The Construction Industry Is About to Lose 41% of Its Workforce
"Good contractors don't go out of business because of starvation. They go out of business because of indigestion."The construction economy has split in two. Data centers and infrastructure are booming. Residential, retail and office? Struggling. Globally.In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Kris Lengieza from Procore on the show and we got to learn about what their Market Intelligence data is really telling us about where the industry is heading right now.Tune in to find out about:✅ The bifurcation: US construction momentum up 21% but the architectural billing index is in contraction. More starts, fewer new designs. Wild. ✅ AI going from pilot to production. Turner and Skanska have deployed safety agents on real job sites. ✅ The vibe coding problem. Project engineers building apps over the weekend and CIOs losing sleep over where the data is going. ✅ 41% of the workforce retiring by 2031 and what that actually means for project delivery.Listen to the full episode on Spotify and YouTube 🎧👇#aec #bricksandbytes #construction #constructiontech #ai #procoreChapters00:00 Intro01:50 Introduction to Market Intelligence Webinar Series 05:28 AI's Role in Construction 10:42 Challenges in Project Completion 14:24 Emergence of User-Driven Software Solutions
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Bricks & Bytes
Executive Briefing: The Industry Just Split in Two. Which Side Are You On?
This is the Bricks & Bytes Executive Weekly Briefing. ~20 minutes. Every week. The only construction briefing built from real conversations with the people making the decisions.This week we're breaking down the split that's reshaping construction right now: the strategic economy versus the consumer economy, and why the gap between the two is accelerating.We'll walk you through: What Procore's new market data actually says about the bifurcation, Why "you can't vibe code trust" might be the most important line in construction tech right now, The ChatGPT contract disaster every exec needs to hear about, What Morgan Sindall's record results tell us about who's winning and why,The Red Robin vs Chili's story that perfectly captures the choice every contractor is facing.Plus two things you can do this week to make sure you're on the right side of the separation.Featuring insights from Kris Lengieza (Procore), Josh Levy (Document Crunch), and Michael Vardaro (construction attorney).
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Bricks & Bytes
The 2028 AI Crash | 41% of Workers Gone | Autodesk's $200M Mistake?
A viral report claims 2028 is the year AI destroys the global economy. Are we sleepwalking into a crisis nobody can stop?In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Patric, Martin and Dustin rip apart a fictional financial report from Citrini Research that has taken the internet by storm. Chapter by chapter, they debate whether AI will trigger an unstoppable economic death spiral or whether the doomsayers are missing the bigger picture entirely. The conversation then shifts to what is actually happening right now in construction, with fresh market intelligence from Procore and a deep dive into Autodesk's massive $200 million bet on a company called World Labs.Topics discussed:The "Intelligence Displacement Spiral" and why every company doing the smart thing could collectively wreck the economyWhy Patric believes a robot tax is the only way to keep society stable in an AI-driven worldProcore's latest data showing construction is splitting into two completely different economiesThe 400,000 worker shortage and 41% of the US construction workforce heading for retirement by 2031What Dustin learned running a Sales Kickoff and why buying software based on features is a mistakeAutodesk's $200 million investment in World Labs and why Patrick calls the term "world model" offensiveWhether vibe coders could ever vibe code a vibe coder (and what the answer tells us about AI's real limits)"If you truly want to live with AI, you need to start shifting from salary tax to robot tax. Then you actually have an ability to redistribute income and keep society stable." — PatricWatch the full episode on Youtube & Spotify.Chapters00:00 Intro01:30 The AI Crisis of 2028 07:26 The Intelligence Displacement Spiral 13:28 The Future of Software Development 19:31 The Impact of AI on Consumer Behavior 26:36 Skepticism Towards AI-Driven Services 34:08 The Fragility of the Mortgage Market 41:06 AI in Construction: Use Cases and Challenges 48:25 The Importance of Vision in Sales Leadership 53:37 Trimble's Acquisition Strategy and Market Positioning
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Bricks & Bytes
Can AI Work in Construction Law? | A 30-Year Attorney Breaks It Down
Someone used ChatGPT to redline a construction contract. The wording looked like it came straight from a lawyer. Only problem? It was arguing against their own position.In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Michael Vardaro, a construction attorney with 30 years of experience based in New York City, and we got to learn about how AI is reshaping construction law, why it's a powerful tool but a terrible replacement for professional judgment, and the groundbreaking new AAA AI arbitrator that could change how disputes get resolved... and much more.Tune in to find out about:✅ How AI tools like Firmus AI are catching scope conflicts and potential change orders before they turn into litigation✅ The real story behind the AAA's new AI arbitrator and what it actually means for construction disputes✅ Why the "AI will kill lawyer fees" headline is misleading, and what the CAD revolution taught us about technology and professional services✅ The hidden danger of AI meeting minutes in construction, and how they could actually make your legal position worse🎧 Watch now on Youtube and Spotify. Link in the comments#ConstructionTech #ConstructionLaw #AI #BricksAndBytes #AEC #ConTech #LegalTechOur Sponsors:Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comBuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.ioChapters00:00 Intro01:20 AI's Impact on Construction Law 08:27 Use Cases of AI in Construction 15:34 AI Tools for Contract Negotiation 20:55 The Role of AI in Legal Services 26:43 AI's Effect on Legal Business Models 31:10 Harnessing AI in Construction Litigation 36:11 The Role of AI in Arbitration 42:21 Communication Challenges in Construction 48:08 The Impact of AI on Meeting Minutes 54:19 Common Mistakes in Construction Contracts 56:56 Future of AI in Construction Law
