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  • The $1/Minute Rule: A Simpler Way to Calculate Construction Tech ROI

    The $1/Minute Rule: A Simpler Way to Calculate Construction Tech ROI
    2025/07/08
    What’s the real ROI of construction technology? For Marcus Spiegelberg of Douglas Orr Plumbing, it’s not a spreadsheet full of assumptions it’s simple: “Every minute lost costs a dollar.” In this episode of The SubBase Show, Marcus walks us through how this benchmark reshaped the way his team evaluates technology. From reducing PO processing time to eliminating the infamous “receiver hunt,” Marcus shares how Douglas Orr is buying back hours of wasted effort and turning them into tangible savings across field, office, and accounting teams. Joined by Brian Kian from Foundation Software and Eric from SubBase, we break down the compound impact of automation, integration, and visibility. You’ll hear why most contractors calculate ROI all wrong, and how connected system, built specifically for construction, are now giving forward-thinking firms a true strategic advantage.

    If you’re evaluating new software or trying to justify tech upgrades to your team, this episode will give you the language, logic, and lived experience to make the business case. In this episode, you’ll learn:
    • Why "every minute lost costs a dollar" is more accurate than most ROI spreadsheets
    • How simple workflow changes can save thousands in time and labor
    • What makes integration with tools like Foundation critical to actual ROI
    • The compound effect of automation across procurement, accounting, and the field
    • How to future-proof your operations through connected systems
    Featuring:
    • Marcus Spiegelberg, President, Douglas Orr Plumbing
    • Brian Kian, Construction Tech Advisor, Foundation Software
    • Eric, Founder, SubBase
    Key Quote:
    "You don’t eliminate that position—you just allow them to do their job better." — Marcus Spiegelberg Let me know if you’d like alternate titles, or want to spin this into email copy or a LinkedIn post!
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    13 分
  • "Where’s My Material?": Fixing the Most Frustrating Question in Construction

    "Where’s My Material?": Fixing the Most Frustrating Question in Construction
    2025/07/01
    Every construction company knows the pain: the field needs materials, the office is chasing paperwork, and somewhere in between is a costly black hole of miscommunication. In this episode of The SubBase Show, we zoom in on a problem that drives subcontractors up the wal, constant confusion about material status. Marcus Spiegelberg of Douglas Orr Plumbing breaks it down with brutal clarity: “There was no visual.” Without real-time visibility, even the best foremen are left waiting, guessing, and asking the same question over and over again—“Where’s my material?”

    This isn’t just a rant. It’s a playbook for change. Marcus, alongside Brian Kian of Foundation Software and Eric from SubBase, shares how smart construction teams are closing the communication gap with purpose-built tools that actually work. From real-time updates and instant digital receivers to seamless accounting integration, this episode shows how a simple shift in workflow can buy back hours of lost time and turn your procurement chaos into a competitive edge. If you're still using 2x4s as message boards, you won’t want to miss this one. In this episode, you’ll learn:
    • Why traditional material requests are broken from the start
    • How real-time updates eliminate the dreaded “where’s my material?” calls
    • What smooth field-to-office communication actually looks like
    • Why integration with accounting platforms is critical—not optional
    • How to measure ROI by the minute (literally)
    Featuring:
    • Marcus Spiegelberg, President, Douglas Orr Plumbing
    • Brian Kian, Construction Technology Expert, Foundation Software
    • Eric, Founder, SubBase
    Key Quote:
    "We don't eliminate that position. You just allow them to do their job better—with more eyes wide open." — Marcus Spiegelberg
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    15 分
  • $97 Billion in Lost Time: The Real Cost of Construction’s Material Management Crisis

    $97 Billion in Lost Time: The Real Cost of Construction’s Material Management Crisis
    2025/06/24
    The construction industry is bleeding money, and most of it is happening between the field and the office. In this episode of The SubBase Show, we dive into the $97 billion problem plaguing subcontractors: the outdated, manual workflows that govern material procurement. From scribbled notes and missing receivers to endless email threads and invoice chaos, the lack of real-time visibility and automation is crushing productivity on both sides of the job site. You'll hear firsthand from Marcus Spiegelberg, president of Douglas Orr Plumbing, who breaks down how much time and money is lost on materials before a wrench even turns.

    But the tide is turning. With insights from Brian Kian of Foundation Software and Eric from SubBase, we explore how contractors are finally bridging the gap with smart, purpose-built technology. Discover how modern workflows—built for the way construction actually works—are cutting delivery delays, reducing calls, and transforming back-office efficiency. If you're tired of asking “where’s my material?” and ready to move from chaos to control, this episode will show you what’s possible when your field and office are finally in sync.
    • Why the disconnect between field and office is the #1 source of waste
    • The true dollar cost of manual workflows (spoiler: it's higher than you think)
    • How top contractors like Douglas Orr Plumbing are slashing delivery turnaround times
    • What modern, automated workflows look like in the field
    • How to bridge tech adoption gaps without disrupting your crew
    Featuring:
    • Marcus Spiegelberg, President at Douglas Orr Plumbing
    • Brian Kian, Construction Technology Expert at Foundation Software
    • Eric, Third-Generation Builder and Founder at SubBase
    Key Quote:
    "We're always buying back time—whether that’s the plumber’s time, the purchaser’s time, or the accounts payable time." — Marcus Spiegelberg
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    11 分