The SiteVisit

James Faulkner
  • 4.8 (34)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED DAILY

Leadership in construction with perspective from the job site. A podcast dedicated to the Construction industry. Construction professionals, General Contractors, Sub trade Contractors, and Specialty Contractors audiences will be engaged by the discussions between the hosts and their guests on topics and stories. Hosted James Faulkner ( CEO/Founder - SiteMax Systems ).

  1. How Strata Councils Navigate Aging Buildings, Rising Costs, And Legal Risk with Katherine Uppall

    3 HRS AGO

    How Strata Councils Navigate Aging Buildings, Rising Costs, And Legal Risk with Katherine Uppall

    Send a text Ever wondered who’s actually safeguarding a multi‑million‑dollar condo tower when the council is made of volunteers? We sit down with strata lawyer Katherine Uppal to unpack how buildings age, costs climb, and decisions get made under the Strata Property Act—often with limited time, thin records, and 200 skeptical neighbors watching. We dig into the governance flashpoints that derail progress: contested elections, proxy fights, and quorum drama that can stall urgent repairs. Katherine explains the real legal standard—reasonableness—and why councils acting in good faith are broadly protected, even as owners push back on special levies. From there, we get concrete: depreciation reports that nobody reads, building envelope condition assessments that reveal water ingress risks, and the good‑better‑best framework that helps councils stage work without blowing reserves. Money talk is unavoidable. Flat fees feel good until inflation, utilities, and service contracts spike, turning “savings” into deficits and emergency levies. Katherine shares a smarter path: incremental fee increases, transparent town halls, and contracts with real safeguards. We explore how experienced contractors navigate the three‑quote ritual, why two‑page agreements sink seven‑figure projects, and how to align engineers, managers, and owners long before a three‑quarter vote. The surprises keep coming: solariums and enclosed balconies that were never approved, records lost between council turnovers, and the parking space that probably isn’t yours. Katherine breaks down common property versus strata lot responsibilities, why leases complicate parking, and how clear bylaws and better documentation prevent costly disputes. With developer windups cooling, councils can’t wait for a buyout; elevators still fail, membranes still crack, and rain still wins. If you care about sustainable strata living—whether you’re on council, a property manager, a contractor, or an owner—this conversation offers the playbook: read the reports, plan the cash, stage the work, and communicate like your building depends on it. Subscribe, share this with your council, and leave a review to tell us the smartest move your building made this year. PODCAST INFO: the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424 the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446 the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH FOLLOW ALONG: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

    31 min
  2. Prompt Payment, Culture Change, And Collaboration with Katy Fairley

    2D AGO

    Prompt Payment, Culture Change, And Collaboration with Katy Fairley

    Send a text Money delays break projects long before rebar hits the deck. We sit down with Katie from Fairly Strategies to dig into how BC’s Prompt Payment framework could shift construction’s culture from excuses to accountability—and why it won’t magically rain cash. Drawing on lessons from Ontario, we look at why change orders power half of adjudications, how clearer timelines create leverage up and down the value chain, and what “faster payment” really means for GCs, trades, owners, and certifiers. From there, we move beyond the buzzword of collaboration. Katie lays out the fundamentals that still matter most: fair, balanced contracts instead of 60 pages of one-sided supplementaries; procurement that’s actually open and transparent; and simple habits like phone calls, site visits, and cameras on. Real collaboration is constructive conflict with respect and speed, not a poster on the boardroom wall. When people are paid on time and treated like partners, ideas surface earlier, change orders get cleaner, and schedules breathe again. We also wade into AI’s rising tide on the office side of construction—document analysis, proposal drafting, and the risk of hidden liability in AI-written text. The win is using tools to sift faster, then investing human judgment where it counts: interviews, negotiations, and field time. We talk bidding discipline under razor-thin margins, public vs. private delivery speed, and the economic pressures pushing teams toward fear and silence. The throughline is practical: set fair terms, give timely feedback, tighten change management, and replace email grumbling with short conversations that solve problems. If you care about payment speed, fewer disputes, and a healthier job culture, this conversation offers field-ready steps you can use on your next project. Subscribe, share with your team, and leave a review to tell us where your organization is winning—or getting stuck—on prompt payment and collaboration. PODCAST INFO: the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424 the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446 the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH FOLLOW ALONG: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

