Despre acest podcast
What the RFI? is a podcast dedicated to Construction Administration, Contract Administration, and Architectural Project Coordination.
Hosted by Matt Brennan, a Construction Administration Leader with over 25 years of experience, the show explores the real-world processes behind successful construction projects, including RFIs, Site Instructions, Change Orders, Construction Contracts, Specifications, Submittals, Deficiencies, Site Meetings, Project Closeout, and consultant coordination.
Every episode features practical advice, real project examples, industry technology, AI tools, and workflow improvements designed to help architects, architectural technologists, engineers, consultants, owners, project managers, and general contractors deliver better projects.
If you work in architecture, construction, or construction administration, What the RFI? delivers practical insights to help you navigate every stage of the construction process.
How many RFIs did you get this week?
Episoade
Cele mai noi 20 din 51 episoade
- Fan Mail: How to Get Into Construction Administration · 27 min · Episodul 51How do you get into Construction Administration? In this special episode of What the RFI?, recorded while on vacation in Tofino, BC, I answer some fan mail from Richard—an…
- Occupancy Inspections: What Building Inspectors Look For · 28 min · Episodul 50Your building is nearly finished. The consultants have signed off. Integrated systems testing is complete. Everyone is talking about move-in day. Now the building inspector is…
- CAN/ULC-S1001 Integrated Systems Testing — Getting Ready for Occupancy · 27 min · Episodul 49What happens after the fire alarm goes off? Does the elevator recall? Do the doors release? Do the mechanical systems respond? Does the monitoring station receive the signal? In…
- 50% Canada-U.S. Tariffs Hit Construction: What Happens Next? · 26 min · Episodul 48Canada-U.S. tariffs are hitting construction, raising new questions about material costs, steel prices, procurement, contracts, and who ultimately pays when prices suddenly…
- Construction Occupancy: How to Prepare for the Final Inspection · 36 min · Episodul 47Your construction project is 99% complete. The walls are painted, the flooring is down, the lights are on and everyone is talking about move-in day. So you’re basically done…
- Before You Dig: Earthworks, Geotech & Stripping Plans · 30 min · Episodul 46You want me to strip what? Some of the biggest financial risks on a construction project happen before the building ever gets out of the ground. In Episode 46 of What the RFI?…
- Why Construction Projects Fall Apart Before Occupancy · 24 min · Episodul 45You have 24 months to build a school… yet somehow every deficiency, training session, closeout document, hardware adjustment and commissioning issue seems to appear in the final…
- The First Site Meeting: Setting Your Construction Project Up for Success · 32 min · Episodul 44How do you run the first construction site meeting? In this episode of What the RFI?, Matt Brennan explains how Architects, Contract Administrators, Project Managers, Engineers…
- Construction Meeting Notes: How to Run Better Site Meetings · 39 min · Episodul 43Meeting notes are one of the most important records on a construction project, but what should actually go into them, who should run the meeting, and how detailed do they really…
- Granola AI: The Best AI Meeting Note Taker for Construction Administration? · 42 min · Episodul 42Meeting minutes are one of the most valuable records in Construction Administration, but they can also be one of the most time-consuming tasks. In this episode of What the RFI?…
- Us vs the GC: Why Construction Projects Turn Adversarial · 26 min · Episodul 41Why does Construction Administration so often feel like a battle between Architects and General Contractors? In this episode of What the RFI?, Matt Brennan takes a deep dive into…
- RFI Horror Stories: Demolition Disasters & Construction Nightmares featuring Zach Rapaport | Halloween Special · 1 h 5 min · Episodul 40It’s Halloween, the one day of the year when the scariest things come out of the walls … literally. 👻 In this special Halloween episode of What the RFI?, Matt Brennan is joined…
- Live from CSI 2025 — Building Connections, Sharing RFI Horror Stories, and a Surprise Musical Performance · 33 min · Episodul 39Recorded live at CSI 2025 in Cleveland, this episode of What the RFI brings together Dean Moilanen (Noble Company) and Holly Gotfredson (Finishing Dynamics & American Metalcraft)…
- Live from CSI 2025: The Future of Spec Writing, Collaboration, and Construction Innovation · 44 min · Episodul 38Recorded live from Cleveland, this episode of What the RFI? dives into the energy, insights, and connections shaping CSI National 2025. Host Matt Brennan sits down with Nish…
- The Power of Networking: Building Your Support System · 26 min · Episodul 37After an unexpected career shake-up, Matt Brennan opens up about the true power of your network, the people who rally behind you when life changes overnight. In this episode of…
- InktoberArchitecture: Why Architects Still Need to Sketch in a Digital World · 53 min · Episodul 36It’s time to dust off the desk, grab your favourite pen, and roll out the trace because InktoberArchitecture is here! In this episode of What the RFI?, host Matt Brennan welcomes…
- From Vision to Detail: Toby Witte on Modern Architecture · 1 h 0 min · Episodul 35In this episode of What the RFI?, host Matt Brennan sits down live at AIA Aspire 2025 in Asheville, NC, with architect Toby Witte of Wittehaus. Known for designing modern…
- Live from AIA Aspire 2025: Resilience, Technology, and the Future of Practice · 1 h 4 min · Episodul 34Recorded live at the Diana Wortham Theatre in Asheville, NC, this special episode of What the RFI? takes the stage at AIA Aspire 2025. Host Matt Brennan is joined by an…
- Building the Future: Concrete and Sustainability · 1 h 1 min · Episodul 33In this episode, Matt Brennan hosts Chris and Ryan to discuss the complexities of concrete construction, focusing on RFIs, specifications, and sustainability. They share insights…
- Mastering Site Visits: A Comprehensive Guide · 37 min · Episodul 32In this episode, Matt Brennan discusses the importance of site visits during the summer and provides a comprehensive guide on how to effectively prepare for and conduct site…
