The Good Builder Podcast

The Good Builder
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This week in home building news! Catch up with Az and a colourful array of guests, to hear about who's killing it, who's innovating, and who's getting into strife in the world of new home construction.

  1. 11h ago

    The Daily Dose #362 | The Good Builder Fishing Classic 2026: Big Barra, Bragging Rights and a Bird

    No guest this week, it's just Az...On Friday 30 October we held the first ever Good Builder Fishing Classic at Bli Bli Barra Park, and the turnout was way bigger than we expected for our first go. Here at The Good Builder we like to do things a bit differently. No stuffy function room, no tux or gown. Just a hat, some sunscreen, a rod in your hand and some of Australia's best builders out in the sun, because that's where the real conversations happen. In this episode I run through the big catches, the winners and the sponsors who backed us on day one with no track record: Biggest Barra: Jordy from J3 BuiltChamp Angler: Scott Cragg, Stroud HomesPerpetual Shield: Team Casa CeramicaFish Whisperer: John Leonardis, Metricon (57cm mangrove jack)First Catch: Alex from James Marsden Builders, who took home a Paslode nail gunOddest Catch: Linn Batey, Nyblad Constructions (yes, a bird)Total Legend Award: Steve from Stroud Homes' young fellaA big thanks to our spodosrs Future Build, iBuildNew, Halcol Energy, Casa Ceramica, TFH, HazardCo, James Hardie, Jirsch Sutherland,  Paslode, Build Launch the drinks sponsor and the food truck. We're taking it on tour around Australia. TFH Hire Services Pty LtdFuturebuild EventsSilvina Alvarez from Casa CeramicaHalcol EnergyJames HardieiBuildNewJirsch SutherlandHazardCoITW Paslode / Paslode ANZBuild Launch Coming up this week: Jack from James Marsden Builders on Wednesday, and Evan La Motta from La Motta Group on Friday. Check out our socials for pics and videos from the day, and keep an eye out for articles announcing the winners. This episode proudly sponsored by: https://australianbuildingresearch.com.au/ #TheGoodBuilder #TGBFishingClassic #FishingClassic #BliBliBarraPark #Barra #Barramundi #Builders #AustralianBuilders #QueenslandBuilders #ResidentialConstruction #ConstructionIndustry #BuildingIndustry #HomeBuilders #TradiesLife #ConstructionPodcast #BuilderPodcast #IndustryEvent #SunshineCoast

  2. 3d ago

    The Daily Dose #361 | Beyond Colour: What Builders Should Know About Pre-Painted Steel | Jason Voglis from Selection Steel

    All painted steel looks the same on the rack. According to Jason Voglis, it doesn't perform the same. "When you actually break it down and you look at the different substrates and the coil coating technologies and the paints, they perform very differently." In partnership with UniCote. Jason is National Sales Manager at UniCote, part of INSPIRE, a division of Selection Steel. He joins Az to talk through what builders should know before they choose roofing and cladding, and why having a credible second supplier is about managing risk rather than ditching a supplier you're happy with. In this episode: Jason's move from real estate into steel, and what his team does with builders, architects, installers and roll formersThe misconception that all painted steel is the same, and how substrate, coating, warranty and price differSupply shortages since COVID and why "delays could mean make or break" when builders are working on slim margins"Imported equals inferior, and it's not the case." Jason on reputable mills, specifications and independent testingHow UniCote supplies through roll formers, and why Selection Steel uses two millsThe UniCote range as Jason describes it: Select (everyday), Coastal (for corrosive environments), Lux (architectural finishes inspired by timber, Corten, zinc, copper and brass) and Extreme (aluminium for the harshest coastal sites)Choosing the right product for a coastal site, and weighing warranty against costWhy a premium product needs a premium experience to go with it"You've got to have a premium product and then couple that with a premium experience for that customer. And that's what creates trust. That's what creates loyalty." Company background as Jason describes it: Selection Steel has supplied steel into the Australian market since 1974 and launched its own UniCote painted range about 12 years ago. This is The Good Builder Podcast. #TheGoodBuilder #TheGoodBuilderPodcast #AustralianBuilders #UniCote #SelectionSteel #Roofing #Cladding #PrePaintedSteel #CoastalBuilding #BuildingMaterials #ResidentialConstruction Chapters:00:44 Welcome: Jason Voglis from Selection Steel03:13 From real estate into steel06:11 Why all painted steel isn't the same08:29 Supply shortages: "delays could mean make or break"28:24 "Imported equals inferior, and it's not the case"33:04 The UniCote range: Coastal, Lux and Extreme40:30 Coastal sites, warranty and cost46:19 Premium product, premium experience Find out more about UniCote: https://unicote.com.au

