How a Builder Created His Own AI-Powered Construction Operating System

By combining strategic partnerships, marketing, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

To create additional revenue opportunities and diversify the business.

AI can help improve communication, estimating, project management, and daily operations.

Technology helps builders improve efficiency, streamline processes, and serve clients more effectively.

By adopting new technology, improving processes, and staying open to innovation.

Growth comes from solving problems, building strong systems, and continually learning.

Jesse Sampley (00:04.583)

Yeah, you feel good? You good to go? Yeah. All right. Well, Mike, welcome to the show. This is the Meridian Pursuit Builders Podcast Show and you know we're excited for you to be on the to be on here and and share your time with us. Would you give our listeners just a a brief overview of of what kind of company you have, where you're located and what different types of projects you guys are doing here? Absolutely.

Mike Baruh (00:09.537)

Yeah, just

Mike Baruh (00:30.826)

Absolutely. Thank first of all, thank you very much for inviting me to this podcast. so my name is Mike Baru and I am the general contractor of MIBH construction for the past eight years. and last year we also added in our portfolio the roofing license.

Jesse Sampley (00:33.426)

First of all, thank you very much for inviting me to this podcast. so my name is Mike Baru and I am the general contractor of MIBH construction for the past eight years. and last year we also added in our portfolio the roofing license. wow. So now we are

Mike Baruh (01:00.392)

So now we are general contractor and a roofer also. and we do commercial and also residential. We deal with we can deal with mansions and we can deal with warehouses. we have a very broad branding and and also teams that work with us. we have access to a lot of subs.

Jesse Sampley (01:02.561)

general contractor and a roofer also. and we do commercial and also residential. We deal with we can deal with mansions and we can deal with warehouses. we have a very broad branding and and also teams that work with us. we have access to a lot of subs so whenever we have a good job

Mike Baruh (01:28.918)

So whenever we have a good job we go there and we we bid it, we we we get awarded and then we we go to the to do to build the project.

Jesse Sampley (01:32.273)

we go there and we we bid it, we we we get awarded and then we we go to the to do to build the project. Wow good for you guys. Why the why the decision to did you guys acquire another roofing company or did you start a new ro roofing company? So very interesting question actually because what happened is that while we were building houses we were using roofers

Mike Baruh (01:51.05)

So very interesting question actually because what happened is that while we were building houses we were using roofers and the quality of the the job was not to our quality level, the standard level that we are expecting from them. And so it's exactly like how I started to be a general contractor. I'm gonna backtrack

Jesse Sampley (02:02.289)

and the quality of the the job was not to our quality level the standard level that we are expecting from them and so it's exactly like how I started to be a general contractor. I'm gonna backtrack. Yeah tell me the story the story how it all started about

Mike Baruh (02:20.757)

a little bit so that you the story how it all started. about twenty twelve to yeah so twenty twelve I was broke and I had friends that wanted to invest that had money from overseas and so I I found a wholesaler of properties

Jesse Sampley (02:31.055)

Yeah, so 2012 I was broke and I had friends that wanted to invest that had money from overseas and so I I found a wholesaler of properties that sold me a lot of dreams and told me that there was quick money. But at the time it was it was not that bad. So we

Mike Baruh (02:49.483)

that sold me a lot of dreams and told me that there was a quick money. But at the time it was it was not that bad. So we get one deal with a friend of mine. I make a good partnership with with them where I don't put any money but I do all the work for free. And then at the end we share profits. And so we started. So we acquired the first house

Jesse Sampley (03:00.985)

get one deal with a friend of mine. I make a good partnership with with them where I don't put any money but I do all the work for free. And then at the end we share profits. And so we started. So we acquired the the first house. I found some guy on Facebook to do the the contractor that was calling himself a contractor and surely enough

Mike Baruh (03:17.513)

I found some guy on Facebook to do the the contractor that was calling himself a contractor. And surely enough after one month the guy disappears. Welcome to Miami, welcome to the general contractor world. and and then the people that were working for him

Jesse Sampley (03:30.336)

After one month the guy disappears. No. Welcome to Miami. Welcome to the general contractor world and and then the people that were working for him contacting me asking me, Mike, can you pay us? I said, Well, what do you mean can you pay us? I I already paid your your your boss. Yeah, but he did not pay us.

Mike Baruh (03:47.832)

contacting me, asking me, Mike, can you pay us? I said, Well, what do you mean can you pay us? I I already paid your your your boss. Yeah, but he did not pay us. What do you mean he did not pay you? I paid him. yeah, well he did not pay us. Would you like would you like to to pay us and we continue the job? So I said, you know what? Now the guy is not answering. I have no I I I I don't have any clue of

Jesse Sampley (03:59.693)

What do you mean? no. I paid him. yeah, well he did not pay us. Would you like would you like to to pay us and we continue the job? So I said, you know what? Now the guy is not answering. I have n I I I I don't have any clue of how to make how to put a you know a nail on the on the wall. So let me let me try that route. I I have

Mike Baruh (04:17.399)

how to make how to put a you know a nail on the on the wall so let me let me try that route i i have a responsibility with my friend that that you know invested in me he did it only for me now i cannot you know go go bankrupt on this on this first house first first project and so i decided to go ahead and and start paying them every week

Jesse Sampley (04:26.839)

a responsibility with my friend that that you know invested in me he did it only for me now I cannot you know go go bankrupt on this on this first house first first project and so I decided to go ahead and and start paying them every week and then we started with this one we finished it

Mike Baruh (04:46.699)

And then we started with this one, we finished it, we sold it at a very good percentage, yeah. We made like fifty grand. And so we we did a few of those. Then I found out that you know every time I was getting like what they all do here in Miami, they get the contractor to sign to qualify for the project, you pay them and that's it. It's very bad, very, very bad. You don't do that.

Jesse Sampley (04:50.092)

We sold it at a very good percentage, yeah. We made like fifty grand. wow. And so we we did a few of those. Then I found out that you know every time I was getting like what they all do here in Miami, they get the contractor to sign to qualify for the project, you pay them and that's it. It's very bad. Very, very bad. They don't do that. this is this is not good.

Mike Baruh (05:16.661)

this is this is not good. So I decided why why don't I just take my classes and take the course and the exam and and pass it. I didn't know what was this all about, but I said let me try. So it was three tests of of five hours each, with open books and so

Jesse Sampley (05:19.899)

So I decided why why don't I just take my classes and take the course and the exam and and pass it. I didn't know what was this all about, but I said let me try. So it was three tests of of five hours each with open books and so I got it.

Mike Baruh (05:47.085)

I got it. After I mean all the three tests I got it or two tests I got it the first time and the third one I had to take it one more time, but I got it. So that was good. And so in twenty eighteen I became a general contractor. And that's that's how I started to get to continue doing job for myself, okay, and to build and to

Jesse Sampley (05:48.799)

After I mean all the three tests I got it or two tests I got it the first time and the third one I had to take it one more time but I got it. So that was good. And so in 2018 I became a general contractor. Wow. And that's that's how I started to get to continue doing job for myself, okay, and to build and to renovate and to flip

Mike Baruh (06:15.232)

renovate and to flip until twenty twenty nineteen at the end of nineteen I joined venture with a friend of mine that was general contractor also at the time and we decided to merge forces and to go into the luxury market and he had the clients and I had the knowledge. I forgot also to mention that when I started I wanted to do the

Jesse Sampley (06:18.35)

until twenty twenty, nineteen, at the end of nineteen, I joint ventures with a friend of mine that was general contractor also at the time, and we decided to merge forces and to go into the luxury market and he had the clients and I had the knowledge. I forgot also to mention that when I started I wanted to do the the crazy houses.

