Jon and Sadie Whitener founded Legacy Builders in 2017 in Templeton, CA, with a simple vision: to create a construction company that would make them and their family proud, and leave a lasting legacy for their three daughters. 

Jon, frustrated with his previous job’s mismanagement and lack of recognition, saw an opportunity to build a business where he could apply lessons learned; amplified by Sadie business acumen, whose previous experience included working for prominent American firms like Nike and Starbucks, with great corporate cultures.

“I was working for the worst companies, learning what not to do,” Jon says. “Sadie said, ‘Why not get your license? What’s the worst that happens—you fail?’” Starting with small projects and no mentors, the couple relied on Jon’s construction expertise and Sadie’s corporate skillset to lay a strong foundation. A foundation that he defines as: “Good reputation within the industry, reliable subs that continue to want to work for us, and positive reviews and referrals from customers.”

Trust at the Core

Legacy Builders meticulously follows a process to ensure that every project runs smoothly from start to finish. Their average project ranges from “a single primary bathroom remodel from $50k to a $500k whole house remodel, in addition to a $2M+ ground up custom build.” 

Jon first meets potential clients to assess their needs and determine if their project is a good fit. His goal in this phase is twofold: to introduce clients to Legacy Builders’ values and to ensure the project aligns with the company’s capabilities and standards. “Money is hard to get and we respect the fact someone saved a lot of it to give to us to build them a dream space. Our word and reputation are everything.” 

To help its growing operations, Legacy Builders hired Evan Petersen in 2022, who came from a large, local development company that specializes in everything from residential housing to multi-family apartments. Within two years Evan has been promoted to a COO, helping Jon and Sadie manage multiple projects at the same time while growing business. “We used to take every job that came our way,” Jon says. “Now we’re in a position where we can pick and choose the ones that best fit our style. It’s a relationship, like a marriage—it has to work for both sides.”

Sadie, Evan and Jon collaborate to create an accurate estimate, breaking down costs for clients. Sadie handles finish selections while Evan focuses on subcontractor bids and scheduling. Sadie explains the importance of making decisions upfront: “It’s challenging for clients to finalize every decision before starting, but it’s critical. When all decisions are made in advance, we can schedule efficiently, avoid delays and deliver a better client experience.”

A project foreman handles day-to-day tasks, sending weekly updates to clients, many of whom are out of town. These updates include photos and progress reports, keeping clients engaged and informed. Jon reenters the process toward the end for the final walk-through, ensuring that every detail is perfect before handing over the keys.

“Trust starts with the first meeting,” Jon says. “From showing up on time to being transparent about costs, every interaction builds the foundation of a strong client relationship.”  If issues arise, Legacy Builders doesn’t shy away from taking responsibility. “We’ve eaten costs to fix mistakes, because maintaining trust is more important than short-term profit,” Jon says. This commitment to trust and transparency ensures that every client feels valued, contributing to the company’s reputation for exceptional service and long-term relationships. It also has helped Legacy Builders grow from a small operation to a company managing multimillion-dollar projects.

Overcoming Challenges

Starting a business from scratch presented numerous challenges for Jon and Sadie. With limited resources and no business insider to guide them, they had to learn everything through trial and error. Sadie recalls how their complementary skills — Jon’s hands-on construction experience and her corporate acumen — helped them navigate the early days of their business.

One of the hardest lessons came early, when a worker had a severe jobsite accident that required life-saving surgery. “That experience put everything into perspective,” Jon says. “It reminded us that no matter how stressful things get, most business problems can be fixed. It’s important to focus on what really matters - our people.”

Scaling the business was another significant challenge. Hiring their first employee was a pivotal moment that tested their ability to delegate and to trust others. “We knew we wanted to treat employees well, ensuring they had a work-life balance,” Sadie says.

Increasing Cost Transparency

In 2023, Legacy Builders transitioned from fixed pricing to a cost-plus model to improve transparency and foster trust. “With cost-plus, clients have more control over their budgets,” Jon says. “They can choose high-end finishes if they want or save costs where possible. It’s honest and ensures everyone’s expectations are met.”

This shift not only strengthened client relationships but also aligned with Legacy Builders’ values. “We’re here for the long haul,” Jon says. “We’d rather build trust and repeat business than make quick profits.”

Streamlining Operations 

As Legacy Builders grew, so did the complexity of their operations. Initially, the team relied on Excel spreadsheets, emails and disjointed systems to manage projects. Sadie recognized that this approach was unsustainable, especially as they began taking on larger and larger projects.

“All of Jon’s communication with clients was through emails, texts and calls,” Sadie says. “Things would fall through the cracks, and we needed a central hub to manage everything.”

Their search for project management software led them to experiment with several platforms, including CoConstruct and Materio. While these tools provided basic functionality, they lacked integration and client-facing features that Legacy Builders desperately needed for their expanding business. For them, CoConstruct didn’t allow clients to view selections in an interactive way, and Materio couldn’t handle invoicing, so they searched for a better solution.

It is when they discovered Houzz Pro, an all-in-one solution that fulfills their needs for streamlined project management, client communication, and financial tracking. 

“With Houzz Pro, we can create professional estimates, track progress and manage client selections all in one place,” Sadie says. “Clients can see everything in real time, which improves trust and transparency.”

Houzz Pro also enhances the client experience by providing an intuitive interface for homeowners to view budgets, approve changes and track updates. “The Houzz Pro mobile app makes it fun for clients to stay involved throughout the project,” Sadie says.

Jon adds, “The trust starts when clients see how transparent we are with their budgets. Houzz Pro helps us maintain that trust every step of the way.”

Transition to Houzz Pro happened simultaneously with ongoing work. “We had to finish existing projects in our old systems while onboarding new projects in Houzz Pro software,” Sadie says. “But the effort was well worth it. Houzz Pro has made our operations more efficient and professional, helping us focus on what we do best — building homes and trusted client relationships.” The software also helps maintain high client satisfaction for Legacy Builders, with over 50 five-star reviews online since they have transitioned to Houzz Pro all-in-one project and client management system. 

One of the most evident impacts of Houzz Pro is in Legacy Builders’ ability to manage larger projects. “Houzz Pro is a game changer and without it, there is no way we could keep up with production. I can go in and 3D scan a whole house during my initial job meeting with the customer and save 30 mins to an hour of my time. That allows me to give the customer attention and get details on scope of work. It's very impressive and just gives us the ‘wow cool’ factor when we do client meetings,” says Jon.