In this episode of Build America, host Scott Jennings breaks down a powerful truth every contractor needs to hear: if you want to finish on time, reduce overhead, and protect your profit—you must drive the bus. That means taking charge of your work, guiding the owner, and nudging the engineer so the entire project keeps moving.

Scott dives into why owners and engineers often respond slowly, what motivates their decisions, and the simple strategies contractors can use to stay in control. From smarter RFIs to color-coded submittals, tight change-order packages, agency coordination, field walks, and quick-hit explanation meetings, Scott gives practical tools to eliminate friction and accelerate progress.

You’ll also hear real stories from the field, insights from major project management, and the mindset shift every contractor needs to finish strong—and finish smart.

• Why owners may seem “slow” and how their incentives shape response times

• How engineering billing, over-analysis, and liability concerns affect decisions

• The strategic advantage of providing the answer in your RFIs

• How color-coding submittals speeds up reviews

• The three essentials every change order must include

• Why contractors should sometimes do light design to unlock workflow

• How brief explanation meetings can drastically reduce delays

• The importance of prioritizing your requests instead of pushing everything at once

• Why field walks strengthen trust and teamwork

• How proactive communication prevents disputes, delays, and extended overhead claims

“If you want the job done on your terms, you can’t sit in the passenger seat. Get in the driver’s seat, drive the bus, and pull the owner and engineer with you.” – Scott Jennings

Leadership—not waiting—is what drives projects forward. When contractors take control and guide owners and engineers with clarity and professionalism, projects stay on track and conflicts stay low. Driving the bus isn’t doing extra work—it’s protecting your schedule, your budget, and your team.

Scott Jennings – Build America Podcast
Website: sjcivil.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-jennings-p-e-1435103
Email: [email protected]
Blog: sjcivil.com/blog
Podcast: anchor.fm/sjccsitesurvey

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