Construction Hot Takes

Managing your construction budget is tough—but who's got it tougher? Subs or GCs?

Adam (former trade contractor) and Jeff (former GC) face off in this episode to settle a classic industry debate: whose project budget is actually harder to manage?

You'll hear:

• Why subcontractor budgets might actually be more complex.
• Hidden pitfalls subs face daily that GCs rarely experience.
• Real-world stories of budget management gone sideways (and lessons learned the hard way).

Think you know which side has it worse? You might be surprised.

Ready to end the argument? Hit play and decide for yourself.

“That Could Never Happen Here…Right?” – A Cautionary Tale of Financial Fraud

What if one trusted employee could quietly put your entire company at risk?

This week on Construction Hot Takes, Adam Cooper and Jeff Robertson dig into a real-life story that could happen in any construction business.

With Greg out on the road, Adam shares a case of financial fraud at a billion-dollar firm, where a regional manager manipulated millions in the books – and nearly brought the whole operation down. Names have been changed, but the lessons are very real.

This episode takes a deeper look into accountability, leadership blind spots, and the silent dangers of a culture where no one feels safe to speak up. Adam and Jeff unpack how poor systems, ignored red flags, and a lack of transparency can cost you everything.

Tune in as we explore:

(00:00) Reporting structure and accountability issues

(03:45) Was it intentional or just opportunistic?

(06:53) A consultant questions the reporting practices

(10:33) Why hands-on management still matters

(15:01) Cultural training and what accountability really means

(18:41) The cost of poor communication

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Fresh from a business leaders conference in Las Vegas, Adam brings back eye-opening insights on how rapidly AI is advancing… and why every construction company, big or small, can’t afford to sit on the sidelines.

Jeff and Adam unpack real-world ways AI can make a difference for contractors. From predictive scheduling and automated delay claims to AI-powered contract reviews, smarter procurement, and even proposal writing, they share clear strategies that any construction business can start using right now.

They also explore next-gen tools like helmet cameras that detect safety risks in real time, and how generative AI is quickly becoming one of the most powerful teammates on the job site.

Tune in as we explore:

(00:00) AI in project delay analysis

(03:56) The power of contract analysis automation

(08:35) Embracing new tools in construction

(10:01) How AI is transforming financial dashboards

(12:51) The importance of field feedback requests

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Episode Summary
In this mini-episode of Construction Hot Takes, our experts tackle a common challenge in the construction industry: what to do after purchasing Procore construction management software. They share practical insights on implementation, training, and maximizing the value of your Procore investment.

Key Points Discussed
- Beyond the "Orange Easy Button"- Why Procore isn't a magic solution and requires proper implementation
- Implementation Strategy - Setting up roles, permissions, and selecting initial projects
- Core Functionality Focus- Starting with drawings, specifications, daily reports, and photos
- Common Implementation Mistakes - Why many companies struggle with adoption
- Training Requirements - The importance of proper onboarding and continuous education
- ERP Integration - Considerations when connecting Procore with financial systems
- Aligning Expectations - Ensuring everyone understands why the software was purchased

Expert Tips for Procore Success
- Identify champions and administrators within your organization
- Begin with a few test projects before full-scale implementation
- Focus on the basics: drawings, specifications, daily reports, photos, and RFIs
- Invest in proper training for all team members
- Consider how Procore will integrate with existing systems
- Clarify your objectives and communicate the "why" to your team

Who Should Watch
- Construction company owners who recently purchased Procore
- Project managers struggling with Procore implementation
- Construction professionals evaluating Procore for their business
- Technology decision-makers in construction firms
- Anyone responsible for construction software adoption

About Construction Hot Takes
Construction Hot Takes delivers straight-talking, practical advice for construction professionals. Our hosts have helped hundreds of clients build better construction companies and understand what it takes to run successful, profitable businesses in the construction industry.

Check out our whole catalog of Construction Hot Takes episodes on our website! https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/

Interested in learning how Ascent's consulting services could potentially help improve your business's operations? 📈
Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation

Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/
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Tags: Procore implementation, construction software, Procore training, construction management software, Procore ERP integration, construction technology, Procore best practices, construction project management, Procore setup guide, Procore consultant

There’s a huge disconnect between construction operations and finance teams—and when it comes to construction risk management, that divide can cost projects big. Who should really be responsible for reducing risk on construction projects? Is it construction accounting and finance, or does project management and field operations need to step up?

In this episode of Construction Hot Takes, Adam, Greg, and Jeff break down how construction business leaders can bridge the gap between construction finance and operations to improve risk mitigation. From contract terms to budgeting, scheduling, and field execution, both teams play a role—but too often, they’re working against each other instead of together.

If you want to reduce risk on construction projects, avoid costly mistakes, and create a more aligned team, this is the episode for you. Watch now to learn how to manage construction risk before it’s too late!