Mike Baruh (06:45.378)

The crazy houses. When I w when I used to make videos on Facebook, guys, this is heavy duty, heavy duty. I I used to say heavy duty in all my videos because when I started I wanted the the hardest ones that nobody wanted to take, which was the fire damage homes. Nobody wants to take them. I took them. and then I took the the ones with mold everywhere to a point where

Jesse Sampley (06:48.021)

When I w w when I used to make videos on Facebook, guys this is heavy duty, heavy duty. I I used to say heavy duty in all my videos because when I started I wanted the the hardest ones that nobody wanted to take, which was the fire damage homes. Nobody wants to take them. I took them. and then I took the the ones with mold everywhere to a point where the fans

Mike Baruh (07:15.078)

the fans when when we got into the I think the fans were just bent from the mold. It was mold everywhere. yeah, water damage, homes, all of those crazy houses that nobody wants them, I took them. And so so I had the knowledge, he had the clients and we decided to and and also the not only the the knowledge but also the the the subs and and

Jesse Sampley (07:16.703)

when when we got into the I think the fans were just bent in the mould. It was mold everywhere. my gosh. yeah. water damage, homes, all of those crazy houses that nobody wants them, I took them. And so so I had the knowledge, he had the clients and we sent it to and and also the not only the the knowledge but also the the the subs and and and the crews and and

Mike Baruh (07:43.094)

and the crews and and cheaper labor than what people charge on on better zip codes I would say. so we decided

Jesse Sampley (07:46.942)

cheaper labor than what people charge on on better zip codes I would say. Yeah.  and you probably kept a lot of the relationships from earlier on too, just by treating those guys right and paying and keeping busy with work. Correct. Correct. Exactly. So that's what that's what happened. When when when you build that trust with with your subs and you treat them good, then you get the reward one way or another. Yeah.

Mike Baruh (08:02.734)

Correct. Correct. Exactly. So that's what that's what happened. When when when you build that trust with with your subs and you treat them good, then you get a reward one way or another. and when you on the on the opposite side, when you try to squeeze them, they just they they I mean what I tell also the clients is that there is no there is no how can I tell that?

Jesse Sampley (08:15.974)

And when you on the on the opposite side, when you try to squeeze them, they just they they I mean what I tell also the clients is that there is no there is no how can I tell that? it's mathematics at the end of the day, you know? you can you you can try to to bend mathematics but it will always come back

Mike Baruh (08:33.12)

It's mathematics at the end of the day, you know. you can you you can try to to bend mathematics, but it will always come back to the reality of things, you know. If somebody's gonna tell you that you can do a bathroom for three thousand dollars, it's imp it's impossible. Like it it it it doesn't exist. It's not the the the the labor, it's not the material, it's there's nothing in there. So when he says that, either he needs money from you.

Jesse Sampley (08:42.483)

To the reality of things, you know, if somebody's gonna tell you that you can do a bathroom for three thousand dollars, it's imp it's impossible. It's not the material, it's there's nothing in there. So when he says that, either he needs money from you and you will never hear from him again. or

Mike Baruh (09:01.75)

And you will never hear from him again. or or he will use your money to pay another project that is already behind. And then when is the time that you're gonna get pissed and you're gonna threaten him, then he's gonna do the same thing to the next one. So it's it's it's a scheme. and and and at the end of the day it's it's basic math. So if if the number don't make sense, then

Jesse Sampley (09:06.854)

Or he will use your money to pay another project that is already behind. Yeah. And then when is the time that you're gonna get pissed and you're gonna threaten him, then he's gonna do the same thing to the next one. Yeah. So it's it's it's a scheme. and

and at the end of the day it's it's a basic map. So if if the number don't make sense, then either the the the owner with the client will lose money or the contractor slash handyman will lose money. We can't compete with that. Right. In our industry we can't compete with handyman type of

Mike Baruh (09:31.572)

Either the the the owner will the client will lose money or the contractor slash handyman will lose money. We can't compete with that. In our industry we can't compete with handyman type of things. We're generally contractor, we have the we have to pay the general liability, we have to pay the workers camp, we have to pay everything. And so the cost associated with

Jesse Sampley (09:46.659)

Yeah. We're generally on the contractor, we have the we have to pay the general liability, we have to pay the workers, we have to pay everything. Some builders have told me they say they say the price is what protects the work because you have to have you know, you can't just pay your subs cheaper.

So, you know, if you want to keep your people, you have to price jobs a certain way just so that you can protect the job and get the highest quality or the the quality that you yeah standard that you hold for yourself. But I interrupted you. So you said, you know, you guys decide, you and it you and this real estate partner decide to kind of go towards the the luxury side of business. You have all of the subs you need, you have all of the know-how to do it.

Mike Baruh (10:10.488)

Yeah.

Jesse Sampley (10:27.664)

You know what what happened then? This was around you said twenty nineteen, twenty twenty? Yeah, end of nineteen th I mean just before COVID. Okay. So we got into this market. we got our our first house in Miami Beach and plans approved, everything perfect. We did it, we got it awarded, we started the job and then COVID hits. but we were

Mike Baruh (10:31.778)

Yeah, end of nineteen th I mean just before COVID. So we got into this market. we got our our first house in Miami Beach and plans approved, everything perfect, we bid it, we get it awarded, we start the job and then COVID hits. but we were lucky enough that the city did not close the construction jobs. so we continued.

Jesse Sampley (10:54.55)

Lucky enough that the city did not close the construction jobs. so we continued at a pace that was very slow. The owner understood that. but we continued, we continued. We were a little bit over the the time, but it was

Mike Baruh (11:01.546)

at a pace that was very slow. The owner understood that. But we continued, we continued. We were a little bit over the the time, but it was 10 times better than anybody else in the in our industry at the time. So we've we were able to finish it. Then we got another job in 2021. We finished in 2022. Then in 2022 we got another job.

Jesse Sampley (11:16.857)

ten times better than anybody else in in our industry at the time. So we've we were able to finish it. Then we got another job in twenty twenty one. We finished in twenty twenty two. Then in twenty twenty two we got another job. We got about five, six big houses. The latest one is one in Bal Harbor, an eleven thousand square feet home. Wow in what we call the

Mike Baruh (11:31.042)

We got about five, six big houses. The latest one is one in Bal Harbor, an eleven thousand square feet home. in what we call the Ball Harbor Village. It's like a very secluded secluded area. and it's like eleven million dollar budget of construction. so that's like the best that we have in our portfolio.

Jesse Sampley (11:44.447)

It's like a very seclud secluded area. and it's like eleven million dollar budget of construction. so that's like the best that we have in our portfolio. Amazing. Amazing. Yeah. So that kind of brings you guys up to you so today. you know what tell me a little bit about the

you know, kind of the the inner workings of of the company, you know, what what kind of is really driving you guys forward as far as you know being able to find these luxury homes? Are you still start still in partnership with this with the real estate? i is he a real estate agent? Actually the the house in Balabo was our final job

Mike Baruh (12:26.486)

So actually the the house in Balhabo was our final job. we are still working but in different scenario where whenever there is a this was a pure partnership where we were just sharing the profits at the end. Now it's more of me doing the job and like a regular sub. before

Jesse Sampley (12:35.158)

Okay. we are still working but in different scenario where whenever there is a this was a pure partnership where we were just sharing the profits at the end. Now it's more of me doing the job and like a regular sub. Yeah. before it was it was a a regular partnership. So it it worked out better for both of us. and

Mike Baruh (12:54.452)

it was it was a a regular partnership. So it it worked out better for both of us. and and that's the new system that we we got and because of that we are we are doing more jobs and he's giving me more jobs than one because we can do more.

