The Blueprint Tour

About The Blueprint Tour

A construction podcast hosted by PermitZIP. Join us as we visit industry experts from all corners of the construction industry to overcome trust hurdles and build community. Subscribe to follow the conversations! www.thebptour.com (https://www.thebptour.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

by PermitZIP

Category

business · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Mar 2024

Latest episode

30 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

69 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Sept 2026

   Why Do Indoor Pools Become So Expensive?

   Summary In Episode 5 of The Blueprint Tour: Extra Mile, recorded in Virginia, hosts Kenneth Shultz, Engineering Director at PermitZIP, and Carter Huddleston, Electrical Principal Engineer at PermitZIP, sit down with Jeffrey D. Consroe, PE, Vice President at Shelly Williams Company, LLC, for a deep dive into one of the more demanding environments in HVAC design: the indoor pool. Why does putting a pool inside a building become so complicated, and so expensive? Jeffrey explains why indoor pool design goes far beyond simply heating and cooling a room. The conversation breaks down psychrometrics, relative humidity, dew point, evaporation, reheat, dehumidification, ventilation, air distribution, and building-envelope design, showing how each affects comfort, indoor air quality, equipment selection, energy use, and the long-term integrity of the building. The trio explores how pool water temperature and room temperature influence evaporation, why hot tubs can dramatically increase moisture loads, and why something as simple as a pool cover can significantly change the dehumidification requirements. They also discuss cold surfaces, condensation, vapor barriers, insulation, windows, skylights, corrosion, chloramines, and why material selection matters in an aggressive indoor pool environment. Jeffrey explains why conventional HVAC equipment and mini-splits can be the wrong solution for a natatorium, particularly when equipment is expected to control temperature without properly managing humidity. The discussion gets into psychrometric charts, cooling coils, dew point, hot-gas reheat, part-load operation, and specialized pool dehumidification equipment, and why understanding these fundamentals matters when evaluating an HVAC design. Architecture is another major part of the equation. High ceilings, large areas of glass, limited mechanical-room space, hidden ductwork, skylights, and other aesthetic decisions can create significant mechanical constraints. Jeffrey, Kenneth, and Carter discuss why bringing the right specialists into a project early can prevent unrealistic expectations from becoming expensive problems later. And the costs can escalate quickly. Jeffrey shares the story of an outdoor pool that was converted into an indoor pool using a metal carport, reflective insulation, homemade skylights, single-pane windows, and conventional rooftop HVAC. After roughly $55,000 had already been invested, the owner faced approximately $130,000 in corrective work, pushing the project toward $200,000. It becomes a striking example of how an apparently cheaper solution can ultimately cost far more than designing the system correctly from the beginning. The conversation also looks beyond equipment to smart pool controls and commissioning. Jeffrey explains how integrated controls can bring the pool heater, pump, dehumidifier, lighting, exhaust fan, outside-air damper, weather data, and system alerts into one platform, and why factory startup, commissioning documentation, and owner training are critical once the system is installed. Technical, candid, and grounded in real projects, this episode is a practical exploration of what it actually takes to make an indoor pool work, and why decisions made early in design can determine whether the finished space becomes an asset or an expensive problem. “If somebody’s not actually talking about dew points and reheat and things of that nature, just run because you’re never gonna be happy.” Keywords indoor pool HVAC, indoor pool design, natatorium HVAC, pool dehumidification, psychrometrics, humidity control, dehumidification systems, HVAC engineering, mechanical engineering, indoor air quality, dew point, relative humidity, hot gas reheat, pool ventilation, building envelope, vapor