    46 min
  3. Transforming Construction Labour with John Reid

    3D AGO

    Transforming Construction Labour with John Reid

    Send a text Ever feel like “labor shortage” misses the point? We sit down with John Reid of Faber to map the real bottleneck in construction hiring: connection. From their scrappy days building a trade show booth out of sheet goods to a platform with over 100,000 signups, John shares how faster matching, transparent skills, and clean performance data can move people from downloads to dependable crews on site. We compare two worlds—Vancouver’s slow, referral‑heavy buying culture and Dallas’s quick yes‑or‑no decisions—and unpack why speed and clarity matter in any two‑sided marketplace. Because the product is people, Faber tracks what actually builds trust: reliability, no‑show rates, and ratings. That feedback feeds matching models and helps keep the right hands on the right scopes. We also read the room on BC’s outlook using real signals—excavation starts, designer pipelines, and even appliance orders—while arguing for practical optimism as projects shift product types but keep cranes busy. Robotics and AI get a grounded treatment. Layout robots can shine, but mud, oil, and minus‑40 days still test machines. The smarter lens is augmentation: AI that speeds drawing reviews, reduces admin, and trims low‑value tasks so teams can focus on judgment and safety. John also pulls back the curtain on 24/7 worker support and a new skills layer that connects users to e‑learning and third‑party tickets like WHMIS, fall protection, forklift, and telehandler. Credentials flow directly into profiles, and the app shows real pay uplifts—turning “get certified” from vague advice into visible ROI. We close on the future of work: gig and fractional labor are already baked into subcontracting; technology simply formalizes and de‑risks it. Autonomy matters—four days instead of five, six months on then travel, or a bridge to a full‑time role when the fit is right. Expansion remains a relationship game across Canada and the US, but the north star doesn’t change: connect faster, train smarter, and let data reward the people who show up. If this conversation sparked ideas or questions, tap follow, share it with a builder who cares about people, and leave a quick review to help more contractors find us. PODCAST INFO: the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424 the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446 the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH FOLLOW ALONG: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

    27 min
  4. When Cranes Pause, Economies Blink with Dave Bowman

    FEB 18

    When Cranes Pause, Economies Blink with Dave Bowman

    Send a text The view is flawless. The math isn’t. From the BuildX Vancouver floor, we dig into how a supplier can hit a record year while the broader market stumbles—and what that says about the next chapters for construction in British Columbia. Our guest from Midland Appliances pulls back the curtain on the orders behind the headlines: why luxury renovations still move, how long lead times lock decisions years ahead, and where multifamily projects are quietly flipping from condos to rental. If you’ve wondered how spec packages evolve when demand shifts mid-build, this conversation lays it out with zero fluff. We explore the “wrong product at the wrong time” problem—micro condos slipping while buyers trade up into better layouts—and the way downtown’s fading street life complicates absorption even as the skyline stays postcard-perfect. The operational realities are blunt: two parallel spec paths per project, a tangle of change orders, and a procurement team living in contingency mode. Yet relationships and focus matter more than ever; teams that specialize, serve core clients, and align with premium brands are protecting volume and trust. We also face the policy and cost stack that squeezes proformas: materials and labor up, financing tight, and rising fees that can add tens of thousands per unit. That’s how cranes disappear by 2027–2028—not from lack of vision, but from projects that no longer pencil. Still, there’s practical optimism. Well-capitalized, vertically integrated developers are advancing, rental demand is real, and suppliers who plan for dual outcomes can deliver in both markets. If leadership reduces friction, fast-tracks approvals, and right-sizes fees, Vancouver’s building engine can find traction again. Listen for grounded insights on condo-to-rental pivots, downtown demand, procurement strategy, and what it takes to keep sites active when the cycle turns. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with your team, and leave a review so more builders and suppliers can join the conversation. midlandappliance.com PODCAST INFO: the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424 the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446 the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH FOLLOW ALONG: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

    29 min
  5. The Gap Between Field Expertise and Business Execution with Chris Clausing

    FEB 18

    The Gap Between Field Expertise and Business Execution with Chris Clausing

    Send a text We explore how construction can close the gap between field expertise and business execution as AI accelerates change. Chris shares a candid path from project manager to GC to educator, laying out practical steps to protect margins, grow teams, and build resilient firms. • AI as a copilot for estimating, not a replacement • why labor shortages persist in hot markets • field-to-executive pathways that actually work • lightweight PM habits that lift margin • standardizing takeoffs and tracking earned value • subcontractor entrepreneurship and scalable growth • branding challenges and the case for the trades • using plan reading and specifications to prevent rework • how admin automates while trades endure • selecting high-potential leaders and separating roles Contractor Training Center is our website so contractortrainingcenter.com … please connect with Chris Clausing on LinkedIn … give Chris a call or instant message on LinkedIn PODCAST INFO: the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424 the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446 the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH FOLLOW ALONG: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