Jesse Sampley (13:02.955)

And that's the new system that we we got. And because of that we are we are doing more jobs and he's giving me more jobs than one because we can do more. That seems like a pretty a pretty strategic partnership then. You know, as far as you know, a lot of the times

You know, the the challenge is is you know, where are we finding the work? You know, is it coming from referrals, is it coming from ads, is it coming from networking? You know, where where are these jobs coming from? Well very good very good question. The back then up until a few like a year ago, it was pure work to mouth working on

Mike Baruh (13:37.945)

Well, very good very good question. The back then up until a few like a year ago it was pure word to mouth working on his side to bring clients from owners rep because that's how it works in this world. and and that was perfectly fine at the time. I

Jesse Sampley (13:53.131)

decide to bring clients from owners rep because that's how

and and that was perfectly fine at the time. I is he's a little bit older than me, so for him he's not into getting more jobs. I wanted to get more and more jobs. So when we decided to to change the structure of it

Mike Baruh (14:06.688)

He he's a little bit older than me. So for him he's not into getting more jobs. I wanted to get more and more jobs. So when we decided to to change the structure of it, I can get other jobs. And so when I started to get into that mode, I started to invest a lot of money in Facebook, in Meta, which is Facebook, Meta, Instagram.

Jesse Sampley (14:23.015)

I can get other jobs. And so when I started to get into that mode, I started to invest a lot of money in Facebook, in Meta, which is Facebook, Meta, Instagram, that's what I meant. And then Google also. And also hiring marketing agencies that will set us up with appointments. And

Mike Baruh (14:36.14)

that's what I meant and then Google also and also hiring marketing agencies that will set us up with appointments and paid appointments so that means that every time that I we go to a client and we we sit down then that's what they get the money for and because of the

Jesse Sampley (14:52.648)

paid appointments. So that means that every time that I we go to a client and we we sit down, then that's what they get the money for. and because of the the fact that we wanted to scale, I wanted to scale, not him. So that's why I decided to to go that route because word to mouth is not is not scalable unfortunately.

Mike Baruh (15:04.322)

The fact that we wanted to scale, I wanted to scale, not him. so that's why I decided to to go that route, because word to mouth is not is not scalable unfortunately.

Jesse Sampley (15:19.707)

Yeah. It's just it's an easier sell sales process because people already come to the table almost willing to do the work immediately because it's such a strong you're not having to build as much trust. And this is what we found 'cause like we've we do a lot with with different builders and in a lot of different industries. And it's like if if people's never heard of you and then they're seeing an ad, you've gotta you have to build the the trust somehow.

You know, and and a lot of that comes down to, you know, how you're communicating and making sure the website looks good and making sure when they call you on the phone that it all matches and and makes sense. But it can take such a long time that you know it's you know, good for you, but i it's hard to kinda see f far down that line to say, Man, eventually this is going to work But you know, I know that we can't scale by just, you know, one person every single year. We have to get we have to do more than that.

Mike Baruh (16:17.39)

Correct.

Jesse Sampley (16:17.708)

when did you when did you hire that that marketing agency and how has that been since as far as you know actually getting more jobs to build on top of your referrals? Has that been a success? So I see a story in here. You you laugh because there's a story in here. There is there's almost story. that

Mike Baruh (16:30.102)

So so funny it's you say that that

There is there's a loss story. that marketing agency is is a is is is a mistake, is more like those marketing agencies. 'cause I'm the type of guy that just runs and and go and jump and then see what happens. And I got burnt a lot of times. I got burnt a lot. I started back in September of last year.

Jesse Sampley (16:46.008)

agency is is a is is is a mistake is more like those marketing agencies yeah because I'm the type of guy that just runs and and go and jump and then see what happens and I got burnt a lot of times I got burnt a lot I started back in September of last year

Mike Baruh (17:13.41)

And I've hired maybe if well I've interviewed more than forty marketing agencies and I've hired maybe twenty of them. And little by little you know one doesn't work out, one doesn't bring me enough leads, and and they just come out by themselves. And I now I work with a core of maybe

Jesse Sampley (17:14.055)

and I've hired maybe if well I've interviewed more than forty marketing agencies. wow and I've hired maybe twenty of them. And little by little you know one doesn't work out, one doesn't bring me enough leads. and

And they just come out by themselves. And I now I work with a core of maybe three or four marketing agencies that that are providing me with with leads or appointments or any any other type. For example, I told you earlier that I'm also doing commercial roofing. Yes. so there's a whole commercial world that I did not know before that you can get clients

Mike Baruh (17:41.263)

three or four marketing agencies that that are providing me with with leads or appointments or any any other type. For example, I told you earlier that I'm also doing commercial roofing. so there's a whole commercial world that I did not know before that you can get clients from LinkedIn, from a database of property owners or or real estate agents.

Jesse Sampley (18:05.552)

from LinkedIn, from a database of property owners or or real estate agents and start you know sending emails with AI. Yeah. And and that's why so I've hired a company that does that, that just you know get the message out and then wait for an answer and then give it to me. So there's a whole process that happens

Mike Baruh (18:11.254)

and start you know sending emails with AI and and that's why so I've hired a company that does that that just you know get the message out and then wait for an answer and then give it to me. So there's a whole process that happens ahead of time that you know they they they just put an an AI and send emails

Jesse Sampley (18:34.121)

ahead of time that you know they they they just put an an AI and send emails, see w who who which one sticks and gets an answer and then relay that to me which is a good a good way to start relationship it's it's a longer yeah longer sales cycle that way. Yeah. Yeah. On the shorter term

Mike Baruh (18:39.52)

see what who which one sticks and gets an answer and then relay that to me which is a good a good way to start relationship it's it's a longer term strategy yeah on the shorter term I hired another company that is doing

Jesse Sampley (19:03.094)

I hired another company that is doing that that also put an AI on building platforms and so

Mike Baruh (19:08.854)

that that also put an AI on building platforms and so once once a a bid is is put out then I get notification from the notification they send emails go back and forth then they get the email from them and get started into this process. so it's very I mean I love I love technology if I show you

Jesse Sampley (19:17.48)

Once a a once a a bid is is put out, then I get notification. From the notification they send emails, go back and forth, then they get the email from them and get started into this process. so it's very I mean I love I love technology. If I show you I don't know if can I share the the screen here or no? I don't think you can on here.

Mike Baruh (19:37.228)

I don't know if can I share the the screen here or no?

Mike Baruh (19:42.43)

too bad because I I I got involved in AI in s from September and s share no there is a share button.

Jesse Sampley (19:43.659)

Too bad because I I I got involved in AI in s from September. And s share no there isn't share button. Yeah there is. There is that you just have to allow your system

Mike Baruh (19:58.03)

Hold on.

See? 'Cause I would love to to show you. I'm so I'm so impressed.

Jesse Sampley (20:02.035)

See? 'Cause I would love to to show you. I'm so I'm so impressed. You have to show us your toys. Yeah.

Mike Baruh (20:10.562)

Yes, I can.

Jesse Sampley (20:27.072)

Yeah, this will be a this will be a first time for this podcast doing a a screen share. We'll see if this works. What's it?

Mike Baruh (20:33.709)

Yeah.

Ooh. Okay.

Jesse Sampley (20:36.768)

Ooh. It's okay, just yeah. Okay. So I built this

Mike Baruh (20:40.792)

So I built this

This entire CRM I built it with cloud, cloud code. and this and this is like the top of the line of of what I was expecting from a CRM. So I give exactly every all my needs. I I put it in and then it gets it gets into the system. So every every day I I like refine it. So this is for example

Jesse Sampley (20:46.23)

This entire CRM I built it with cloud. Cloud code. Amazing. and this and this is like the top of the line of of what I was expecting from a CRM. So I give exactly every all my needs. I I put it in and then it gets

it gets into the system. So every every day I I like refining. So this is for example my goal, okay, not in sales, in profit. Yeah. this is the the the very confidential but okay. Then you get the daily logs. So here is for the projects that are ongoing it tells me that I have four logs that I need to do today.

Mike Baruh (21:15.754)

my goal okay not in sales in profit this is the the the very confidential but okay then you get the daily logs so here it's for the projects that are ongoing it tells me that I have four logs that I need to do today to to send clients but it's not it's not just that when you go when I'm gonna show you the daily logs it's it's like

Jesse Sampley (21:36.993)

to to send clients. But it's not it's not just that. When you go when I'm gonna show you the daily logs, it's it's like it's like what I had in the contractor format, what you have in Builder Trend, I combined everything that I wanted to have, plus more, and now I have also the CRM from go high level. Yeah it's all in there. So if you go to you go to client

Mike Baruh (21:45.643)

It's like what I had in the contractor format, what you have in Builder Trend. I combined everything that I wanted to have plus more. And now I have also the CRM from go high level. It's all in there. So if you go to if you go to client, monk so those are my clients. So that's like the CRM. Okay, then you go for example, let's say here, I want to show you this one.

