don’t just watch them from a distance and hope they figure out how things work. Andrew builds on this by suggesting that everyone check in periodically with your peers to make sure they’re doing okay. He closes with a specific call for veterans to encourage young women who are entering the industry.


Video and Help Links:
Compare with Overlay:
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aX7NVjI81Y
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RESsnjNmOnE

Custom Statuses via Scripting:
-https://support.bluebeam.com/online-help/revu21/Content/RevuHelp/Menus/Document/Script/Using-Scripts.htm

Cover Page: https://support.bluebeam.com/online-help/revu21/Content/RevuHelp/Menus/Tools/Attachments/Attachment--MV.htm

-Dynamic Tool Set Scaler: https://youtu.be/tM7xksl0Uio?si=ZiOsUMwPTag3r2Ep

Auto Page Labels: https://youtu.be/uA_SrgH-afE?si=JCbg7-8iG_2VVHogPinned Files/

Documents via Categories: https://support.bluebeam.com/online-help/revu21/Content/RevuHelp/Menus/Window/Panels/File-Access/File-Access-Tab-in-Recent-Files-Mode--TV.htmhttps://support.bluebeam.com/online-help/revu21/Content/RevuHelp/Menus/Window/Panels/File-Access/File-Access-Tab-in-Recent-Files-Mode--TV.htm

Get Line – fix skewed drawings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFP7SdJa8C4 (Old interface but the steps are still the same)

Import Markups: https://support.bluebeam.com/online-help/revu21/Content/RevuHelp/Menus/Window/Panels/Markups/Markups-List--MTV.htm

Multiply: https://youtu.be/vdmB3J-dGj4?si=cdx3LtRpO6-h_PgP

Find David Online: LinkedIN, Bluebeam

Find Andrew Online: LinkedIN, Bluebeam

Check out the partners that make our show possible.

Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - TikTok - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening

Today we encourage you to face the tough choices.

Every single day, we have numerous opportunities to show integrity or take the easy way out.

There are easy ways to back out of commitments. It’s always possible to think about an excuse.

When you opt for the excuse, though, you slowly erode your reputation. Trust decays unless you actively maintain it by following through and keeping your word.

Take pride in your work. Know why you do what you do. In the long run, you’ll be thankful that you did.

Check out the partners that make our show possible.

Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - TikTok - 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!

What if Santa decided to expand his operation?

NOTE: If you’re interested in construction in extreme conditions, explore the links at the end of these show notes.

00:40 - Intro
We are dressed to the 9s and ready to help the Big Guy. Today we’re discussing what Santa would need to do to build a second headquarters at the South Pole in order to cut down on delivery times.

As our template, we’re using the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station as our model. Here are some facts about that structure:

• It sits on a sheet of ice that is 9,000 feet thick.
• The temperatures range from -117 degrees to +7.52 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The ice sheet on which it sits shifts roughly 33 feet per year.
• The project cost $175 million. In our Santa plans, we made some adjustments for inflation and settled on roughly $2,600 per square foot, which would put the total cost at roughly $3.14 billion.
• The center has 45 10,000-gallon fuel tanks for heating and vehicles.

07:36 - Labor Costs and Complications
Eddie rails against the millennial elves–their lack of motivation, lack of skills. It’s shameful. This is complicated by the fact that construction workers at the South Pole are able to work outdoors for only 15 minutes at a time due to the extreme cold.

We discuss what infrastructure employee-relations efforts would be needed for the elves to work through the 110-day outdoor construction season.

14:20 - Materials and Transportation
Again using the Amundsen-Scott Research Center as a guide, we discuss what it would take to ship all of the construction materials needed. 25 million pounds of cargo was hauled to the build site at 26,000 pounds per trip over 12 seasons on an Air Force LC130 plane.

20:52 - Other Facts about Antarctica and Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
We review some political facts about Antarctica as well as the research done there. This research includes glaciology, geophysics and seismology, ocean and climate systems, astrophysics, astronomy, and biology.

We discuss the complications of hiring people to work in an extreme environment like this.

The structure is mounted on 32 vertical columns that are each six feet into the snow and designed to be able to be added to as the snow pack increases. These columns are mounted on a floating footing made of 2x12 members boxed with ¾” plywood.

If you’re interested in learning more about real South Pole structures, explore these links:

• The B1M video Eddie mentioned about construction in Antarctica
• A video of Jerry Marty, NSF project manager, discussing the construction of the Amundsen-Scott Research Center.
• The official NSF site
• A 3-part Tour of the Facility (Link is to part 1)
• NatGeo video about construction at the South Pole
• Article about Antarctic buildings and bases

Check out the partners that make our show possible.

Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - TikTok - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening

Yes, you’ve probably heard this story before. It’s one that’s worth hearing again. Here’s a link to the text in case you’re interested in following along or reading it again later.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Check out the partners that make our show possible.

Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - TikTok - 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!

Today we discuss seasonal bloating and iconic Christmas trees.

