Mindful Builder

Matthew Carland and Hamish White
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Join Matt from Carland Constructions and Hamish from Sanctum Homes in a podcast discussing sustainable building practices and passive house concepts. They also talk to experts from all avenues of the building industry to share their knowledge and insights on what the industry looks like today. Further to this, Matt and Hamish are building a platform through the podcast to discuss mental health issues that arise in the building industry. The industry can be quite negative at times and there is a great deal of stigma around what it means to be a "tradie". Matt and Hamish are here to shine a light of positivity on the industry and share relatable topics that will help you in your own building or construction business.

  1. 1d ago

    How Builders Really Price Your Construction

    “There’s no such thing as a quick estimate.” Estimating is one of the biggest parts of pre-construction, and it is also where builders lose time, money, and trust when the process is loose. We sit down with Rick Hughes from Estimating Online to take a look at why the idea of a “quick estimate” is often the start of bigger problems later. Rick breaks estimating into a four-step process, from the gut-feel feasibility estimate through to rapid software-based estimating, a detailed bill of quantities, and then true costing where the client is committed and trades are quoting a real job. They talk about why context matters, why inputs matter, and why different builders need different estimating strategies depending on the type of work they do. They also cover trade quote fatigue, fixed price versus cost plus, and why construction still does things backwards by designing first and costing last. If you are trying to tighten your pre-construction workflow, this episode gives you a clear way to think about estimating without getting distracted by shiny tools. CHAPTER MARKERS00:00 Introduction 00:29 Meet Rick Hughes 01:38 Why Estimating Matters 03:28 Do You Need Site Experience 10:14 Tiers of Estimating 11:25 Tech Tools and Templates 13:43 Four Step Estimating Framework 14:25 Sponsor Break ProClima Details 15:31 Who Should Estimate and Check 18:46 Stop Wasting Trade Quotes 25:23 Builder vs Trade Expertise 31:01 Common Sense Pricing Examples 33:30 Getting Paid for Precon 35:15 Sponsor Break Systems Webinar 37:19 Tenders And Budget Reality 40:30 Fixed Price Vs Cost Plus 48:56 In House Trades Debate Our Sponsors: Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt Biz Tech Guru: https://www.biztechguru.com.au/ Wunderbuild: https://www.wunderbuild.com/ LINKS Estimating Online: https://estimatingonline.com.au/ Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod Connect with Hamish: Instagram: @sanctumhomes Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/ Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructions Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

    How Builders Really Price Your Construction

  2. Sep 6

    The Building Project That'll Ruin You Financially

    “Budget does not mean your build cost.” Matt drops that early, and it should be printed on every set of concept plans. In this episode of The Mindful Builder Podcast, Matt and Hamish sit down with Brad McEwan from Sanford Buildco for a blunt chat about project feasibility and why so many custom home builds in Australia blow out financially. If you’re a homeowner, builder, or designer trying to avoid budget shock, this one will save you a lot of pain. We talk about the gap between a client’s budget and the reality of what the design actually costs, plus the hidden “other costs” that show up before you even start building. Think site works, services, reports, permits, access, and all the stuff that never makes it into the Instagram floor plan tour. Brad also breaks down how “small” choices like garages, alfrescos, tiles, and finishes can swing the price wildly depending on what you pick and how it’s installed. If you’ve ever wondered how to pressure test a budget early, what a feasibility estimate is actually for, or what to ask a builder before you spend big on documentation, we cover it in plain language. Keywords: project feasibility, construction budget, build cost vs budget, custom home build Australia, building costs 2026, cost overruns, variations, architect budget, builder advice, pre construction process. CHAPTER MARKERS00:00 Intro 00:00:32 Budget vs build cost 00:01:00 The “other costs” that hit before site 00:02:00 Matching budget to design reality 00:04:00 Square metre rates and early stress testing 00:05:08 Garages, alfrescos, and scope creep 00:16:29 What’s excluded (and why it matters) 00:29:25 Feasibility is a viability check, not a contract price 00:35:39 The hard conversation now vs the variation later Our Sponsors: Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt SBA - https://www.thesba.com.au/ Biz Tech Guru: https://www.biztechguru.com.au/ Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod Connect with Hamish: Instagram: @sanctumhomes Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/ Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructions Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

