Nathan Medcalf

Nathan Medcalf has been writing about construction technology, equipment and projects for more than a decade and has been published in more than 20 construction publications. His writing displays a thorough and diverse knowledge on topics from roadbuilding to hi-rise construction to concrete construction to utilities to landscaping and more.

He also provides content marketing, photography and videography services to heavy equipment manufacturers, trade shows and others in the industry. At NathanMedcalfFreelance.com, he blogs content marketing in the construction industry.

More from Nathan Medcalf
RealWear focuses on the connected worker. Skilled workers that need guidance from experts use the RealWear system.
Wearable Tech Can Improve Job Safety and Productivity
From smart glasses and augmented reality to simple tiles that monitor falls and worker health and location, futuristic technology is already measuring ways to make jobsites safer and more productive
February 28, 2022
This Komatsu is not going to work today. Heavy rain overnight made the jobsite too dangerous and unproductive. Weather is a constant but unpredictable source of uncertainty, stress and financial loss for many equipment-renting construction professionals. Weather Warranty automatically extends equipment rentals so contractors can keep their rented equipment on site until the work is done.
Tips for Protecting Your Rental Clients from the Weather
You can help your clients in a lot of ways, but one way rental dealers can now help their clients is by offering weather protection on their equipment rentals.
June 21, 2021
Repurposing the Molson Coors Toronto Concrete Floor
Repurposing the Molson Coors Toronto Concrete Floor
A 20-year old floor needed to be removed and milled level. Contractors found an efficient solution through a milling machine.
March 10, 2021
When working in the Oracle Primavera P6 Resource Assignments window, you can use the Resource Usage Spreadsheet to display resource usage over time, display spreadsheet fields for budgeted / planned and actual / remaining values and use the Layout Options bar, View menu on the Menu bar, or the Layout toolbar to customize resource assignment layouts.
Technology Improves Communication and Product Management on Two Ontario Construction Projects
Mobile internet and tablets put all the information to manage a construction project at a project manager’s fingertips, and allow them to communicate changes instantly
July 9, 2020
Screenshot of an example conversation between members of fictional construction company, Wilson Fisks Development, shows different folders organizing information.
ASI General Contractors Saves Time, Boosts Profits With Redteam
Cloud software drives growth by creating one source of up-to-date information for the entire company, presiding over a 2.5% gain in profit for the general contractor
April 14, 2020
Truce Product Image
McKenney’s Slashes Accidents with Anti Technology-Distraction Technology
Mechanical contractor with growing fleet of work trucks makes drivers safer with Truce Software that limits access to mobile phones while driving
March 20, 2020
Penta Building Group is working 24/7, 365 days a year to complete the Caesars Forum project – a 550,000-sq.-ft. Las Vegas convention center – in just 18 months.
PlanGrid Slashes Rework on Penta’s 24/7, 18-month Caesars Expo Hall Project
Collaboration software assures subs and 600+ workers on Penta’s project are working from the right plans to complete the Caesars Forum in record time
February 7, 2020
Through the use of OpenSpace, Suffolk Construction can easily record project data that can be shared with other stakeholders.
Reality Capture Offers Suffolk Work Verification and Time Savings
Suffolk Construction uses OpenSpace software to capture 360-degree video and photos from the jobsite without needing manual input like traditional tools.
January 14, 2020
The Danuser Mega Mixer allows operators to mix, scoop and dispense a variety of materials, including bag-mix concrete. Some of the latest changes to the Mega Mixer include an 8-in. diameter and an 8-in. pitch steel auger for faster mixing and dispensing.
Innovations in Concrete Attachments Boost Uptime, Productivity and Safety
An overview of the latest innovations in concrete cutting and crushing, hammering and drilling, and mixing and scooping.
December 13, 2019
A screenshot of a SiteWork 3D rendering of an excavation project. Estimators can enter existing and proposed contours, spot elevations and sloping lines to define the existing and proposed surfaces.
Fast, Accurate Earthwork Take-Off for Construction Estimators
InSite Software provides cost-effective estimating solution for owner-operator
December 12, 2019
Bottorff Construction Inc. used Giatec SmartRock sensors in concrete placed under the same conditions as previous concrete that was ruled deficient. The sensors showed that the concrete was not deficient and that the sensors produce more accurate data than what was used by the agency.
SmartRock Concrete Sensors Prove Concrete Strength in Cold Weather
Concrete maturity testing software helps Bottorff Construction stay off the deficiency list on a multifamily project where third-party inspections didn’t collect the full data.
December 2, 2019