Jesse Sampley (22:06.184)

Okay, so those are my clients. So that's like the CRM. Okay, then you go, for example, let's say here, I want to show you this one for example. Okay, so this you got into the client's portal, and you got the different tabs in there, for example, you get the invoices. So whenever I need to send an invoice, all of that was done.

Mike Baruh (22:16.622)

Okay, so this you got into the client's portal and you got the different tabs. In there, for example, you got the invoices. So whenever I need to send an invoice, all of that was done literally by coding. I don't know nothing about code. It's like when I started the general contractor, I didn't know anything. Same thing here. I just code.

Jesse Sampley (22:33.406)

Literally by coding. I don't know nothing about coding. It's like when I started the general contract, I didn't know anything. Same thing here. This is incredible. So you did you built all of this with with Claude. All this. All of this. Amazing. It's unbelievable. If you go and then you look at the preview, it's it's like a whole pay up pla payment application. It it's insane. It's like it's it's on steroid this thing.

Mike Baruh (22:44.71)

all of this. All of this. It's unbelievable. If you go and then you look at the preview, it's it's like a whole pay up payment application. It's insane. It's like it's on steroid this thing. then you get the change orders. The change orders you you get the you know you can send a change order from this it goes into a

Jesse Sampley (23:02.335)

then you get the change orders. The change orders you you get you know you can send a change order from this it goes into a a an email, okay, it pops up the window here to to send the email, then you can view it

Mike Baruh (23:13.422)

an email okay it it pops up the window here to to send the email then you can view it this with the signature approved the time when it was accepted yesterday okay with with the IP then you get it's so it's unbelievable like print statement so for example now I can see also what was invoiced

Jesse Sampley (23:24.348)

this with the signature approved the time when it was accepted yesterday okay with the with the IP then you get it's so it's unbelievable like print statement so for example now I can see also what was invoice what are the change orders what are the payments and what's the balance so it it tracks everything on the financial side then

Mike Baruh (23:43.565)

What are the change orders? What are the payments? And what's the balance? So it tracks everything on the financial side. Then you go in here, and this is like all my costs. So you go to here, you go to subcontractors, and you see how much I paid for each of them. And then you see the profit.

Jesse Sampley (23:54.777)

You go in here and this is like all my costs. So you go to here, you go to subcontractors, and you see how much I paid for each of them and then you see the profit. How long did this take to build out? It it doesn't take that long, but it's a lot of refining.

Mike Baruh (24:11.194)

And it it doesn't take that long, but it's a lot of refining because every time every time you're gonna think of something else, let me add this, let me add that. So when when I want to say let me add this or let me add that, I go to my terminal and then I I start typing it, this is what I want, blah blah blah blah blah blah, and then it starts putting it together. also I wanted to have all the communications in one

Jesse Sampley (24:18.403)

Right. Because every time you're gonna think of something else, let me add this, let me add that. So when when I want to say let me add this or let me add that, I go to my terminal and then I I start typing it, this is what I want, blah blah blah blah blah blah, and then it starts putting it together. also I wanted to have all the communications in one tab. So whenever an email is sent, we can track it here, it's there.

Mike Baruh (24:40.984)

tab. So whenever an email is sent, we can track it here. It's there. The daily logs. another one. for this one I didn't do a daily log, but I wanna show you in here it's it's freaking unbelievable. So

Jesse Sampley (24:47.12)

The daily logs, another one. for this one I didn't do a daily log, but I wanna show you in here it's it's freaking unbelievable. So so when I create a daily log, you have the PDF here. And this is being sent to the clients with okay, so this one doesn't have any pictures. I wanna show you one with pictures.

Mike Baruh (25:01.208)

So when I create a daily log, you have the PDF here. And this is being sent to the clients with okay, so this one doesn't have any pictures. I want to show you one with pictures. It also tells you whenever the client opens it, opened. Okay. Let's see if this one no, this one also. Hold on. I want to show you one with some pictures.

Jesse Sampley (25:16.43)

It also tells you whenever the client opens it, open. Okay? Let's see if this one no, this one also hold on. I wanna show you one with some pictures.

Mike Baruh (25:32.642)

See so now you have the pictures, you click and I have the picture because I wasn't happy with with just the the

Jesse Sampley (25:33.467)

See so now you have the pictures, you click and they have the picture because I wasn't happy with with just the the

Mike Baruh (25:46.093)

I wasn't happy with just this. It's too small. So okay, they receive it in a PDF format, but if I if I want them to open the the entire picture, so I I asked Claude, give it to me in large size.

Jesse Sampley (25:46.861)

I wasn't happy with just this. It's too small. Yeah. So okay, they receive it in a PDF format, but if I if I want them to open the the entire picture, so I I asked Claude, give it to me in large size. And when it sends these updates, this is an an email form that it's going to your clients? Yeah. Wow.

Mike Baruh (26:07.5)

Yeah. Yeah.

Jesse Sampley (26:11.384)

So what is this what has this done for your company? You know, one I can see that it's you know, just in your brain this is able for you to organize. But you know, it also I'm sure there's a on just a customer experience side, this is just a in a and a subcontractor. it's an unbelievable selling tool for the for for us to get clients. You know, a lot of the a lot of the conversations I've had with builders, you know, they they talk about AI and they, you know, they're excited about it. I've I've never heard

Mike Baruh (26:21.25)

This is this is a

Mike Baruh (26:25.368)

This is an an unbelievable this is an unbelievable selling tool for the for for us to get clients. And and

Jesse Sampley (26:41.347)

And and definitely have never seen such a practical application of it in the everyday everyday use like this. ten percent of what I d l listen to this subs. So now so now I ask because I received bids and I send bits, so all of this is my my

Mike Baruh (26:47.522)

You you you don't even understand ten percent of what I listen to this subs. So now so now I ask because I received bids and I send bids, so all of this is my my email getting parsed to get all the information

Jesse Sampley (27:10.035)

email getting parsed to get all the information from those subs and then I can add them into the division that I want them to be added to and then it becomes a sub. Now what I do whenever I have some estimates to be to be sent and I need to to send to a a division let's say I want to send for

Mike Baruh (27:17.102)

From those subs, and then I can add them into the division that I want them to be added to, and then it becomes a sub. Now, what I do whenever I have some estimates to be to be sent, and I need to send to a division, let's say I want to send for let's say roofers. Okay, so I go to division seven, I have all my roofers here.

Jesse Sampley (27:39.692)

let's say roofers. Okay? So I go to division seven. I have all my roofers here. What I do, I ask what is it? Okay. What I do here, I ask him

Mike Baruh (27:46.242)

What I do I ask what is it? Okay. What I do here, I ask him.

Second. Copy thirty two emails.

Jesse Sampley (27:58.306)

Copy 32 emails. So it's gonna copy all the 32 emails. Then send email. Then you have all the emails here in BCC. And this is the pop-up window I was talking to you about. You just plug in the link. Okay, here.

Mike Baruh (28:00.974)

So it's gonna copy all the 32 emails, then send email, then you have all the emails here in BCC, and this is the pop-up window I was talking to you about. You just plug in the link, okay, here.

And then you attach the file or whatever and then you send it done.

Jesse Sampley (28:20.777)

And then you attach the file or whatever and then you send it dumb. Wow.

Mike Baruh (28:26.774)

And then you send it to 32 people, and then and then you get you get answers. Now this is not finished. When I send estimates now, it's I can do it on the fly. I have already pre-built templates that I created. So if I want custom home final mid-range or custom home final high end, I go to here and this is already for let's say 11,000 square feet.

