Home Building Podcast

Independent Building Advice

The Home Building Podcast is Perth's go-to resource for anyone designing, building, or renovating a home. Hosted by Behan Flaherty founder of Independent Building Advice and 25-year building industry insider each episode gives you the kind of honest, practical advice the building industry usually keeps to itself. From choosing the right builder to design decisions, contracts, hidden costs, and everything in between. Independent. No builder bias. Just eal advice from someone who's been on the inside. Building in Perth? Book a free call with our team at independendentbuildingadvice.com.au

  1. 2d ago

    Building a Home When You’re Busy – Fast way to build or renovate a home | Home Building Podcast

    DOWNLOAD IBA BUILDING WHILE BUSY CHECKLIST 👇🏽 https://info.independentbuildingadvice.com.au/building-when-youre-busy-checklist-page?utm-hbp  Building a home is stressful. Building a home when life is already full makes it even harder. But there are ways to move the process along quicker than most people think. In this episode Behan breaks down exactly how to approach a build, renovation or extension when you've got a job, kids, and a full life without losing your mind in the process.  What you’ll learn:   Why you don't need to have it all figured out before you start   The two questions to ask your partner before you speak to anyone else  What "building creep" is and how it silently blows your budget  Why designing your dream home first is the worst thing you can do   How to keep your design phase to 2-6 weeks so you stop second-guessing yourself  Why a stop-start build costs you more time, money and stress than a slow and steady one    Chapters:  00:00 - Building when life is already full 00:33 - Start with some sort of plan - even a rough one 01:49 - What are the 1-2 things driving you to build or change? 02:38 - Must-haves vs. nice-to-haves - write them down 03:15 - Get on the same page as your partner first 04:04 - Write down what you do know - not just what you don't 05:10 - Finance - sort this before anything else 07:30 - How to choose a path - buy, build, extend or knock down 09:00 - Display homes - use them for inspiration, not decisions 12:00 - The design phase - how to keep it moving 16:00 - Don't design everything at once - do it in stages 21:21 - The biggest design mistake - including everything upfront 22:10 - Start lean and add up - not the other way around 23:12 - Make sure your builder's process is actually good 24:09 - The full recap - step by step 26:02 - Keep the design timeframe to 2-6 weeks 26:41 - Most people enjoy it looking back  FREE Homeowner Decision Checklist 👇🏽Not sure where to start? Download our free checklist to help you plan your build, renovation or extension before you speak to anyone.  info.independentbuildingadvice.com.au/decision-checklist-page?utm-homebuildingpodcast  Found the episode useful? Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you.  Need design & building advice? Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au   Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/   Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.

  2. Aug 10

    Tax, Investment Property & Knowing Your Numbers – Scott Greer

    In May 2026, the Federal Government announced changes to the rules around rental losses and capital gains tax for investment properties. This podcast was recorded prior to the changes; however, the general information discussed still applies. Scott is well across the new rules. Reach out to MKG Partners or similar professionals for advice on how these changes may affect your situation.  Why flipping a property puts you in a completely different tax category to investing  The CGT 50% discount when it applies and when it doesn't  What negative gearing actually is and how it works in practice  Land tax explained what triggers it and how it's calculated  GST and when it applies to property development  Stamp duty costs  Depreciation, construction costs, useful life and how to claim it correctly  Why getting tax advice before you buy is always better than after  The May 2026 budget changes to rental losses and capital gains tax and what grandfathering means for assets held before budget night    Chapters:   00:50 - Why people pay more tax than they need to 01:49 - The tax system is complex barbecue advice is dangerous 03:08 - General disclaimer please see your own professional 03:18 - Different tax types for investment property 04:13 - Flipping vs. Investing why the tax rules are completely different 05:30 - Stamp duty the cost people forget 06:00 - The CGT 50% discount when it applies and when it doesn't 09:00 - Negative gearing explained simply 15:00 - Land tax - what triggers it and how it works 20:00 - GST and property development - when it applies 25:00 - Depreciation - construction costs and useful life 33:40 - Will negative gearing ever be abolished? 36:14 - The $10K question   About Our Guest   Scott Greer is a CPA and part owner of MKG Partners, a Perth-based accounting firm specialising in property investment and tax advice. With 21 years of experience working with property investors, Scott is one of Perth's most knowledgeable advisers on investment tax strategy - including the May 2026 budget changes to rental losses and capital gains tax.  Contact Scott:  Website: https://www.mkgpartners.com.au/  Found the episode useful? Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you.  Need design & building advice? Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au   Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/   Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  General Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.