On Center’s On-Screen Takeoff (OST) and Quick Bid software efficiently creates more accurate bids and take-offs that are synced with one another.
Takeoff and Bid Software Efficiency Drives Nearly 25 Years of Use for Contractor
On Center’s Quick Bid and OST software simplifies and syncs bidding and OST operations for PML Construction
November 18, 2019
A 3D model of showing Slab-on-Grade on The Fifth Parking Garage project in Des Moines, Iowa. BDS Vircon is using Trimble's Tekla Building Information Modeling system to build the structure, and the contractor has been awarded a Tekla Building Information Modeling (BIM) award in the cast-in-place category.
3D Modeling Improves Accuracy and Efficiency on Award-Winning Construction Project
Tekla software is helping BDS Vircon avoid issues with rebar fabrication while also creating a microcosm of an asset from design to ownership
October 7, 2019
On-Center Software's on-screen takeoff software shows a color-coded digital takeoff of an elementary school construction project with the building materials quantities listed.
Construction Estimating Takeoff On-Screen Saves Time and Makes Changes Easy
Estimating with On Center Software slashes the cost and time of using blueprints and creates the cornerstone of an entrepreneur’s construction startup
September 18, 2019
“Viewpoint Spectrum gives us the ability to communicate MDU-wide with other sister companies,” says BC Caffyn, Fleet Manager, RMC. “When I speak with other fleet managers, we are on the same page. Because we look at each other’s documentation, we can understand the issues brought up by the other person. It makes it easier to work together to come up with solutions.”
Utilities Company Embraces Collaborative Fleet Management
Rich machine data and collaboration improves decision making and better priced rental rates
August 20, 2019
Screen shot of a photo of a project shows both the original image as well as a 3D model image of the same work area.
Right Process Makes It Easy to Use 3D Modeling in Fabrication
Contractor Southland Industries saves effort and time and adds capacity with a new process for adopting Revit BIM software for full 3D constructability
July 22, 2019
Using Procore, when there is a change on the job site, creating a request for information is easy and the system automatically contacts all relevant parties for timely resolution.
Cloud-Based Project Management Software Thinks Like a Contractor
Procore project management system speeds Vicano’s communication and collaboration with owners and field people to resolve change orders in hours
July 8, 2019
Barton Malow continues to push its modeling technology into the field to give all stakeholders access to the sources of data that build their plans and help them perform better.
Barton Malow Partners with Trimble on a Big, Hairy Growth Goal
‘We want a partner like us – who will adopt new technologies, push the envelope, thinks differently and is concerned with putting technology into the field’
June 10, 2019
Contractor Joeris and developer collaborate over a complete, common set of project documents in PlanGrid's cloud platform for The Pearl Hotel, double office towers going up on 22 acres in downtown San Antonio.
Electronic Documents Put All Stakeholders on the Same Page
Contractor digitizes all project documents and collaborates over them with all parties on PlanGrid for real-time control over changes, quality and costs
May 13, 2019
Installing Giatec sensors on high-rise construction before pouring concrete.
Wireless Concrete Maturity Sensors Speed Construction Completions
Giatec concrete sensors measuring concrete’s actual curing help recover schedule delays at Seattle International Airport
April 2, 2019
Gravel Conveyors Inc. is a Stone Slinger dealer, and the company operates a fleet of 12 trucks similar to this one fixed with the conveyors.
Construction Telematics Improves Site Efficiency, Simplifies Tax Rebates
'We use all aspects of Verizon Connect – not only GPS tracking, but also maintenance and repair tracking. We also needed a way to more accurately clock our drivers'
February 11, 2019
The Cummins Performance Series B6.7 engine is designed to serve both the European and North American markets. Most engine manufacturers serve global markets and offer flexible diesel engine solutions for customers in different regions.
What’s Next in Off-Road Diesel Exhaust Regulations?
With the example of the European Union’s more stringent Stage V diesel emissions limits, will the U.S. be satisfied with Tier 4 Final?
February 4, 2019
With the B2W Operations Suite, management at American Asphalt can communicate performance expectations to field staff, measure and support their progress and reward performance.
American Asphalt Performance Soars with Upgrade to Real-time Field Data
Daily B2W ONE reports allow American Asphalt to proactively help field managers succeed, rather than waiting for data and punishing them for missed goals
January 9, 2019
Site supervisors at Unison Construction Management use mobile devices in the field. They find the ability to easily record events throughout the day for their reports a great benefit to accurate project documentation.
Mobile App Makes It Easy to Put Client-delighting Detail in Daily Reports
Superintendents at design-build construction management firm find the Raken app essential to documenting tight deadline tenant improvement projects
October 17, 2018