    The Daily Dose #361 | Beyond Colour: What Builders Should Know About Pre-Painted Steel | Jason Voglis from Selection Steel

  3. 5d ago

    The Daily Dose #360 | The Weight of Being a Builder | Jordan Rogers from J3 Built

    What does it really take to be a good builder? And we're not just talking about building great homes. Every now and then, a conversation comes along that reminds us exactly why The Good Builder exists. This is one of them. At just 32, Jordan Rogers has spent the past two and a half years building his Gold Coast construction business, J3 Built. He's already stepped off the tools, built a team and developed a genuine passion for leadership. But behind that progress is a young builder who's had to learn some pretty tough lessons about business, responsibility and knowing when to ask for help. Recorded at The Professional Builder Summit, this conversation starts with Jordan's journey from AFL and carpentry into running his own building company. It quickly becomes something much more personal. Jordan opens up about learning the financial side of construction, the importance of surrounding yourself with good people, why leadership is about more than giving instructions, and how seeking guidance helped him through a difficult period. We also get into building systems, using AI properly, managing growth, protecting margins and why being a great tradesman doesn't automatically make you a successful business owner. But it's Jordan's answer to one simple question, "What makes a good builder?", that completely changes the conversation. He talks about the sleepless nights, the decisions nobody else sees, the families depending on you and the enormous responsibility of running a building business. And for the first time in more than 350 episodes, Az finds himself fighting back tears. This isn't a conversation about how big you can grow a building company. It's about the person you become while building one. An episode for every builder who's ever carried the weight of their business, questioned themselves or needed reminding that they don't have to do it alone. This is The Good Builder Podcast. #TheGoodBuilder #TheGoodBuilderPodcast #AustralianBuilders #BuildingBusiness #ConstructionLeadership #BuilderLife #ConstructionAustralia #YoungBuilders #BuilderMentalHealth #J3Built

    The Daily Dose #360 | The Weight of Being a Builder | Jordan Rogers from J3 Built

  4. Oct 25

    The Daily Dose #359 | What We've Learnt From Meeting Builders Across Australia

    We've spent the past few weeks travelling through Victoria, New South Wales and the Gold Coast, meeting builders, visiting businesses and hearing what's really happening across the industry. And one thing keeps becoming clearer: there's an enormous amount we can learn from each other. In this Monday solo episode, Az shares some of the conversations and lessons that have stuck with him, from Cheyne Hall's experience growing a national building business to Paul Hogan's approach to delivering better outcomes for homeowners. We also reflect on our time around Newcastle with Mark Sutton from Goop Guys, meeting the next generation of builders at the TPB Summit, and why getting out on site tells us things the industry data doesn't always reveal. It's a conversation about growth, doing things properly, learning from mistakes and why sharing real experiences matters. Also coming up this week: Jason Voglis from Selection Steel UniCote joins us for our Friday feature, plus a conversation with young builder Jordy from J3 Built, who we met at the TPB Summit. At The Good Builder, we're not here because we've got all the answers. We're here to listen, learn and share the experiences of the good builders out there. The Good Builder Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Pulse by Australian Building Research. #TheGoodBuilder #AustralianBuilders #ConstructionAustralia #BuildingIndustry #ResidentialConstruction #BuildingBusiness #BuilderLife #ConstructionPodcast #TPBSummit #AustralianConstruction

  5. Oct 22

    The Daily Dose #358 | $6 Billion in Building Estimates: What AI Still Can't Replace | Haydn, Price A Plan | Live from TPB