    The Building Project That'll Ruin You Financially

  3. Aug 30

    The Building Clients We Refuse to Work With

    “If you keep ending up with bad clients, that’s a you problem.” Matt doesn’t sugar coat it, and honestly, he’s right. In this episode we kick off our pre-construction series by talking about the building clients we refuse to work with, and why picking your client is one of the biggest risk controls in a construction business. This is a practical chat for builders, tradies, architects, and homeowners who want a smoother build. We talk about why most client conflict comes from a lack of structure, unclear expectations, and messy communication. Matt shares his early filters like enquiry forms, a quick phone call, and a “first date” coffee, plus the red flags that tell him to walk away before the project turns into stress, scope creep, and constant tension. If you’re a homeowner, this episode answers the real questions you’re thinking but not saying out loud. How do I choose the right builder? What should pre-construction look like? How do I know if we actually trust each other? If you’re a builder, it’s a reminder that saying no is a skill, and that the relationship you build early is what protects you when variations, defects, and money conversations show up later. CHAPTER MARKERS00:00 Intro and the new pre construction series 00:04:00 Picking your client and why “bad clients” are a process problem 00:05:19 The first filters: forms, phone call, and setting expectations 00:08:08 New builders, people pleasing, and losing control 00:09:13 The budget reality check example 00:10:13 Saying no and the no d******d policy 00:12:00 Defects, legislation changes, and why relationships matter 00:14:28 What Matt looks for in clients (gut feel, tone, trust) 00:24:06 What clients need to do 00:27:24 Walking away works for clients too 00:33:18 Mindful moment for young tradies 00:35:10 Have the money conversation early Our Sponsors: Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt Biz Tech Guru: https://www.biztechguru.com.au/ Wunderbuild: https://www.wunderbuild.com/ Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod Connect with Hamish: Instagram: @sanctumhomes Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/ Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructions Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

    The Building Clients We Refuse to Work With

  4. Aug 24

    I hit rock bottom, everyone thought I had it all

    "How rock bottom do you have to let me hit before you actually help me?" Brad McEwan’s words hung in the air after we wrapped, because they’re all too familiar in the building industry. In this episode, we go past the surface stuff and talk honestly about what it looks like when you’ve been carrying it all, hoping someone will notice, and then realising you’re running out of road. From the outside, Brad looks like the guy who’s got it sorted, with business, family, and good people around him. But he shares how quickly “I’m fine” can turn into snapping at work, shutting down at home, and feeling like you’re watching yourself unravel in slow motion. If you’re a builder, tradie, or business owner who’s been pushing through stress and burnout, this conversation will hit close to home. We chat about why grit without communication becomes isolation, and how stress shows up in your relationships, sleep, patience, and confidence. Brad talks about what actually helped, including getting the right psychological support and learning practical tools to manage anxiety and mental health in real life, not just in theory, especially in high-pressure trade work. This episode challenges the usual definition of “tough” and offers a better way forward, with space to step back, reset, and redefine success without losing your identity. This conversation includes mental health and suicide. If it brings anything up for you, you don’t have to sit with it alone. In Australia, Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14 or at https://www.lifeline.org.au/. If you’re in immediate danger, call 000. CHAPTER MARKERS00:00 Intro 01:09 Brad joins and heavy topic 02:28 Early anxiety and trade culture 06:21 House purchase and burnout 14:36 Depression and anger stories 22:33 Pro Clima resource plug 23:42 Getting help and couples counselling 28:55 CBT tools and coping strategies 30:45 2022 crash and new limits 32:03 Crash Changed Everything 36:43 Income Protection Lesson 38:19 Identity Crisis After Injury 39:17 Perfectionism On Site 47:15 Hempcrete Engineering Failure 55:38 2024 Break That Fell Apart 57:09 Solo Builder No Backup 59:08 Work Dries Up Fast 01:00:45 Family Pressure Hits 01:02:05 Job Starts Then Sinks 01:02:52 Grinding Solo On Site 01:03:32 Delays And Cashflow Reality 01:04:58 Burnout And No Life 01:07:26 Asking For Help 01:12:35 Therapy And Breaking Point 01:22:20 Support Network And Reset 01:28:10 Rebuilding Habits And Confidence 01:32:09 Advice On Communication 01:37:01 Closing Thoughts On Listening Our Sponsors: Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt SBA - https://www.thesba.com.au/ Biz Tech Guru: https://www.biztechguru.com.au/ Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod Connect with Hamish: Instagram: @sanctumhomes Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/ Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructions Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

