The Hard Hat Truth

Enough is enough. You’ve watched timelines crumble, budgets balloon, and change orders multiply like a bad habit. You’ve been told it’s "part of the business"—that the chaos is inevitable. Mark Zitting, a 32-year construction veteran who has built his career on facts, not excuses, is here to tell you that’s a lie.

The industry isn't broken because of technology or market forces; it’s broken because of broken leadership, missing clarity, and a fundamental lack of discipline that starts at the top. If you’re tired of financing other people’s guesswork, it’s time for a radical system shock.

In this unflinching, direct guide, Zitting delivers the "simple fixes" that restore control and profitability to your project, showing you how to:

• Own the Chaos: Learn why the Owner is the first and last line of defense. The quality of your jobsite is a direct reflection of your leadership.
• Decouple Design from Delusion: A blueprint is a dream until it’s backed by a budget built on reality. Learn how to pressure-test plans before bidding, saving you the 20% tax of post-contract change orders.
• Differentiate Wisdom from Knowledge: Why hiring a graduate with "knowledge" over a foreman with "wisdom" is the most expensive mistake you can make. Experience wins. Period.
• Be the Conductor of Clarity: General Contractors: stop being order-takers and start being the jobsite conductor. Your purpose is to eliminate guesswork for everyone else.
• Secure Your Scope: Subcontractors: protect your business by mastering the art of the RFI and knowing the difference between doing what you’re told and doing what’s right.