How Many Ethernet & Fiber Cables Fit Inside a Conduit? Updated
I originally wrote a blog article here back in 2011 on conduit sizing for Ethernet Cat6 cables. And to this day, it still remains the…
Guardians of Performance: The Role of Building Commissioning and Envelope Consultants
The design team designed it. The contractor built it. Why does the owner need someone else to verify that it performs? Originally published August 2024….
Do You Actually Know What Your Building Assets Will Cost You?
An asset list tells you what you own. Capital planning requires knowing its condition, remaining life, replacement cost and what else has to happen when…
What Can a Permit Expeditor Actually Do for Your Project?
An expeditor can help navigate filings, agencies and approvals. But hiring one doesn’t transfer responsibility for getting the design permit-ready. Construction permitting can look deceptively…
Contractors and Change Orders: What You Need to Know
A submitted change order does not automatically mean the owner is responsible for the cost. Originally published July 2023. Updated September 2026 to reflect current…
SD to CD: What Owners Should Expect During Design
SD, DD and CD aren’t just design phases. Each one should move the owner closer to decisions the project can actually build. Originally published July…
Before You Plan the New Office, Ask the People Who Actually Use It
Employee input can uncover how the business really operates. The challenge is separating useful requirements from individual preferences. When a company starts planning a new…
Union or Open Shop? What Does It Mean for Your Construction Project?
The labor strategy can affect contractor selection, competition, cost, workforce availability and project requirements. Owners should understand the implications before bidding begins. “Union shop” and…
Construction Manager vs. General Contractor – Part 6 – Logistics, Owner/Vendor Coordination
The construction team can deliver the building and still not own everything required to make it operational. Originally published February 2023. Updated September 2026 to…
Construction Manager vs. General Contractor – Part 5 – Construction, Scheduling & Payments
Once construction begins, the delivery structure affects how the owner sees progress, manages schedule decisions and validates what is being paid for. Originally published February…
Construction Manager vs. General Contractor – Part 4 – Contract, Design & Cost
The contract structure matters more than the label. Owners need to understand when cost becomes known, how design is supported and which risks remain. Originally…
Construction Manager vs. General Contractor – Part 3 – Qualifications
The firm may have an impressive résumé. The owner needs to know whether the team assigned to the project does too. Originally published February 2023….
Construction Manager vs. General Contractor – Part 2 – Pre-Construction
Preconstruction isn’t just work that happens before construction. It’s when cost, schedule, logistics and procurement assumptions can still be tested before they become field problems….
Construction Manager vs. General Contractor – Part I – Overview
The question isn’t simply which one is better. It’s which project-delivery structure fits the owner, the project and the decisions that need to be made….
Knock Out and Win the Punch List Before Construction
Prepare for the Punch List before, during, and after construction.