Build Perspectives Podcast

Tim Seims and Carolina Baffigo

We bridge Wall Street and Job Sites. Real stories, real numbers, real consequences. Hosted by Carolina Baffigo and Tim Seims. https://tinyurl.com/Build-Perspectives

  1. MAR 5

    Inside UpCodes: Scott Reynolds on AI, Amendments, and Navigating Building Codes

    This episode explores how better access to building codes, plus AI, can slash rework, de‑risk projects, and speed up knowledge transfer in an industry facing a looming expertise gap. We walk through the origin story of UpCodes, why fragmented regulations quietly tax every project, and how combining deep domain knowledge with technical talent creates tools that actually match how architects, builders, and BPMs work. Along the way, we get real about code politics, the hidden cost of rework, and what it really takes to become valuable early in your construction career. Key topics below! 🌲 Upcoming Event: International Mass Timber Conference (IMTC) March 30 – April 1, 2026  |  Portland, OR The International Mass Timber Conference is the premier gathering for the mass timber and tall wood building industry — bringing together architects, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, and developers at the forefront of one of construction's most exciting movements. Build Perspectives listeners get an exclusive discount! Use code IMTC26_SEIMS10 to save 10% off your attendee pass at registration. Register at: masstimberconference.com Key Topics Covered in This Pod: Why rework is a systemic, multi-billion-dollar drag on construction—even in prefab and modular—and how catching errors "upstream" in design changes the entire cost profile of a project. How UpCodes aggregates millions of code sections and amendments into a single, searchable environment, and why grounding AI in actual code text is essential for accuracy and liability. What building product manufacturers can learn from assemblies, Miami-Dade, and Florida Building Code to position products correctly across fast-changing, high-risk jurisdictions. The looming retirement wave among building officials, why master–apprentice learning is breaking down, and how shared data and tools can accelerate competence for the next generation. Why successful contech founders need a real "marriage" between domain expertise and engineering talent—and what non-technical industry experts should look for in technical co-founders.

    52 min
  2. FEB 26

    Live from IBS Rockwool "Hush Tunnel": What the Show Floor Is Really Telling Us (shhh)

    Episode Description Sets the scene at the Hush Tunnel, calls out consolidation and the shifting talent market — enough to make someone curious without over-explaining. 3 bullets: Trade show ROI — is a booth actually worth it? Musical chairs is coming — talent market read Big distributors, bigger stakes — the consolidation question What We Cover The Rockwool Hush Tunnel tradition: How the tunnel — and the podcast — have both evolved since 2019 Trade show strategy: When IBS is (and isn't) the right show for your product — and why education sessions beat booth-staffing marathons IBS as a recruiting event: Tim and Carolina's read on the talent movement likely coming in 2025–2026 and the 'musical chairs' dynamic in building products Supplier consolidation: Home Depot/SRS, Lowe's/FBM, QXO — what it means for manufacturers and end users Fire protection products: A standout category at this year's show, including the growth of Hilti's fire tape and caulk division The NIE Ha booth: New gloss panel in blue, custom color brick, and the two-piece trim that's set to save installers 15–20% on install time Selling aesthetic vs. functional products: Why going from 'behind the wall' to visible finishes is easier than the reverse The value of tribal knowledge: What the podcast is really for — passing on industry perspective, experience, and guest insights   🌲 Upcoming Event: International Mass Timber Conference (IMTC) March 30 – April 1, 2026  |  Portland, OR The International Mass Timber Conference is the premier gathering for the mass timber and tall wood building industry — bringing together architects, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, and developers at the forefront of one of construction's most exciting movements. Build Perspectives listeners get an exclusive discount! Use code IMTC26_SEIMS10 to save 10% off your attendee pass at registration. Register at: masstimberconference.com

    19 min
  3. 11/17/2025

    How Subs Get Blindsided: Contract Risk & Jobsite Secrets (with attorney Megan Shapiro)

    🔗 Take the Project Fluent Assessment at projectfluent.scoreapp.com Brought to you by Advancing Prefabrication, Feb 2-4 2026 in Dallas. Use the code BuildPerspectives10 for 10% off at checkout https://advancing-prefabrication.com/register/ Most construction pros are never formally taught how contracts actually work—or how risk gets silently shifted onto the people doing the real work. In this episode, we sit down with construction attorney and UC Davis instructor Megan Shapiro, who has spent 15 years litigating disputes and helping subcontractors, manufacturers, and trades avoid the same avoidable mistakes she sees every day in court.  We talk about why some manufacturers absolutely belong on job sites, the dangerous myths around "no redlines," and how Megan's OWN framework (Optimize, Weigh, Negotiate) helps subs protect their business without walking away from the work they need to win. We also get into power dynamics across the construction food chain, navigating contracts in high-pressure environments, and what it's really like to be a woman showing up with authority in a male-dominated industry. And of course, how Converge Construction Summit went from an offhanded LinkedIn comment to one of the most energizing collaboration hubs in the industry. 🔗 Take the Project Fluent Assessment at projectfluent.scoreapp.com   Connect with us: Email: tim@buildperspectives.com or carolina@buildperspectives.com Find us on LinkedIn/Carolina LinkedIn/Tim Subscribe and leave a review to help us grow!

    43 min
  4. 10/09/2025

    We're Back! The Real ROI of Job Site Visits (And Why Your Reps Aren't Going)

    Brought to you by Advancing Prefabrication, Feb 2-4 2026 in Dallas. Use the code BuildPerspectives10 for 10% off at checkout https://advancing-prefabrication.com/register/ We're back! And we're starting with the uncomfortable truth: your salespeople might be collecting hotel points instead of closing deals. Join Tim and Carolina as they unpack why job sites are where the real intelligence lives, how to get out of industry echo chambers, and why curiosity is your competitive advantage. After taking a break, Tim Seims and Carolina Albano are reuniting to bring you fresh perspectives on the ConTech and building products industry. In this relaunch episode, they tackle one of the industry's biggest challenges: getting salespeople out of the office and onto job sites where the real opportunities live. In This Episode: Why job site visits are the most underutilized sales tool in building products The shocking gap in sales training that's costing manufacturers millions How to break out of industry echo chambers and avoid the "rut" trap Why software salespeople need job site skills too The difference between commission breath and actually adding value How curiosity and learning create competitive advantages Insights from the Venveo Building Products Customer Workshop The timeless fundamentals that AI and software can't replace Key Takeaways: Manufacturers are sitting on 70,000+ leads without a strategy to work them The building owner, GC, architect, and installer all speak different languages—and you need to learn them all "Don't assume other people know what you know"—your experience is someone else's gold A rut is just "a grave with the ends kicked out" Whether you're in commercial, residential, sales, technical, or leadership, this episode will challenge you to think differently about how you engage with customers and invest in your own growth. This episode is brought to you by Job Site IQ - Take the assessment at JobsiteIQ.scoreapp.com to discover your job site intelligence and learn how to add more value on every visit. Connect with us: Email: tim@buildperspectives.com or carolina@buildperspectives.com Find us on LinkedIn/Carolina LinkedIn/Tim Subscribe and leave a review to help us grow!

    48 min
5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

We bridge Wall Street and Job Sites. Real stories, real numbers, real consequences. Hosted by Carolina Baffigo and Tim Seims. https://tinyurl.com/Build-Perspectives

You Might Also Like