barrier, condensation control, chloramines, HVAC corrosion, pool mechanical room, HVAC ductwork, indoor pool costs, HVAC commissioning, pool controls, HVAC design, building design, Jeffrey D. Consroe PE, Shelly Williams Company, Kenneth Shultz, Carter Huddleston, The Blueprint Tour, Extra Mile “It’s gonna turn into a nightmare. It’s probably gonna turn into a lawsuit.” Takeaways * Indoor pool HVAC is fundamentally a moisture-control problem, not simply a temperature-control problem. * Pool water temperature, room temperature, surface area, and activity all influence evaporation and the required dehumidification capacity. * Psychrometrics, dew point, cooling, and reheat are critical to understanding how an indoor pool environment should be conditioned. * Conventional HVAC equipment or mini-splits may control room temperature without adequately controlling humidity, and the corrosive pool environment creates additional equipment challenges. * Hot tubs can add a surprisingly large moisture load, while a pool cover can substantially reduce evaporation when the pool is not being used. * The building envelope and HVAC system have to work together. Windows, skylights, insulation, vapor barriers, thermal bridging, and interior finishes can all affect condensation and long-term durability. * Architectural decisions such as high ceilings, extensive glass, hidden ductwork, and undersized mechanical rooms can make the mechanical solution significantly more difficult and expensive. * Air distribution matters: supply air needs to address vulnerable cold surfaces, while return-air strategy can help manage contaminants around the pool. * Getting indoor pool specialists involved early in design allows owners and architects to understand the real mechanical requirements before expensive decisions are locked in. * Trying to save money with the wrong equipment or incomplete design can make the eventual correction substantially more expensive than doing the job correctly from the beginning. * Integrated controls can coordinate the pool equipment, dehumidification, ventilation, lighting, weather information, and system alerts in one platform. * Proper startup, commissioning, documentation, and owner training are essential parts of delivering a specialty HVAC system, not optional extras. “A single six-by-six hot tub could be three times the moisture load that a small pool would be.” Chapters * Welcome to Extra Mile: Meet Jeffrey D. Consroe, PE * Why Cooling the Air Isn’t Enough * Psychrometrics, Humidity, and Dehumidification * What Makes an Indoor Pool Different? * Building Envelopes, Vapor Barriers, and Condensation * Pool Temperature vs. Room Temperature * Evaporation, Activity Factors, and Moisture Loads * Why Hot Tubs Change the Equation * Pool Covers: The Low-Hanging Fruit * Fresh Air, Exhaust, and Indoor Air Quality * Chloramines and Air Distribution * Mechanical Rooms and Planning for the Equipment * Ductwork in a Corrosive Pool Environment * Glass, Skylights, and Architectural Constraints * Why Mini-Splits Can Be the Wrong Solution * The Psychrometrics Question Every Owner Should Ask * When a $20,000 Budget Becomes Six Figures * The Carport Pool: A Nearly $200,000 Lesson * Designing the System Before Construction Begins * High-Efficiency Buildings and the Humidity Problem * Smart Pool Controls and System Integration * Startup, Commissioning, and Owner Training * Final Lessons: Design It Right the First Time “Go ahead and call me in two years because it’s not gonna work.” Where to Find Jeffrey D. Consroe LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-d-consroe-pe-672a576a/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B0ylosPtZSmy4YW2jqGTlaQ%3D%3D) · Shelly Williams Company, LLC (https://shellywilliamsco.com/) Where to Find The Blueprint Tour YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@theblueprinttour) · TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@theblueprinttourhttps://www.tiktok.com/@theblueprinttourhttps://www.tiktok.com/@theblueprinttour) · TheBPTour.com (https://thebptour.com/)Kenneth Shultz (Host) (https://x.com/PermitZIPhvac) · Carter Huddleston (Host) (https://x.com/PermitZIPelec) “If you had called me to begin with, this would only cost 100 grand.” Get full access to The Engineering Stack at www.thebptour.com/subscribe (https://www.thebptour.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

