By: Matayo Reyes
Custom Builders Are Ditching Agencies — And Finding a Better Way Forward
Across the country, experienced custom homebuilders are facing a common frustration: outreach efforts that don’t align with how builders operate. Whether it’s low-quality inquiries, mismatched timelines, or conversations that lead nowhere, the result is often the same: time lost, crews underused, and calendars with more white space than work.
Zach Rogers saw it all firsthand. A former construction worker himself, Zach didn’t set out to start a company — he just wanted to help the builder he worked for land more consistent jobs. That builder was struggling. Phones were quiet. The crew was underused. So Zach offered to try his hand at marketing. The early results weren’t great, but he stuck with it. Over time, something started to work — and once it did, other builders noticed. One asked for help, then another. That grassroots demand turned into what is now Buildstone Collective.
Buildstone’s System-Based Growth Model
Rather than positioning Buildstone as a traditional marketing agency, Zach made a deliberate choice to build a performance-based system instead. “Most builders don’t need 100 leads,” he says. “They need ten serious conversations with qualified people who are actually ready to build. That’s what our system is designed to deliver.”
From day one, Buildstone has focused on giving custom homebuilders control over their demand pipeline — without dumping extra work on their plate. The system filters out time-wasters early by qualifying for key criteria: land status, budget range, timeline, and even architectural style. Then, a real team follows up within minutes — not hours or days — and books those leads directly onto the builder’s calendar with all relevant context.
Built Around the Builder’s Workflow
Where many marketing strategies emphasize traffic and clicks, Buildstone creates every piece of the funnel in the builder’s voice — from local ad copy to pre-qualification surveys and booking emails. “Most builders aren’t marketers,” Zach explains. “They don’t want to learn new software or chase after some ‘magic bullet’ tactic. They want a stable business with predictable jobs and a crew that stays busy. That’s the only thing we focus on.”
Builders also benefit from full transparency throughout the process. Buildstone’s CRM setup tracks every touchpoint from ad click to signed contract, giving owners the clarity they need to plan ahead, pace their crew, and avoid the boom-and-bust cycle that so many small operations fall into.
Photo Courtesy: Buildstone Collective
A Different Kind Of Commitment
What makes the offer different isn’t just the system — it’s how closely Buildstone ties its performance to the builder’s success. Buildstone works closely with a select number of custom homebuilders in each territory to ensure personalized attention and service. If the system isn’t generating qualified appointments that lead to real opportunities, the team collaborates with the client to make adjustments and optimize the process.
“We don’t lock builders into long-term retainers with no accountability,” Zach says. “We earn trust by delivering outcomes they can see — not just metrics on a slide deck.”
That approach has been especially attractive for builders who’ve tried other growth options and didn’t get the results they were hoping for.
Rejecting the One-Size-Fits-All Model
Buildstone Collective’s focus on system-based growth is more than just a positioning play — it’s a response to what builders have been asking for: a straightforward process that respects their time, fits their operations, and doesn’t require them to become full-time marketers. “There’s a real appetite in the builder community for a simpler, more aligned approach,” Zach says. “We built the model around what we kept hearing — they wanted clarity, not complexity.”
Every element of Buildstone’s delivery is handled in-house. No contractors. No white-label vendors. No vague deliverables. Just a lean, specialized team focused on giving builders better conversations, better clients, and a better pipeline they can trust.
The Future of Custom Builder Growth
As more homebuilders rethink how they manage demand, Buildstone’s systems are quickly becoming an effective solution for those who want to grow without losing control. “We’re not trying to be everything to everyone,” Zach says. “We’re here for the builders who are serious about scaling – and want a clearer path to get there.”
For custom homebuilders ready to shift from chaos to clarity, Buildstone Collective offers something increasingly rare: a system that runs quietly in the background, a team that stands behind its work, and a structure that turns potential into real opportunity.
To learn more about Buildstone Collective’s territory availability and system installation, visit buildstonecollective.com.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Buildstone Collective or any affiliated individuals or organizations. All information provided is accurate to the best of the author’s knowledge at the time of publication. Buildstone Collective is not responsible for any errors or omissions, nor for the outcomes of implementing any strategies mentioned. The company offers its services on a performance-based model and does not guarantee specific results or outcomes for any client.
