The Construction Corner

In this episode of the Construction Corner podcast, host Dillon breaks down the most common failure points in the traditional plan-and-spec process and explains why some projects end up buried in RFIs. He pulls back the curtain on the two sides of the RFI problem — engineering teams that don't allocate enough time or resources, and owners who haven't fully defined what they want before design begins. Dillon walks through how placeholder strategies can keep projects moving even when final details are unknown, and explains why some project types (like custom manufacturing facilities) will naturally generate more RFIs than cookie-cutter builds like chain restaurants or standard hotel rooms. His bottom line: most RFI problems come down to not having a solid checklist and not working through it methodically — so make your list, and check it twice.

In this episode of the Construction Corner podcast, host Dillon pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to manage large-scale construction and engineering projects. He talks about why mega projects are exciting but often come with confidentiality agreements that limit what firms can share publicly, then dives into the real mechanics of handling them — from building the right talent pipeline to leveraging automation tools like the in-house software built at Vertical Design Services. Dillon makes the case that AI is meant to augment engineers, not replace them, and breaks down his core strategy for tackling massive projects: one big, well-managed checklist worked through methodically, one item at a time. Whether it's a 500-room hotel or a large-scale data center, his message is clear — how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

In this episode of the Construction Corner podcast, host Dillon breaks down the importance of coordination and clash detection in Revit-based construction projects. He explains how modeling every trade's systems — conduit, duct, pipe, hangers, sprinkler heads, and more — in a shared virtual environment before breaking ground leads to smoother projects, better prefabrication, and fewer costly conflicts in the field. Dillon covers why clashes happen, how a qualified VDC team can eliminate them, and why getting all trades working in the same model is the key to clash-free construction. He wraps up with a simple but powerful reminder: a 30-minute conversation can get everyone aligned and moving in the right direction.

In this episode of the Construction Corner podcast, host Dillon dives into the growing trend of design build projects and why more owners are choosing it over traditional plan-and-spec engineering. He breaks down the biggest advantage — procurement timelines — explaining how getting electrical equipment, switchgear, and mechanical units on order early can shave weeks or months off a project schedule. Dillon also covers how having engineers and contractors working as one team leads to smarter material choices, real cost savings, and smoother execution on the jobsite. He wraps up by examining why design build projects fail, pointing to misalignment between partners, unresponsive vendors, and lack of collaboration as the top culprits.

In this episode of the Construction Corner podcast, host Dillon breaks down the pros and cons of remote vs. on-site employees in construction. He makes the case for in-person work as the most effective way to build a strong company culture — especially in the early stages — sharing real examples from onboarding summer interns and going the extra mile for clients. Dillon also touches on how responsiveness and attention to detail, like reconciling lighting schedules on behalf of contractors, are what set great firms apart from the competition.

In this episode, host Dillon riffs on Starlink, full-time RV living, and what it all signals about the future of work — then dives into an honest take on AI: where it's actually helping (accounting, media production, content creation) and where it still falls flat (complex customer service, reading construction drawings, reliable data throughput). For engineers and contractors, the takeaway is clear — AI is a tool to augment your work, not replace it, and knowing the difference is where the real advantage lies.

In this episode of the Construction Corner Podcast, host Dillon dives into what truly sets an engineering firm apart — and it comes down to one thing: time spent with people.

Dillon explores the idea that great engineering isn't just about calculations and drawings; it's about curation, communication, and collaboration. Like choosing a favorite winemaker or craft brewer, clients gravitate toward engineers whose judgment and taste they trust. The real value lies in helping contractors understand the "why" behind design decisions, so they can have better conversations with owners, price jobs more confidently, and ultimately win more work.

He also gets into the importance of treating contractors as true partners — teaching them, collaborating on solutions, and avoiding the nickel-and-dime mentality that erodes trust. From running real load data instead of relying on nameplates, to handling reasonable changes without fuss, Dillon makes the case that the best engineering relationships are built on transparency, education, and genuine investment in your clients' success.

A great listen for engineers and contractors alike who want to build stronger partnerships and grow together.

In this episode of the Construction Corner Podcast, host Dillon pulls back the curtain on what really happens inside an engineering firm when chasing a major project. He shares the story of a grueling two-to-three week sprint to put together a full set of 200 drawings — mechanical and electrical — for a mega project bid, with late nights, early mornings, and a team of nearly a dozen people working in parallel.

Dillon breaks down the "black box" of engineering: clients see polished deliverables, but never the grind behind them. He explains why showing up to a client presentation with a complete, coordinated drawing set is a powerful differentiator — and why sometimes you have to invest heavily before you even know if you'll win the job.

A must-listen for contractors, engineers, and design-build professionals who want to understand what it takes to compete for — and win — large-scale projects.

In this episode of the Construction Corner Podcast, host Dillon recaps his attempt at the Zion 100-miler — and the hard-earned lessons that came with a DNF at mile 52. After months of training through travel, holidays, and illness, Dillon and a training partner flew out to Utah only to face a brutal combination of high elevation, exposed terrain, relentless heat, and compounding setbacks: elevated heart rate from being sick, locked-up hamstrings from running off-pace, poor aid station strategy, and missing cold gear at the wrong checkpoint. He made it 52 miles in 18.5 hours before calling it at 2:30 AM.

Beyond the race recap, Dillon unpacks the bigger lessons — from having a crew vs. drop bags, to the most important one: run your own race. Tying your fate to a running partner in an individual sport can cost you both. He connects this directly to business and life: nobody is going to run your race for you, market your company for you, or make your decisions for you. You have to look out for yourself, make your own calls, and own your outcomes. A candid, motivating episode for anyone who's ever taken on a big challenge — and come up short.

In this episode of the Construction Corner Podcast, host Dillon shares his experience hunting down furnished housing for summer interns — discovering that Furnished Finder is a surprisingly affordable alternative to Airbnb for monthly stays. He then dives into a broader lesson learned over his career: nobody really cares where you live or what your office looks like, as long as you're doing great work and not regularly hosting clients. From crashing at a buddy's place during a director-level job to working out of stripped-down office spaces, Dillon makes the case that your home and workspace should be optimized for you — not for impressing others.