Do you ever wonder where all your profits have gone? (Hint: It’s not where you think.)

You finished the job. The numbers are in. And somehow, the profit you expected to see isn’t there.

So, where did it go?

According to Meghan Billings, CMB, owner of Meg & Co. Designer Homes, the answer may not be the big project that went sideways. It could be hiding in the small stuff: an unsigned change order, a misunderstanding that costs two days or a handful of little misses that quietly chip away at your profit margin.

At the 2027 NAHB International Builders’ Show^® (IBS), Meghan will join three other IBS Education Speakers for Where Have All My Profits Gone? (Hint: Not Where You Think), a candid conversation about job profitability, hidden profit leaks and practical ways builders can protect their margins.

Find the Profit Leaks Before They Drain Your Margin

Builders are dealing with moving costs, rates and timelines while working harder than ever to protect the bottom line. Meghan believes one of the biggest opportunities to improve job profitability is knowing what’s happening while the job is still underway, not after it’s finished.

“Now people want to see the budget, the change orders and the schedule in real time so they can fix things before it’s too late,” she says.

That shift from looking backward to managing job costs and profitability in real time can make a big difference.

During the session, Meghan and her co-presenters will share real examples from their own businesses and the changes they made. Attendees will leave with practical places to start looking for hidden profit leaks when they get back to the office.

Get More from Every Job

Meghan sees the industry moving toward greater visibility, better documentation and smarter technology. She expects AI and other tools to take more paperwork off teams’ plates, freeing them to spend more time with clients and on the job site.

At the same time, she believes clear communication and documentation will become even more important.

“The builders who are organized are going to stand out,” she says.

For builders looking to protect profit margins, improve job visibility and catch problems before they become expensive, that’s a lesson worth taking home.

Meet Meghan at IBS 2027

Meghan’s favorite part of the Builders’ Show? The people.

She returns home each year with new relationships and a notebook full of ideas to try. And this year, she’s especially looking forward to sharing the stage with her co-presenters, whose different perspectives on profitability and business management promise to make this more than a typical presentation.

Her advice for first-time IBS attendees is simple: wear comfortable shoes, choose sessions that address the challenges you’re facing right now and leave room for the unexpected.

“It’s okay to stop, talk and build a new relationship,” she says. “Those connections will be some of the best things you take home from the Builders’ Show.”

And if you’re looking for one place to find ideas you can put to work immediately, Meghan recommends the IBS Education sessions. That’s where residential construction professionals hear what’s working, what isn’t and what their peers are doing differently.

Ready to find the profit leaks in your business?

Join Meghan Billings at IBS 2027, Feb 2–4 in Las Vegas, for Where Have All My Profits Gone? (Hint: Not Where You Think) and discover where your profit margin may be slipping away, how to identify hidden profit leaks and what you can do to improve job profitability.

Register for an Expo+Education Pass to get practical insights you can put to work to build a more profitable business.