How do you get into Construction Administration?

In this special episode of What the RFI?, recorded while on vacation in Tofino, BC, I answer some fan mail from Richard—an experienced Architectural Technologist looking to make the jump into a full-time Construction Administration role.

We talk about how experience in architectural technology, construction documents, RFIs, shop drawings and consultant coordination can become the foundation for a career in CA—and why you probably already know more than you think.

I also get into some of the skills that aren’t necessarily taught in school: learning from experienced Construction Administrators, getting out to site, understanding contracts, communicating with contractors and consultants, and developing the judgment that only comes from experience.

And since I’m recording this episode from the beach while on vacation, there’s one more important CA lesson:

Take your vacation!

Construction Administration can follow you everywhere if you let it. Turn on the Out of Office, hand over your projects, remove the work email from your phone and disconnect.

The RFIs will still be there when you get back.

In this episode:

• How to transition into Construction Administration
• Moving from Architectural Technologist to CA
• Why document-production experience matters
• Getting your first real CA experience
• Learning RFIs, shop drawings and construction changes
• Why field experience is so important
• Finding a Construction Administration mentor
• Learning from contractors and consultants
• Developing confidence and judgment in CA
• What to consider when accepting a CA position
• Creating boundaries between construction projects and your personal life
• Why you need to actually take your vacation

Chapters

• 00:00 — Live From Tofino: We’ve Got Fan Mail
• 01:10 — Richard’s Construction Administration Career Question
• 02:08 — How Do You Get Into Construction Administration?
• 04:58 — Document Support IS CA Experience
• 07:54 — Ask for More CA Experience
• 09:11 — Get Out to the Construction Site
• 11:11 — Learn What the CA Documents Actually Do
• 12:38 — Learn Your Construction Contract
• 13:34 — Learn From the Contractor
• 15:56 — Communication Is a Huge Part of CA
• 18:20 — Find a Construction Administration Mentor
• 19:36 — Richard’s CA Career Opportunity
• 22:19 — Learn to Turn Off Work
• 23:19 — Take Your Damn Vacation!
• 24:54 — Your Project Will Survive Without You
• 25:20 — The RFIs Will Still Be There
• 26:04 — More What the RFI? Fan Mail
• 26:52 — Keep the RFIs Moving… Unless You’re on Vacation

Have a Construction Administration question you’d like answered on a future Fan Mail episode? Send it to What the RFI?

What the RFI? is a podcast about the real-world practice of Construction Administration, including RFIs, shop drawings and submittals, Change Orders, Supplemental Instructions, field reviews, site meetings, construction contracts, occupancy and project closeout.

Got an RFI for Matt? Send it here!

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