Meridian Pursuit Builders

Heath Cillessen of Cillessen Construction Company joins Jesse Sampley on the Meridian Pursuit Builders Podcast to discuss client communication, construction systems, practical uses for AI, marketing, and building a sustainable construction business.

Working in the Denver metro area, Boulder, and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Heath shares lessons from managing large-scale renovations, additions, and insurance restoration projects. He explains how consistent project updates, transparent conversations about unexpected costs, and reliable processes help clients feel informed throughout a construction project.

The conversation also explores how Heath uses AI for design visualization and administrative tasks, why human judgment still matters, and how consistent marketing can help builders build trust before a prospective client is ready to start a project.

For builders looking to improve their operations, strengthen client relationships, and grow at a sustainable pace, this episode offers practical insight from Heath's experience running a construction company.

Key Topics Covered

• Why communication is essential to building client trust
• How daily logs and weekly updates keep clients informed
• How to communicate unexpected problems and additional costs
• Understanding fixed-price and cost-plus pricing
• How AI can assist with design visualization and administrative work
• Why contractors should maintain human oversight when using AI
• Building relationships with architects, designers, and referral partners
• Using social media and video content to educate potential clients
• Why marketing requires consistency and patience
• Growing a construction business without expanding too quickly

Guest

Guest: Heath Cillessen, Cillessen Construction Company

Website: https://cillessenconstruction.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CillessenConstructionCO/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cillessenconstruction/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCExoF8mofOtxLvMmXybMawg

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cillessen-construction-company

Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/cillessen-construction-company-pfvwus-pf~2014130027

Subscribe to the Meridian Pursuit Builders Podcast for conversations about construction business operations, leadership, marketing, technology, and the lessons builders learn while growing their companies.

Randy Sebastian of Renaissance Homes joins Jesse Sampley to discuss the lessons he learned from building hundreds of homes a year, navigating the 2008 housing crash, and rebuilding his business around high-end custom homes.

At one point, Randy was building around 300 homes a year and managing developments across a broad region. When the housing market collapsed, 86 sold homes came back in just two quarters. That experience changed how he approached land, growth, risk, and the future of his company.

In this conversation, Randy explains why Renaissance Homes shifted away from large subdivision development, how its in-house team supports the custom home process, and why the company moved from cost-plus pricing toward a more predictable fixed-price model. He also shares how the company approaches quality, handles mistakes, and uses real homes and transparent information to help clients make informed decisions.

For builders, this episode offers a firsthand look at how a difficult business setback influenced long-term decisions about operations, client service, and the kind of company Randy wanted to build.

Key Topics Covered

• Randy Sebastian’s early start in home building and rapid business growth
• What happened when 86 sold homes returned during the housing crash
• How the 2008 downturn changed his approach to land and subdivision risk
• Why Renaissance Homes focused more heavily on custom and high-end spec homes
• How an in-house team supports design, permitting, selections, and construction
• Why the company moved away from traditional cost-plus custom building
• How fixed pricing and transparent planning help reduce surprises for clients
• Why quality standards sometimes mean removing and rebuilding completed work
• How real homes, jobsite signs, and referrals support the company’s marketing
• Randy’s approach to leadership, reputation, and business continuity

Guest
Guest: Randy Sebastian, Renaissance Homes
Website: https://renaissance-homes.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RenaissanceHomesPDX/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renaissancehomes
Twitter: https://x.com/renaissancehome
Pinterest: https://ph.pinterest.com/renaissancepdx/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/renaissance-homes
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxR11t3xsfw75jz8YcH9yxg
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/renaissancehomes
Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-builders/renaissance-homes-pfvwus-pf~1480021983

Subscribe to Meridian Pursuit for conversations with builders and industry professionals about running construction businesses, improving operations, serving clients, and making decisions that shape a company over time.

In this episode, Shane Bogden of Kaidian Homes shares the lessons he has learned through 28 years of building custom homes in Edmonton. Shane talks about his path from working around construction and equipment to becoming a luxury custom home builder, and why he has chosen to keep his business focused on a smaller number of highly customized homes rather than chasing volume.

