S2 E89 - $3 Billion Projects, AI Data Centers & The Future of Construction

<p>In this episode of Beers with Contractors, hosts Will welcomes Terry back to Beers with Contractors, joking about his absence, then they discuss construction headlines and trends. They note US construction spending fell 0.5% in July 2026 (down 3.8% year over year) with residential especially soft, while commercial remains active, increasingly driven by AI data center work that may be overly concentrated for some contractors. They cover data-center MEP demands, cost-driven efficiency efforts, rising steel prices and lead times, and growing interest in mass timber. The hosts argue specialty subcontractors (especially electrical/mechanical) offer strong opportunities, and that AI is reducing sales friction for small residential contractors, though customer-facing tasks may be automated too quickly. They touch on repossession/delinquency trends, major megaprojects and subsidies, OU career fair salaries, and a NAHB finding that residential firms under 20 employees account for over half of fatalities while employing under one-third of workers, emphasizing safety systems.</p><p><br /></p><p>00:00 Introduction</p><p>01:16 Is Construction Slowing</p><p>03:00 Data Center Boom</p><p>04:55 Cooling And Power Tech</p><p>07:45 Steel Prices And Timber</p><p>10:04 Who Profits Most</p><p>13:46 Residential In The Tank</p><p>15:27 AI Makes Buying Easy</p><p>16:57 Repossessions And Housing</p><p>18:52 Customer Service And Bots</p><p>20:23 Automation Vs People</p><p>21:27 32 Hour Workweek Debate</p><p>22:37 Contractor Marketing Partner</p><p>23:56 Third Person Speaker Story</p><p>24:22 Why We Never Work Less</p><p>26:31 Residential Demand Trends</p><p>28:58 Mega Projects And Subsidies</p><p>34:59 Construction Career Fair Pay</p><p>37:42 Small Contractor Safety Crisis</p><p>43:13 Wrap Up And Disclaimers</p><p><br /></p><p>Check Out Greenbaum Stiers Strategic Marketing Group: https://www.greenbaumstiers.com/</p><p><br /></p><p>Foundation Rescue Supply Link:</p><p>https://www.foundationrescuesupply.com/</p><p><br /></p><p>Contractors Kick Ass!</p><p>Podcast Store Link:</p><p>https://williamwalkerblake.com/store-1</p><p><br /></p><p>The Worker Incentive Program that Contractors Love! - Per4mance Software https://per4mance.io - Pay for performance, not hours</p>