Builder Buzz by Home Nation

What if getting your house painted—or any home service—was as easy and transparent as booking an Uber?

In this episode of Builder Buzz by Home Nation, host Quinton Comino sits down with Andrew McGilly, Founder of Prime Logic, to explore how AI is reshaping contractor pricing and eliminating the need for salespeople. Prime Logic delivers instant, upfront quotes for home painting before a contractor ever steps on-site—changing how homeowners and tradespeople interact.

Andrew breaks down how Prime Logic works end-to-end: homeowners enter their details through an AI-powered chatbot, receive immediate “good, better, best” pricing, select colors and dates, and get matched with vetted, licensed, and insured professionals. Paint is delivered directly to the home, the job is completed, and payment happens digitally. No estimates, no sales calls, no hidden markups.

The conversation dives deep into why Prime Logic is not a marketplace, but an entirely new category inspired by Uber. Andrew explains how removing sales overhead lowers prices for homeowners while allowing contractors to earn more by saving time on marketing and lead chasing. He also shares his long-term vision for expanding beyond painting into plumbing, HVAC, roofing, and other trades.

What You’ll Learn:

• How AI enables instant, upfront quotes for home services
• Why eliminating salespeople lowers costs and increases transparency
• How vetted contractors benefit from reduced marketing and lead-chasing
• The difference between marketplaces and true platform models
• Why painting is the ideal entry point for AI disruption
• How Prime Logic could scale across all home service verticals
• The future of CRMs, sales, and automation in the trades

Connect with Andrew McGilly & Prime Logic:

• LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/andrew-mcgilly-415b35166

Connect with the Show:

• Builder Buzz by Home Nation: https://homenation.com
• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builder-buzz-by-home-nation/id1816072711
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VIgdx6CEGJGJlFTHb3xXO
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d96c24c3-0ed9-41ad-96ed-8a4ef1242edf/builder-buzz-by-home-nation
• YouTube: https://youtube-Builderbuzz

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

If you liked this episode, share it with someone in homebuilding, real estate, or modular housing, and don’t forget to leave us a review. New episodes drop weekly!

What if the biggest health risk in your life isn’t what you eat but what you live in?

In this episode of Builder Buzz by Home Nation, host Quinton Comino sits down with Jeff Halsted, Owner of Halsted Home LLC, to explore the emerging world of healthy homes. While most construction conversations focus on speed, cost, and sustainability, Jeff brings a fundamentally different perspective: how building materials directly impact air quality, mental health, and long-term wellness.

Jeff explains how many standard construction materials, such as fiberglass insulation, spray foam, and plastic-based composites, continuously off-gas harmful VOCs into the air we breathe. He contrasts these with natural alternatives, such as wool, cork, hemp insulation, and lime plaster, materials that not only avoid toxins but also actively regulate humidity, prevent mold, and improve indoor air quality over time.

The conversation dives deep into why healthy homes are not just a luxury trend, but a long-term investment in human health. Drawing from personal experiences with mold-related illness and childhood asthma, Jeff shares why this mission is deeply personal and how poor indoor air quality can affect energy levels, cognitive performance, and overall well-being. He also outlines how homeowners can make practical, high-impact upgrades, starting inside the walls, without needing a full custom build.

What You’ll Learn:

• What “healthy homes” really mean and how they differ from traditional builds
• How VOCs and off-gassing affect physical and mental health
• Natural insulation options like wool, hemp, and cork, and why they matter
• Why lime plaster is making a modern comeback after centuries
• The real connection between mold, air quality, and wellness
• How to prioritize healthier materials without blowing your budget
• Why “cheap” construction often becomes expensive long term

Connect with Jeff Halsted & Halsted Home LLC:

• 👤 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeffhalsted2

Connect with the Show:

• Builder Buzz by Home Nation: https://homenation.com
• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builder-buzz-by-home-nation/id1816072711
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VIgdx6CEGJGJlFTHb3xXO
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d96c24c3-0ed9-41ad-96ed-8a4ef1242edf/builder-buzz-by-home-nation
• YouTube: https://youtube-Builderbuzz

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

If you liked this episode, share it with someone in homebuilding, real estate, or modular housing, and don’t forget to leave us a review. New episodes drop weekly!

