What separates a collection of houses from a place people fight to be part of? For John Hillman, the answer starts before the first stake goes in the ground. In this episode of The Punch List Podcast, Matt Birdwell, Jennifer O’Neal, and Ian MacDonald sit down with John Hillman — the vision behind two of Northeast Florida’s most intentionally designed communities: Crane Island, a private gated enclave of custom Lowcountry homes along the Intracoastal Waterway in Fernandina Beach, and The Elev...

In this special mini episode of The Punch List Podcast, we take a focused look at what it really means to be part of the Northeast Florida Builders Association. Whether you are a builder, trade partner, or industry professional considering membership, this episode breaks down the three pillars that define the NEFBA experience: Advocacy - Learn how NEFBA gives members a unified voice at the local, state, and national level - helping shape policies that impact housing affordability, building ...

Jen O'Neil returns to the The Punch List Podcast to join Matt and Ian for a conversation on what it really takes to lead and grow. From the perspective of a premier custom home builder, a mortgage originator leading a team ranked in the top 1% nationally, and a business owner who has scaled through franchising across the United States, this episode dives into building strong teams, creating accountability, and leading with intention. Whether you're growing a business or leading a team, this...

Service is what separates a supplier from a true partner. In Part 2 of our conversation, Jim Schneider of Schneider Construction (Custom Home Builder out of Cape Charles, VA) and Seth Kelley of MCG Homes (Custom Home Builder & Remodeler out of Amelia Island, FL) dive in to the role service plays in transforming supplier relationships from simple transactions in to long-term partnerships. They share real-world insights on communication, reliability, and accountability - and how the right s...

In this Episode of The Punch List Podcast Seth Kelley of MCG Homes (Custom Home Builder & Remodeler out of Amelia Island, FL) and Jim Schneider of Schneider Construction (Custom Home Builder out of Cape Charles, VA) join the conversation to discus one of the most important drivers of success in custom homebuilding and remodeling: strong trade relationships. They share practical insight on building lasting partnerships with trade partners through clear communication, mutual respect, accou...

In this episode of The Punch List Podcast, hosts Matt Birdwell and Ian MacDonald sit down with Scott Brannock of Tidewater Homes - a boutique custom home builder making its mark in Northeast Florida. Scott shares his journey growing a personalized, high-quality homebuilding company and how strong relationships - with clients, trades, and peers - have been central to that success. As the incoming president of the Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA), he also offers insight into the ...

This is Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Alex Stewart of The Market Distillery. In this conversation, Ian and Matt sit down with Dr. Alex Stewart of The Market Distillery to tackle one of the biggest challenges today: affordability. Together, they distill insights on the housing market, connect the dots between real estate agents and custom home builders, and explore how collaboration can create better outcomes for clients.

In this first of a two-part series, Ian and Matt welcome Dr. Alex Stewart of The Market Distillery to The Punch List Podcast. Together, they unpack the housing economy and explore how broader market trends connect to custom home building and remodeling. Whether you're in the trades, building a dream home, or simply curious about where the housing market is headed, this conversation lays the foundation for insights you won't want to miss.

When clients ask for a per-square-foot cost, the answer usually starts with “it all depends.” In this episode, Ian and Matt sit down with Steve Morgan of Riverside Homes Custom to unpack the key factors that shape the cost of a custom build. You’ll learn why every build is unique, why transparency matters, and how to have a smarter “per-foot” conversation with clients.

Matt Birdwell goes from host to guest on this episode to talk about how clear systems, strong culture, and a focus on the client experience lead to consistent success.