Jesse Sampley (28:27.477)

And then you send it to thirty two people and then and then you get you get answers. Now this is not finished. When I send estimates now, it's I can do it on the flight. I have already pre built template that I created. So if I want custom home final mid range or custom home final high end, I go to here and this is already for let's say eleven thousand square feet. It's got the logic built into it so that you can just put in what what

What different factors are you putting in? Like the see the square footage?

Mike Baruh (29:02.92)

footage duration is the main two five the two main factors okay but then after you still need to do a little bit of tweaking because it's not gonna be the same plan so you some have are gonna have some demo some will won't have any demo you know some is just a a a lot already that's that's empty a vacant lot but then you just open it shell the same thing you know and then I was not happy also sometimes

Jesse Sampley (29:03.573)

Per footage duration is the main two f the two main factors. Okay. But then after you still need to do a little bit of tweaking because it's not gonna be the same plan. So you some are are gonna have some demo, some w won't have any demo, you know. some is just a a lot already that's that's empty, a back end lot. but then you just open it, shell the same thing, you know. And then I was not happy also sometimes I don't wanna start typing everything for

Mike Baruh (29:30.326)

I don't want to start typing everything for concrete. So what I do, I I just said, let me give a lump sum in the in the header, and then it will apply everything for that division, division three. same thing for masonry. I can do I can do and then you know I said why why not do it for all of them? So now you see here lump sum, I d I don't have to ro to go line by line. It will just

Jesse Sampley (29:33.448)

For concrete. So what I do, I I just said, let me give a lump sum in the in the header, and then it will apply everything for that division, division three. Same thing for masonry. I can do I I can do and then you know I said why why not do it for all of them? So now

You see here lump sum, I d I don't have to ru to go line by line. It will just if you go here, I thought it's not finished. You're gonna see after that. then you can edit or save all. Okay, you can just edit all and then it pops up everything. Or you can do edit one by one the line. Then then

Mike Baruh (30:00.183)

If you go here I thought it's not finished. You're gonna see after that. then you can edit or save all. Okay, you can just edit all and then it pops up everything. Or you can do edit one by one the line. Then

Then okay, those are the main options. So now let's say I'm ready to send it. I go to PDF send, and now you have an entire PDF option to be sent to the client. So I want to choose to send a picture like this for the for the presentation page. Or I can send this. I can send any one of them. I can send, I can upload. See, first I I had some.

Jesse Sampley (30:20.786)

Okay, d those are the main options. So now let's say I'm ready to send it. I go to PDF send, and now you have an entire PDF option to be sent to the client. So I want to choose to send a picture like this for for the for the presentation page. Or can send this.

can send any one of them. I can send I can upload. See first I I had some and then I said why don't I upload any picture I want? So now I can upload and it will come here as an option. Do you have plans of reselling this software? I I'm I I swear that I I would love to. This is this is this is something that that is gonna make so many people happy

Mike Baruh (30:48.652)

And then I said, why don't I upload any picture I want? So now I can upload and it will come here as an option. Then

Mike Baruh (30:58.796)

I I'm I I swear that I I would love to. I'm telling you this is this is this is something that that is gonna make so many people happy and and to s to close a cell it's gonna be look, even here I went to the detail of sometimes the PDF was not giving me a good ratio on the on the pages.

Jesse Sampley (31:13.187)

and and to s to close the cell it's gonna be look even here I went to the detail of sometimes the PDF was not giving me a good ratio on the on the pages. So I said anytime I want you to skip and start the page

Mike Baruh (31:25.794)

So I said anytime I want you to skip and start the page for that specific division, you do it. So I can check or uncheck and look at the difference that it's gonna make. So now the division seven will start at a new page. So now when you go to preview,

Jesse Sampley (31:32.627)

for that specific division, you do it. So I can check or uncheck. And look at the difference that it's gonna make. So now the division seven will start at a new page. So now when you go to preview

Mike Baruh (31:47.436)

This is in minutes. So this is your picture.

Jesse Sampley (31:48.135)

This is in minutes. So this is your picture. Okay? The presentation page, scope of work, estimate summary for your custom h home. Incredible. Cost breakdown. I asked I had also to create that that pie chart.

Mike Baruh (31:53.679)

Okay, the presentation page, scope of work, estimate summary for your custom home, cross breakdown. I asked I had also to create that that pie chart.

I created the allowances because people don't understand allowances and they think that three point five or whatever it is, it's only coming into our into our pocket. No, so you have allowances and I explained the the the client, listen, you can you can up it or you can lower it. That's up to you. So so that's that's also something so I tell them out of that you have four hundred and seventy four thousand, you can play with it.

Jesse Sampley (32:10.074)

I created the allowances because people don't understand allowances and they think that three point five or whatever it is, it's only

coming into our into our pocket no. So you have allowances and I explained the the the client, listen you can you can up it or you can lower it, that's up to you. So so that's that's also something so I tell them out of that you have four hundred and seventy four thousand you can play with it. It's up to you. And now comes the estimate very detailed. You got the division header, you got the items per group and then you got all the amounts. And then look

Mike Baruh (32:37.656)

It's up to you. And now comes the estimate very detailed. You got the division header, you got the items per group, and then you got all the amounts. And then look at now what I told you. See, I left blank and seven is starting on a new page because I I instructed it to do it. Compared to I'm gonna do this.

Jesse Sampley (32:49.443)

Look at now what I told you. See, I left blank and seven is starting on a new page because I I instructed it to do it. Compared to I'm gonna do this. And here we just thought you were a general contractor. We didn't know you were a software developer. Mike go here. Mike, what what what else do we not know about you? I mean this is incredible stuff here. Yeah. You see seven started before and now

Mike Baruh (33:08.425)

I don't know either.

Mike Baruh (33:15.02)

Yeah, you see seven started before and now it's not good. So I I didn't like that. So that's why I I created so that the PDF goes into the the section that I wanted to. For example, you see now thirteen is is is very there's only one line. I don't want that. I want to skip thirteen to the next one. So I do this. Tac. And now look, all of a sudden

Jesse Sampley (33:19.0)

It's not good, so I I didn't like that. So that's why I I created so that the PDF goes into the section that I want it to. For example, you see now thirteen is is is very i there's only one line. I don't want that. Yeah. I want to script thirteen to the next one. So I do this. Tac.

Jesse Sampley (33:39.268)

All of us said then.

Mike Baruh (33:43.95)

Thirteen.

Jesse Sampley (33:44.654)

thirteen is starting on a new page. Wow. You know what you call this? You know what you call this? It's called a competitive advantage. Because the amount of time and the amount of team members it would take to be able to do something like this as quickly as you're being able to do it, I mean, it there's no comparison.

Mike Baruh (33:46.944)

Starting on the new page. In seconds.

Mike Baruh (33:58.808)

Absolutely.

Jesse Sampley (34:10.273)

And you know, you embracing I repeat at all all angles and if I show you if I show you also on on the problem that we had also was taking back in twenty twenty when we were doing all those bidd process, it used to take me two to three months to gather

Mike Baruh (34:10.37)

I reduced I reduced all all angles and if I show you if I show you also on on the problem that we had also was taking back in twenty twenty when we were doing all those bidding process it used to take me two to three months to gather to gather bits from the selves. They they're not necessarily waiting for you, they might be busy.

Jesse Sampley (34:32.684)

Gather bits from the subs. They're not necessarily waiting for you, they might be busy, they might you know you might have

Mike Baruh (34:37.41)

They might you know you might have asked them three times for bids and you didn't award them, so now they're pissed or they don't wanna bid anymore, they're tired of bidding and not getting the the job. So you get all of that and then you have to wait to present that your bid to the client. So you're stuck because you're missing one or two pieces and and because of the the two pieces, you can present it to your client, or you're gonna just make up a number.

