Construction Administration Podcast Episodes

How 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 experienced Architectural Technologist looking to make the jump into a full-time Construction Administration role. We talk about how experience in architectural technology, construction documents, RFIs, shop drawings and consultant coordination can become the foundation for a career in CA—and why you probably already know m...

Your 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 coming. In Episode 50 of What the RFI?, we’re talking about one of the biggest milestones in Construction Administration: the occupancy inspection. What happens when the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) arrives on site? What is the building inspector actually looking for? Who should attend the inspection? And what ha...

What 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 Episode 49 of What the RFI?, we continue our four-part Building Occupancy Series with a practical look at CAN/ULC-S1001 Integrated Systems Testing from the Construction Administrator’s perspective. We break down what S1001 testing is, how it differs from fire alarm verification, who needs to be involved, how to prepar...

Canada-U.S. tariffs are hitting construction, raising new questions about material costs, steel prices, procurement, contracts, and who ultimately pays when prices suddenly change. With new 50% U.S. tariffs affecting billions of dollars of Canadian goods and Canada preparing retaliatory measures, construction materials including steel, aluminum, lumber, cement, plywood, paint, and other building products are caught in the middle. In Episode 48 of What the RFI?, Matt Brennan looks beyond the p...

Your 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, right? Not even close! Getting a building ready for occupancy requires months of preparation, testing, documentation and coordination between the contractor, consultants, owner and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). In Episode 47 of What the RFI?, Matt Brennan kicks off a four-part series on construction occupancy and ...

You 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?, Matt Brennan digs into earthworks, geotechnical reports, test holes, stripping plans, and the steps architects and owners can take to reduce the risk of costly surprises underground. Because a $100,000 earthworks budget can turn into $1 million in extras remarkably quickly when actual site conditions don’t match what e...