Building Builders

Hosted by Kevin Forestell

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Jun 2024

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About the show

We thought it was time to introduce a podcast built for our industry, by our industry. Time to learn about the innovative solutions that are built for our industry. And time to hear about the amazing projects, companies, and people who have made them. The construction industry is undergoing rapid change and we want to help contractors and entrepreneurs achieve their maximum potential. The Building Builders Podcast features interviews with leaders in the industry, showcasing the projects they work on every day and the innovative solutions they are bringing to the table. Hosted by industry veteran Kevin Forestell, the podcast will focus on the intersection of construction and technology and the people and stories within. As Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of DOZR, Kevin’s passion for problem-solving in the heavy equipment industry can be traced back to the beginning of his career as CEO of one of the largest landscaping companies in Ontario, Canada. Today, Kevin is at the helm of the world’s first comprehensive online search for heavy equipment. As the host of the Building Builders Podcast, Kevin uses his experience to ask relevant and topical questions for entrepreneurs and career-driven employees in the construction, landscaping, and heavy equipment industries. Tune in to hear stories of your industry colleagues and learn about how you can enhance your own business and career. Welcome to #thebuildingbuilderspodcast. Podcast powered by DOZR.com

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29 recent

June 11, 202434 min

S2E10: How To Become a Great Business Owner with Dave Caputo

Dave Caputo is an entrepreneur and the former CEO and co-founder of technology company Sandvine, which navigated a CDN $562-million exit in 2017. Now, Dave has shifted his focus to creating Trusscore after a lifelong dislike for painted drywall. Trusscore is committed to disrupting the building materials industry by bringing to market a better-performing, more sustainable solution.In this episode, Kevin and Dave discuss many topics and themes including:(2:00) What makes a good entrepreneur(9:00) How to engineer and make a good company culture(16:00) Tips for selling your services to residential customers(22:00) Knowing when the time is right to sell your company and how to do itAbout DOZRThe Building Builders podcast is created and published by DOZR, a rental marketplace for construction equipment. With DOZR, you can find hundreds of heavy equipment rental companies near you in just one click. Join thousands of contractors looking for rental equipment across North America today. Call us at 1-844-218-3697 or visit DOZR.comAbout DaveDave's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davecaputoTrusscore: https://trusscore.com/Building Builders LinksBuilding Builders Website: https://www.buildingbuilderspodcast.com/Leave a Review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-builders/id1649807378Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dozr.rentals/videosInstagram: @dozr.rentalsFacebook: @dozr.rentalsTwitter: @DOZRHUB

May 14, 202444 min

S2E9: The Opioid Epidemic in Construction with Cal Beyer

*Note: Cal was still with Holmes Murphy & Associates when we recorded this episode. He is now working at the SAFE Project.Cal Beyer is a well-respected advocate for mental health and suicide prevention in the construction industry. On top of that, he has also conducted a ton of research on drug addiction in construction, with a big focus on opioid addiction. He has won several awards and has been recognized countless times for his work. Cal is the Senior Director of SAFE Workplaces for the national nonprofit SAFE Project (SAFE stands for Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic). In this role, Cal is a catalyst, advocate, and a force multiplier to educate, equip, and empower leaders and organizations to address the root causes of addiction and to amplify their voices and actions to promote successful solutions in workplaces.In this episode, Kevin and Cal break down several topics and issues surrounding the opioid epidemic in construction. These include:The rise of opioid-related deaths on construction sites (1:00)Why it's hard to control and address the opioid crisis in construction (7:00)Taking a person-centered approach to the opioid epidemic (17:00)Where the problem starts and how we can start to understand the problem (22:00)What people need to know about using opioids in the long term (30:00)We understand that this topic may be difficult for many people. Many construction workers know someone who has lost their life to drug addiction or suicide. We are hopeful that this episode provides additional context on how people struggle with addiction and mental health so that you can be a resource and ally in future situations. We have also included additional resources below if needed.Additional ResourcesConstruction Industry Alliance for Suicide PreventionOSHA: Preventing Suicides in ConstructionThe 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a trained listener, call 988. Visit 988lifeline.org for crisis chat services for more information. Or call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).About DOZRThe Building Builders podcast is created and published by DOZR, a rental marketplace for construction equipment. With DOZR, you can find hundreds of heavy equipment rental companies near you in just one click. Join thousands of contractors looking for rental equipment across North America today.About CalCal's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinbeyer/About SAFE Project: https://www.safeproject.us/Building Builders LinksBuilding Builders Website: https://www.buildingbuilderspodcast.com/<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-builders/id1649807378"...

