The Good Builder Podcast

The Good Builder
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This week in home building news! Catch up with Az and Pete 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 #244 | US-Iran, Pilbara Boom, Avia's 4.9-Star Sales System & Bec Askin's Modular Mission

    It's Tuesday and the headlines are rolling. This week's Daily Dose covers five stories that matter to builders right now — from a geopolitical conflict that could hit your build costs, to a WA land release tying housing directly to major resource projects, to one of Queensland's fastest-growing builders revealing the mindset behind their 4.9-star sales system. Powered by MyConstruct. What we cover: When success starts breaking things — why momentum without foundations creates problems inside your building business, and what Dan Urquhart from A Thousand Feet Deep says to fix firstUS-Iran conflict and your build costs — what rising oil prices, shipping disruptions, and unpredictable lead times could mean if you're running fixed-price contracts133 workforce homes in Karratha — the WA government's Pilbara land release and why their model of tying housing directly to major projects is worth watching nationallyAvia Homes' 4.9-star sales system — the key insight Hayden Ashton shared about why slowing down your sales process could be the smartest move you makeBec Askin's modular mission — a preview of Thursday's episode with the single mum, licensed builder, and head of Adapt Modular who's helping rebuild housing faster after disastersAll five articles are live at thegoodbuilder.com.au. Links:MyConstruct - myconstruct.comThe New Home Electrical Specialist - tnhes.com.au

    14 min
  2. The Daily Dose #243 | The Foundation Before the Build | Dan Urquhart on Leadership, the Snowball Effect & Why Success Can Break You

    1D AGO

    The Daily Dose #243 | The Foundation Before the Build | Dan Urquhart on Leadership, the Snowball Effect & Why Success Can Break You

    Dan Urquhart from 1000 Feet Deep is back on the couch...and this one gets real fast. Dan knows what it looks like when a building business starts to crack under the weight of its own success. He lived it. And now he helps builders understand the foundations they need before the cracks appear…not after. In this episode, Az and Dan get into why success can actually be the most dangerous thing for a business without the right foundation underneath it. They talk about negative momentum, the worker vs. leader mindset, and why the phrase "I just can't find good people" is usually a leadership problem in disguise. They also cover Dan's upcoming events — a webinar on March 11th and a one-day masterclass on March 19th in Newcastle — built around the three foundations every building business needs: leadership, team, and organisational structure. If you've ever felt like things are rolling downhill and you can't stop it — this one's for you. What we cover: Why success has weight — and what happens when your business can't carry itThe difference between a worker mindset and a leadership mindsetNegative momentum: what it is and how to spot it before it takes overWhy "I can't find good people" is the wrong questionDan's March webinar and masterclass — what they cover and who they're for 🔗 Links mentioned: A Thousand Feet Deep webinar (March 11) — https://www.1000feetdeep.com.au/event/webinar-foundational-performance-planOne-day masterclass Newcastle (March 19) — https://www.1000feetdeep.com.au/event/hand-head-heart-masterclass---thu-mar-19th-2026A Thousand Feet Deep socials — https://www.instagram.com/1000feetdeep_/1000 Feet Deep Podcast: #15 Eric Grothe Snr | Skillset, Mindset & Character: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2592709/episode_players/18759107-15-eric-grothe-snr-skillset-mindset-character?client_source=large_player&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzsprout.com%2Fadmin%2F2592709%2Fpodcast%2Fembed#TheGoodBuilder #DanUrquhart #AThousandFeetDeep #BuilderLeadership #ConstructionBusiness #LeadershipFoundation #BuildingIndustry #BuilderMindset #BusinessForBuilders #GoodBuilder #ConstructionAustralia #LeadershipDevelopment

    42 min
  3. The Daily Dose #242 | VuTrade & The Bellevue Group | Why the Right Timber Connector Could Save Your Build

    4D AGO

    The Daily Dose #242 | VuTrade & The Bellevue Group | Why the Right Timber Connector Could Save Your Build