2. 

   23 Aug 2026

   Are You Qualified to Solve the Problem?

   In this episode of The Blueprint Tour: Extra Mile, recorded from San Antonio, Texas, hosts Kenneth Shultz and Carter Huddleston sit down with Bethany Babcock, Founder & Principal at Foresite Commercial Real Estate, for a candid conversation about specialization, commercial real estate, construction, engineering, and the risks of solving problems outside your expertise. The conversation begins with the siloed nature of commercial real estate and construction, and how professionals often enter a project long after critical decisions have already been made. Bethany explains why her firm believes brokers should specialize and why the most successful professionals are often those who know when to say, “That’s not my area.” The discussion gets particularly practical when Kenneth and Bethany explore MEP engineering, tenant improvements, adaptive reuse, construction costs, commercial leases, and due diligence. They unpack how unrealistic construction budgets and assumptions about building infrastructure can create expensive problems after a lease has already been signed. One example involves a restaurant renovation where a seemingly adequate water service could require a significant upgrade, illustrating why technical expertise needs to enter the conversation early. Bethany also reveals how seemingly customized commercial leases can contain copied language that doesn’t actually apply to the property, including provisions relating to building conditions and signage. The hosts discuss the importance of having the right real estate attorney, MEP engineer, architect, broker, and property manager involved at the right stage rather than assuming one professional can cover everything. The episode goes further into commercial real estate brokerage, developer decision-making, tenant expectations, deal structures, letters of intent, licensing, professional competency, and mentorship. Bethany shares why specialization and referral networks can create stronger businesses, while her CRE Launch program aims to break down industry silos by helping professionals understand how the other players in a transaction actually work. And then the conversation takes an unexpected turn toward AI and engineering. Kenneth argues that AI is changing engineering from simply solving problems to asking better questions, and that creativity and the ability to frame problems may become even more important as AI becomes part of professional workflows. Candid, technical, and highly practical, this episode explores a fundamental question for anyone working in real estate, engineering, construction, architecture, law, or other professional services: Are you actually qualified to solve the problem, or do you know who is? “Only take assignments that we are the best and most qualified for.” Keywords Commercial real estate, Bethany Babcock, Foresite Commercial Real Estate, The Blueprint Tour, Extra Mile, commercial real estate brokerage, real estate due diligence, commercial property, commercial leases, MEP engineering, MEP systems, construction costs, tenant improvements, adaptive reuse, construction management, building systems, engineering expertise, professional specialization, real estate development, commercial property development, property management, commercial real estate investing, architecture, construction industry, AI in engineering, artificial intelligence, professional competency, CRE Launch, San Antonio commercial real estate. “Ask them about their other deals. Do they look like yours?” Takeaways * Specialization matters: The best professionals often focus deeply on a specific market, product, or problem rather than trying to do everything. * Know your limits: Bethany argues that professionals should refer work outside their competency instead of experimenting on a client’s project. * Ask about relevant experience: When selecting a broker, attorney, engineer, or other professional, ask what comparable deals or projects they have actually completed. * Bring technical expertise in early: MEP constraints, utilities, code requirements, and construction costs can materially change the feasibility of a project. * Don’t trust templates blindly: Commercial lease language can carry assumptions from other properties that may not apply to the building being negotiated. * Collaboration reduces risk: Brokers, engineers, architects, attorneys, property managers, contractors, and lenders all see different parts of a transaction. * Industry silos create blind spots: Understanding what other professionals do can create better collaboration and more empathy across a project. * AI increases the value of better questions: As AI becomes part of engineering workflows, creativity and problem framing become increasingly important. “Everything you’re doing, do it with somebody who’s done it before.” Chapters * Welcome to San Antonio & The Extra Mile * Inside CRE Launch: Breaking Down Industry Silos * Why Commercial Real Estate Professionals Specialize * The Hidden MEP Risks in Commercial Real Estate * Construction Costs, Tenant Improvements & Managing Expectations * Why Early Technical Input Matters * The Problem With One-Size-Fits-All Lease Templates * Commercial Leases, Legal Boundaries & Professional Competency * How to Choose the Right Broker or Professional * Specialization, Referral Networks & Knowing Your Limits * Real Estate Training, Mentorship & CRE Launch * Why Complex Projects Need the Right People at the Table * AI, Creativity & Asking Better Engineering Questions * Final Thoughts with Bethany Babcock “You don’t have to pretend. You don’t have to, uh, lie. You can just be yourself.” Where to Find Bethany Babcock LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethanybabcock/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BdxVPxnKZQpqJchMC5W606Q%3D%3D) · Foresite Commercial Real Estate (https://www.linkedin.com/safety/go/?url=www.foresitecre.com&urlhash=Y6Pf&mt=9aM9WhsBUeYKZV0I6-KS3NXkcsEaK2UllUZWDYoCJgoJ3Cvm4dF_vw_ahHHukDO9enVP0Ju04ao5uMu-spfHGduVpMc&isSdui=true&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3B8HGtnjjNSQi29OdU1nHcOg%3D%3D) Where to Find The Blueprint Tour YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@theblueprinttour) · TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@theblueprinttourhttps://www.tiktok.com/@theblueprinttourhttps://www.tiktok.com/@theblueprinttour) · TheBPTour.com (https://thebptour.com/)Kenneth Shultz (Host) (https://x.com/PermitZIPhvac) · Carter Huddleston (Host) (https://x.com/PermitZIPelec) “Creativity is what you need to get to that next level anyways.” Get full access to The Engineering Stack at www.thebptour.com/subscribe (https://www.thebptour.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

3. 

