Building Design, Prime Time

Frank Geskus & Amelia Roach
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We are building designers from Prime Design. We created the Building Design, Prime Time podcast, to provide valuable information for anyone looking to undertake a new build or extension project. We share our tips, tricks and stories from a building designer's perspective. 

  1. 1d ago

    E142. What happens when your designer, builder, engineer etc disagrees?

    A builder heats up a set of continuous reinforcing steel with an oxy torch just to bend it out of the way for a downpipe. A different building surveyor tells Frank a laundry needs the same waterproofing as a bathroom, then another one says he's completely wrong. A plumber quietly redesigns a footing detail on site at 6:30 in the morning, and it turns into a shouting match loud enough that the concreter has to step in and calm everyone down. In this episode, Frank pulls back the curtain on what actually happens when the people building your home don't agree with each other, and why it's more common than most homeowners will ever realise. He breaks down who's actually responsible when something goes wrong, why "it's the way I've always done it" is never a good enough reason to deviate from an approved plan, and the surprising answer to who gets stuck footing the bill when a product fails through no fault of the builder. Frank also shares how the best builders react when they spot a problem before it becomes a disaster, why disagreements between professionals are usually a good sign rather than a bad one, and exactly what a homeowner should do if they ever find themselves caught in the middle. If you're planning a build or renovation, this episode will completely change how you think about the people you're trusting with the job. Subscribe to the Building Design Prime Time Podcast so you never miss an episode. About us Prime Design is a building design company locally owned and operated in Tasmania since 2004.  Our goal is to share as much valuable information as possible about the process of building design, extensions, and more. We will talk about a different topic each week. To suggest a topic you would like us to talk about contact us at info@primedesigntas.com.au Disclaimer The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, individual circumstances, or remedy. We strongly suggest you consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on the information provided in this podcast. The views, opinions, and information provided in this podcast are those of the hosts  do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organisation, employer, or company.  All content provided on this podcast is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses,  or damages arising from its use. We reserve the right to change content or delete any information provided on this podcast at any time without prior notice.

  2. Sep 18

    E141. How council approval timeframes really work

    In Tasmania right now, a process that used to take two and a half weeks can stretch out to six or seven. Frank explains exactly why. You're not imagining it, and you're not being lied to. In this episode, Frank and Amelia pull back the curtain on what's really happening behind the scenes of your council approval, and why the timeframes you're quoted today look nothing like they did just a few years ago. Frank walks through exactly how many separate applications actually sit behind "getting approved" for a single new home, why one extra layer in the process has created a frustrating amount of double handling, and why builders and homeowners alike are learning to hate the phrase "please allow additional time."  Amelia and Frank also share a real client story about what happens when someone tries to shift their own start date without understanding what's actually driving the timeline, and why doing your own permit applications to save money almost never ends the way people hope. If you're planning a build or extension and want to understand what's genuinely causing the hold-ups (and what you can actually do about it) this episode will change how you plan your entire project timeline. 🎧 Subscribe to the Building Design Prime Time Podcast so you never miss an episode. About us Prime Design is a building design company locally owned and operated in Tasmania since 2004.  Our goal is to share as much valuable information as possible about the process of building design, extensions, and more. We will talk about a different topic each week. To suggest a topic you would like us to talk about contact us at info@primedesigntas.com.au Disclaimer The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, individual circumstances, or remedy. We strongly suggest you consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on the information provided in this podcast. The views, opinions, and information provided in this podcast are those of the hosts  do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organisation, employer, or company.  All content provided on this podcast is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses,  or damages arising from its use. We reserve the right to change content or delete any information provided on this podcast at any time without prior notice.

  3. Sep 4

    E140. What do Building Surveyors actually do?

    Most people hear the words "building surveyor" and picture someone showing up once or twice with a clipboard. But is that really the whole story? In this episode, Amelia and Frank to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood roles in the entire building process. Why does a building surveyor never actually issue your permit, even though everyone assumes they do? What is a Certificate of Likely Compliance, and why does it matter so much for your build? And why does Tasmania have an extra layer in the approval process that Frank has some very strong opinions about? We also dig into the four categories of building work in Tasmania, because not every project needs the same level of oversight, and knowing which category yours falls into could change your whole approach. Then there's the question of interpretation. When two building surveyors can look at the same code and reach two different conclusions, what does that mean for you and your build? Frank also shares a few real stories from the field, including one dispute that shows exactly what happens when a building surveyor and a builder get a little too comfortable with each other. If you're planning a new build, renovation, or extension in Tasmania, this episode will change how you think about who's really checking your project, and why choosing the right surveyor matters more than you'd expect. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode of the Building Design Prime Time Podcast. About us Prime Design is a building design company locally owned and operated in Tasmania since 2004.  Our goal is to share as much valuable information as possible about the process of building design, extensions, and more. We will talk about a different topic each week. To suggest a topic you would like us to talk about contact us at info@primedesigntas.com.au Disclaimer The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, individual circumstances, or remedy. We strongly suggest you consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on the information provided in this podcast. The views, opinions, and information provided in this podcast are those of the hosts  do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organisation, employer, or company.  All content provided on this podcast is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses,  or damages arising from its use. We reserve the right to change content or delete any information provided on this podcast at any time without prior notice.

