In this episode of Onsite Insights, Chris Leatherberry, a project manager at Corbins, reveals how two construction innovations—prefab and virtual models—areimproving jobsite timelines andproject efficiency.
He sharesgreat tips for aspiring project managers, includinghis #1 secret to leading a winning team.
Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or just starting out, this is a must-read recap!
Chris’s Journey: From Electrician to Managing Major Projects
Chrisdidn’t just land in leadership—he earned it. Starting as ajourneyman electrician, he worked his way up tomanaging multi-million-dollar semiconductor builds.
Key Lessons from His Journey:
- The Field Knows Best – As a project manager, Chris never makes promiseswithout consulting his field crews. He knows thatunrealistic deadlines hurt both morale and productivity.
- Shield Your Team – Great leadersremove obstacles so their teams can focus onbuilding, not battling inefficiencies.
"People in the field want to do a good job. If something’s slowing them down, it’s your responsibility to find out what’s getting in their way and fix it." – Chris Leatherberry
How Prefab Construction Saves Time and Money
Prefab isn't just atrend—it's aproductivity superpower. Here’s why morecontractors and developers are making the switch:
- Plan It Once, Execute Faster – Prefab forces teams toplan every detail in advance,reducing delays and last-minute rework.
- Control Your Environment – Workoff-site in a controlled space, avoiding jobsite hazards, weather delays, and productivity slowdowns.
- Train the Next Generation – Prefab shops provide alow-risk way to onboard new workers while maintaining productivity.
Track prefab progress with time-lapse cameras to document milestones, improve coordination, and ensure your team stays on schedule.
“We’ve completed projects in a third of the expected time. That’s how powerful prefab can be.” – Chris Leatherberry
Virtual Construction: The 10X Time Saver
Virtual models (BIM) let Chris’s team"build" projects before breaking ground—savingtime, money, and frustration.
- Clash Detection – No moreexpensive rework because a plumber’s pipe crosses an electrical conduit. Solve conflictsdigitally, not on-site.
- Precision Planning – Chris saysan hour spent resolving issues virtually saves 10 hours of fieldwork. That’s a10X ROI!
- Worker Clarity – Tools like theMicrosoft HoloLens give field crews a3D view of exactly what needs to be done—no guesswork.
Use jobsite cameras for BIM verification to confirm that on-site progressmatches digital plans, preventing costly errors.
“When we can spot issues early, we avoid delays, budget overruns, and 7-day workweeks. Everyone gets to go home on Friday.” – Chris Leatherberry
Mental Health: The Overlooked Productivity Hack
Did you know thatconstruction has one of the highest suicide rates of any industry? Chris shares how mental health strugglesnearly derailed his career—and whyaddressing mental health is critical to jobsite success.
When Companies Support Mental Health:
- Workers make better decisions – Stressed workersdon’t think clearly, leading to more mistakes and safety risks.
- Teamsbuild loyalty – When companiesinvest in their workers, employeesgo the extra mile in return.
Reduce stress with real-time jobsite monitoring by keeping projects on track and eliminating unnecessary pressure on workers.
"I had panic attacks weekly until I sought help. Once I opened up, others on-site shared their struggles too. Now, it’s a regular conversation." – Chris Leatherberry
Chris’s Advice to Young Pros: Focus on People and Tech
If you’re just starting in construction, here’s Chris’sno-BS career roadmap:
- Master People Skills – Construction is ateam sport. Build relationships andlearn to listen.
- Embrace New Tech – AI, BIM, andvirtual tools are the future.Stay curious and take risks on small projects tolearn fast.
- Get a Mentor – Learn fromthose ahead of you, but alsolisten to younger workers with fresh ideas.
"Take care of your team, and they’ll take care of you. It’s that simple." – Chris Leatherberry
Watch the Full Episode
Want to hear more from Chris? He also shares:
🚀Project management hacks
🏗️Mental health initiatives for construction teams
📉How prefab can cut jobsite hours by 70%!
Watch the full episode 👇
Drop a comment – What’s your experience withprefab or virtual construction? Let’s share ideas!
🔎 FAQs: Prefab & Virtual Construction
1. What is prefab construction?
Prefab construction refers tobuilding components being manufactured off-site and thenassembled on-site. This speeds up construction and improves quality control.
2. How does virtual construction (BIM) improve efficiency?
BIM (Building Information Modeling) allows teams tovisualize projects digitally before construction begins, reducing errors, rework, and delays.
3. What are the benefits of using time-lapse cameras in prefab construction?
📷 Time-lapse cameras helptrack prefab assembly, monitor progress, and ensure quality control in remote locations.
4. How does virtual reality (VR) help in construction?
VR tools likeMicrosoft HoloLens provideimmersive 3D models thathelp workers visualize projects before they build them, reducing mistakes.
5. How does jobsite monitoring reduce stress and improve safety?
Real-time jobsite monitoring lets managers track progress remotely, reducing miscommunication, delays, and last-minute stress.