  3. Aug 3

    How to Subdivide a Block in Perth - Home Building Podcast

    Subdividing is one of the most popular property strategies in Perth and one of the most misunderstood. Behan walks through everything from R Codes and zoning to battle axe vs. side by side, build strata, feasibility and why more blocks doesn't always mean more money.  Chapters:  00:23 - What is subdividing and where do you start 01:18 - R Codes explained 02:39 - How to find your zoning online or through council 03:20 - Special council rules and precinct overlays 03:59 - Battle axe blocks explained  04:36 - Side by side subdivision 05:56 - The 4 metre driveway rule for battle axe blocks 07:00 - Green title vs. survey strata vs. build strata 09:30 - The subdivision process with a surveyor, WAPC, council and titles 12:00 - How long does subdivision take and what does it cost 16:30 - Running your subdivision and build at the same time 17:02 - Build strata & how to build before the title is split 18:38 - More blocks isn't always more money  19:48 - Build and hold vs. subdivide and sell  20:17 - Why vacant blocks are hard to sell and what to do instead 21:09 - Real client example  What you’ll learn:   What subdividing actually means and how R Codes determine what you can do  Battle axe blocks vs. side by side   Why 4 metres down the side is the magic number for a battle axe driveway  Green title vs. survey strata vs. build strata   How to run your subdivision and build at the same time to avoid delays and price rises  Why more blocks doesn't always give you the best return   Why selling a vacant block is harder than most people think  The strategy that lets you pay off your front home using the back block    Found the episode useful? Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you.  🏡 DOWNLOAD STEP BY STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO SUBDIVIDE https://info.independentbuildingadvice.com.au/subdivisions-guide-page  ✅ Not sure whether to buy, build, extend or knock down and rebuild?  Download our free Homeowner Decision Checklist here: https://info.independentbuildingadvice.com.au/decision-checklist-page?utm-homebuildingpodcast  Need design & building advice? Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au   Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/   Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.

  4. Jul 24

    7 Star Energy Ratings Explained - What It Means, What It Costs & How to Get It Right | Nina Kelly

    Energy efficiency is now mandatory for every new home in Australia but most people have no idea how the assessment actually works or what it costs. Nina Kelly from ESD Studio joins Behan to break it all down, from NatHERS ratings and climate zones to solar orientation, insulation, glazing and the whole-of-home assessment most people have never heard of.  What you’ll learn:   What a 7 star NatHERS rating actually means and how it's assessed  How climate zones affect your rating and why Perth has two distinct zones  Why solar orientation is the single most important design decision you can make  The west sun problem and when to ignore orientation for the view  How windows, insulation and wall construction affect your star rating  The renovation trap why changing a window to a door can increase your required star rating  What the whole-of-home assessment is and why gas hot water almost always triggers solar panels  Allow $8,500 to $10,000 for energy efficiency upgrades here's why  What existing homeowners can do to improve their rating without a full renovation  Why old homes with good orientation often outperform new ones    Chapters:   00:24 - What is energy efficiency and why does it matter 03:46 - How NatHERS assessments work  05:40 - Climate zones explained 06:46 - How Nina models your home and what she looks for first 09:25 - Solar orientation  10:30 - Why living areas facing south is a major problem 11:34 - When to ignore orientation for the view 14:00 - Windows (glazing ratios, types and how they affect performance) 17:20 – Insulation - what to include and where it makes the most difference 22:00 - Wall construction - brick vs. brick veneer vs. Framed 28:00 - The renovation star rating trap 33:00 - Eaves and shading  38:00 - Existing homes 48:00 - Whole-of-home assessment explained 59:39 - Gas hot water and solar panels 1:00:37 – When the budget doesn't fit for energy efficiency  1:02:37 – $10K Question   About Our Guest   Nina Kelly is the founder of ESD Studio, a Perth-based energy efficiency consultancy specialising in NatHERS assessments for residential builders, architects, designers and owner builders. With nearly a decade of experience across new homes, renovations and extensions, Nina helps homeowners understand and meet their energy requirements without blowing the budget.  Get in touch with Nina:  Website: https://esdstudio.com.au/  Socials: https://www.instagram.com/esdstudio_energy/  Thinking about building or renovating, but not sure? 🏡 Download our Homeowners Decision Checklist to get started 👈🏽   Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/   Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.