The conversation covers client selection, pricing, quality standards, subcontractor relationships, custom home contracts, allowances, communication, and the challenges of explaining the value behind higher quality materials and trades. Shane also explains why he keeps many of the same trades and suppliers, how he qualifies potential clients, and why he believes the right relationship between the builder, client, trades, and suppliers matters.

Shane and Jesse also discuss the custom home experience, why the mechanical room can reveal a lot about a home's construction quality, how Shane communicates with clients throughout the build, and the challenge of marketing a low volume luxury building business. They talk about referrals, websites, social media, content, and how potential clients research builders before ever having a conversation.

Whether you are a builder, contractor, remodeler, or construction business owner, this episode offers a practical look at quality, client relationships, pricing, business positioning, and the realities of building a reputation over time.

Listen now to hear Shane's perspective on building fewer homes, maintaining high standards, and creating a luxury brand without losing sight of the work behind it.

Key Topics Covered

• Building a luxury custom home business
• Quality over volume
• Choosing the right clients
• Keeping trusted trades and suppliers
• Pricing and custom home contracts
• Cost plus versus a hybrid contract model
• Communicating value to clients
• Managing allowances and changes
• The importance of the mechanical room
• Client relationships and communication
• Building a long term reputation
• Marketing a low volume custom home business
• Using websites and social media to build trust
• Bringing the next generation into the business

Guest
Guest: Shane Bogden, Kaidian Homes
Website: https://kaidianhomes.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaidianhomes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaidianhomes
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kaidian-homes/

Subscribe for conversations with builders, contractors, remodelers, architects, designers, and industry leaders sharing real experiences and practical lessons from the construction industry.

In this episode, Jonathan Oakes of Bailey Building and Construction, Inc. shares his experience growing a third generation construction company and the lessons that came with it. From hiring and leadership to cash flow and client communication, Jonathan discusses the realities of building a business while managing growth.

The conversation covers accountability, subcontractor relationships, project management, referrals, networking, and the importance of setting clear expectations with both clients and team members. Jonathan also shares how mistakes and difficult decisions helped shape the way he runs his company today.

Whether you're a builder, remodeler, or construction business owner, this episode offers practical insights on leadership, growth, and creating systems that support long term success.

Listen now to hear Jonathan's story and the lessons he's learned along the way.

Key Topics
• Growing a construction company
• Hiring and leadership lessons
• Accountability and team management
• Cash flow and financial structure
• Subcontractor relationships
• Client communication
• Buildertrend and project management
• Referrals and networking
• Setting expectations with clients
• Learning from mistakes

Guest: Jonathan Oakes, Bailey
Website: https://www.baileybuilding.us/
Better Business Bureau: https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/ocala/profile/custom-home-builder/bailey-building-and-construction-inc-0733-235968411/#sealclick

Subscribe for conversations with builders, remodelers, contractors, architects, designers, and industry leaders sharing real world lessons from the construction industry.

In this episode, Paul Gray shares the lessons he has learned through years of building homes, leading teams, investing in technology, and growing multiple businesses. From accountability and leadership to software systems, mentorship, and AI, Paul explains why long term success is built on strong standards, continuous learning, and a commitment to serving others.

The conversation explores creating consistency through systems, managing subcontractor relationships, adapting to new technology, learning from mentors, and building a company culture rooted in hospitality, education, and service.

Whether you are a builder, contractor, business owner, or entrepreneur, this episode offers practical insights on leadership, operations, and creating a business designed for long term success.

Listen now to discover what truly separates great builders from the rest.

Key Topics

• Building a culture of accountability

• Why management never goes away

• Creating consistency through systems and processes

• Investing in software and operational efficiency

• AI applications in construction and business

• Financial visibility and cost management

• Leadership and team development

• Learning from mentors and industry networks

• Using technology to support growth

• Hospitality as a business philosophy

• Teaching and empowering others

• Long term business diversification and growth

Guest: Paul Gray, Paul Gray Homes

Website: https://paulgrayhomes.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulgrayhomes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulgrayhomesllc/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/paul-gray-homes-llc/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@paulgrayhomes

Subscribe for conversations with builders, developers, designers, and industry leaders sharing practical insights on construction, business growth, leadership, systems, technology, and building companies that last.