April 9, 202439 min

S2E8: Operating The Biggest Machines in the World with Kathy Tuccaro

Kathy Tuccaro is a full-time heavy equipment operator at a mine in Northern Alberta, Canada. In her career, Kathy operates some of the biggest equipment in the world, including the 797F Caterpillar truck, the CAT 24M Grader, and the D11 dozer. However, Kathy's life has not been without its struggles. In this episode, Kathy shares:Her story of transformation including how she went from being a nurse to being homeless to being an equipment operator (1:00)What life is like operating heavy equipment on a mine - from the hard days to the less hard days (8:00)The scariest part about operating large equipment (20:00)What life is like at the base camp of a mine (26:00)The impact of operating large equipment on your body (32:00)About DOZRThe Building Builders podcast is created and published by DOZR, a rental marketplace for construction equipment. With DOZR, you can find hundreds of heavy equipment rental companies near you in just one click. Join thousands of contractors looking for rental equipment across North America today.About KathyKathy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-tuccaro-271934129/Kathy's Book: https://tinyurl.com/3hn63nvpKathy's Women Road Warriors Show: https://womenroadwarriors.com/Kathy's Website: https://kathytuccaro.com/Building Builders LinksBuilding Builders Website: https://www.buildingbuilderspodcast.com/Leave a Review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-builders/id1649807378Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dozr.rentals/videosInstagram: @dozr.rentalsFacebook: @dozr.rentalsTwitter: @DOZRHUB

March 12, 202432 min

S2E7: The State of The Construction Economy in 2024 with Ken Simonson

Today’s guest is Ken Simonson, the Chief Economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, the leading national construction trade association. As Chief Economist, Ken presents vital information about the economy and what it means for construction. Through media interviews, presentations, and his weekly newsletter the Data DIGest, Ken helps contractors make informed decisions in the face of challenging and changing economic times.In this episode, Ken and Kevin discuss the latest economic trends in construction. Topics include:How to manage and work around economic trends that are outside of your control (7:00)The long-term impact of COVID on the lodging, office, and warehouse logistics sectors (11:00)Pros and cons of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding so far (16:30)Why it's so hard to hire people in construction (21:00)How immigration and political policy affect construction (27:00)About DOZRBuilding Builders is created and published by DOZR, a rental marketplace for construction equipment. With DOZR, you can find hundreds of heavy equipment rental companies near you in just one click. Join thousands of contractors looking for rental equipment across North America today.About KenThe Associated General Contractors of America: https://www.agc.org/Ken’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-simonson-9149244/Ken’s Construction Outlook Presentation: https://www.agc.org/learn/construction-data/resourcesSubscribe to the Data DIGest: https://www.agc.org/learn/construction-data/data-digestBuilding Builders LinksBuilding Builders Website: https://www.buildingbuilderspodcast.com/Leave a Review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-builders/id1649807378Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dozr.rentals/videosInstagram: @dozr.rentalsFacebook: @dozr.rentalsTwitter: @DOZRHUB

February 13, 202441 min

S2E6: Construction Contract Law 101 with Josh Levy

Construction contracts are complex whether you've been in the industry for one year or several. However, ignoring basic construction law principles can be catastrophic to your business for a variety of reasons. In this episode, we are joined by Josh Levy who currently serves as the CEO of Document Crunch, a contract intelligence platform for the construction industry. With a strong leadership background and expertise in construction law, Josh co-founded Document Crunch to bring his extensive experience to the field. Throughout his career, he has worked for top-ranking construction firms and led departments with annual revenues of $1 billion. These achievements, coupled with his professional experience, have shaped his desire to raise the standards of the construction industry.In this episode, Josh and Kevin break down the most important components of construction contracts including:Construction law terms that every contractor should know and be aware of (7:00)The biggest challenges contractors have when making or negotiating their contracts (15:00)How to manage client relationships and disputes, especially when change orders are involved (24:00)About DOZRBuilding Builders is created and published by DOZR, a rental marketplace for construction equipment. With DOZR, you can find hundreds of heavy equipment rental companies near you in just one click. Join thousands of contractors looking for rental equipment across North America today.About JoshJosh's Website: https://www.documentcrunch.com/Josh's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-levy-/Building Builders LinksBuilding Builders Website: https://www.buildingbuilderspodcast.com/Leave a Review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-builders/id1649807378Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dozr.rentals/videosInstagram: @dozr.rentalsFacebook: @dozr.rentalsTwitter: @DOZRHUB