  4. Aug 21

    E139. When should you stop changing your design?

    Frank once had a client rack up 24 revisions on a single project. Twenty-four. And it still didn't end well. If you've ever found yourself endlessly tweaking your floor plan, second-guessing a window choice, or scrolling Pinterest at midnight wondering if you've really nailed the design, this episode is for you. Amelia and Frank dig into one of the trickiest parts of any build or renovation: knowing when refining crosses the line into analysis paralysis. Frank shares why constant changes are almost always a symptom of something bigger, and it's rarely about the design itself. They talk about the "wish list" trick Prime Design uses to separate non-negotiables from nice-to-haves, why TV renovation shows are setting homeowners up for disappointment, and the surprisingly common miscommunication that happens when a client says one word, like "Hamptons" and means something completely different to their designer. There's also a confession from Frank about designing his own home (twice) and falling into the exact trap he warns his clients about, plus he tells a cautionary tale about a $100,000 glazing blowout that started with one stubborn design decision. If you're mid-design and can't tell whether you're refining or spiralling, Frank lays out exactly where the line sits, and what it actually costs you when you don't respect it. 🎧 Listen to the full episode now on the Building Design Prime Time Podcast. And be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the weekly episodes.  About us Prime Design is a building design company locally owned and operated in Tasmania since 2004.  Our goal is to share as much valuable information as possible about the process of building design, extensions, and more. We will talk about a different topic each week. To suggest a topic you would like us to talk about contact us at info@primedesigntas.com.au Disclaimer The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, individual circumstances, or remedy. We strongly suggest you consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on the information provided in this podcast. The views, opinions, and information provided in this podcast are those of the hosts  do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organisation, employer, or company.  All content provided on this podcast is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses,  or damages arising from its use. We reserve the right to change content or delete any information provided on this podcast at any time without prior notice.

  5. Aug 14

    E138. How to design for the extension you'll add later

    There's one design decision that can quietly cost you tens of thousands of dollars later, and most homeowners never even know it's being made. It's not your kitchen. It's not your bathroom. It's something far less obvious, buried in the layout of your very first build. In this episode, Amelia and Frank tackle the question every homeowner is facing right now: building costs aren't coming down anytime soon, so what do you do when your dream home doesn't fit your budget? The answer isn't just "cut back." It's designing your smaller, more affordable home today so it's secretly ready to become the bigger home you actually want, years down the track. Frank reveals the handful of small, almost invisible choices that decide whether your future extension is simple and cheap, or an expensive, disruptive mess. One wrong call on your roof shape. One missed conversation about where a pipe runs. One overlooked detail about your hallway. Get it right, and your stage-two build could cost a fraction of what it should. Get it wrong, and you might be cutting open brand-new walls in a few years' time. They also unpack who really needs to be thinking about this now, from growing families to the surprising number of adult kids moving back home, and the one thing you need to tell your designer that most people never think to mention. If you're building on a budget but planning to grow into something bigger one day, you need to hear this before you finalise a single drawing. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode!  About us Prime Design is a building design company locally owned and operated in Tasmania since 2004.  Our goal is to share as much valuable information as possible about the process of building design, extensions, and more. We will talk about a different topic each week. To suggest a topic you would like us to talk about contact us at info@primedesigntas.com.au Disclaimer The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, individual circumstances, or remedy. We strongly suggest you consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on the information provided in this podcast. The views, opinions, and information provided in this podcast are those of the hosts  do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organisation, employer, or company.  All content provided on this podcast is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses,  or damages arising from its use. We reserve the right to change content or delete any information provided on this podcast at any time without prior notice.

