Feed Me Your Construction Content

We appreciate any and all feedback so feel free to send a text.

Chris Mull from Kempsville Building Material, a key figure in the Carter Lumber family, joins us to reveal the often unexpected paths that lead to fulfilling careers in the construction industry. From our first meeting during challenging career moments to the serendipitous connections that shaped our professional journeys, we share the profound impact of industry friendships and the critical importance of open communication. Together, we explore the strength found in a dynamic team and the resilience needed to manage the inevitable challenges of the construction world, particularly in bustling markets like Richmond and Charlottesville.
Unearth the complexities of the construction industry as we tackle logistical hurdles and market disruptions, with a keen focus on adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic's ripple effects on the supply chain. Chris's transformative influence in markets like Richmond and Charlottesville showcases the beneficial disruptions that can emerge from strategic changes. We discuss crucial learnings from these experiences, emphasizing the need for constructive criticism and teamwork to overcome obstacles, all while highlighting the ongoing quest for improved service levels and the strategic management of labor shortages.
We shift the spotlight to the future, contemplating how the construction industry can attract and nurture the next generation of talent. By offering engaging roles, clear growth paths, and leveraging technology, we can make construction careers appealing to young workers. Our conversation also highlights the evolving labor market, where personal responsibility and action take center stage. As we wrap up, listeners are encouraged to chase their goals with passion and accountability, paving the way for a rewarding and dynamic career in the trades.

Support the show

Carolyn can be found on LinkedIn at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-mcmahon-937b89158
Joshua can be found on LinkedIn at:
www.linkedin.com/in/joshuamcmahon15
Email for feedback, questions, complaints, etc:
[email protected]
Daily Journal: https://amzn.to/41p9aKE

We appreciate any and all feedback so feel free to send a text.

Jesse Hernandez joins us to discuss how he started his consulting business, Learnings and Missteps Podcast, No BS with Jenn and Jess, and his love for people in the trades.
Who do I serve best?
What does it take to serve them?
What gives me the most energy?
He applies a Lean methodology and a continuous improvement mindset to any situation he finds himself in. His love for the trades and the construction industry is only outdone by his love for the people that do the work.
Jesse can be found on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessedepthbuilder
Every other Saturday, tune in for a live No BS with Jenn & Jess: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-bs-with-jen-jess/

Support the show

Carolyn can be found on LinkedIn at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-mcmahon-937b89158
Joshua can be found on LinkedIn at:
www.linkedin.com/in/joshuamcmahon15
Email for feedback, questions, complaints, etc:
[email protected]
Daily Journal: https://amzn.to/41p9aKE

We appreciate any and all feedback so feel free to send a text.

We talk with Jason Robb who represents Blue Ridge Bank in Richmond Virginia.
Acquisition of land starts:
-timeline of contract / due diligence / closing
-zoning
-entitlement
-municipality
-architects & engineers
-soil studies and enviornmental
If the final home price includes the price of land, assume 20-25% of the price to be your lot/land.
Key takeaway from Jason is that you need to raise your standards to thrive in 2023. Aptitude, execution, and responsiveness is what Jason credits to his success throughout his career.
Jason can be found on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-robb-3b008064

Support the show

Carolyn can be found on LinkedIn at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-mcmahon-937b89158
Joshua can be found on LinkedIn at:
www.linkedin.com/in/joshuamcmahon15
Email for feedback, questions, complaints, etc:
[email protected]
Daily Journal: https://amzn.to/41p9aKE

We appreciate any and all feedback so feel free to send a text.

Jason Robb, with Blue Ridge Bank, joins us for a second round to discuss vertical home building and financing.
Have you ever wondered how home builders finance the communities and homes they are building? I know that I have, and Jason can break down misconceptions, draw schedules, interest rates, and other discussion points around homebuilder financing.

Here are some of the questions we press Jason with to understand better the banker's involvement in financing our new home construction. Understanding this discussion will help you get a high-level view of how builders operate if you are in the home building industry, trade, or builder.

1. Do the bankers requesting more documents from the builder know what they are looking at? Are the documents necessary or just a way to weed out unnecessary work?
2. What can we expect with interest rates in 2023? How worried should we be as an industry and as consumers?
3. When it comes to a builder's line of credit, what are the most significant factors that help the bank decide to loan or not?
4. How is the money typically dispersed? Are there any specific bank draw schedules that all banks follow? How often can we take a draw? How long will it take from an inspection until the money hits the builder's bank account?
5. How does a bank determine how much money can be borrowed against a property? Does having a signed, non-contingent contract make a difference?

The bank has a critical role in new home construction, and bankers are just as much a part of the team as the electrician pulling the wire. We all need one another to build and deliver homes for consumers, and understanding more about each other, will help us all grow.

Support the show

Carolyn can be found on LinkedIn at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-mcmahon-937b89158
Joshua can be found on LinkedIn at:
www.linkedin.com/in/joshuamcmahon15
Email for feedback, questions, complaints, etc:
[email protected]
Daily Journal: https://amzn.to/41p9aKE

We appreciate any and all feedback so feel free to send a text.

Construction Challenges Podcast:

Introduction: Managing construction projects have never been more challenging than they are today.

We struggle to manage projects for numerous reasons, and in todays episode, we intend to list five reasons and have some dialogue around each.

1. The complexity between projects: multiple phases and tasks must be completed sequentially. Each task can be affected by the following:
   1. Labor shortage
   2. Weather
   3. Resources
   4. Quality
2. Dependency between tasks. Activities are dependent on other tasks, and if one item is not completed on time, it will have an impact on the activities that follow.
3. Resource Allocation: projects require the coordination of various resources
   1. Materials
   2. Labor
   3. Equipment
   4. Time
4. Communication and Collaboration:
   1. Communication between tasks and owners.
   2. How well do we communicate between trades?
   3. How far in advance do we schedule activities, and are we confirming that the schedule is accurate and the job is ready?
5. Unforeseen Issues: You will always encounter unexpected issues. It is the nature of the business, and you should anticipate them and be ready to pivot and make new decisions. I suggest having your Plan B ready if you need to deploy it.
   1. Pre-Construction delays
   2. A need to ask for more information delays the project
   3. A need to bring in an engineer to approve something done in the field to the drawings.

Vendor of the week: Foster Heating & Air

Conclusion: To overcome the challenges you will face on projects, you must have several tools and techniques ready. Project management software, Critical Path Analysis, and Contingency Planning to name a few. Effective project management will require cooperation between all stakeholders, and you must be agile enough to make changes when things don’t work. If you remain rigid in the face of adversity, your business might survive, but it is at the expense of your people.
#construction #homebuilder #customhomebuilder #projectmanagement #superintendent #success #personaldevelopment

Support the show

Carolyn can be found on LinkedIn at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-mcmahon-937b89158
Joshua can be found on LinkedIn at:
www.linkedin.com/in/joshuamcmahon15
Email for feedback, questions, complaints, etc:
[email protected]
Daily Journal: https://amzn.to/41p9aKE