You’ve probably heard, “Check the approved submittal.” But what are you actually looking for? Submittals help the project team review proposed materials, equipment, and installation details against the project requirements. They connect what’s shown on the drawings and written in the specs to what’s being purchased and installed. Watch this video with your role in mind—whether you’re reviewing documents, coordinating a trade, or checking work in the field. 👇 Have you worked with submittals before? What part of the process would you like to understand better?

If I were starting my career in construction estimating today, there are five skills I'd focus on learning first. And surprisingly, estimating software wouldn't be at the top of my list! I just released a new YouTube video where I share what I've learned from nearly 20 years in commercial construction, including my experience in project engineering, estimating, field operations, and quality control. In this video, I cover: - 📐 Reading and understanding construction drawings - 📏 Performing quantity takeoffs - 🏗️ Understanding how construction work is performed - 💰 Learning scope and pricing fundamentals - 💻 Using estimating software and communicating your numbers - I also share how I'd spend my first 30 days learning estimating if I were starting over. 🎥 Watch here: https://youtu.be/8OojbiiIrvI I'd love to hear from this group: Are you currently working in estimating, trying to break into the field, or looking to improve your skills? Drop a comment! Your responses help me decide what training and resources to create next for this community.

Here’s the infographic I mentioned in my Concrete Takeoff Masterclass YouTube video. Download it below and keep it handy as you follow the walkthrough or work through your own foundation takeoff. It covers my six-step process, from understanding the project to checking your quantities, along with common misses like match lines, special conditions, and foundation notes. The idea behind it: Before I count quantities, I count conditions. Knowing what you’re measuring comes before measuring how much. What part of a concrete takeoff would you like me to walk through in more detail? Leave a question below. Watch The Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUVCGY-zWy4

I’m sharing this video after a conversation with one of our members about stepping into a field-level owner’s rep role. As an owner’s rep, you need to understand what’s supposed to be built, recognize when something doesn’t line up, and get the right people involved to resolve it. That means communicating with the GC, subcontractors, designers, and inspectors while keeping the owner’s budget, schedule, and intended use in mind. This video is a good starting point for brushing up on site plan reading. As you watch, think about this: What information would you need from the drawings to explain a field issue clearly and ask the right questions? Drop any questions below, or share a site issue you’ve encountered that we can talk through. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/OIdGONCJjl8?si=cztZBpt80n8B-17t

If you've ever driven past a residential construction site and noticed cables running across the foundation before concrete was poured, there's a good chance you were looking at a post-tensioned slab-on-grade foundation. Post-tensioned foundations are common here in Texas, especially because of our expansive clay soils, which can shrink and swell as moisture conditions change. In this video, I walk through the 6 basic steps involved in constructing a post-tensioned concrete slab: 1. Site Preparation – Grading, excavation, utility trenches, and soil compaction. 1. Formwork Installation – Creating the shape and boundaries of the foundation. 3. Post-Tension Tendon Installation – Positioning high-strength steel tendons according to the structural drawings. 4. Additional Reinforcement – Installing rebar in areas requiring additional strength. 5. Concrete Placement – Pouring, finishing, and allowing the concrete to gain strength. 6. Post-Tensioning – Using hydraulic jacks to stress the tendons once the concrete reaches the required strength. 💡 Here's something important to understand: Post-tensioning introduces compression into the concrete, helping the foundation resist tensile stresses and control cracking. As you watch, pay attention to how each step relates to the structural drawings. Whether you're interested in estimating, project engineering, field supervision, or quality control, understanding the construction sequence will help you become better at reading plans. Let's discuss! 👇 Have you ever worked on a post-tensioned foundation, or is this your first time learning how one is constructed? And for those of you learning blueprint reading, would you like me to walk through an actual structural foundation plan and show you how to identify the beams, tendons, and reinforcement? Drop your thoughts or questions below. That's what this community is for! – Byron | Learn About Construction