Jesse Sampley (34:40.802)

them three times four bids and you didn't award them so now they're pissed or they don't want to bid anymore they're tired of bidding and not getting that the job so you get all of that and then you have to wait to present that your bid to the client. So you're stuck because you're missing one or two pieces and those of the two pieces you can't present it to your client or you're gonna just make up a number which is not good because you're still committed to it and you can't you can't get

Mike Baruh (35:04.844)

Which is not good because you're still committed to it and you can't you can't get out of it. so now with AI, I take the plants, I send it to AI, they give me the takeoffs of everything. Once I get that, I already know the price per linear fit of this or the price per light fixture to install. And so it's already plugged in into the the the system. So

Jesse Sampley (35:10.896)

It. So now with AI, I take the plans, I send it to AI, they give me the takeoffs of everything. Once I get that, I already know the price per linear fit of this or the price per light fixture to install, and so it's already plugged in into the system. So what happens is that

Mike Baruh (35:34.71)

What happens is that when I receive a bid, okay, and listen to this because this you're gonna be blown out. When I receive a bid.

Jesse Sampley (35:38.529)

When I receive a a bid okay, and listen to this 'cause this you're gonna be blown up. When I receive a bid

Mike Baruh (35:49.783)

where is it?

Mike Baruh (35:56.591)

This one doesn't happen. when I receive a bid, I'm gonna show you.

Jesse Sampley (36:00.2)

I'm gonna show you.

Mike Baruh (36:10.764)

When I receive a bid, it goes automatically to but I want to show you one that has some numbers.

Jesse Sampley (36:11.466)

When I receive a build, it goes automatically to but I want to show you one that has some numbers.

Mike Baruh (36:28.716)

This one. So when I receive a bid, it goes automatically with the backup of the estimate on the PDF format onto this tab. That's called SubsBids. And then per division, obviously. And then what happens is that it automatically feeds my bid to the client. And so my bid to the client has now

Jesse Sampley (36:29.064)

no, this one. So when I receive a bid, it goes automatically with the backup of the estimate on the PDF format onto this tab. That's called SubsBid. And then per division, obviously. And then what happens is that it automatically feeds my bid to the client. And so my bid to the client has now

Mike Baruh (36:58.348)

the cheapest of all bits for that same division plugged in here. It's crazy. And then you know I just have to go ahead and and press print and send it to them. And that's it. And it has all of them. And it even tells me which one I'm missing because I used to just you know go but with the flow and then sometimes miss one division and then get stuck. I can't send it to the client. So now it tells me which one I'm missing and which one I received.

Jesse Sampley (36:59.007)

The cheapest of all bits for that same division plugged in here. Crazy. And then, you know, I just have to go ahead and and press print and send it to them, and that's it. And it has all of them. And it even tells me which one I'm missing because I used to just, you know, go b with the flow and then sometimes miss one division and then get stuck. I can't send it to the client. So now it tells me which one I'm missing.

That's incredible, Mike. Well let's let's stop sharing the screen for a moment 'cause I I want to get through some of these other things now that now that I know that you have this this side of it. you know, I'd really went what prompted you to be able to to build something like this? I mean, did you just wake up one morning with thinking, hey, I'm gonna develop an entire software on my all my free time?

Mike Baruh (37:28.163)

You know?

Mike Baruh (37:54.01)

Jesse Sampley (37:54.202)

D did someone piss you off really bad and you and you just had to do it yourself? I mean it's always it it listen, it's it's just the the need. You know, when you when you have a ni w especially in in my character, I when I have a need, I need to I need to fulfill it because otherwise I'm gonna I'm gonna be

Mike Baruh (37:59.455)

Yeah. It's always it it listen, it's it's just the the need. You know when you when you have a ni w especially in my character, I when I have a need, I need to I need to fulfill it because otherwise I'm gonna I'm gonna be I'm not gonna be happy with it. And the problem with software until a year ago is that they had their own frame.

Jesse Sampley (38:18.281)

I'm not gonna be happy with it. And the problem with software until a year ago is that they had their own frame and then you can ask for anything. Yes, you can give them suggestions and and like contract performance was a little bit open about that.

Mike Baruh (38:27.006)

And then you can ask for anything. Yes, you can give them suggestions and and like contractor for man was a little bit open about that. Give us your suggestion and then they w they used to give up the update, but it was like three, six months until you you see the things that you wanted to. Here in minutes. You know, I put it in the in the in the terminal and then I get it right away. I see that it's not working, I I I ask again, do something like this, do something like that.

Jesse Sampley (38:38.076)

give us your suggestion and then they w they used to give update. Well it was like three, six months until you you see the things that you wanted to. Here in minutes. You know, I put it in the in the in the terminal and then I get it right away. I see that it's not working. I I I ask again, do something like this, do something like that.

Mike Baruh (38:57.538)

Within an hour I get what I want. And this is our life.

Jesse Sampley (38:58.182)

Within an hour I get what I want. Have you had you tried in the past, had you tried other software tools like Builder Trend or or things like that? Yeah, I've tried I I've tried them all, yeah. Yeah. So you just knew like I I need a little bit more flexibility, I need to be able to I need a little bit from this one and I need a little bit of this one, but I'm not gonna get

Mike Baruh (39:06.56)

I I'll try them all, yeah. Yeah.

Mike Baruh (39:13.09)

I need a little bit from this one and I need a little bit of this one, but I'm not gonna get like four different subscriptions just because I don't have what I need on this one and I don't have what what I need on this one. So I created one that has ever

Jesse Sampley (39:17.798)

like four different subscriptions just because I don't have what I need on this one and I don't have what I need on this one. So I created that has it well so many people have talked about AI but no one has has I don't think implemented it like you have. On a difficulty side, you know, using Claude, you know, this is really just a a back and forth chat, correct? To be able to build this out? Correct.

Mike Baruh (39:43.215)

Correct. Not only that, but but just because I love it, I I created for I my my daughter is getting married in about two weeks. So I just said, you know what, let me create for you the invitation. So I created a whole invitation and all the back end of it, which has all the emails and the messages that you send and to see who opens the email, who attends, who declines.

Jesse Sampley (39:44.272)

I mean on a learning curve side like just because I love it, I I create it for

Jesse Sampley (39:52.355)

congratulations.

for you the invitation. And the messages that you send and to see who opens the email, who attends, who declines, and it gives me a whole it's like I want all in. And it's just to show you that whenever I want to do something I I go all in because this is this is the only way to to get success. So

Mike Baruh (40:12.682)

And it gives me a whole th it's like I want all in. And it's just to show you that whenever I I want to do something I I go all in because this is this is the only way to to get success. So that's that's just character I guess.

Jesse Sampley (40:25.974)

That's just kind of exactly. I love that. I have heard this is from another podcast episode that we did, they said you have to be fully obsessed, you know, to really to really achieve something because you can't just t you c it can't be half hearted, it can't you know, you really just have to hyper focus on that because if not, it just is mediocre. and I'm I'm sure just given your character, that transitions into how you

you know, complete these projects and how you take on these projects, which is probably why you're so successful on a on a luxury build side, which is a highly coveted place to be. Everybody wants to be a luxury builder, everybody wants, you know, the best of the best clients, but you have to have something so unique, you know, which is the exactly you have to have an edge. Yeah. And and the edge that I'm giving and and the edge that I'm giving the my clients is

Mike Baruh (41:13.304)

You you ha exactly you have to have an edge. And and the edge that I'm giving and and the edge that I'm giving the my clients is you know those type of clients and any clients actually, they they they want to they they want attention. You know, it's all coming back to the same thing. You know, I have a I have a very good client that is now a friend, but she's a client right now, at this moment, and

Jesse Sampley (41:23.929)

You know, those type of clients and any clients actually, they they they want to they they want attention. You know, it's all coming back to the same thing. Yeah. You know, I have a I have a very good client that is now a friend, but she's a client right now, at this moment, and and I say, You don't have enough attention from your husband, you want my attention? I I'll give you attention, don't worry.