Buildots Acquisition, Procore Groundbreak’s Awkward Week, Pre-Con Is On Fire
Buildots acquired workforce tracking company Genda – combining progress monitoring with real-time worker data in a way their competitors can't match.In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Martin, Patric, and Dustin dig into the week's biggest stories in construction tech, from strategic acquisitions to what actually happened at Groundbreak.Key topics discussed:Why Buildots bought Genda and how tracking workforce alongside progress creates a competitive edge (especially for catching inflated change orders)Dustin's firsthand account of Procore's Groundbreak keynote – an hour about AI agents, but almost nothing about solving real construction problemsThe awkward moment when Tooey handed over CEO duties, and why the transition felt rushed and unpreparedLuigi La Corte from Provision explains how skimping on branding early hurt their credibility with customers (even while being capital efficient)A proper argument about 2D takeoffs: Dustin thinks they'll be commoditized, Luigi defends why 99% accuracy mattersCandid Intelligence's claim they can compress years of pre-construction work into hours (and what that actually means)The reality that contractors will never blindly trust AI quantities – and for good reason"If you don't do your own branding early, someone else will do your branding for you." – Luigi La Corte, ProvisionDustin also teases some Groundbreak gossip he can't share yet. You'll have to wait until next week.Sponsors:Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comBuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.ioChapters:00:00 Intro01:30 Introduction to BuildDots and Recent Acquisition04:32 The Importance of Workforce Tracking in Construction07:23 Challenges in Merging Progress and Workforce Tracking10:21 Insights on Acquisition Strategies and Market Dynamics13:30 Evaluating the Impact of Acquisitions on Competitive Landscape16:25 Procore and Autodesk: A Shift Towards AI19:12 Leadership Transition and Strategic Vision at Procore29:01 Introduction and Recent Developments30:49 Debate on Commoditization of Construction Tech33:58 The Importance of Data Sets in Estimation37:03 Challenges in Achieving Accuracy in Construction Estimates40:56 The Role of AI in Construction Management43:49 The Future of AI and Human Collaboration48:01 Capital Efficiency and Branding in Construction Tech51:53 Marketing Strategies and Customer Engagement53:19 Trust in Quantification Tools55:34 Transitioning Leadership in Tech Companies57:15 Innovations in Pre-Construction Processes01:01:34 Challenges in Construction Technology Adoption01:08:39 Building a Startup in Construction Tech01:11:29 Investor Relations and Business Growth Strategies
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
$500k Salaries for Mechanics, VC’s Getting Defrauded, DOT Causes Chaos
"You give me money, and I tell you, 'I'm going to circle back in 18 months and let you know what I did with your money.' That's what a safe note is."In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Martin, Mike Powers, Dustin DeVan, and Patric Hellermann dive into the messy reality of construction tech funding, government policy shakeups, and the AI hype that's burning through millions.Key topics discussed:The brutal truth about EU vs US startup ecosystems and where the smart money is goingWhy safe notes are "stupid money" and how founders are getting away with zero accountabilityCharlie Javis sentenced to 7 years for defrauding JPMorgan with fake user numbersConstruction AI is boring: why every startup is chasing the same chatbot dreamDepartment of Transportation's new ruling that just invalidated 40,000+ DBE certifications overnightHeavy equipment mechanics earning $500K through on-demand platforms while dealers pay them $80KPlus, guest interviews with:Alex Kraft, founder of Heave, on disrupting the $180/hour equipment repair racketWissam Akra, CEO of Toughleaf, breaking down the DOT policy bomb that's reshaping billions in infrastructure contracts"Think about how absolutely stupid that method is. You come to me, you offer me money, and I tell you, 'I'm going to circle back in 18 months and let you know what I did with your money.' That's what a safe note is." From government shutdowns to mechanics making half a million on an app, this episode exposes what's really happening behind the scenes in construction tech.--------------Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com
Chapters00:00 Intro01:35 Introduction and Government Shutdown Discussion04:07 Comparing EU and US Startups05:29 The Future of Startups in the EU08:29 Investment Trends in the US and EU11:00 Challenges in Construction Tech Across Borders14:06 Transactional Models and Regional Specificity15:41 Startup Ecosystems in Construction17:17 The Future of Construction Tech Startups18:23 AI in Pre-Construction and Its Limitations22:24 Fraud in Startups: A Cautionary Tale30:52 Introducing HEAVE: A Marketplace for Heavy Equipment Repairs38:19 Transforming an Antiquated Industry40:39 Service Agreements and Customer Trust42:16 Innovative Pricing Models in Equipment Maintenance47:46 Changes in DBE Certification and Its Impact55:31 The Future of Construction Tech and Compliance
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