What happens when a builder stops accepting the limitations of off-the-shelf software and creates his own system instead? In this episode of the Meridian Pursuit Builder Podcast, Jesse Sampley sits down with Mike Baruh, owner of MIBH Construction, to discuss his journey from struggling investor to luxury home builder, commercial roofing contractor, and technology-driven business owner.

Mike shares how he built his company through persistence, strategic partnerships, and a willingness to adapt. He explains how a partnership helped him enter the luxury home market, why he launched a commercial roofing division, and how marketing became a critical driver of growth after years of trial and error.

The conversation also dives deep into artificial intelligence and construction technology. Mike reveals how he built a custom AI-powered operating system using Claude, replacing many traditional construction software tools. The platform helps manage estimating, takeoffs, subcontractor communication, daily logs, project updates, and client communication while creating significant efficiencies across the business.
For builders looking to scale, improve operations, and stay ahead of industry changes, this episode offers practical insights into leadership, technology, marketing, and long-term business growth.


Key Topics
• Mike's journey from broke investor to construction business owner
• How strategic partnerships helped him enter the luxury home market
• Why MIBH Construction expanded into commercial roofing
• Lessons learned from building and scaling multiple business divisions
• The role marketing played in company growth
• How Mike evaluated dozens of marketing agencies before finding success
• Building a custom AI operating system for a construction company
• Using AI for estimating, takeoffs, and subcontractor management
• Improving client communication through automation
• Why builders should embrace technology instead of resisting it
• The future of AI in construction operations
• Leadership lessons from scaling a growing construction business


Guest: Mike Baruh
Owner, MIBH Construction
Website: https://mibhconstruction.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mibh_construction/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mibh.construction/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@mibh_construction
Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/mibh-construction-llc-pfvwus-pf~380848592
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mibh-construction-miami

Subscribe to the Meridian Pursuit Builder Podcast for real conversations with builders, contractors, architects, designers, and construction professionals sharing practical lessons on business growth, leadership, marketing, operations, and construction success.

What does it take to build a construction company that keeps growing without losing the principles that built its reputation? In this episode of the Meridian Pursuit Builder Podcast, Jesse Sampley talks with Adam Galbraith, owner of ARG Contracting, about his journey from carpenter and health and safety professional to running a growing construction company in Kelowna, British Columbia. Adam shares how ARG grew through designer relationships, referrals, past clients, networking, and social media, and why he believes doing the right thing can be more valuable than protecting a short term margin.

The conversation goes deeper into transparency, communication, and the way ARG approaches its projects. Adam explains why the company uses a cost plus model, how daily photos and documentation help clients understand what is happening on a project, and why he is willing to take a loss when his company is responsible for a mistake. For Adam, the goal is to protect the relationship and build a reputation that creates future opportunities.

Adam and Jesse also discuss social media, marketing, team building, employee retention, commercial construction, market changes in Kelowna, lessons from a costly spec home, and why Adam is becoming more selective about development opportunities. They also talk about artificial intelligence and how Adam uses ChatGPT for communication, brainstorming, business analysis, planning, and development work.

For builders, this episode is a practical look at how reputation, relationships, transparency, adaptability, and consistent action can shape a construction business over the long term.

Key Topics

• How Adam moved from carpentry and health and safety into construction ownership
• How ARG Contracting grew through designers, referrals, past clients, and professional relationships
• Why reputation and long term relationships can be more valuable than short term profit
• How transparency and the cost plus model can build client trust
• Why communication is one of the biggest challenges in construction
• How social media helped ARG increase visibility in its local market
• How ARG is expanding from renovations into new builds and commercial construction
• How Adam approaches hiring, employee retention, and company culture
• Lessons Adam learned from losing money on a spec home
• Why changing market conditions are influencing ARG's commercial focus
• How Adam uses AI to improve communication, planning, analysis, and efficiency

Guest: Adam Galbraith, ARG Contracting
Website: https://www.arghomes.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arg_contracting/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078219347376

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/argcontracting

Subscribe to the Meridian Pursuit Builder Podcast for real conversations with builders, contractors, architects, designers, and construction professionals about the decisions, relationships, lessons, and business strategies that shape stronger companies.