Mike Baruh (41:42.263)

And I say, you don't have enough attention from your husband, you want my attention? I I'll give you attention. Don't worry. You know? They want attention from the contractor. People the contractors don't give enough attention. They just come, they want their money, and and that's it. You need to give attention to the client because not only you'll you'll get a project a successful project in your under your belt, but also you'll have referrals from that. She already referred me another client in the same building.

Jesse Sampley (41:49.228)

You know, they want attention from the contractors. People the contractors don't give enough attention. They just come, they want their money and and that's it. You need to give attention to the client.

because not only you you'll get a project a successful project in your under your belt, but also you'll have referrals from that. She already referred me another client in the same building. And that that that would be a another chain for that specific building. So you never know. You have to treat every client with the utmost respect and and you know I tell them you know sometimes also they have

Mike Baruh (42:11.956)

and that that that will be another change for that specific building. So you never know. You have to treat every client with the utmost respect. And and you know I tell them you know that they sometimes also they have they have a tendency to think that we general contractors are project managers they don't know that a general contractor

Jesse Sampley (42:29.304)

They have a tendency to think that we general contractors are project managers. They don't know that a general contractor you know he has to do the project management, you know, behind it, the scheduling and and and everything else.

Mike Baruh (42:37.798)

you know, he has to do the project management, you know, behind it, the scheduling and and and everything else. And we have project manager to be on site and do the whole project manager scope. And so, but why am I paying you a contractor fee if you're not doing the project? No, those are two different things. Project manager is gonna breathe and leave the project. I will come whether twice a week.

Jesse Sampley (42:44.972)

And we have project manager to be on site and do the whole project manager scope. And so, but why am I paying you a contractor fee if you're not doing the project? No, those are two different things. Project manager is gonna agree and leave the project. I will come

whether twice a week or if we have more than than twice a week I'll come for a meeting with the with the architects, with the with with all the designer and professionals, or, you know, at least I commit to twice a week, but you can't be living in that project, otherwise you you'll be running out of fume, you know? How are you trans how are you passing along some of your character and the things that you've learned down to your project managers?

Mike Baruh (43:05.146)

Or if we have more than than twice a week I'll come for a meeting with the with the architects, with the with with all the designer and professionals. Or, you know, at least I commit to twice a week, but you can't be living in that project, otherwise you you'll be running out of fume, you know?

Mike Baruh (43:31.106)

It's very very hard. That's why I have a AI. No, I'm I'm pff you can't you you know nobody will do the same job as you. That's that's the rule. But but that's why you got AI. I mean it's it's such a an easy now there's no more excuse. You know what I mean? Like you can't tell me you know, you just have to plug the pictures.

Jesse Sampley (43:31.926)

very very hard. That's why I have an AI. You can't you you know nobody will do the same job as you that's of course that's the rule but but that's why you got AI. I mean it's it's such a an easy now there's no more excuse you know what I mean like you can't tell me you know you just have to plug the pictures don't even you know you you don't you're not good with with

Mike Baruh (43:55.715)

Don't even you know you you don't you're not good with with putting the the scope and everything because you you don't you don't have the native language of American. No worries. We'll we'll fit it into Chat GPT. Everybody knows ChatGPT. Go into ChatGPT, put everything, and then tell him to give you a a good scope, put it into the thing, and then automatically you don't even have to send it to the client. It will automatically send it at eight PM every day. What else can you do? Just have to put it in there.

Jesse Sampley (44:00.274)

the the scope and everything because you you know you don't have the native language of American no worries we'll we'll fit it into chat GPT everybody knows chat GPT go into chat GPT put everything and then tell him to give you a a good scope

put it into the thing and then automatically you don't even have to send it to the client. You will automatically send it at eight PM every day. Yeah. What else can you do? Just have to put it in there. Yeah. Can you do that? Okay. Using smart systems so that you can have a consistency of of delivering a high quality communication to these people. You have to put the framework that you want and make it easy for the people under you.

Mike Baruh (44:25.602)

Can you do that? Okay. So yeah.

Mike Baruh (44:36.204)

Yeah, that that's exactly the thing. You have to put the framework that you want and make it easy for the people under you. That's the way I see it. You understand? So if I have a vision and I know that it's gonna be a little bit complicated or people will get complain because I'm not getting paid enough, you know, to to do that, no problem. I'll get you s I'll get you set up so that you don't have to do a lot of heavy work, but I will get what I need from you.

Jesse Sampley (44:44.35)

Yeah. That's the way I see it. You understand? So if I have a vision and I know that it's gonna be a little bit complicated or people will get complain because I'm not getting paid enough, you know, to to do that, no problem. I'll get you s I'll get you a setup so that you don't have to do a lot of heavy work, but I will get what I need from you. Yeah. That's the way. That's very smart.

Mike Baruh (45:05.976)

That's the way.

Jesse Sampley (45:09.981)

Well Mike, looking in into the future, you know, it sounds like you're set up to be able to scale pretty significantly. What is what are some of your your goals, you know, for the next five to ten years? give us a snapshot of what that looks like.

Mike Baruh (45:27.066)

so one of the things, and and I I I'm sure that you may have that thought and you forgot to ask me, but why did I go into commer you actually asked why you are going to roofing, but I didn't give you the full picture. Roofing is a business that has a turnaround very fast, cash flow-wise. So mansions and everything else is a very good business because

Jesse Sampley (45:29.599)

So one of the things and and I I I'm sure that you may have that thought and you forgot to ask me, but why did I go into commercial you actually asked why you are going to roofing but I didn't give you the full picture. Roofing is a business

That has a turnaround very fast, cash flow-wise. So mentions and everything else is a very good business because the amounts are big, but it's gonna take you two to three years. So that amount will be split in two or three years. You have to deal with the details, you have to deal with the clients, you have to deal with all of that. So

Mike Baruh (45:56.425)

Amounts are big, but it's gonna take you two, three years. So that amount will be split in two or three years. You have to deal with the details, you have to deal with the clients, you have to deal with all of that. So when I saw that, I said, Okay, let me get something else under my belt that will bring me cash flow fast. I started with the residential roofing, it's short and it's fast and it's quick.

Jesse Sampley (46:09.735)

When I saw that, I said, okay, let me get something else under my belt that will bring me cash flow fast. I started with residential roofing. It's short and it's fast and it's quick and it's but it's a little money, you know, it's twenty-thirty percent of margin, but on fifteen or twenty thousand dollars or or even thirty thousand, it's not gonna cut it. So what I did is that I saw that there was an opportunity there.

Mike Baruh (46:21.438)

And it's but it's a little money, you know, it's twenty, thirty percent of margin, but on fifteen or twenty thousand dollars or or even thirty thousand, it's not gonna cut it. So what I did is that I saw that there was an opportunity there, and I now turned around and went into the commercial roofing because it's the exact same thing, the exact same process to get the permit.

Jesse Sampley (46:38.282)

And I now turned around and went into the commercial roofing because it's the exact same thing, the exact same process to get the permit, exact same materials, you know, but it's bigger square footage, so bigger amounts.

Mike Baruh (46:49.29)

Exact same materials, you know, but it's bigger square footage, so bigger amounts. And instead of doing it in two weeks, you're gonna do it in three weeks, but the amounts are larger. So that's why I decided to go open an a new division in my in my company to do the commercial roofing. And the commercial roofing, I believe, because now it goes back to the to your question, I believe.

Jesse Sampley (46:57.017)

And instead of doing it in two weeks, you gotta do it in three weeks but the amounts are larger. So that's why I decided to go open a new division in my in my company to do the commercial roofing. And the commercial roofing I believe because now it goes back to the to your question, I believe that the commercial roofing will give me more profit

Mike Baruh (47:18.808)

that the commercial roofing will give me more profit than the high end custom homes.

Jesse Sampley (47:24.795)

Down the high end custom home. Just because you're limited on a time frame it's it's challenging to do two or three or four luxury homes and have the attention that you need to apply to those homes. It's not feasible, is it? So I mean even if you had all of the business in the world, you s you still realistically to be able to do a good job and maintain your integrity you can only do so many. We have the brain.