    I hit rock bottom, everyone thought I had it all

  5. Aug 16

    We Got Challenged on Everything We Believe

    In this episode, Joel (Heidi Build) hijacks the mic for an unfiltered conversation about the realities of building in Australia. We break down why builders can feel “owned” by a client for years after a contract is signed, how viral “circus build” videos damage trust in the whole industry, and the difference between educating and selling when builders share their work on social media. We also get practical: if you live in a typical 1990s brick veneer home (single glazing, gaps, limited insulation), we cover the first upgrades that improve comfort and indoor air quality, including draught proofing, ceiling insulation, and ducted bathroom and kitchen ventilation. Start with draught proofing. Seal the gaps. Stop the house bleeding comfort. You don’t have to be a tree-hugging hippie to want comfort and health. You can still love your V8s. We finish on a solid reminder for builders. It’s okay to step back. It’s okay to realise you don’t like being the builder. It’s okay to run a smaller business. It’s okay to define success by profit, lifestyle, and sanity, not just turnover. CHAPTER MARKERS00:00 Introduction 01:01 Rapid Fire Nerd Check 05:21 Money Tightness and Numbers 07:59 WIP and Builder Finance 14:30 Trades Pride and Tool Skills 16:09 How Hamish and Matt Met 21:35 Apprenticeships and Passive House Path 23:14 Cost Talk and Comparisons 24:38 Why Building Feels Expensive 27:19 Wood Fires vs Airtight Homes 37:54 Bad Builds and The Gap 41:43 Licensing Upskilling Debate 45:49 Social Media and Industry Lift 49:20 Restoration vs New Builds 51:20 First Fixes for Homes 01:02:27 Sustainability Money Traps 01:07:04 Rapid Fire and Wrap Up 01:10:00 Mindful Moment Closing Our Sponsors: Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod Connect with Hamish: Instagram: @sanctumhomes Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/ Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructions Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

    We Got Challenged on Everything We Believe

  6. Aug 9

    The Truth About Cheap Aussie Windows

    If you’ve ever wondered why Australian homes feel freezing in winter and brutal in summer, this episode makes it painfully clear. “Suppliers in Australia are still delivering single-glazed aluminium windows,” and that one sentence explains a lot about comfort, energy bills, condensation, and why so many people feel worn down inside their own homes. We sit down with Monika Rogers from Eco Sky Windows to talk high performance windows, Passive House certified systems, and what “thermally broken” actually means. We discuss U-values, why the whole window unit matters (not just the glass), and how slimline design, hardware, and airtightness change real-world performance. The conversation also goes beyond windows into indoor air quality and ventilation. Monika shares why she rates HRVs so highly, and the hosts describe what it felt like having 30 to 40 people in a sealed space that still felt fresh, clear, and comfortable. If you care about building better homes, this is a practical look at the details that actually move the needle. We finish up with the realities builders and clients need to plan for: shop drawings, lead times, shipping, and cashflow. If you’ve been nervous about imported high performance windows, this episode breaks down the process and shows why organisation matters more than geography. CHAPTER MARKERS00:00 Intro 00:36 Meet Monika and Eco Sky Windows 01:01 Thermally broken vs “thermally improved” 03:00 U-values, triple glazing, and performance comparisons 03:33 How window performance is calculated (whole unit vs glass only) 09:00 “Passive culture shock” and why Australian homes feel so cold 13:11 SIP studio build in six weeks and what that means 20:00 Architects, glass-to-wall ratios, shading, and orientation 24:49 Low-E coatings, argon gaps, and glazing science 26:25 Slimline frames, concealed hinges, and hardware choices 29:11 HRVs, fresh air, and comfort in real buildings 33:16 Ordering process, drainage details, and shop drawings 34:01 Lead times, shipping, and getting windows on site 36:42 Cashflow, progress claims, and paying before arrival 38:12 Where high performance is growing in Australia 41:52 Mindful Moment: apprenticeships are a licence to learn 43:19 How to contact Eco Sky Windows Our Sponsors: Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod Connect with Hamish: Instagram: @sanctumhomes Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/ Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructions Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