What if running a successful business wasn’t just about processes and profits—but about understanding what truly drives your team?

In this episode of Builder Buzz by Home Nation, host Quinton Comino sits down with Stephen Doyle Jr., a recovering metallurgical engineer turned executive coach at Focal Point Coaching. Stephen shares his journey from engineering to executive coaching, helping leaders and business owners unlock team potential, streamline processes, and align company values with employee motivation.

Stephen dives into the power of identifying your team’s “why,” showing why top-down mandates often fail to inspire real engagement, and how uncovering intrinsic motivations leads to sustainable success. From value-based hiring to behavioral interview techniques, he offers actionable strategies to ensure employees are not just following instructions—they’re truly invested in the company’s mission.

What You’ll Learn:

• How understanding intrinsic motivation drives real team buy-in
• The pitfalls of top-down mandates and how to avoid them
• Value-based hiring and behavioral interview strategies
• Aligning company culture with employee “why”.
• Creating sustainable engagement that drives productivity and retention
• Lessons from Stephen’s journey from engineer to executive coach

Connect with Stephen Doyle Jr. & Focal Point Coaching:

• 👤 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stephendoylejr
• 🌐 Website: focalpointcoaching.com

Connect with the Show:

• Builder Buzz by Home Nation: https://homenation.com
• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builder-buzz-by-home-nation/id1816072711
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VIgdx6CEGJGJlFTHb3xXO
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d96c24c3-0ed9-41ad-96ed-8a4ef1242edf/builder-buzz-by-home-nation
• YouTube: https://youtube-Builderbuzz

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

If you liked this episode, share it with someone in homebuilding, real estate, or modular housing, and don’t forget to leave us a review. New episodes drop weekly!

What if the key to scaling your construction or contracting business wasn’t just more hands on deck—but better alignment between your people and processes?

In this episode of Builder Buzz by Home Nation, host Quinton Comino sits down with Maya J. Irizarry, MBA, CEO of Solutions by Maya, to unpack how businesses in the building industry can grow smarter, not harder. With a background in corporate leadership and business architecture, Maya has helped countless contractors, roofers, and small-business owners streamline operations, elevate leadership, and build teams that thrive.

From hiring with purpose to redefining communication and accountability, Maya reveals the biggest reasons companies struggle to scale—and the exact systems and shifts needed to turn it around.

• Why misalignment—not incompetence—is the real cause of most business breakdowns
• How to hire the right people for the right roles using behavioral insights
• What DISC assessments reveal about team structure and stress responses
• The role of intentional communication in building trust and productivity
• Real stories of overwhelmed owners turned confident leaders
• Maya’s 5 C’s of hiring: Character, Competence, Capacity, Chemistry, and Course
• Tactical steps to implement systems that support growth and reduce chaos

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mayairizarry
• Company: sbmgo.org
• Other Ventures: barberbond.com | allstarbarberinc.com

Connect with the Show:

• Builder Buzz by Home Nation: https://homenation.com
• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builder-buzz-by-home-nation/id1816072711
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VIgdx6CEGJGJlFTHb3xXO
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d96c24c3-0ed9-41ad-96ed-8a4ef1242edf/builder-buzz-by-home-nation
• YouTube: https://youtube-Builderbuzz

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

If you liked this episode, share it with someone in homebuilding, real estate, or modular housing, and don’t forget to leave us a review. New episodes drop weekly!

What if the key to scaling a construction business wasn’t hiring more crews—but writing better code?

In this episode of Builder Buzz by Home Nation, host Quinton Comino sits down with Kurt Shank, Principal at Smart Builder 360, to uncover how a lifelong builder turned his on-site frustrations into a national construction software platform.

