After a year of using ChatGPT inside a real construction business, here's what actually works, what doesn't, and what to do first if you're a skeptical contractor.

Eric Anderton sits down with Dimitri Sidiropoulos, VP of Delphi Plumbing & Heating — a heavy mechanical, self-performing public works contractor in NYC — for a no-hype, on-the-ground conversation about ChatGPT in construction. Where it saves him hours every week. Where he tried to build a custom proposal bot and walked away. And where the last 20% will nail you if you're not paying attention.

🔗 Full episode page:
https://www.constructiongenius.com/chatgpt-in-construction-working-contractor-what-works-what-fails-ep-389

▶ IN THIS EPISODE:
- The 3-day "interview process" Dimitri used to onboard ChatGPT into his business
- Why "Jarvis to Iron Man" is the right frame for AI in construction
- Where ChatGPT shines: meeting minutes, SOPs, addendum scope pulls, 3/5/10-year planning
- Where it failed: the custom proposal bot he abandoned
- The 80% rule — 5 minutes vs. a day and a half
- Where AI is, and isn't, with estimating takeoffs
- Why Dimitri won't use AI to write client emails
- The first move on Monday morning if you're an AI-skeptic contractor

⏱ CHAPTERS:

01:30 When AI first showed up on Dimitri's radar
02:30 The 3-day interview process
03:00 Spotting hallucinations and asking AI for sources
04:15 The 3/5/10-year strategic plan
05:50 Strategic vs. tactical use
07:25 Tying tactical work to strategy: SOPs at 80%
08:30 Setting up Projects in ChatGPT
09:25 The proposal bot that didn't work
10:30 The 80% in 5 minutes argument
11:50 Meeting minutes
12:50 Why Dimitri won't use AI for client emails
13:45 Where AI is going — and what it won't replace
14:30 Estimating: where AI works and where it doesn't
16:30 First move on Monday morning
17:30 Information security and the free version
18:40 Adoption and overcoming resistance

🎙 ABOUT CONSTRUCTION GENIUS:
The Construction Genius podcast helps owners, executives, and project leaders at commercial general contractors and specialty contractors build stronger teams, stronger businesses, and stronger careers. Hosted by Eric Anderton.

➤ Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@EricAndertonConstructionGenius
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➤ Get on the waiting list for Eric's ChatGPT-for-construction course: https://ericanderton.activehosted.com/f/255


🤝 CONNECT WITH DIMITRI SIDIROPOULOS:
- Delphi Plumbing & Heating: https://www.delphiph.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimitri-sidiropoulos-b4485190
- Delphi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/delphiph/

🎯 CONNECT WITH ERIC ANDERTON:
- Construction Genius: https://www.constructiongenius.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andertoneric/

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