Every construction project starts with a set of big decisions—but for many owners, those decisions come without the benefit of repetition. Large projects like hospitals, campuses, and major developments may only happen once or twice in an entire career, yet the stakes are enormous.

On this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas is joined by Andrew Zukoski, CEO of Join.Build, for a wide‑ranging conversation about pre‑construction, decision‑making, and what Andrew calls the “eternal beginner” problem. Together, they explore why owners often struggle to make high‑impact decisions, how early trust and transparency shape project outcomes, and why investing more upfront can pay dividends long after construction begins.

The discussion also touches on evolving delivery models, shifting relationships between owners, designers, and builders, and why great projects are often remembered less for the buildings themselves—and more for the teams that delivered them.

On this episode, we discuss:

Why owners are often “eternal beginners”—and how limited reps affect cost, schedule, and risk decisions
The role trust, transparency, and early collaboration play in setting teams up for long‑term success
Why under‑investing in pre‑construction can lead to downstream surprises on site
How visibility and shared systems help teams stay aligned
What’s changing in owner, architect, and contractor relationships as technology and delivery methods evolve
Why great projects are remembered for team dynamics—not just the finished building

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.