After founding Aurora Custom Homes in the early 1990s, Kurt quickly realized that running a profitable building company required more organization than paper notes could offer. So, he did the unexpected—he taught himself to code and built a digital system to manage estimates, specs, and selections. Decades later, that system evolved into Smart Builder 360, a cloud-based platform helping builders simplify operations, boost margins, and scale profitably.

Kurt shares how he rebuilt the platform in React, partnered with another builder to modernize it, and kept one principle at the center: “Built by builders, for builders.” From surviving the 2008 housing crash through self-financing projects to mentoring the next generation of contractors, Kurt’s story is proof that innovation can start right on the job site.

What You’ll Learn:

• How a custom homebuilder created software decades ahead of its time
• Why simplicity and clarity drive Smart Builder 360’s success
• How rebuilding in React made the platform faster, smarter, and scalable
• Lessons from surviving the 2008 housing crash through creative risk-taking
• How to bridge the gap between construction and technology
• Why “built by builders, for builders” is more than a tagline—it’s a mindset
• How mentorship and teamwork fuel Smart Builder 360’s continued growth
• Kurt’s long-term vision for helping builders scale profitably

Connect with Kurt Shank & Smart Builder 360:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kurt-shank-57b706383
• Website: SmartBuilder360.com

Connect with the Show:

• Builder Buzz by Home Nation: https://homenation.com
• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builder-buzz-by-home-nation/id1816072711
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VIgdx6CEGJGJlFTHb3xXO
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d96c24c3-0ed9-41ad-96ed-8a4ef1242edf/builder-buzz-by-home-nation
• YouTube: https://youtube-Builderbuzz

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

If you liked this episode, share it with someone in homebuilding, real estate, or modular housing, and don’t forget to leave us a review. New episodes drop weekly!

What if your home could store energy like a battery—cutting costs, boosting comfort, and helping power the grid?

In this episode of Builder Buzz by Home Nation, host Quinton Comino sits down with Jack Laken, Strategic Advisor, Inventor, and founder behind TermoBuild, to explore how “rechargeable buildings” are redefining energy-efficient construction.

Jack’s breakthrough innovation transforms ordinary concrete floors into thermal batteries, charging at night when power is clean and cheap, and releasing heating or cooling energy throughout the day. The result? High-performance, energy-sharing buildings that cost less to run and help builders deliver more resilient, profitable projects.

With decades of global experience in design-build innovation, Jack shares how his team bridges construction and technology to create smarter, self-balancing structures. From data-driven HVAC systems to net-positive energy projects, this episode reveals how the future of sustainable construction might already be under our feet.

• What “rechargeable buildings” really are—and how they work
• How TermoBuild’s ventilated floors store and release energy naturally
• Why nighttime “charging” slashes energy bills and emissions
• How to simplify HVAC design while boosting comfort and ROI
• Lessons from global projects across North America and India
• Why “doing more with less” is the foundation of sustainable design
• How energy-sharing buildings are shaping the future of smart cities

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jack-laken-28b96bb
• Website: termobuild.com — Net Zero, Smart Energy Storage
• Company: smart-homes-usa.com

Connect with the Show:

• Builder Buzz by Home Nation: https://homenation.com
• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builder-buzz-by-home-nation/id1816072711
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VIgdx6CEGJGJlFTHb3xXO
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d96c24c3-0ed9-41ad-96ed-8a4ef1242edf/builder-buzz-by-home-nation
• YouTube: https://youtube-Builderbuzz

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

If you liked this episode, share it with someone in homebuilding, real estate, or modular housing, and don’t forget to leave us a review. New episodes drop weekly!

What if affordable housing could be built faster, cheaper, and with fewer trades—without sacrificing quality?

