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 In this episode of The SubBase Show, we dive into the $97 billion problem plaguing subcontractors: the outdated, manual workflows that govern material procurement.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