   28 Jul 2026

   Why Do Construction Projects Go Wrong?

   Summary In this live-recorded episode of The Blueprint Tour: Extra Mile from Las Vegas, hosts Kenneth Shultz, Engineering Director at PermitZIP, and Carter Huddleston, Electrical Principal Engineer at PermitZIP, are joined by Bo Hamrick, Sales Engineer at Shelly Williams Company, LLC, and Jason Breeden, owner of an HVAC & Plumbing business, for a candid conversation about why construction projects succeed, or fail. Rather than blaming engineering, contractors, or owners, the discussion uncovers the real issues hiding beneath most project delays and cost overruns: poor communication, misaligned incentives, lack of field collaboration, and the disconnect between design intent and construction reality. The conversation also explores how experienced contractors, engineers, and manufacturers solve problems differently, why trust matters more than specifications alone, and how years of field experience shape better decision-making than checklists ever can. Artificial intelligence is another major theme throughout the episode. Rather than replacing skilled professionals, the guests discuss where AI can eliminate repetitive work, improve documentation, assist engineering teams, and help contractors make faster, more informed decisions, while emphasizing that human expertise, accountability, and judgment remain irreplaceable. The group shares practical stories from the field, discussing commissioning, change orders, project coordination, design reviews, communication between trades, and how small decisions made early in a project often determine whether construction finishes smoothly or becomes an expensive problem later. Packed with practical lessons for engineers, contractors, project managers, architects, manufacturers, and business leaders, this episode demonstrates that the best projects aren’t built by better drawings alone; they’re built through better communication, collaboration, and continuous learning. “Construction doesn’t fail because people stop caring, it fails when communication breaks down.” Keywords Construction management, construction technology, AI in construction, engineering leadership, project management, HVAC, plumbing, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, commissioning, change orders, construction collaboration, engineering communication, construction productivity, contractor coordination, digital transformation, construction innovation, building design, field engineering “AI should make engineers and contractors better, not replace them.” Takeaways * Most construction failures originate from communication breakdowns rather than technical incompetence. * Engineers, contractors, and manufacturers deliver better outcomes when they collaborate early instead of working in isolation. * AI is most valuable when it removes repetitive administrative work while allowing professionals to focus on engineering judgment. * Strong relationships between field teams and design teams reduce costly change orders and project delays. * Real-world field experience often provides context that drawings and specifications cannot capture. * Commissioning and quality assurance should be viewed as investments, not project expenses. * The future of construction belongs to professionals who combine technical expertise with communication, adaptability, and emerging technology. “The best projects happen when everyone solves the same problem instead of protecting their own scope.” Chapters * Welcome to Extra Mile * Meet Bo Hamrick and Jason Breeden * Why Construction Projects Really Go Wrong * The Communication Gap Between Design and Field * Engineers, Contractors, and Shared Responsibility * AI’s Practical Role in Construction * Commissioning, Coordination, and Quality Control * Learning From Mistakes on Real Projects * Building Better Relationships Across the Industry * Final Thoughts “Experience isn’t just knowing the answer, it’s knowing which questions to ask.” Where to Find Bo Hamrick LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bo-hamrick-78a305159/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BY1vIGedaQiy6VkcZsf1QJQ%3D%3D) · Shelly Williams Company, LLC (https://shellywilliamsco.com/contact/) Where to Find Jason Breeden Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jason.breeden.9) Where to Find The Blueprint Tour YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@theblueprinttour) · TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@theblueprinttourhttps://www.tiktok.com/@theblueprinttourhttps://www.tiktok.com/@theblueprinttour) · TheBPTour.com (https://thebptour.com/)Kenneth Shultz (Host) (https://x.com/PermitZIPhvac) · Carter Huddleston (Host) (https://x.com/PermitZIPelec) “Technology is changing construction, but trust is still the foundation of every successful project.” Get full access to The Engineering Stack at www.thebptour.com/subscribe (https://www.thebptour.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

Who has been a guest on The Blueprint Tour

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Nick Heim
• Anthony Scoppettone
• Melita Cekani
• Juan Vides
• Spiro Markatos

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5.0 / 5

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