Proper Precon Podcast
Claim This Podcastby Troy Simon and Trey Darnell
Podcast Overview
<p>Proper Precon Podcast is focused on how great construction teams win work, reduce risk, and build smarter before the first shovel hits the ground. Hosted by two voices from different sides of the industry, one with deep construction technology experience and one with real-world contractor perspective, the show explores what <i>proper pre-construction</i> actually looks like in today’s market.<br /></p><p>Each episode breaks down the people, processes, and technology shaping modern precon, including estimating, bid leveling, conceptual budgeting, owner reporting, value engineering, workflow design, and the systems top contractors use to stay ahead.<br /></p><p>You’ll hear honest conversations about where teams get stuck, how disconnected workflows slow projects down, and what best-in-class contractors are doing differently. Whether you’re an estimator, pre-construction manager, operations leader, or construction executive, this podcast is built to help you think bigger about precon and turn it into a competitive advantage.<br /></p><p><b>What to Expect:</b></p><ul><li>Real talk on pre-construction strategy</li><li>Step-by-step breakdowns of winning workflows</li><li>Construction tech trends and market shifts</li><li>Lessons from the field and enterprise teams</li><li>Industry News and Spotlights</li><li>Practical ideas you can apply immediately<br /></li></ul><p>Preconstruction is more than estimating. It’s where projects are won or lost.<br /></p><p><b>This is Proper Precon.</b></p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
4/16/2026
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Recent Episodes
July 7, 2026
Strengthening Construction Education
<p>Episode 8 goes upstream to construction education with UT lecturer Dan Sain. We unpack why the estimator shortage and “freecon” problems start in the talent pipeline, how students perceive estimating vs. the broader preconstruction umbrella, and what it takes to make precon a career people <i>choose</i>. Topics include curriculum vs. industry needs, ABC competition lessons, tech exposure in the classroom, and concrete ways GCs and partners can strengthen the bridge between academia and the field.</p>
June 19, 2026
Hard Bid vs. Negotiated
<p>Episode 7 breaks down hard bid vs. negotiated work beyond the usual hot takes. With Ben (Fite Building), we define what “hard bid” and “negotiated” really look like in practice, where each model works, and the hidden assumptions that cause breakdowns (document quality, risk transfer, bid fatigue, owner sophistication). We discuss how incentives shape behavior, how trade partners experience each process, and why the real differentiator is a strong precon process + cost narrative that clarifies scope, assumptions, and deltas—regardless of procurement method.</p>
June 4, 2026
The FREEcon Problem
<p>Every budget, every early estimate, every "can you just take a quick look at this?" — it all costs someone something. But in most cases, that cost is invisible. Welcome to FreeCon.</p><p>In this episode, Troy and Trey sit down with <b>Mike Navarro, CTO and Co-Founder of Ediphi</b>, a 20-year construction veteran who went from lead estimator on complex high-rise projects to building the software he always wished he had. Together, they dig into one of the most quietly frustrating dynamics in the industry — pre-construction work that is deeply valuable, rarely compensated, and almost never talked about openly.</p><p><b>In this episode:</b></p><ul><li>What "FreeCon" actually is — and why it's not always a bad thing</li><li>Why the pre-construction timeline stretches to 30 months when it shouldn't</li><li>The PETA Factor: how endless pricing rounds inflate sub costs and erode trade partner relationships</li><li>How scope clarity drives cost down — and scope mystery drives it up</li><li>Why the estimator's voice needs to be in the room before the design is finished</li><li>The shift from "flat line estimates" to true pricing models where everything is interdependent</li><li>Strategic FreeCon vs. subsidizing an owner's decision-making — where's the line?</li><li>Why Mike went from "pry Excel from my cold dead hands" to building cloud-first pre-con technology</li></ul><p><b>Fast Five</b> closes out the episode with rapid-fire takes on tools vs. behavior, owner mindset shifts, and finishing the sentence: <i>"The estimate stops being just a number when..."</i></p><p>If you've ever priced the same project five times under a verbal commitment and a prayer — this one is for you.</p><p>🔗 Learn more about Ediphi at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://ediphi.com" target="_blank"><b>ediphi.com</b></a></p>
8 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Proper Precon Podcast?
<p>Proper Precon Podcast is focused on how great construction teams win work, reduce risk, and build smarter before the first shovel hits the ground. Hosted by two voices from different sides of the industry, one with deep construction technology experience and one with real-world contractor perspective, the show explores what <i>proper pre-construction</i> actually looks like in today’s market.<br /></p><p>Each episode breaks down the people, processes, and technology shaping modern precon, including estimating, bid leveling, conceptual budgeting, owner reporting, value engineering, workflow design, and the systems top contractors use to stay ahead.<br /></p><p>You’ll hear honest conversations about where teams get stuck, how disconnected workflows slow projects down, and what best-in-class contractors are doing differently. Whether you’re an estimator, pre-construction manager, operations leader, or construction executive, this podcast is built to help you think bigger about precon and turn it into a competitive advantage.<br /></p><p><b>What to Expect:</b></p><ul><li>Real talk on pre-construction strategy</li><li>Step-by-step breakdowns of winning workflows</li><li>Construction tech trends and market shifts</li><li>Lessons from the field and enterprise teams</li><li>Industry News and Spotlights</li><li>Practical ideas you can apply immediately<br /></li></ul><p>Preconstruction is more than estimating. It’s where projects are won or lost.<br /></p><p><b>This is Proper Precon.</b></p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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