    AI can help builders produce estimates faster than ever. But when your margins, cash flow and reputation are on the line, who's checking the numbers? Recorded live from the TPB Summit, Az sits down with Haydn, founder of Price A Plan, for a conversation about the future of construction estimating, the growing influence of AI and why experienced people still matter. Haydn didn't set out to build an estimating business. After an operation left him unable to return to the tools for nine months, he started helping other builders with their quotes. Eighteen years later, Price A Plan supports more than 500 builders annually, employs 32 people and has accumulated approximately $6 billion in project history. And while Haydn is investing heavily in AI, he's taking a different approach to businesses looking to replace people with technology. His view is that faster estimating actually creates a greater need for experienced eyes and proper quality control. In this episode, we get into: The risks of relying on AI-generated estimates without experienced oversight.Why getting your estimating right is about more than winning the job.How Price A Plan uses $6 billion in project history to support cost forecasting.The importance of qualifying clients before spending hours preparing detailed quotes.When builders should consider outsourcing their estimating.How AI can improve productivity without sacrificing accuracy or relationships.Why Haydn would spend his first $1,000 on improving his sales process rather than advertising.The surprising quality Haydn believes makes a genuinely good builder: empathy.There's plenty of honest conversation about AI, including the pressure to keep up, the risk of handing over too much control and the importance of remembering what actually makes a building business work. Because at the end of the day, technology might help you produce an estimate, but someone still needs to stand behind the numbers. Another great conversation from the TPB Summit, bringing together the people, ideas and experiences shaping the Australian residential building industry. Proudly sponsored by The PULSE from Australian Building Research. The PULSE helps builders track the customer experience throughout the build, identify issues early and act before they become bigger problems. Discover The PULSE and book a walkthrough: https://australianbuildingresearch.com.au/the-pulse-cep The Good Builder Podcast. Real talk. Real numbers. Real builders. #TheGoodBuilder #TPBSummit #PriceAPlan #AustralianBuilders #ConstructionEstimating #AIinConstruction #BuildingBusiness

    The Daily Dose #358 | $6 Billion in Building Estimates: What AI Still Can't Replace | Haydn, Price A Plan | Live from TPB

  6. Oct 20

    The Daily Dose #357 | The Good Builder at TPB: How Baihn Construction Is Using AI to Win More Work

    We're taking The Good Builder Podcast on the road. In this special series recorded at The Professional Builder Summit, Az sits down with builders from across Australia for honest, unscripted conversations about running a building business, the challenges they're facing and what they're learning along the way. No presentations or rehearsed answers. Just real conversations with the people doing the work. In this episode, Az meets Leithen, Jordan and Ange from Brisbane-based Baihn Construction. What starts with a fairly hilarious introduction quickly turns into a conversation about AI, marketing, customer relationships and what makes a good builder. The team shares how they've introduced AI-generated renders into their quoting process, helping homeowners visualise renovations before committing to a project. At one point, they were converting every quote they presented. They also discuss why authentic marketing works for their business, how they've become more selective about the clients they take on, and why communication and transparency remain central to delivering a good building experience. It's a conversation full of laughs, but there's plenty for other builders to take away too. About the series The Good Builder at TPB is a special series recorded at The Professional Builder Summit, bringing together the experiences, ideas and perspectives of builders who are actively working to improve their businesses. From technology and systems to people, profitability and the realities of running a construction company, we're sharing conversations that don't always happen on the main stage. A big thank you to The Professional Builder for bringing the building community together, and to Leithen, Jordan and Ange for being so generous with their time and experiences. The Good Builder Podcast. Real talk. Real numbers. Real builders. Australian Building Research Independent research and industry intelligence focused on understanding the Australian residential construction industry through real data, builder insights and customer experiences. Website: https://australianbuildingresearch.com.au/ The Pulse Helping builders better understand the customer experience through independent feedback and research gathered throughout the building journey. Website: https://australianbuildingresearch.com.au/ The Professional Builder Helping residential builders build stronger, more profitable businesses through coaching, practical systems and a community of builders learning from one another. Website: https://theprofessionalbuilder.com/ Thank you to our sponsors and partners for supporting these conversations and their ongoing contribution to the Australian building industry. #TheGoodBuilder #TheProfessionalBuilder #TPBSummit #BaihnConstruction #AustralianBuilders #BuildingBusiness #AIinConstruction #TheGoodBuilderPodcast

    The Daily Dose #357 | The Good Builder at TPB: How Baihn Construction Is Using AI to Win More Work

  7. Oct 18

    The Daily Dose #356 | Sydney Home Values Are Falling. So Why Are Approvals Speeding Up?

