Better Builder Podcast

Better Studios

Social Links Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcastTiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcastFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudioLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcastLinktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcastBetter Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders convert higher quality projects. Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bradvisser01/?hl=enGro's SocialsGro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agencyGro's Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@groagencyGro’s website https://groagency.co/ + https://www.gro.video/Disclaimer: This podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any information featured in this podcast. Any third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of this podcast, and no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy or completeness of any content contained in any third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this podcast.

  1. 13h ago

    The Cost Of Pushing Too Hard | Jason Bailey #95

    Send us Fan Mail This week we sit down with Jason Bailey of Hoxha Bailey Architects, who flew in from the Sunshine Coast for the chat. Over 30 years designing Auckland homes, Jason shares his story and the lessons behind it. He takes us from a creative Auckland childhood and an arts degree into architecture, and the leap of starting a practice from scratch with no clients. Along the way he gets into the pros and cons of a business partnership, the art of pulling a real brief out of a client, and why working collaboratively with builders early makes all the difference. He's also honest about the budget realities of building today, and the burnout that led him to set boundaries and move across the ditch to find some balance. Social Links  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders attract higher quality projects.  Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betterbradvisser Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency Gro’s Offer https://builder.groagency.co/vsl Disclaimer This podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any information featured in this ...

  2. Aug 2

    What Working Every Night Cost Me | Ben Kevey-Maiden #94

    Send us Fan Mail This week, we welcome Ben Kevey-Maiden, founder of New Wave Construction, to the Better Builder podcast as we sit down on location in St Luke's, Auckland, inside the striking little commercial building he built off the side of his family's car wash. Ben has built a reputation across Auckland for bringing complex, high-end architectural designs to life, with a craftsman's eye for detail and finish. In this episode, Ben pulls back the curtain on the technical reality of the build, from setting footings into solid basalt rock to pouring a cantilevered concrete staircase that hangs off the side of the building. He shares how he came up through an old-school apprenticeship, cut his teeth on high-end projects in London, and went out on his own to build a deliberately small, tight-knit team he treats as equals. Ben also opens up on the honest stuff: the "circle of trust" that holds a project together, learning to step back from working every night, and how family, meditation and staying on the tools keep him grounded. He explains why he has never needed to market, why he would rather stay small than become "a guy behind an email signature," and how early collaboration with the right architect keeps projects running on time and on budget. Social Links  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders attract higher quality projects.  Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betterbradvisser Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency Gro’s Offer https://builder.groagency.co/vsl Disclaimer This podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any information featured in this ...

  3. Jul 26

    Why Architects and Builders Clash | Ben Lloyd #93

    Send us Fan Mail This week on the Better Builder podcast, we sit down with Ben Lloyd from Lloyd Hartley Architects, on location at a small St Luke's office he designed in the corner of a busy Auckland car wash. Ben shares what it really takes to run a small architecture practice, how he guides clients through a stressful once-in-a-lifetime build, why holding firm on budget matters, and why early builder involvement is a game-changer for keeping projects on time and on budget. Social Links  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders attract higher quality projects.  Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betterbradvisser Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency Gro’s Offer https://builder.groagency.co/vsl Disclaimer This podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any information featured in this ...

  4. Jul 23 ·  Bonus

    What Year One as a Building Apprentice Actually Looks Like | Lawrence BBA #18

    Send us Fan Mail Lawrence is a second-year building apprentice from Tauranga who joins Brad for an honest chat about life on the tools. He breaks down how the apprenticeship actually works: the trainer visits, the night classes, the book work, and the mistakes along the way. They cover site culture, the first-year learning curve, why he chose the trades, and what makes a good apprentice. Plus a rapid-fire round on tools, energy drinks, rugby and more. Social Links  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders attract higher quality projects.  Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betterbradvisser Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency Gro’s Offer https://builder.groagency.co/vsl Disclaimer This podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any information featured in this ...

  5. Jul 12

    Remote Island Builder Specialist | Matt Garlick #92

    Send us Fan Mail This week on the Better Builder podcast, we sit down with Matt Garlick, founder of Supreme Builders NZ, to talk about what it actually takes to execute high-end architectural construction in some of the most remote, awkward locations across the Bay of Islands. Originally a carpenter from Kent, UK, Matt moved to New Zealand at age 22 and has spent the last two decades cutting his teeth on complex, regional builds. In this episode, Matt pulls back the curtain on the brutal logistical challenges of island building—including the extreme management required to shuffle subcontractors back and forth via workboats with limited passenger capacity, and what happens when your concrete pump breaks down on a secluded island mid-pour. He also shares his approach to fostering a tight, hands-on crew culture, mentoring Gen-Z apprentices, and transitioning from an employee to a business owner handling complex architectural expectations. Social Links  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders attract higher quality projects.  Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betterbradvisser Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency Gro’s Offer https://builder.groagency.co/vsl Disclaimer This podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any information featured in this ...

  6. Jun 25 ·  Bonus

    What Makes A Good Apprentice | Charlie BBA #17

    Send us Fan Mail Charlie is a 19-year-old, third-year building apprentice from Auckland who joins Brad for an honest chat about life on the tools. From a school work-experience day on a commercial site to choosing residential building over sparky or plumbing work, Charlie breaks down how the apprenticeship actually works — the training, the book work, the pay structure, and the mistakes (and injuries) along the way. They talk site culture, staying motivated through winter, ignoring the "get rich quick" hype on social media, and what it takes to be a good apprentice. Plus a rapid-fire round on tools, music, festivals, and more. Social Links  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders attract higher quality projects.  Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betterbradvisser Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency Gro’s Offer https://builder.groagency.co/vsl Disclaimer This podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any information featured in this ...

  7. Jun 21

    Can Architects and Builders Be Friends? | Tim Dorrington #90

    Send us Fan Mail For our second outdoor episode of the Better Builder podcast, we are on location in Mangawhai with architect Tim Dorrington, founder of Dorrington Atcheson Architects. Tim sits down to share the realities of running a modern practice, his mid-century design philosophies, and how a close shorthand with local builders creates a massive competitive advantage for clients.   We dive deep into how early builder collaboration keeps complex, seven-figure residential projects strictly on budget, the art of reading micro-expressions to figure out how a client actually lives, and his disruptive "Pocket House" and "Basic Batch" initiatives designed to give everyday Kiwis access to premium, architectural design licenses for a fraction of the cost. Social Links  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders attract higher quality projects.  Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betterbradvisser Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency Gro’s Offer https://builder.groagency.co/vsl Disclaimer This podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any information featured in this ...

About

Social Links Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcastTiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcastFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudioLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcastLinktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcastBetter Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders convert higher quality projects. Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bradvisser01/?hl=enGro's SocialsGro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agencyGro's Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@groagencyGro’s website https://groagency.co/ + https://www.gro.video/Disclaimer: This podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any information featured in this podcast. Any third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of this podcast, and no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy or completeness of any content contained in any third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this podcast.

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