The $1/Minute Rule: A Simpler Way to Calculate Construction Tech ROI

08/07/2025 12 min
The $1/Minute Rule: A Simpler Way to Calculate Construction Tech ROI

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Episode Synopsis

What’s the real ROI of construction technology? For Marcus Spiegelberg of Douglas Orr Plumbing, it’s not a spreadsheet full of assumptions it’s simple: “Every minute lost costs a dollar.” In this episode of The SubBase Show, Marcus walks us through how this benchmark reshaped the way his team evaluates technology. From reducing PO processing time to eliminating the infamous “receiver hunt,” Marcus shares how Douglas Orr is buying back hours of wasted effort and turning them into tangible savings across field, office, and accounting teams. Joined by Brian Kian from Foundation Software and Eric from SubBase, we break down the compound impact of automation, integration, and visibility. You’ll hear why most contractors calculate ROI all wrong, and how connected system, built specifically for construction, are now giving forward-thinking firms a true strategic advantage.If you’re evaluating new software or trying to justify tech upgrades to your team, this episode will give you the language, logic, and lived experience to make the business case. In this episode, you’ll learn:Why "every minute lost costs a dollar" is more accurate than most ROI spreadsheetsHow simple workflow changes can save thousands in time and laborWhat makes integration with tools like Foundation critical to actual ROIThe compound effect of automation across procurement, accounting, and the fieldHow to future-proof your operations through connected systemsFeaturing:Marcus Spiegelberg, President, Douglas Orr PlumbingBrian Kian, Construction Tech Advisor, Foundation SoftwareEric, Founder, SubBaseKey Quote:"You don’t eliminate that position—you just allow them to do their job better." — Marcus Spiegelberg Let me know if you’d like alternate titles, or want to spin this into email copy or a LinkedIn post!

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