    Sydney home values are falling, but the NSW Government is pushing ahead with faster housing approvals and new measures to get projects off the ground. In this Monday edition of The Good Builder Podcast, Az is heading to Sydney to find out what's happening on the ground and what it means for residential builders. According to figures discussed in the episode, Sydney home values have fallen 8.6% from their February peak. That's not just a concern for homeowners. Falling valuations can create problems at the final claim, leaving builders exposed when clients struggle to secure the finance needed to settle. Meanwhile, NSW is accelerating development approvals and using government-backed pre-sale guarantees to help unlock construction finance. Az looks at three questions facing the industry: What happens to builders when property valuations fall before the final payment?Can faster approvals actually translate into more homes being built?How are government-backed pre-sale guarantees helping projects secure finance?Plus, a wrap-up of The Professional Builder's AI and Marketing Summit, where The Good Builder recorded 26 conversations with builders, and a look at GRAYA's latest Brisbane River project, Ivory. A quick look at the numbers, the decisions behind them and what they could mean for builders over the next 12 to 24 months. The Good Builder Podcast. Real conversations. Real builders. #TheGoodBuilder #SydneyBuilders #ConstructionAustralia

  8. Oct 15

    The Daily Dose #355 | Why More Staff Doesn't Always Mean More Profit | Cheyne Hall, Build Launch

    Growing a building business should mean more opportunity, more profit and hopefully a little less pressure on the owner. But as many builders have discovered, more work and more staff don't always deliver those results. In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Az sits down with Cheyne Hall, founder of Build Launch, to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing growing construction businesses: getting the right people into the right roles without letting overheads get out of control. Cheyne knows the pressures firsthand. After growing his own construction business to 60–70 staff across multiple states, he experienced the challenges of managing people, maintaining quality, controlling costs and keeping a growing operation profitable. Those lessons eventually led him to establish Build Launch, a business helping Australian builders access trained offshore talent for roles including estimating, contract administration, project support and finance. But this conversation goes well beyond offshore staffing. Az and Cheyne discuss why builders often hire too late, how poor onboarding and training can undermine even the best recruits, and why saving money on back-office roles could allow builders to invest more in the supervisors, construction managers and tradespeople delivering the work. They also explore the growing role of AI in construction, the importance of having proper systems before introducing new technology, and a surprisingly simple question every builder should ask before deciding to grow. It's a conversation about building a better business, not necessarily a bigger one. In this episode: Why growing headcount doesn't guarantee growing profitThe hidden costs of scaling a construction businessWhich roles builders should consider keeping in-houseHow offshore teams can support estimating, administration and project deliveryWhy training, mentoring and management matter more than where someone worksThe risks of hiring when your business is already overwhelmedWhere AI and automation genuinely fit into a building businessHow to make better decisions about growth, staffing and your own futureWhether you're a one-person operation looking for your first team member or an established builder trying to get your overheads under control, there's plenty worth considering in this conversation. Guest: Cheyne Hall, Founder of Build Launch Build Launch: https://buildlaunch.com.au/ Host: Az Ng, The Good Builder The Good Builder: https://thegoodbuilder.com.au/ #TheGoodBuilder #AustralianBuilders #ConstructionBusiness #BuilderProfitability #BuildLaunch

    The Daily Dose #355 | Why More Staff Doesn't Always Mean More Profit | Cheyne Hall, Build Launch
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About

This week in home building news! Catch up with Az and a colourful array of guests, to hear about who's killing it, who's innovating, and who's getting into strife in the world of new home construction.

Information

  • Creator
    The Good Builder
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    362
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Good Builder
  • Show Website
    The Good Builder Podcast

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