Check out our whole catalog of Construction Hot Takes episodes on our website! https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/

Interested in learning how Ascent's consulting services could potentially help improve your business's operations? 📈
Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation

Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@ascentconsults?sub_confirmation=1

#ConstructionRisk #ConstructionManagement #ProjectManagement #ConstructionFinance #ConstructionAccounting #ConstructionOperations #ConstructionBusiness #RiskMitigation #ConstructionLeadership #GeneralContractor #ConstructionIndustry #ConstructionProject #ReduceConstructionRisk #ContractorSuccess #BuildingBetterProjects

In this episode of Construction Hot Takes, Adam, Greg, and Jeff reveal the 5 simple mistakes that can completely ruin and de-rail a construction project by causing delays and budget overruns and tanking profitability.

According to Ascent CEO Adam Cooper, one of the biggest mistakes too many construction companies are making today is simple not fully reading or understanding construction contracts. Too many general contractors and subcontractors skim through contracts without catching key clauses that impact payment terms, liability, and scope — leading to major problems down the line.

The guys also call out real construction business mistakes they’ve seen firsthand, like project managers making scheduling decisions without considering material lead times, or owners assuming that hitting revenue goals means they’re actually profitable. Lack of construction business training at every level leads to bad decisions that cost companies money and credibility.

Whether you’re a project manager, owner, or contractor, knowing what NOT to do is just as important as knowing the right moves to make. If you want to learn how to avoid the top 5 reasons construction projects fail, this episode is a must-watch.

Check out our whole catalog of Construction Hot Takes episodes on our website! https://ascentconsults.com/constructi...

Interested in learning how Ascent's consulting services could potentially help improve your business's operations?
Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meeti...

Follow Ascent Consulting on social media!
LinkedIn: ascent-consulting-inc-
Facebook: ascentconsult
Instagram: ascentconsults
X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! @ascentconsults  

You can’t afford to miss this episode. The team at Ascent Consulting tackles the threat of risks hanging over your construction project. 

Adam warns that most contractors are not sufficiently risk averse. They don’t see risks coming until it is too late. Jeff advises using risk as a lens to plan a project – by identifying every possible problem. 

With a wide range of examples, Adam, Jeff and Gregory unpack macro and micro risks. They explain how micro risks often surface on site, such as scheduling or worker safety. Macro risks threaten the health and stability of your company overall, such as unidentified errors in your budget or poor quality work that undermines your reputation.  

Gregory warns there is a chain of risk that starts from the minute a contract starts until you walk off a job. Whether a general contractor, subcontractor or speciality contractor, listeners will glean valuable insight from their discussion on how to identify and mitigate each link in that chain.  

In this episode the team at Ascent Consulting digs deeper into private equity in the construction sector and how they help companies prepare for exit and growth. 

CEO Adam Cooper breaks down the perspective of private equity firms pre acquisition and post acquisition. Senior Consultant Gregory Gorman unpacks for listeners how each private equity firm has its own mandate and strategy as they prepare to acquire a construction company. 

Both Adam and Gregory speak from their experience working behind the scenes with private equity firms pre acquisition to augment the due diligence process. 

Post acquisition, Ascent Consulting has worked alongside private equity firms to fine tune and retool newly purchased companies to better fit into the firm’s purchase strategy. Senior Consultant Jeff Robertson asks Adam and Gregory to break down the value Ascent Consulting brings to the process as a third party. They also discuss the ins and outs of work for private equity firms, the timing of those projects and their experience working with legacy and new ownership. 

In this episode Adam Cooper, CEO of Ascent Consulting, and senior consultants Gregory Gorman and Jeff Robertson, pull back the curtain on their construction background. 

The hosts reveal the paths that led to their current roles at Ascent Consulting. When his stepdad encouraged him to pick up summer work on a construction site, Jeff fell in love with the industry as a teenager. Gregory’s story starts in New York where he worked at a hedge fund before transitioning to CFO of a construction company. And Adam shares how he and Jeff first met, an early memory that delivers a lesson in how to prepare for every possible scenario. 

Adam also asks Jeff and Gregory to share their super power, leading into a conversation that unveils how each host responds under stress on the job.

This is a can’t miss episode for listeners who want to understand the ins and outs of private equity in construction. 

Gregory Gorman, senior consultant at Ascent Consulting, kicks off the discussion by breaking down the difference between private equity and direct investment. The team discusses the various considerations when a construction company is looking to be bought out by a private equity firm. They clearly explain the “due diligence” phase of such a buyout, and factors like ownership staying on, or exiting as part of the buyout. CEO Adam Cooper explains how Ascent Consulting has been brought into the “due diligence” phase at times to help assess how a company is operating and the viability of its systems after a buyout. 

Gregory provides additional insight into how private equity firms assess opportunities to scale a construction company and make a return on their investment. And together the hosts share several examples of private equity buyouts.