Mike Baruh (47:47.247)

Because remember we we we are the brain, exactly. We are the brain. So if my brain is getting divided but but at a very detailed level of the design and and the pieces and everything that needs to go into those mentions, I'm gonna get burnt out. I need also to to to weigh that in into the in into the scale. And if I have one big job.

Jesse Sampley (47:53.095)

So if my brain is getting divided but at a very detailed level of the design and and the pieces and everything that needs to go into those mansions, I'm gonna get burnt out. I need also to to to weigh that in into the in into the scale. And if I have one big job and then a lot of roofing commer in the commercial roof.

Mike Baruh (48:14.678)

And then a lot of roofing commer in the commercial roofing industry, which is no brainer. I don't even have to supervise them. They have their own team, leaders, and they do it. I just have to place the order and that's it. It's it's very, very fast and quick. people are scared because there's water damage involved, but if you do your your jobs correctly, there shouldn't be any problem.

Jesse Sampley (48:18.851)

Which is no brainer. I don't even have to supervise it. They have their own team leaders and they do it. I just have to place the order and that's it. It's very, very fast and quick. people are scared because there's water damage involved, but if you do your your jobs correctly, there shouldn't be any problem. Amazing. Well what

Man, we've covered a lot of ground. We covered ground that I didn't we've uncovered ground. that I that I didn't think that we would even dive into today, but it's been it's been incredible.

Mike Baruh (48:50.881)

You see?

Jesse Sampley (48:57.645)

Yeah, man.

Mike Baruh (49:00.812)

Yeah, we didn't know that we were gonna talk about all of that, huh?

Jesse Sampley (49:01.528)

Yeah well yeah I know that we were gonna talk about all of that, huh? I think this is a this is really ins i it's insp inspirational but it's also so it is so tangible for people to do. You know, this is not if you can have a conversation with someone, then you can build an entire software. You know, this is not you don't have to be very tech savvy, you know, as long as you can communicate your ideas. Zero knowledge. Zero knowledge. Yeah. They do all the computing, they do all the the line of coding and

Mike Baruh (49:22.958)

Zero zero knowledge. Zero knowledge. They do all the computing, they do all the the line of coding and everything. You just tell them I want this, and that's what people get scared. They don't understand that it could be that easy, but it is that easy. If I could build this, I'm I'm I'm I'm not even one percent capacity. I I I I know that there's people a hundred times better than me. I did something that nobody did in my industry, but

Jesse Sampley (49:31.712)

tell them I want this and that's what people get scared. They don't understand that it could be that easy, but it is that easy. If I could build this, I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm not even one percent capacity. I I I I know that there's people a hundred times better than me. I did something that nobody did in my industry but at the end of the day there's people that are a lot smarter than me. I'm I'm

Mike Baruh (49:52.911)

at the end of the day there's people that are a lot smarter than me. I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm not smart and I'm not a coder, but I I had a vision and I said I need things from a lot of different places and let me bring that in and it just happened to be.

Jesse Sampley (49:59.641)

I'm not smart and I'm not a coder, but I I had a vision and I said I need things from a lot of different places and then we bring that in and it just happened to be.

Well, I think you're being very humble. I think anyone can see that you're extremely savvy and smart. You're always you're looking for the edge and you're able to be so successful because you put f all of your force towards it and you don't just dabble a little bit, but you know, you you are d you're determined to see it to the other side. last question then went we'll go ahead and wrap up, Mike. But if someone's if this is a you know, speaking to a younger builder, what is what is some general advice that you would give to this young builder as

starting out their journey and and starting a company or taking over a company. what what are some of the big biggest pieces lessons that you've learned o over the years that you would pass along to that person?

Mike Baruh (50:58.86)

When I started, even if I had a vision, it was very there were the there were a lot of obstacles to get it done. In our generation right now, in 2026, I believe that if you work on your vision, everything else that comes to get it done is a hundred times.

Jesse Sampley (50:59.564)

When I started, even if I had a vision, it was very there was the there were a lot of obstacles to get it done. In our generation right now, in twenty twenty six, I believe that if you work on your vision, everything else that comes to get it done is a hundred times

Mike Baruh (51:29.098)

easier than before. What I'm trying to say is that you need to work on a vision and then with all the tools that we have this in the in this 2026 we can get a lot more things done so there's no there's no more excuses if you have the thrive you will you will be successful there's no

Jesse Sampley (51:29.833)

easier than before. What I'm trying to say is that you need to work on a vision and then with all the tools that we have this in the in this twenty twenty six we can get

a lot more things done. So there's no there's no more excuses. If you have the thrive you will you will be successful. There's no there's no reason why not. Yeah. There's no reason why not and you have to have the focus.

Mike Baruh (51:58.135)

There's no reason why not. There's no reason why not. Whether it's a speech

Jesse Sampley (52:03.914)

You have to have the focus because it's like you said, if you don't ha you it's to be able to have the vision, especially a big vision, and to be able to execute it, you have to have time to be able to think about these things. And if you're constantly distracted with social activities or, you know, social media or other people's problems or polit whatever the distraction may be, you have to take time to just get clear in your own head of what are you really trying to get out of this life? Because like you said, the tools are here.

And they're available to anybody.

Mike Baruh (52:34.51)

Absolutely, and and that's a very good point what you said because of this AI, you could be sidetracked so fast and and end up and end up spending three four hours in front of of of Facebook and Insta because the AI is working against you and you don't even understand that you just lost three to four hours.

Jesse Sampley (52:43.252)

you could be sidetracked so fast and and end up and end up spending three four hours in front of of of Facebook and Insta because the AI is working against you and you don't even understand that you just lost three to four hours. but on the other hand if you take the AI because that's what people are very scared about AI, they don't understand AI. They think you know that it is gonna replace humans and everything else.

Mike Baruh (53:02.316)

But on the other hand, if you take the AI, because that's what people are very scared about, AI, they don't understand AI. They think you know that it's gonna replace humans and everything else. Well, I got news for you. It will replace humans, but you can ask AI to tell them what the job needs to be done and it they'll get it done. So those are like people that will serve you, but if you know how to talk to them.

Jesse Sampley (53:13.226)

Well, I got news for you. It will replace humans, but you can ask AI to tell them what the job needs to be done and it they'll get it done. So those are like people that will serve you, but if you know how to talk to them, they'll they'll get everything done. But if you're scared and you and you want to hide behind the fact that AI will replace humanity, well it will.

Mike Baruh (53:30.594)

They'll they'll get everything done. But if you're scared and you and you want to hide behind the fact that AI will replace humanity, well it will.

Jesse Sampley (53:42.088)

Well Mike, this has been an incredible conversation. It went places I never knew it would, but I'm happy they did. If people I'm sure people are gonna have questions about the software, what's the what's the best way for people to get into contact with you? Well, first of all, I'm I'm happy to to chat on you know on on on text messages. You know, you can give them my my phone number. It's not a problem.

Mike Baruh (53:56.184)

Well first of all I'm I'm happy to to chat on you know on on on text messages, you know, you can give them my my phone number, that's not a problem. I'm happy to help. and actually I'm I'm looking for more ideas to improve my my software to tell you the truth. So I didn't think about every any everything that that could be, but I would love to have more ideas to get to get this software

Jesse Sampley (54:07.602)

And actually I'm I'm looking for more ideas to improve my my software to tell you. So I didn't think about every any everything that that could be, but I would love to have more ideas to get to get this software better.

Mike Baruh (54:25.796)

better. Better.

Jesse Sampley (54:27.888)

Wonderful. We'll make sure to put your info in the show notes and we'll get your we'll get your phone number and your email address on there. But Mike, thank you so much for joining us. Thank you, Jesse. All right, so Mike, I'm gonna

Mike Baruh (54:38.435)

Thank you, Jesse. Thank you.