    In this episode, Az sits down with James Renshaw and Jason Shedden from the Bellevue Group Australasia — the team behind VuTrade, an Australian timber connector manufacturer with over 35 years in the building industry. This one's less about product specs and more about the philosophy behind doing things properly. James and Jason talk about what it means to actually listen to builders, why they only bring products to market that solve a real problem, and how cutting corners on something as critical as a timber connector can cost a builder — and a homeowner — far more than the few hundred dollars saved. They also get into the compliance issues quietly sitting in the market right now, the shift they're seeing toward custom builders who care about quality, and why peace of mind might be the most underrated thing a good builder can offer. A genuine conversation with two blokes who are in the industry for the right reasons. What we cover: How VuTrade was built on a builder's background and a family commitment to qualityWhy listening to the trade is baked into how they develop every new productThe real cost of non-compliant or substandard timber connectors on siteStainless vs galvanised — using the right material in the right applicationThe growing split between volume builders and quality-focused custom buildersWhy Australian-made matters beyond the taglineWhat makes a good builder, according to two people who work with them every dayFor more on VueTrade head to: https://vuetrade.com/ #TheGoodBuilder #VuTrade #BellevueGroup #TimberConnectors #AustralianMade #BuildingCompliance #ConstructionAustralia #BuilderLife #QualityBuilds #AustralianBuilders #CustomBuilders #BuildingIndustry #GoodBuilder

    48 min
  4. The Daily Dose #241 | Business in a Box. How Stonewood Homes Gives Builders the Systems to Scale

    5D AGO

    The Daily Dose #241 | Business in a Box. How Stonewood Homes Gives Builders the Systems to Scale

    Gregg Somerville is the General Manager of Stonewood Homes, a franchise builder with roots going back to 1987 and a growing presence across Queensland. In this episode, Aaron sits down with Gregg to unpack what a franchise model actually gives a builder that going it alone can't. The conversation covers the Homeye system that lets builders price and customise homes in real time, why the best builders still struggle with the business side, and how Stonewood is expanding across Queensland with the right people in the right places. Gregg also shares what he genuinely believes makes a good builder — and it's not what most people expect. If you're a builder doing five homes a year and thinking about how to reach twenty, this one's worth your time. In this episode: Why builders who are great at their trade often run bad businesses — and what to do about itThe Homeye system: real-time pricing, bill of materials, and 3D customisation in one toolWhat franchise fees actually pay for (and why it's often cheaper than going alone)How Stonewood approaches franchisee onboarding and due diligenceThe Queensland market and why Greg sees a long runway aheadWhat makes a good builder, in the eyes of the customerConnect with Stonewood Homes: Visit stonewoodhomes.com.au and head to the franchise recruitment page to start a conversation with the team.

    38 min
  5. The Daily Dose #240 | How to Scale Without Losing Control. Systems, Costs & Getting It Right from Day One

    6D AGO

    The Daily Dose #240 | How to Scale Without Losing Control. Systems, Costs & Getting It Right from Day One

    In this episode, I sit down with two blokes who know exactly what it takes to build a business that lasts, Jake from MyConstruct, one of Australia's leading construction management platforms, and Sean Hewitt, franchisee of Stonewood Homes on the Sunshine Coast. This one goes deep. We talk about what actually holds builders back when they try to scale...and it's rarely about skill. It's about systems, cost visibility, and the discipline to get the foundations right before chasing growth. Sean brings the builder's perspective...someone who's seen businesses grow fast and fall apart, and is now applying every one of those lessons to build Stonewood Homes Sunshine Coast the right way. Jake brings the systems view, more than a decade of experience working with builders of every size, from two homes a year to hundreds. What came out of this conversation was real. No fluff. No theory. Just honest talk about knowing your costs, tracking what matters, hiring at the right time, and building a business you'd actually want to work in. In this episode: Why builders who can't take a week off haven't got the right systems in placeThe real cost of reactive supervision and loose material trackingWhy software doesn't fix chaos — it just digitalises itHow Sean is setting up Stonewood Homes Sunshine Coast for long-term successWhat MyConstruct is building next — live weather stamping, client portals, AI messaging cleanup, and moreIf you're running two to five homes a year and thinking about what's next — this episode is for you.