00:00 - Sweater Talk and Movies
Tyler’s the bloatiest in the middle. That’s today’s bit of TMI from the CBP.

We start out today with a call-back to the episode with Dad. Tyler felt compelled to retroactively vote for Home Alone 2 as one of his favorite Christmas movies. We share a few others too.

04:08 - Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
We wanted to know if there’s anything interesting that we can learn from the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree –maybe even something about construction.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree tradition started in 1931 when a few construction workers pooled their money to get a tree in an attempt to raise the spirits of downtown visitors in the midst of the Great Depression.

This year’s tree was in a standard old subdivision side yard in New York.

08:50 - The Tree Guy and the Decorations
Tyler explains that each year’s tree is chosen and the delivery/installation process is overseen by Erik Pauze, who worked his way up from the position of summer worker at Rockefeller Center to the role of Head Gardener.

Once the tree is in place, workers decorate the tree with 50,000 multi-colored LEDs. These are partially powered by solar panels atop Rockefeller Center. At the top is a 9-foot, 900-pound Swarovski star covered in 3 million crystals.

15:50 - What Happens After?
For many years, the tree was mulched after the holiday season and the mulch used in New York parks. In recent years, the trees have been milled and dried, with the lumber being donated to Habitat for Humanity.

We discuss what this topic has to do with construction, and… Well, to be honest, we’re not sure. But it’s the holidays. We’re trying to do our part in bringing Christmas cheer.

Check out the partners that make our show possible.

Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - TikTok - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening

Today Eddie relays 3 costs of leadership that he learned from Kirby Smart from University of Georgia.

1) You will have to make hard decisions that negatively impact people you care about.
2) You will be disliked despite your best attempts to do the best for the most.
3) You will be misunderstood, and you won’t always have the chance to defend yourself.

Eddie’s advice: Write these down as a reminder to yourself. Leadership can be tough. It’s a part of the deal.

Check out the partners that make our show possible.

Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - TikTok - 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!

This week we continue the conversation we started last week with Dad.

00:00 - Introduction

01:38 - Bogus RFIs
Dad continues his thoughts from last week regarding industry inefficiencies and complications. He explains how many people use the RFI as a delay tactic. He’s seen this on the receiving side as a project manager, but he’s also seen members of his own team do it from the sending side.

Eddie talks about how he’s seen people creating an unnecessarily adversarial relationship for their own advantage. We discuss how this is present in at least some pockets of every sector of the industry. We discuss the role of owners in establishing the company culture in these regards.

Dad recalls some technology complications when working with Tekla required several extra steps.

09:15 - Product Problems
Eddie discusses the economies and efficiencies of steel production and design. Then he shifts to an exploration of the complexities of seeking subcontractors that can produce exactly what you, as a designer or fabricator, need from them.

Dad sees it somewhat differently. He sees the problems as arising primarily from lack of specialty knowledge on the part of the designers. When the subs push back, the GCs don’t know enough about the sub’s industry to know that some of that pushback is nonsense. He says no part of this industry is rocket science, and that anyone who is willing to invest the research time can become knowledgeable about their related specialties.

Eddie chimes in with some recollections of market shifts and subcontractor complications at various points in the growth of the industry.

18:32 - The Sheet Metal Mattered…
Dad shares about a project in Tampa where the quality and production method of the sheet metal complicated a project. Eddie discusses how some effectively handled BIM work couldn’t smoothly lead to a satisfactory final product without lots and lots of extra communication with the subs.

Dad talks about Tekla added a new kind of fastener as a result of one ABSI project. We explore the reality that boldness is required to stretch the capabilities of software, production, and application.

23:13 - BIM’s Nothing More Than a Tool…
Dad talks about how BIM is one of many industry tools that is only really useful if it’s in the hands of an expert. We get into the importance of knowing the industry nuances of a particular region–the little construction dialects and ecosystem issues.

Eddie asks Dad to advise up-and-comers general contractors and project managers who want to break out of the fray. He starts with a review of the ways that business comes to different positions at different times. Then he tries to get us to gripe about RTU frames and the disproportionate complications those create.

Dad finally gets around to his advice: Learn how to build. Then pay attention to what the subs are telling you but don’t believe everything they say. Eddie translates, clarifying that subs don’t necessarily know more than you do. He compares it to the classic ham-butt problem.

34:51 - Software Evangelism
We discuss the claims of supposed savings that subs say they could have provided. Are they just blowing hot air? Often that’s the case. Dad claims some credit for the growth of Tekla. We reminisce about software evangelism experiences. Eddie recalls a presentation to a skeptical group that became deeply invested as soon as they saw a 3D image. Then we veer into our contempt for lying and the bridge-burning that result from it.

Tyler shares a story about RTU solution shared with him and about how he learned that the most powerful question in construction: “Why?” Significant inefficiencies can often be avoided by asking that question kindly and selectively.

Check out the partners that make our show possible.

Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - TikTok - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening