Our Journey: A Conversation of Values and Vision on the Punch List Podcast
As part of the Riverside Homes family, our custom division focuses on creating personalized homes that meet the unique needs and lifestyles of our clients. The owners of Riverside Homes, Matt Roberts and Chris Wood, recently had the opportunity to share our story on The Punch List Podcast, where the duo discussed their journey, vision, and what has made Riverside Homes a success in the homebuilding industry. Riverside Homes Custom’s President, Matt Birdwell, is among one of the three co-hosts on the podcast who dive deeper into the world of custom home building and remodeling.
Building from the Ground Up
Riverside Homes Custom emerged from the foundation built by Riverside Homes, which started with a small model home office in Durbin Crossing. Wood shared, “This close-knit environment allowed us to develop a strong company culture centered on excellence and customer care. Through hands-on experience in sales, customer relations, and construction, we gained invaluable insights that have shaped our approach to homebuilding.”
Leadership and Learning
Matt Roberts and Chris Wood highlighted how their leadership experiences, including Chris’s time as past President of Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA), have shaped the company’s approach to homebuilding. These roles taught them valuable lessons in time management, organizational dynamics, and the importance of industry engagement, all of which continue to influence the company’s daily operations and strategic planning.
Evolving Our Vision
Over the past 12 years, Riverside Homes has evolved to include a neighborhood/production division, a custom home division, and a commercial division. This transformation was driven by the desire to meet diverse customer needs and offer personalized solutions. Wood expressed, “We recognized the potential in custom homes early on after our success in Atlantic Beach Country Club. We brought in Matt Birdwell to lead this division, which has become a significant part of our business.”
Exploring New Opportunities in Commercial Construction
Our venture into commercial construction began with a developer’s request to build a single plat project. This opportunity prompted us to establish a separate commercial entity, allowing us to expand our services to include commercial projects. Under the leadership of Andrew Pu, a long-time friend of Wood and accomplished builder, our commercial division is now flourishing, with projects ranging from a Starbucks office to amenity center.
Community Commitment: Home from the Heart
Giving back to the community is at the core of our mission. Our recent involvement in the “Home from the Heart,” project in collaboration with Builders Care, reflects this commitment. As a non-profit and charitable arm of NEFBA, Builders Care provides cost-effective construction to the elderly, the disabled and other nonprofits throughout Northeast Florida. All proceeds from the sale of the ‘Home from the Heart’ are directed to Builders Care. This serves as a profoundly significant fundraiser for the organization, contributing a substantial portion to their annual budget. By generously providing discounted labor and/or products for the home’s construction, our valued network of trade partners and suppliers allowed us to boost the home’s profit and further support Builders Care’s mission with a record-breaking donation of $214,000.
Building Strong Relationships
At Riverside Homes, we believe that building lasting relationships is key to our success. Whether with customers, trade partners, or the broader community, we prioritize trust and collaboration. This approach has made us a preferred choice for homebuyers and partners, and it continues to drive our growth and success. To listen to the full episode of the Punch List podcast, visit Episode 33: Values & Vision – Riverside Homes.