    1h 5m
  6. Office Space, Talent, And The Hunt with Dan Smith

    JAN 21

    Office Space, Talent, And The Hunt with Dan Smith

    Send a text The skyline looks the same, but the rules have changed. We sit down with Dan from Reliance Properties to unpack what really moves leases in Vancouver right now—from AAA towers with destination-worthy amenities to character spaces that trade polish for soul and identity. Dan has lived the market from both sides, brokering deals and now operating a deep downtown portfolio, so the takeaways are pragmatic: tenants buy outcomes, not square footage. We dig into the friction between short terms and real tenant improvements, and why portfolio breadth can de-risk growth by enabling credible mid-lease relocations. Modular buildouts and raised access floors aren’t just buzz; they’re how landlords recover TI dollars across multiple cycles while giving teams faster paths to occupancy. We tackle the co-working conundrum too. Yes, the per-desk cost stings, but flexibility, community, and turnkey execution are invaluable when your headcount horizon is foggy. For many, the smartest footprint blends a long-term core with elastic project space. Culture and training keep surfacing as the differentiators that laptops can’t replace. Mentorship travels poorly over scheduled calls, and young talent learns by osmosis as much as instruction. Technology helps—Matterport tours and digital stacks streamline search—but deals still click on site, shoulder-to-shoulder, with the space doing half the selling. We also look ahead: AI could supercharge productivity, spawn new space types, or push conversions like data centers. At the same time, construction costs, carrying costs, and permitting delays still strain feasibility, while retail vacancies hint at broader civic drag that leadership and policy must confront. If you care about how offices earn their keep—attracting talent, signalling brand, and making hard work feel easier—this conversation is a field guide. Hit play, share it with a teammate who’s rethinking their footprint, and if it resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what would genuinely get you back in the building? PODCAST INFO: the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424 the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446 the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH FOLLOW ALONG: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

    1h 16m
  7. ADHD On The Jobsite with Skye Waterson

    2025-12-01

    ADHD On The Jobsite with Skye Waterson

    Send a text We explore how ADHD shows up on jobsites and in leadership, why admin feels harder than building, and how to design simple systems that create focus without brute force. We share tactics for working memory, notification overload, and consistent growth that fit ADHD brains. • what ADHD looks like across life, not just school • inattentive, hyperactive, and combined types clarified • why phones hijack attention when tasks feel boring or confusing • the working memory gap on forms, photos, and compliance • construction admin friction versus hands-on work • urgency filters and needle movers to reclaim focus • using a gatekeeper for Slack and email noise • visual workflows and weekly meetings for accountability • sleep and exercise as force multipliers for symptoms • shifting from self-criticism to system design Listen to our podcast, the ADHD Skills Lab, or message us at unconventional organization on Instagram with the word “James” for the focus chatbot PODCAST INFO: the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424 the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446 the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH FOLLOW ALONG: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

    46 min
  8. Matching Communication Styles to Beat Price Wars with Jeff Borovitz

    2025-10-28

    Matching Communication Styles to Beat Price Wars with Jeff Borovitz

    Send a text Price isn’t the villain—unclear communication is. We sit down with Jeff Borovitz of Sandler to explore how a psychology-led sales process helps construction companies stop chasing bad-fit bids, avoid unpaid change orders, and build trust that holds up once shovels hit dirt. Jeff breaks down the biggest trap he sees on both residential and commercial teams—premature presentation—and shows how to slow down, uncover three to five real pains, and turn conversations from “How cheap?” to “How do we make the outcome certain?” We get tactical. You’ll hear how to spot and adapt to different communication styles so clients feel heard, not handled. We dig into handling discount pressure with questions that reframe value—like asking change order and final-versus-quoted price percentages—so you lead as the expert instead of defending your bid. Jeff also explains why revenue and profit are lagging indicators, and how strong leaders prioritize leading signals: pipeline quality, ICP fit, access to dialogue-based RFPs, and stage conversion rates that predictably move work forward. The team also talks VUCA—volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity—and the strain it puts on crews, clients, and owners. Jeff’s take: remove fear, doubt, and worry by modeling courage, setting clear expectations, and simplifying operating rhythms. And yes, AI plays a healthy role here. Use it to automate dull admin, improve precon clarity, and even rehearse tough client calls with an AI sales coach so reps show up practiced and calm when it counts. If you want to protect margin without cutting corners, build a pipeline you actually want to win, and give your field teams cleaner handoffs, this conversation delivers a practical blueprint. Subscribe, share with your team, and leave a review with the one question you want us to roleplay next. PODCAST INFO: the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424 the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446 the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH FOLLOW ALONG: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

    1h 17m
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Trailer

4.8
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

Leadership in construction with perspective from the job site. A podcast dedicated to the Construction industry. Construction professionals, General Contractors, Sub trade Contractors, and Specialty Contractors audiences will be engaged by the discussions between the hosts and their guests on topics and stories. Hosted James Faulkner ( CEO/Founder - SiteMax Systems ).

Information

  • Creator
    James Faulkner
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    194
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The SiteVisit
  • Show Website
    The SiteVisit

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