The Punch List Podcast

What does it mean to build something that lasts long after the project is complete?

In this episode of The Punch List Podcast, Matt, Jen, and I sit down with Chris Shee of Master Craft Builder Group to discuss the impact builders can have beyond the homes they build. Chris shares how his involvement with Builders Care helped shape his passion for service and community leadership, as well as the story behind Clays for a Cause and its mission to bring people together to make a difference.

We explore the value of investing your time, talent, and treasure, why giving back doesn't have to start with a large donation, and how authentic community involvement strengthens businesses, develops future leaders, and creates a legacy that extends far beyond projects and profits.

In This Episode:
Why builders have a unique opportunity to impact their communities
How Builders Care helped shape Chris's commitment to service
The mission behind Clays for a Cause
Practical ways to start giving back
The importance of finding your "why"
Building a legacy beyond business success

Whether you're a builder, business owner, or community leader, this conversation is a powerful reminder that the most meaningful things we build aren't structures, they're stronger communities.

#ThePunchListPodcast #MasterCraftBuilderGroup #BuildersCare #ClaysForACause #GivingBack #CommunityImpact #Leadership #BuilderLife #ConstructionIndustry #PurposeDrivenBusiness #BuildingLegacy #TimeTalentTreasure

Building on the Coast: What Most People Get Wrong or Just Don't Know

Featuring Jackie Rowland & Adam Russell of Russell Rowland Engineers

Building a custom home on the coast is about much more than choosing the perfect lot and designing a beautiful floor plan. In this episode of The Punch List Podcast, hosts Matt, Jen, and Ian MacDonald sit down with Jackie Rowland and Adam Russell of Russell Rowland Engineers to discuss what homeowners, builders, and even some industry professionals often don't know about coastal construction.

From foundation design and elevated construction to hurricane wind loads, flood zones, and resilience planning, Jackie and Adam break down the engineering realities that shape successful coastal homes. The conversation explores how experienced coastal builders approach projects differently, why engineers should be involved early in the design process, and how collaboration among the homeowner, architect, builder, and engineer can prevent costly surprises down the road.

The group also tackles common misconceptions about building near the water, balancing aesthetics with durability and budget, and how smart engineering decisions can impact long-term performance, maintenance, and even insurance costs.

Whether you're planning your dream waterfront home, working in the construction industry, or just curious about what goes into building along the coast, this episode offers practical insights and expert advice from professionals who do it every day.

In This Episode:

• The biggest misconceptions about coastal construction
• Why foundation design matters more near the water
• Elevated homes, flood zones, and storm surge considerations
• How wind loads influence engineering and design decisions
• Common mistakes that affect hurricane resistance
• The value of involving engineers early in the process
• How collaboration leads to better outcomes and fewer surprises
• Expert advice for anyone considering a coastal custom home

Listen now and learn what most people get wrong before they ever break ground on the coast.

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 Eleven at Congaree & Penn, eleven ten-acre agrarian homesteads outside Jacksonville where residents don’t buy lots — they stake Claims.

For custom builders and remodelers, this conversation goes somewhere most project meetings never reach: the philosophy underneath the build. John unpacks what it takes to design communities that compound in value over time — not just financially, but in meaning, identity, and the kind of word-of-mouth that no marketing budget can manufacture.

If you’re building custom homes or high-end renovations, you’re already in the legacy business. This episode asks whether you’re thinking about it that way.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

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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 regulations, and the future of our industry.

Education - From apprenticeship programs to expert-led training and industry insights, NEFBA equips members with the tools and knowledge needed to stay competitive and grow their business.

Networking - With over 1,300 members, 200 + events annually, and multiple councils and committees, NEFBA creates unmatched opportunities to build relationships, partnerships, and long-term business grown.

As a 3-in-1 membership connecting you to local, state, and national associations, NEFBA is more than an organization - it's a platform for connection, growth, and impact across the construction industry.

If you've ever wondered whether joining NEFBA is worth it, this episode offers a candid, insider perspective on how membership can elevate your business, expand your network, and strengthen the industry as a whole.

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 conversation highlights how the right leadership approach drives long-term success.

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 suppliers can help builders deliver better projects, smoother job sites, and stronger business.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

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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, accountability, and consistency. From jobsite culture to business practices, they break down what separates average builders from those trade partners actively seek out.

If you're looking to strengthen your trade relationships .and elevate your reputation, this episode delivers actionable strategies to help you become the builder trade partners want to work with. And be sure to tune in next episode, where Seth and Jim continue the conversation by diving into another critical piece of the puzzle: building strong, strategic relationships with suppliers.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

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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 vital role the association plays in supporting builders - from advocacy for our industry and engagement of custom home builders to the apprenticeship program that's shaping the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

Whether you're a builder, tradesperson, or simply passionate about homebuilding and leadership, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build not just homes, but a stronger industry and community.

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.