Meghan Billings’ interest in residential construction came unexpectedly. When she set out to build her custom home, her contractor fell ill. Instead of stalling the project, Meghan stepped in. As a mom with young kids, she remembers her unconventional office for the project: her local Chick-fil-A in the corner, on her laptop, watching her kids play. What began as a necessity to save her own project, coordinating trades, managing timelines and solving problems in real time, became a genuine interest.
An Unexpected Start
The firsthand experience of building her home was more rewarding than she ever imagined. She loved the thrill of the tangible process of building and saw an opportunity to bring a more intentional, client-focused approach to the process.
“From the beginning, my goal has been to not only build high-end homes, but to create an experience where clients feel informed, confident and supported every step of the way,” said Billings.
Seven years later, Meg & Co. Designer Homes, the company Billings founded and serves as the general contractor, is known for its immaculate craftsmanship for luxury custom homes in Idaho, particularly the high-demand Twin Falls neighborhoods.
Billings herself is a Master Builder in Idaho and was a speaker at one of the largest industry conventions in residential construction, the International Builders’ Show.
Leading from Within
Billings’ entryway into the industry led her to learn a lot in a short period of time. This was not a setback in any way, she noted, if everyone began when they “felt ready,” the time may never come.
“You don’t have to know everything on day one, but you do need to be willing to learn and step into situations that feel uncomfortable,” said Billings.
Despite her resilience and confidence, there were still moments on a job site or meeting when people assumed she was in a different role. At times, she admitted that felt discouraging.
“However, I’ve found that those assumptions tend to fade quickly once you demonstrate knowledge, preparation and leadership,” said Billings. “The industry is evolving, but there is still work to be done in increasing visibility for women in leadership roles.”
This gave her a feeling of purpose to grow her network of women in the industry. She took on leadership roles serving on the Board of Trustees for Professional Women in Building (PWB) and co-founded the Twin Falls PWB chapter.
Billings advises other women to look for mentorship and community in either formal organizations or peer groups.
Custom Charm
Two of her custom home projects exemplify her dedication, distinct style and excellence in homebuilding.
The Charles sits in North East Twin Falls, Idaho, with four-bedrooms and six-bathrooms over 4,591 square feet. The exterior is delicately designed with an arched brick entryway and an eye-catching white oak door. The thoughtfully crafted color palette of the exterior extends inside the home with the warm hues of white oak, marble and soft painted millwork. Billings commented that the repetition of architectural details, such as the arched openings and tailored millwork, adds continuous charming character throughout the home.
The Clifford is 6,234 square feet with five-bedrooms and five-bathrooms. The traditional, yet timeless, facade pairs excellently with its natural stone exterior and delicate design details of copper gas-powered lanterns. Balancing the natural exteriors are three chimneys, each finished with custom caps. The landscape design furthers the property’s welcoming aesthetic with serene wildflowers The interiors of the Clifford further elevates the project’s appeal with coffered ceilings, hand-glazed tile touches and a stunning two-story stone fireplace.
Secret to Success
Billings cites her success to her skills of curiosity, resilience and a willingness to learn quickly. However, what makes every project of hers outstanding is her strong communication and relationship-building skills. For her projects, the Meg & Co. team works with a strong network of architects, engineers and interior design consultants. She notes that many of the challenges in construction come down to misunderstandings, leading her team with a proactive vision that is key to completing complex custom home projects.
“Consistency and integrity, doing what you say you will do, have helped build trust with clients and trade partners, which is everything in this industry,” added Billings. Her success is built upon excellence in the industry and a clear purpose to build better, physically in her homes and the community as a whole.
By Sofia Feeney. She is the Editor at Builder and Developer and can be reached at sofia@builder.media.
This story is also featured in B&D July, read the print version.