A beautiful home can still become a difficult build when design decisions come too late. In this episode of the Meridian Pursuit Builder Podcast, Jesse Sampley talks with Megan Melville about why builders, designers, architects, and trades need to collaborate earlier, and why function should come before finishes. Megan shares how her background in commercial design shaped her approach to residential projects, where she saw a need for clearer systems, better communication, and more accountability. They discuss how selections can affect a builder’s schedule and budget, why designers should review plans before construction, and how small functional details, from cabinetry and appliance placement to lighting, door swings, and storage, can make a major difference in how a home actually works. The conversation also explores how builders and designers can manage Pinterest and Instagram expectations, balance inspiration with realistic budgets, avoid overcommitting to trends, and create homes that feel personal without sacrificing function. Most importantly, Megan and Jesse discuss a collaborative approach where every person brings their expertise to the project and the finished home, not individual egos, stays at the center. 

Key Topics

• Why residential projects benefit from simple, trackable communication systems
• How late selections and design decisions can affect schedules and budgets
• Why builders should be involved in design conversations from the beginning
• How strong builder-designer relationships are built through collaboration and mutual respect
• Why functionality should be addressed before finishes and trends
• How to help clients turn Pinterest and Instagram inspiration into realistic priorities
• Why lived-in, practical design can be more valuable than picture-perfect spaces

Guest: Megan Melville, Design Hive ID
Website: https://designhiveid.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designhive_id

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Design-Hive-ID/61577942717530/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/design-hive-interior-design/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@designhive.id

Subscribe to the Meridian Pursuit Builder Podcast for real conversations with builders, contractors, architects, designers, and construction professionals about the decisions, relationships, and lessons that shape better projects.

What if your building company could keep more commission, strengthen its brand, and gain greater control over every home sale? In this episode of the Meridian Pursuit Builder Podcast, host Jesse Sampley sits down with Adam Field and Jennifer Johnson of Behind the Scenes Broker to discuss how the qualifying broker model is helping Florida builders rethink their sales strategy. They explain how builders can operate under their own brokerage, when this approach makes financial sense, the setup process, and how owning the brokerage can create long-term business value. Whether you're a custom builder, production builder, or developer looking to improve profitability and build a stronger business, this conversation offers practical insights into an often-overlooked opportunity.

Key Topics

• How the qualifying broker model works for builders
• When owning your own brokerage makes financial sense
• Keeping more commission while maintaining compliance
• Strengthening your brand through every home sale
• Creating greater flexibility during negotiations
• Setup costs, timeline, and ongoing requirements
• Long-term business advantages of owning your brokerage

Guest: Adam Field & Jennifer Johnson, Behind the Scenes Broker

Website: https://www.trybtsb.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trybtsb/

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe to the Meridian Pursuit Builder Podcast. Every episode features real conversations with builders, contractors, architects, designers, and construction professionals who share practical lessons, business strategies, and real-world experiences to help you build a stronger construction business.

What if builders could walk through a home before construction even begins? In this episode of the Meridian Pursuit Builders Podcast, Jesse Sampley sits down with Joe Matejka, Founder of Walk Your Plans, to discuss how immersive plan visualization helps builders reduce costly change orders, improve customer confidence, and create better projects. Joe shares the story behind Walk Your Plans, its viral growth, commercial applications, AI opportunities, and why helping clients experience a project before breaking ground is changing the construction industry.

Key Topics

• Walk Your Plans' origin and growth story
• Visualization technology in construction
• Reducing change orders before building
• AI and immersive design experiences
• Strategic partnerships and licensing growth
• Commercial and residential applications
• Future expansion across the U.S. and globally

Guest: Joe Matejka, Walk Your Plans
Website: https://www.walkyourplans.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkyourplans

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to the Meridian Pursuit Builders Podcast. Every episode features builders, contractors, architects, designers, and construction professionals sharing practical lessons to help you build a stronger construction business.