  6. Jul 31

    E137. Downsizing your home

    Downsizing isn't just about buying a smaller house. In this episode, Frank and Amelia unpack what actually makes a downsized home work, and it's rarely what people expect. Most people planning their next move focus on bedrooms and floor plans. But Frank explains why one overlooked design detail determines whether you can comfortably stay in your home for the next twenty years, or whether you'll be forced to move again sooner than planned. We also get into the two very different types of downsizers Frank sees walk through his door, and why understanding which one you are changes everything about how you should design your next home. Then there's the growing trend Frank says he's designing more of than people realise: granny flats, generational homes, and even some surprising living arrangements that go well beyond family. We talk about how much space you're actually allowed to build, what most people get wrong about combining living arrangements, and why designing for round-the-clock care doesn't have to mean designing something that feels like a nursing home. Whether you're thinking about your own future, planning ahead for ageing parents, or just curious about smarter ways to use the space you've got, this episode reframes what downsizing can look like when it's done properly from the start. Hit play to find out why the families who plan early end up with far more flexibility later, and why Frank recommends starting this conversation well before you think you need to. Listen to the full episode now, and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode.  About us Prime Design is a building design company locally owned and operated in Tasmania since 2004.  Our goal is to share as much valuable information as possible about the process of building design, extensions, and more. We will talk about a different topic each week. To suggest a topic you would like us to talk about contact us at info@primedesigntas.com.au Disclaimer The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, individual circumstances, or remedy. We strongly suggest you consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on the information provided in this podcast. The views, opinions, and information provided in this podcast are those of the hosts  do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organisation, employer, or company.  All content provided on this podcast is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses,  or damages arising from its use. We reserve the right to change content or delete any information provided on this podcast at any time without prior notice.

  7. Jul 24

    E136. True or false questions

    How well do you actually know your building facts? In this episode we're flipping the format and putting ourselves on the spot with a run of true or false questions, pulled straight from the things people assume about building, buying land, and designing a home. No long explanations up front, just a call: true, or false. And some of the answers aren't as obvious as you'd think. We move through contracts and compliance, structure and site conditions, roofing choices, wet areas, solar, and energy efficiency, testing some of the most common assumptions homeowners walk in with. Does a fixed price contract really mean the price can't change? Does an easement only affect what's underground? Are all slabs designed the same way, regardless of soil? Is a skillion roof always the cheaper option? Some of these will feel like common sense once you hear the reasoning. Others might completely change how you think about your next build or reno. There's also one trick question thrown in to keep us honest, and a couple of answers that surprised even Frank. It's a fast-moving episode, but it's grounded in the same real project experience we always bring, just packaged as a quiz instead of a story. If you've ever nodded along to a "fact" about building without really knowing if it's true, this one's for you. Tune in, keep score as you go, and see how many you get right. Got your own true or false to throw at us? Send it in. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any upcoming episodes!  About us Prime Design is a building design company locally owned and operated in Tasmania since 2004.  Our goal is to share as much valuable information as possible about the process of building design, extensions, and more. We will talk about a different topic each week. To suggest a topic you would like us to talk about contact us at info@primedesigntas.com.au Disclaimer The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, individual circumstances, or remedy. We strongly suggest you consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on the information provided in this podcast. The views, opinions, and information provided in this podcast are those of the hosts  do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organisation, employer, or company.  All content provided on this podcast is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses,  or damages arising from its use. We reserve the right to change content or delete any information provided on this podcast at any time without prior notice.

  8. Jul 17

    E135. Windows and glazing for renovations (part 2)

    If your house has ever felt like it's wearing a jumper full of holes, this episode is for you. Amelia and Frank dig into part two of their windows and glazing series, this time turning their attention to renovations rather than new builds. They walk through the eras of Australian windows, from the huge steel-framed and timber sashes of the early 1900s through to the thin single-glazed aluminium sliders that took over in the 70s and 80s, and explain why so many of these older windows are quietly leaking your heating budget straight out the glass. Frank shares real project stories, including a heritage timber replacement that went so smoothly you'd never know it had been touched, and a cautionary tale about a botched sill repair that looked like "a two-year-old did it." They cover when you can simply swap a window like-for-like without a permit, and when changing the size triggers a full structural and compliance process, plus a Tasmanian rule that catches a lot of renovators off guard where the rest of the house may need to be brought up to current code too. There's also a good look at material choices, uPVC versus timber versus aluminium, importing windows from overseas, and why that stamped WERS rating matters more than people think. As always, it comes back to research, the right tradespeople, and understanding your payback period before you commit. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode and to learn about windows and glazing for new builds be sure to listen to part 1 on the previous episode and tune in to any future episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast. About us Prime Design is a building design company locally owned and operated in Tasmania since 2004.  Our goal is to share as much valuable information as possible about the process of building design, extensions, and more. We will talk about a different topic each week. To suggest a topic you would like us to talk about contact us at info@primedesigntas.com.au Disclaimer The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, individual circumstances, or remedy. We strongly suggest you consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on the information provided in this podcast. The views, opinions, and information provided in this podcast are those of the hosts  do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organisation, employer, or company.  All content provided on this podcast is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses,  or damages arising from its use. We reserve the right to change content or delete any information provided on this podcast at any time without prior notice.

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About

We are building designers from Prime Design. We created the Building Design, Prime Time podcast, to provide valuable information for anyone looking to undertake a new build or extension project. We share our tips, tricks and stories from a building designer's perspective. 

Information

  • Creator
    Frank Geskus & Amelia Roach
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    142
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Building Design, Prime Time
  • Show Website
    Building Design, Prime Time