In Episode 51 of What the RFI?, I’m answering some fan mail from Richard, an experienced Architectural Technologist who’s considering making the jump into a full-time Construction Administration role.
And we’re doing this one a little differently…
I’m recording it from the beach in Tofino, BC, while on vacation.
We talk about how experience with architectural drawings, construction documents, RFIs, shop drawings, submittals and consultant coordination can become the foundation for a career in Construction Administration.
More importantly, we get into the things you don’t necessarily learn in school: getting experience on construction sites, learning from experienced CAs, understanding construction contracts, communicating with contractors and consultants, and developing the judgment that comes from actually doing the work.
And since I’m recording this from the beach, there’s one more important lesson:
Take your damn vacation!
Construction Administration will follow you everywhere if you let it. Hand over your projects, turn on your Out of Office, remove the work email from your phone and disconnect.
The RFIs will still be there when you get back.
IN THIS EPISODE
* How to get into Construction Administration
* Moving from Architectural Technologist to CA
* How document-production experience transfers into CA
* Getting your first real Construction Administration experience
* Learning RFIs, shop drawings, submittals and construction changes
* Why you need to get out to the construction site
* Learning construction contracts
* Learning from contractors and consultants
* Finding a Construction Administration mentor
* Developing confidence and judgment
* What to consider when accepting a CA position
* Why Construction Administrators need to actually take their vacations
CHAPTERS
00:00 — Live From Tofino: We’ve Got Fan Mail
01:10 — Richard’s Construction Administration Career Question
02:08 — How Do You Get Into Construction Administration?
04:58 — Document Support IS CA Experience
07:54 — Ask for More CA Experience
09:11 — Get Out to the Construction Site
11:11 — Learn What the CA Documents Actually Do
12:38 — Learn Your Construction Contract
13:34 — Learn From the Contractor
15:56 — Communication Is a Huge Part of CA
18:20 — Find a Construction Administration Mentor
19:36 — Richard’s CA Career Opportunity
22:19 — Learn to Turn Off Work
23:19 — Take Your Damn Vacation!
24:54 — Your Project Will Survive Without You
25:20 — The RFIs Will Still Be There
26:04 — More What the RFI? Fan Mail
26:52 — Keep the RFIs Moving… Unless You’re on Vacation
HAVE A CA QUESTION?
Have a Construction Administration question you’d like me to answer in a future Fan Mail episode?
RFIs, shop drawings, contracts, site problems, career questions—or something happened on your project and you’re wondering:
“Matt… what the hell would you do here?”
Send it my way.
What the RFI? is all about the real-world practice of Construction Administration: RFIs, shop drawings and submittals, Change Orders, Supplemental Instructions, field reviews, site meetings, construction contracts, occupancy and project closeout.
#ConstructionAdministration #Architecture #construction
What the RFI? — The Construction Administration Podcast
Practical guidance for architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, owners, and project managers navigating construction administration.