NEOM Cancelled, 21K Dead, SoftBank's $5.4B Bet, Track3D Raises $10M
Is Saudi Arabia's $500B Dream Dead? Plus: The $5.4B Robotics Deal That Changes EverythingIn this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Martin, and Patric dive into the biggest construction and tech stories shaking up the industry right now.What we cover:NEOM's collapse - Why Saudi Arabia is pulling the plug on "The Line" and what it means for construction startups in the region (spoiler: 21,000 workers died building this dream)SoftBank's massive $5.4B bet - Breaking down the ABB Robotics acquisition and what "physical AI" really means for constructionThe humanoid vs. specialized robots debate - Which will actually take over construction sites first?Calvin from CrewScope on using gamification to boost worker productivity (yes, leaderboards for drywallers are real)NK from Track3D reveals how they raised $10M to turn reality capture data into instant project insights - no BIM model requiredThe AI circus continues - From OpenAI "killing 1000 startups" to Nvidia's brilliant financing scheme with xAIKey quote: "People have been trying solutions for so long. I don't think it's on the industry - they've been trying. It's on us as technology providers. Our technology is not simple enough." - NK Chaitanya, Track3DPlus: Owen somehow gets invited to speak at an RICS conference after failing their exam three times. Sometimes persistence beats credentials.Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comBuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io
Chapters00:00 Intro01:15 Introduction and Personal Insights on Health Tracking04:01 The Impact of Technology on Health and Well-being07:22 Exploring the Neom Project and Its Challenges09:55 The Future of Neom and Its Implications for Startups12:43 Investor Perspectives on Government-Funded Projects16:02 The Robotics Acquisition and Market Dynamics24:27 Understanding the Robotics Value Chain29:17 The Impact of Chinese Robotics on Western Markets30:49 SoftBank's Strategic Acquisition of ABB Robotics32:45 The Future of Robotics in Construction34:19 AI's Influence on the Robotics Industry39:49 Exploring CrewScope's Innovative Approach to Construction52:43 Building Partnerships in the Construction Industry53:11 Transformative Labor Savings in Construction55:01 Building Partnerships for Innovation55:13 Behavioral Change in Technology Adoption56:27 Automating Construction Monitoring with Track3D58:11 Expanding Go-To-Market Strategies59:59 Simplicity in Reality Capture Solutions01:01:41 Customer Preparedness and Market Dynamics01:04:34 The Role of Technology in Construction Verification01:06:43 Pricing Strategies for Construction Technology01:08:47 Global Team Dynamics in Tech Development01:09:49 The Future of Construction Technology
This female founder just broke a construction tech record that no one saw comingIn this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Dustin, Maria, Kevin, and Stjepan dive deep into the biggest moves shaking up construction tech right now.Key topics discussed:- Maria Davidson's historic $94M fundraise - the most ever raised by a female founder in construction tech- Why mixing venture capital with strategic partnerships is the secret sauce for growth - Procore's surprising new CEO choice and what it means for the industry- Oracle's aggressive push into construction tech and the M&A war heating up- Why Zoom is killing your career and you need to get back to face-to-face meetings- The hidden AI revolution happening in construction companies (that management doesn't know about)- Data center boom creating massive opportunities and risks for contractors- How to build authentic relationships that actually close enterprise deals
Key quote:"I'm very surprised by this selection because this person was already on the board of Procore where Procore has been stagnant since they went IPO. You've been sitting at the table the entire time and the stock's done nothing." - Dustin on Procore's new CEO pickFrom record-breaking fundraises to controversial leadership decisions, this episode reveals the power moves and industry secrets that are reshaping construction tech forever.-----------------Chapters00:00 Intro01:25 Introduction and Technical Difficulties04:08 Celebrating Investment Success07:13 The Value of Strategic vs. Venture Capital10:04 Hiring and Building a Strong Team13:08 The Importance of Candidate Experience16:16 Future Plans and Market Expansion19:11 Navigating Industry Challenges and Opportunities25:51 Navigating the Solar Industry and Employment Challenges28:09 Strategic Partnerships and Investment in Construction Tech30:55 Innovations in Project Management and Supply Chain Solutions34:26 Procore's New Leadership and Industry Implications43:24 Oracle's Strategic Positioning in Construction Tech45:30 M&A Activity in Construction Tech46:30 Oracle's Strategic Moves48:18 The Importance of Community in Construction Tech49:22 The Future of Major Players in Construction Tech50:26 Building Relationships Beyond Zoom56:17 Cultural Considerations in Business01:00:25 AI in AEC: Perspectives and Opportunities01:04:22 Building a Business Around AI01:08:28 The Power of Authentic Communication----------🎧 Listen to the Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3P7JkiN9X3N4Kh6jlDsOgi?si=91JP5nxvQbKStkp8AQdAOg 📩 Subscribe to the Bricks & Bytes Newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/🌐 Visit our website: http://bricks-bytes.com/📲 Follow us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/ Twitter: https://x.com/bricksbytespod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
Sponsors:BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.ioArchdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comEnjoying the insights? Hit that Subscribe button to stay ahead in construction tech, AI, and the future of how we build.
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