  5. Jul 20

    Do's and Don'ts When Building or Extending Your Home - My 10 Cent’s

    25 years of building experience distilled into one episode. Behan runs through his personal do's and don'ts across bathrooms, kitchens, doors, windows, outdoor living, lighting and energy efficiency. Some of it is controversial. All of it is honest.  What you’ll learn:   Why the bath in your ensuite is probably a waste of money and space  The vanity vs. bench space debate and why bench space wins every time  Why a single front door is better for security than a double door  The $600 upgrade that makes your whole home feel bigger and grander  Why the kitchen needs to be connected to your outdoor living area  Hotplates in the island bench why Behan's not a fan  Outdoor lighting, garden switches and why a hardwired doorbell is non-negotiable  The 6 star vs. 7 star energy efficiency debate honest take  03:33 - Welcome and what we're covering today 05:07 - Do's and don'ts for your ensuite and bathroom 09:30 - Shower tap placement  10:27 - Powder room location and the guest toilet rule 13:08 - Front doors  14:38 - Feature doors vs. flush panels (how to save money here) 15:31 - Raising your door height a $600 upgrade worth doing 22:00 - Kitchen layout (sculleries, sinks and the island bench) 27:37 - Hotplates in the island  31:02 - Kitchen placement and indoor /outdoor connection 32:00 - Alfresco fans 34:20 - Outdoor lighting switches  35:55 - Energy efficiency 6 star vs. 7 star   FREE Homeowner Decision Checklist Not sure whether to buy, build, extend or knock down and rebuild?  Download our free Homeowner Decision Checklist here: https://info.independentbuildingadvice.com.au/decision-checklist-page?utm-homebuildingpodcast    Need design & building advice? Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au   Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/   Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.

  6. Jul 14

    Concrete Floors, Benchtops & Aggregate - Everything You Need to Know with Tyron Scott

    Concrete is one of the most asked-about topics in home building and one of the most misunderstood. Tyron Scott from Firm Concrete joins Behan to cover everything from slabs and hardstands through to polished floors, exposed aggregate and in-situ benchtops.  What you'll learn:  The difference between a concrete slab and a hardstand and why 100mm is the bare minimum  Exposed aggregate types, finishes and what actually affects the price  Why the sealer matters as much as the concrete itself  Polished concrete floors what's involved and what to expect long term  In-situ concrete benchtops how they're made and what they cost  Why cheap concrete jobs always cost more in the long run  The architectural grey trend dominating Perth right now  Chapters: 05:03 - Concrete slabs vs. hardstands and why 100mm is the minimum 07:12 - Exposed aggregate explained - types, sizes and colours 11:45 - What affects the price of aggregate 15:10 - Why the sealer is as important as the concrete 22:40 - Polished concrete floors - the process and what to expect 30:12 - In-situ concrete benchtops - formwork, pouring and finishing 35:22 - Architectural grey and white benchtops - the honest truth 39:15 - Concrete vs. stone benchtops 42:30 - What goes wrong with cheap concrete jobs 1:05:39 - How to engage Firm Concrete for your project 1:07:57 - The $10K question  About Our Guest: Tyron Scott is the founder of Firm Concrete, a Perth-based decorative concrete specialist with 17 years of experience across exposed aggregate, polished floors, in-situ benchtops and large-scale commercial work. Firm Concrete completed the reception area at IBA's Home Base office.   Found the episode useful? Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you.  Need design & building advice? Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au   Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/   Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finances.