January 9, 202437 min

S2E5: From Tool Belt to Boardroom: Barb's Journey in Construction Management

The size of the company you work for can have a direct impact on your career and learning opportunities. This was especially true for Barb who received her bachelor’s degree in Construction Management. She began her journey as a carpenter at a large general contractor, wearing her tool bags, physically building buildings and relationships, and had a successful career as a woman in construction. She climbed ladder rungs that included Foreman, Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent, Pre-Construction Manager, Project Executive, and Operations Director. Along the way, she transitioned from a large general contractor with nationwide projects to a smaller GC which allowed her to take more of an operational and strategic role. She also has spent some time working on the developer side of the industry, providing her with a well-rounded perspective on how to work with GCs, subs, and clients.She now utilizes those experiences to educate and motivate audiences to better recognize, understand, and eliminate gender-specific challenges to increase recruiting and retention within the industry.Key moments in the podcast include:The differences between working at a large GC vs a smaller GC (3:00)How Barb applied her learnings from the general contractor side of the industry to the developer side (8:00)Management strategies for working with subcontractors (12:00)How to manage clients and customers with change orders and how COVID changed the process (16:00)What working across the country taught Barb about regional language and culture (29:00)About DOZRBuilding Builders is created and published by DOZR, a rental marketplace for construction equipment. With DOZR, you can find hundreds of heavy equipment rental companies near you in just one click. Join thousands of contractors looking for rental equipment across North America today.About BarbBarb's Website: https://constructionbarb.com/Barb's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbarakallen/Barb's PodcastBuilding Builders LinksBuilding Builders Website: https://www.buildingbuilderspodcast.com/Leave a Review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-builders/id1649807378Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dozr.rentals/videosInstagram: @dozr.rentalsFacebook: @dozr.rentalsTwitter: @DOZRHUB

December 12, 202322 min

S2E4: Building Bridges: Overseeing The Gordie Howe International Bridge Project

The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a multi-billion dollar project that will connect Detroit, Michigan with Windsor, Ontario. This project is overseen by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, with Grant Hilbers being an executive leader on the team.Grant has more than 25 years of experience in the design and construction of large infrastructure projects and complex environmental compliance programs. He has held a variety of roles in consulting, private enterprise, and government entities in both Canada and the United States. He is a Professional Engineer who holds a Masters in Environmental Engineering from the University of Windsor and an MBA from the University of Michigan.In this episode with Grant, topics include:How Grant got involved in the projectThe intricacies of working with and building border crossingsThe environmental considerations that factor into the Gordie Howe International BridgeHow much labor and equipment is needed to work on a project of this sizeHow weather and the winter months affect project schedulingWe hope you enjoy the episode!About DOZRBuilding Builders is created and published by DOZR, a rental marketplace for construction equipment. With DOZR, you can find hundreds of heavy equipment rental companies near you in just one click. Join thousands of contractors looking for rental equipment across North America today.About GrantGordie Howe International Bridge WebsiteGrant's LinkedInBuilding Builders LinksBuilding Builders WebsiteLeave a ReviewWatch on YouTubeInstagram: @dozr.rentalsFacebook: @dozr.rentalsTwitter: @DOZRHUB

