At IBS 2025, Digs had the honor of hosting a powerhouse fireside chat featuring Mike Rowe and three forward-thinking custom home builders. It was a candid, eye-opening conversation about the real challenges builders face today—and the powerful role AI and technology can play in solving them.
If you weren’t in the room, this is your chance to catch the highlights—and trust us, you’ll want to stick around for all of them.
👉 Watch the full panel discussion here!
Why This Conversation Mattered
Labor shortages. Rising costs. Margin pressure. Builders everywhere are feeling it. And yet, there’s also momentum—signs that the ship is turning. As Mike Rowe revealed during the discussion, applications for trade programs are up 10x over last year, a clear indicator that the next generation is starting to rediscover the value of the trades.
Mike, best known as the creator and host of Dirty Jobs and The Way I Heard It podcast, also founded the mikeroweWORKS Foundation to help close the skills gap. He brought his usual wit and wisdom to the table—along with some hard truths about what’s at stake if we don’t act now.
Tech + Trades: Real-World Solutions from Real Builders
Alongside Mike were three custom builders from across the U.S., each offering a unique lens on how innovation is reshaping their businesses:
- Nathan Walters of MassaRossa Custom Homes, who’s integrating AI to better manage selections and client communication
- Vince Longo of Longo Custom Builders, who uses Digs to improve client trust and streamline pre-con workflows
- Matt Green of Frontlight Building Co., who’s turning post-build warranty into a growth engine using DigsCare
These builders didn’t just talk theory—they shared real-world examples of how platforms like Digs help them:
✔️ Save hours every week by reducing back-and-forth
✔️ Collaborate more clearly with subs, clients, and vendors
✔️ Use AI to auto-suggest supporting docs for warranty issues
✔️ Deliver a digital handoff that protects margins and drives referrals
Highlights You Don’t Want to Miss
- What shipbuilding teaches us about training the next generation of tradespeople
- How the tragic LA fires could redefine material standards and codes nationwide
- How a musician became a “rock star” in the trades—and why stories like his matter
- How builders are already using Digs AI to resolve warranty tickets faster and improve homeowner experience
Watch the Full Fireside Chat
If you build homes, this conversation is for you.
Whether you’re struggling with labor, tech adoption, or rising homeowner expectations, this video offers hard-earned insight, humor, and practical advice from those leading the charge.
👉 Watch the full panel discussion and discover how today’s builders are navigating tomorrow’s challenges—with smarter tools, better systems, and a renewed sense of purpose.