  7. Jul 6

    New Way to Build a Home - What is Independent Building Advice

    Building, renovating or extending a home takes a lot of research and trial and error, and when you're spending hundreds of thousands of dollars, you can't afford to get it wrong.   In this episode, IBA's director, Behan Flaherty, walks through the common ways people go about building a home and where each one can catch you out: going straight to a builder, using an architect or designer, or owner-building. Then he explains what Independent Building Advice actually does, and how working independently of builders changes the outcome for you. You'll hear how the design process works from a free consultation through to 3D renders, how selections and hidden costs are handled so there are no surprises, and the 7 criteria used to choose the right builder for you (plus an 8th for renovations and extensions). He also covers the full range of services, so no matter what stage you're at, there's a way to help.  A chat costs nothing. Reach out through the website or drop us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.  Chapters:   0:00 Why building goes wrong for most people  0:27 Option 1: Going straight to a builder  1:08 Option 2: Using an architect or designer  1:57 Option 3: Owner-building  2:23 What Independent Building Advice actually does  3:04 Comparing builders and quotes fairly  4:16 Why we tell you what you need to hear  5:01 Our design process, step by step  6:37 Selections, hidden costs and the electrical allowance  8:00 Staying by your side through the build  9:00 The 7 criteria we use to choose a builder  10:30 Our full range of services  11:24 How to get started with IBA   Found the episode useful? Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you.  Need design & building advice? Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au   Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/   Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.

  8. Jun 29

    R Codes, Planning Approvals & the Real Cost of Building Regulations - Aaron Sice HIA Assistant Director

    Most homeowners have no idea what R Codes are, what triggers a planning approval, or why energy efficiency requirements are quietly adding tens of thousands to the cost of their build. In this episode Behan sits down with Aaron Sice - Assistant Director at the Housing Industry Association - for one of the most information-dense conversations the podcast has had. From planning vs. building approvals and the SAT appeals process, through to mold, condensation, glazing ratios and the affordability crisis facing Perth builders and homeowners right now, this one is essential listening.  What you'll learn:  What the HIA actually is and who it represents - it's not just big builders  R Codes explained simply - what they are, how they work and why they matter to your build  What "deemed to comply" means and why staying within it can save you months  Certified vs. uncertified building permit pathway - why one takes 10 days and the other takes 5 weeks  State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) is and when to use it  Why mold is becoming a bigger issue BAL ratings & costs Glazing ratios explained - the 15 to 20% rule for an economical, energy-efficient home  Why double brick still performs well - and why getting rid of it isn't the answer  The condensation problem that unresolved energy efficiency details are causing in walls  Chapters:  01:48 - What is the HIA and who does it actually represent  03:08 - Aaron's role as Assistant Director - planning, building, environment and safety  04:10 - From TAFE graduate to industry leader - Aaron's career story  09:29 - The R Codes as the first sieve and local policy as the second 13:06 - Deemed to comply - how to avoid planning altogether  14:32 - Single houses no longer go to full council 15:12 - Real example - boundary walls and the 3 month planning process  19:05 - Certified vs. uncertified building permit pathway - 10 days vs. 5 weeks  20:10 - How planning delays trigger builder price rises  31:02 - Minor variation provisions and where the R Codes are heading  35:55 - Mold and energy efficiency - why tighter homes create bigger problems  36:43 - BAL ratings and the escalating costs of BAL 12.5, 19, 29 and beyond  37:41 - Noise attenuation adding to the affordability problem  38:21 - Death by a thousand cuts - 48% of a subdivision's land cost is tax  39:32 - WA's energy efficiency heavy lifting - going from 6 to 7 star  49:17 - How IBA rationalizes designs to save $70K to $100K 51:33 - Condensation provisions - the unresolved detail causing mold in walls  54:18 - Where all the costs add up before you've even started building  About Our Guest: Aaron Sice is the Assistant Director of the Housing Industry Association (HIA) in Western Australia, covering building policy, planning, environment and health and safety. With over two decades of industry experience spanning project building, private consultancy, property development and policy advocacy, Aaron is one of Perth's most knowledgeable voices on residential construction, planning codes and the National Construction Code. He also ran REIWA's planning education program for real estate sales consultants for over five years.  Found the episode useful? Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you.  Need design & building advice? Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au   Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/   Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.

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About

The Home Building Podcast is Perth's go-to resource for anyone designing, building, or renovating a home. Hosted by Behan Flaherty founder of Independent Building Advice and 25-year building industry insider each episode gives you the kind of honest, practical advice the building industry usually keeps to itself. From choosing the right builder to design decisions, contracts, hidden costs, and everything in between. Independent. No builder bias. Just eal advice from someone who's been on the inside. Building in Perth? Book a free call with our team at independendentbuildingadvice.com.au

Information

  • Creator
    Independent Building Advice
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Independent Building Advice
  • Show Website
    Home Building Podcast

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