November 14, 202339 min

S2E3: From Intern to Managing $2 Billion in Revenue with Steve Dell'Orto

Growing in your career is something everyone wants to do, but it’s not easy. That’s why we interviewed Steve Dell’Orto, a 26-year construction industry veteran who began his construction career as an intern at one of North America’s most respected general contractors. By the end of this time there, he was a senior executive leading all projects on the West Coast. These projects included the Chase Center, Salesforce Tower, and more that have shaped the horizons from Seattle to San Diego.Now, Steve is the CEO of ConCntric, the construction industry’s first holistic preconstruction platform that unifies data, processes, and project stakeholders.In this conversation between Steve and Kevin, topics include:How he grew in his career from an intern to leading the West Coast teamTaking a new and innovative way to bidding and pitching on big projectsThe similarities and differences between running a tech company like ConCntric and running construction projectsWe hope you enjoy this episode with Steve about life at a large general contracting company and pre-construction strategies. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. You can also follow us on social media or watch all of our episodes on YouTube. And make sure to subscribe! About DOZRBuilding Builders is created and published by DOZR, a rental marketplace for construction equipment. With DOZR, you can find hundreds of heavy equipment rental companies near you in just one click. Join thousands of contractors looking for rental equipment across North America today.About SteveConCntric's WebsiteSteve's LinkedInBuilding Builders LinksBuilding Builders WebsiteLeave a ReviewWatch on YouTubeInstagram: @dozr.rentalsFacebook: @dozr.rentalsTwitter: @DOZRHUB

October 10, 202353 min

S2E2: Best Practices for Oil and Lubrication in Construction

As any fleet manager and equipment operator knows, having a well-oiled and lubricated machine is crucial to decrease downtime and the need for repairs. Today, we are joined by Wendy Hakken, an oil and lube specialist working for Shell who specializes in lubricants for heavy equipment and trucks. With the motto of "lube it or lose it", Wendy helps fleet and maintenance managers ensure that all of the correct fluids are being used in all of the right places. This includes educating people on how to take the guesswork out of lubrication practices, keep costs down, and keep machines running!She is also the president of Crew Collaborative, a nonprofit organization strengthening the blue-collar workforce, and serves on the Board of Governors for the Great Lakes Construction Association. In this conversation between Wendy and Kevin, topics include:0:30 - Who Wendy is and her growth in the industry9:00 - Lubricant advice for fleet managers18:00 - How contractors and equipment rental companies approach lubrication differently30:00 - Trends in the lubrication world40:00 - Crew Collaborative and how they're trying to educate the industryWe hope you enjoyed this episode with Wendy! All links to Wendy can be found below.About DOZRBuilding Builders is created and published by DOZR, a rental marketplace for construction equipment. With DOZR, you can find hundreds of heavy equipment rental companies near you in just one click. Join thousands of contractors looking for rental equipment across North America today.About WendyPersonal WebsiteCrew WebsiteLinkedIn: Wendy HakkenInstagram: @the.oil.ladyFacebook: the.oil.ladyBuilding Builders LinksBuilding Builders WebsiteLeave a ReviewWatch on YouTubeInstagram: @dozr.rentalsFacebook: @dozr.rentalsTwitter: @DOZRHUB

September 12, 202340 min

S2E1: Addressing Suicide Awareness and Prevention in the Construction Industry with Vince Hafeli

An unfortunate truth is that suicide is the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Construction workers are more likely to die by suicide than from being hit by a car in a work zone, falling to their death, and from electrocutions.Vince Hafeli is one of the leaders in the construction industry when it comes to suicide awareness and prevention. Sharing his personal journey with suicide, Vince shares a lot of great information in this episode including his own suicide attempt story, why the construction industry struggles with the issue, how to create mental health programs in your workplace, and more.About DOZRBuilding Builders is created and published by DOZR, a rental marketplace for construction equipment. With DOZR, you can find hundreds of heavy equipment rental companies near you in just one click. Join thousands of contractors looking for rental equipment across North America today.About VinceWebsite: Vince HafeliLinkedIn: Vince HafeliTed Talk: Discussing Mental Health and Suicide in ConstructionBuilding Builders LinksBuilding Builders WebsiteLeave a ReviewWatch on YouTubeInstagram: @dozr.rentalsFacebook: @dozr.rentalsTwitter: @DOZRHUBAdditional ResourcesConstruction Industry Alliance for Suicide PreventionOSHA: Preventing Suicides in ConstructionThe 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a trained listener, call 988. Visit 988lifeline.org for crisis chat services or for more information. 