    1h 11m

  6. MAR 2

    The Daily Dose #239 | DCOH Goes National, QLD Land Clearing Rules, Bunnings Enters Modular & More

    Your weekly construction industry news wrap — five stories that matter for builders and trades. This week: DCOH acquires Melbourne's Unlimited Commercial Constructions in a major national expansion; new Queensland land clearing rules that could delay your projects; DARE Property Group starts construction on a $1.3M+ Fitzroy boutique apartment project; Bunnings enters the flat-pack modular market; and the GBCA breaks down the 2026 policy agenda including NCC 2025 adoption and lead-free plumbing timelines. This week on the pod: Wednesday — Jake from MyConstruct and Sean Hewitt (Stonewood Homes Sunshine Coast) on scaling a building business. Thursday — Gregg Sommerville, GM of Stonewood Homes Australasia, live from Auckland. Friday — James Renshaw and Jason Shedden from Bellevue Group and ViewTrade. Powered by MyConstruct — construction management software built for Australian builders. Visit myconstruct.com.au. DCOH / Unlimited Commercial Constructions — thegoodbuilder.com.au Queensland Land Clearing Rule Changes — thegoodbuilder.com.au DARE Property Group / Saint David Fitzroy — thegoodbuilder.com.au Bunnings Flat-Pack Pods — thegoodbuilder.com.au GBCA 2026 Policy Snapshot — thegoodbuilder.com.au

    13 min

  7. MAR 1

    The Daily Dose #238 | Your Reputation Is Being Built Right Now — Are You Paying Attention?

    Seven out of ten Australians have changed their mind on who to build with based on what they read online. Not a referral. Not a recommendation. A review from a stranger. And that research is happening before they ever pick up the phone. In this episode, Aaron breaks down exactly what potential clients are finding when they search your name — and what you can do about it this week. From handling one-star reviews without losing your cool, to building a simple process that gets happy clients to actually leave feedback, this one is practical from start to finish. You'll learn: Why your Google profile is your new front doorHow to respond to negative reviews in a way that builds trust, not damageThe right way to ask for reviews without it feeling awkwardWhy staying silent on reviews is costing you jobsPowered by MyConstruct — the software helping builders stay organised, deliver better experiences, and protect what they've worked hard to build. 🔗 Check out MyConstruct: https://myconstruct.com/

    12 min
  8. The Daily Dose #237 | Nicola Scott | Master Builders QLD, Breast Cancer, Resilience, and What This Industry Is Really Made Of

    FEB 26

    The Daily Dose #237 | Nicola Scott | Master Builders QLD, Breast Cancer, Resilience, and What This Industry Is Really Made Of

    Nicola Scott is one of the most respected voices in the Queensland construction industry. As a senior figure at Master Builders Queensland, she's spent years connecting builders, championing standards, and quietly showing up for the people around her. But this episode isn't just about industry. Over the past year, Nicola has navigated a breast cancer diagnosis, a mastectomy, and the loss of her father — all within months of each other. In this conversation, she talks openly about what that period looked like, how the industry responded, and what it means to keep showing up when life gets heavy. We also get into her career at Master Builders, what she sees changing across the industry, and why the relationships builders build matter just as much as the structures they put up. This one is honest, warm, and a reminder that behind every role and every title, there's a person. What we cover: Nicola's breast cancer diagnosis and recovery journeyLosing her father nine weeks after her diagnosisThe overwhelming support she received from the construction industryHer role at Master Builders Queensland and what it actually involvesWhat she sees happening across the building industry right nowGrowing up in Humpty Doo — and working in a beer fridge at 12Connect with Nicola Scott: Master Builders Queensland — Sunshine Coast Office LinkedIn: Nicola Scott Thanks to this month's Podcast sponsor Pay.com.au, remember our audience gets 20,000 bonus points when you sign up. USE code: GOOD20 T&C's apply go to pay.com.au/tgb The Good Builder Directory: https://thegoodbuilder.com.au/business-directory/packages/ MyConstruct: https://myconstruct.com/

    58 min
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About

This week in home building news! Catch up with Az and Pete 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
    244
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Good Builder
  • Show Website
    The Good Builder Podcast

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