    The Truth About Cheap Aussie Windows

  7. Aug 2

    What tradies won't say publicly

    In this episode, we sit down with Joel from Heidi Build and Andrew “Hoppo” from Hoppo Construction for a no-script, no-agenda chat. It starts with what makes tradie creators actually work online: being approachable, having an opinion, and showing up as yourself. Joel breaks down why the polished, curated Instagram approach did nothing for him, then the one raw timber-quality rant that finally cut through. From there, we get into the stuff people don’t always say out loud. The stigma that tradies aren’t intelligent, why that stereotype still lingers, and the moment Joel’s own brother hit him with the line: “I’m not one of your dumb tradie mates.” We talk about what that does to your confidence, especially when you come from a culture where university is seen as the only “good” path. It also turns into a proper Mindful Builder conversation about bullying, body image, and parenting. Hamish shares what it’s like watching your kid go through it, and Joel talks about how he handles it at home by listening, asking questions, and helping his kids feel heard. We also cover the real side of “influencing” in the trades: DeWalt vs Makita, how brand partnerships actually work when they’re not forced, why you shouldn’t monetise too early, and what happens when you say yes to something that doesn’t align. CHAPTER MARKERS 00:00 Introduction 00:18 What Makes Tradie Creators Work: Confidence and Being Approachable 01:22 Why Curated Instagram Content Failed 03:00 DeWalt vs Makita: How Tool Sponsorships Actually Work 09:33 Feeling Valued: Why DeWalt Support Helped Them Lean Into Content 11:22 Quick Tradie Eats and the Misconceptions About Tradespeople 13:12 “Tradies Are Dumb”: The Stigma and Why It Still Exists 24:10 Confidence, Bullying, and Being the Overweight Kid at School 26:25 Parenting Through Bullying: Listening, Questions, and Helping Kids Feel Heard 31:50 Team Culture and Leadership: Honesty, Vulnerability, and Check-Ins 37:00 The “Wellness Survey” Debate: Corporate Systems vs Trade Reality 45:27 Influencer Goals: Cars, GM, and Brand Partnerships That Fit Your Identity Our Sponsors: Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt Connect with Andrew - Hopkins Construction Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopkinsconstruction/?hl=en Connect with Andrew Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joel_heidibuild/?hl=en Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod Connect with Hamish: Instagram: @sanctumhomes Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/ Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructions Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

    What tradies won't say publicly

  8. Jul 26

    The Day I Almost Quit Building for Good

    James Turner from JTurner Constructions didn’t plan to start a building business. A torn ACL and a forced shift into subbie life pushed him into it, and he built the company the way most builders do: decks, renos, extensions, then new homes. Two and a bit years ago, he was ready to pull the pin. Bad estimating, people management gaps, COVID losses, and the mental load stacked up fast. A turning point came from an unexpected place: an eight-week men’s course (Rising Kings) that helped him rebuild structure through daily habits and exercise. From there, Zara D’Cotta’s course sparked a new interest in the health of homes, and Future Builder gave him the systems and support to start moving toward Passive House and high-performance building. This episode is a practical look at what it really takes to transition: filtering the noise, learning the fundamentals, marketing like a human, and selling health and comfort before you ever mention acronyms. CHAPTER MARKERS00:00 Intro 01:00 Meet James Turner (J Turner Constructions) 02:20 How the business started: ACL injury, subbie shift 08:45 Exit meeting shock + the pivot into carpentry 10:10 Nearly quitting: estimating, people, COVID losses 11:30 Rising Kings: structure, habits, exercise, and the mental reset 17:50 Zara DCottas course: holistic homes and health 19:00 Kids health trigger: carpet, dust, mould, air filtration 24:00 Future Builder call: systems, assets, and direction 25:15 Discovering Passive House and high-performance building 34:25 Marketing advice: document the journey, be vulnerable 36:10 Content that works: face to camera, education, long game 39:25 Fear of failure + getting comfortable in your skin 44:05 Transition risk: don't shoot yourself in the foot 49:00 PHPP as an optimisation tool + right-sizing systems 50:20 MEGT Mindful Moment: resilience and career pivots Our Sponsors: Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt Connect with James: Website: https://jturnerconstructions.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jturnerconstructions/ Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod Connect with Hamish: Instagram: @sanctumhomes Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/ Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructions Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

    The Day I Almost Quit Building for Good
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About

Join Matt from Carland Constructions and Hamish from Sanctum Homes in a podcast discussing sustainable building practices and passive house concepts. They also talk to experts from all avenues of the building industry to share their knowledge and insights on what the industry looks like today. Further to this, Matt and Hamish are building a platform through the podcast to discuss mental health issues that arise in the building industry. The industry can be quite negative at times and there is a great deal of stigma around what it means to be a "tradie". Matt and Hamish are here to shine a light of positivity on the industry and share relatable topics that will help you in your own building or construction business.

Information

  • Creator
    Matthew Carland and Hamish White
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    139
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Matthew Carland and Hamish White
  • Show Website
    Mindful Builder