In this episode of Builder Buzz by Home Nation, host Quinton Comino sits down with Larry Falls, CEO of ACP Home Systems, to explore how he’s rethinking construction using the Moladi formwork system—a reusable, lightweight plastic form that allows entire walls to be poured on-site with precision and speed.

Unlike traditional wood framing, Moladi combines formwork, mortar mix, and embedded chases to reduce waste, labor, and build time. It's a streamlined system with massive potential for affordable and workforce housing, especially when paired with ACP’s innovative Mod Pod: a 10x20 prefabricated utility core that houses the home's plumbing, HVAC, and electrical infrastructure.

Together, Moladi and the Mod Pod form a scalable, cost-efficient building method that addresses America’s housing crisis while empowering underserved communities, including foster youth aging out of the system, with training, jobs, and opportunity.

• Why traditional construction is stuck in outdated methods
• How the Moladi system reduces labor, waste, and complexity
• What the Mod Pod is—and how it centralizes all MEPs
• How combining Moladi + Mod Pod can accelerate affordable housing
• How ACP Home Systems is creating jobs for former foster youth
• Why workforce housing is critical—and what’s being done about it
• Expansion plans across Florida, Georgia, and California

Connect with Larry Falls & ACP Home Systems:

• Website: https://www.acpfl.com/larry-falls

Connect with the Show:

• Builder Buzz by Home Nation: https://homenation.com
• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builder-buzz-by-home-nation/id1816072711
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VIgdx6CEGJGJlFTHb3xXO
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d96c24c3-0ed9-41ad-96ed-8a4ef1242edf/builder-buzz-by-home-nation
• YouTube: https://youtube-Builderbuzz

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

If you liked this episode, share it with someone in homebuilding, real estate, or modular housing, and don’t forget to leave us a review. New episodes drop weekly!

What if building a construction company wasn’t just about the projects, but about creating a culture that lasts generations?

In this episode of  Builder Buzz by Home Nation, host Quinton Comino sits down with Jeff Forrest, Sr., CEO of Winter Park Construction (WPC), a Central Florida general contractor with more than 50 years of history and a reputation for speed, precision, and trust. With 46 years of leadership under his belt, Jeff shares how WPC grew from a family-founded business into a national force in multi-unit construction and hospitality renovations.

From hotels and timeshares to senior living, student housing, and multifamily developments, WPC has built a niche in complex, multi-unit projects where efficiency and quality matter most. Jeff reveals how reputation and relationships drive growth in an industry with little digital visibility, and why securing WPC.com back in 1989 made them the first U.S. contractor with a website.

This conversation goes beyond business, diving into family legacy, company culture, and leadership. Jeff reflects on lessons from his brother and father, the transition to working alongside his son as president, and the culture-first mindset that has kept employees and partners loyal for decades.

What You’ll Learn:

• How WPC scaled from a local builder to a national hospitality renovation leader
• Why subcontractor trust and financial stability are critical to success
• How reputation—not flashy marketing—fuels construction growth
• The balance between efficiency, quality, and cost in multi-unit projects
• Lessons from Disney and Universal on building culture through employee experience
• Why family legacy and leadership continuity keep WPC thriving after 50+ years

🔗 Connect with Jeff Forrest, Sr. & Winter Park Construction (WPC):

• 👤 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeff4est
• 🌐 Websites: wpc.com | contractorswhocare.org

Connect with the Show:

• Builder Buzz by Home Nation: https://homenation.com
• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builder-buzz-by-home-nation/id1816072711
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VIgdx6CEGJGJlFTHb3xXO
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d96c24c3-0ed9-41ad-96ed-8a4ef1242edf/builder-buzz-by-home-nation
• YouTube: https://youtube-Builderbuzz

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

If you liked this episode, share it with someone in homebuilding, real estate, or modular housing, and don’t forget to leave us a review. New episodes drop weekly!

What if rebuilding communities started with rethinking the homes we design for everyday people?

In this episode of Builder Buzz by Home Nation, host Quinton Comino sits down with Daryl Williams-Dotson, Principal Architect at WDI Architecture, to explore how thoughtful design and affordable housing projects are reshaping neighborhoods across Indiana and beyond. With more than 30 years of experience, Daryl has worked on community-driven projects that balance design excellence with the practical realities of government incentives, zoning laws, and financing requirements.

He shares how mentorship guided his early career, why “missing middle housing” is vital to sustainable growth, and what it takes to navigate multi-year affordable housing developments. Daryl also reveals how Indiana’s unique restrictions influence design choices, the complexities of aligning with grant programs, and his philosophy of starting small to build long-term impact.

From mentoring the next generation of architects to tackling the challenges of affordability and compliance, Daryl shows how architecture can be a tool for rebuilding not just structures, but communities themselves.

This conversation dives into design, leadership, and community impact in construction, offering builders, developers, and investors a roadmap to creating housing that truly serves people.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why “missing middle housing” is key to community sustainability
• How government incentives shape design and development
• The realities of multi-year affordable housing projects
• Why starting small often leads to bigger, lasting change
• How Indiana’s unique restrictions affect housing design
• Lessons from 30+ years in community-driven architecture
• The importance of mentoring future architects and designers

Connect with Daryl Williams-Dotson & WDI Architecture:

• 👤 LinkedIn: Daryl Williams-Dotson
• 🌐 Company Website: https://wdiarchitecture.com/team

Connect with the Show:

• Builder Buzz by Home Nation: https://homenation.com
• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builder-buzz-by-home-nation/id1816072711
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VIgdx6CEGJGJlFTHb3xXO
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d96c24c3-0ed9-41ad-96ed-8a4ef1242edf/builder-buzz-by-home-nation
• YouTube: https://youtube-Builderbuzz

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

If you liked this episode, share it with someone in homebuilding, real estate, or modular housing, and don’t forget to leave us a review. New episodes drop weekly!

What if a college side project could transform the way we build homes forever?

In this episode of Builder Buzz by Home Nation, host Quinton Comino sits down with Jakob Bouna, CEO & Founder of CoPrint Housing, a University of Michigan business student and 3D printing enthusiast, who is on track to launch one of the most ambitious construction startups in the Midwest, printing full-sized homes with robotic concrete printers.

Jakob shares how a high school hobby, an offhand comment from his uncle, and a student business competition snowballed into a fully funded venture. He walks us through the nuts and bolts of 3D-printed construction, from AI-generated floor plans and concrete mix engineering to how a robotic arm printer can build a 2,200-square-foot home in just a few days.

Beyond the tech, Jakob opens up about the entrepreneurial journey: learning finance from scratch, building credibility in an industry he knew nothing about, and pushing forward with bold persistence, even when competing against teams of PhDs with real funding.

This conversation dives into innovation, grit, and the future of construction, showing how Jakob’s vision could slash costs, redefine affordable housing, and inspire the next generation of builders.

What You’ll Learn:

• The origins of Jakob’s vision for 3D-printed housing
• Lessons learned from pitching in national business competitions
• Why hiring for this new model of construction is so complex
• The logistics of training, funding, and deploying $650K printers
• How material science and concrete mixtures are tailored for climate resilience
• Why this technology could slash costs and redefine affordable housing

Connect with Jakob Bouna & CoPrint Housing:

• 👤 LinkedIn: Jakob Bouna
• 🌐 Company: CoPrint Housing

Connect with the Show:

• Builder Buzz by Home Nation: https://homenation.com
• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builder-buzz-by-home-nation/id1816072711
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VIgdx6CEGJGJlFTHb3xXO
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d96c24c3-0ed9-41ad-96ed-8a4ef1242edf/builder-buzz-by-home-nation
• YouTube: https://youtube-Builderbuzz

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

If you liked this episode, share it with someone in homebuilding, real estate, or modular housing, and don’t forget to leave us a review. New episodes drop weekly!