The Build Insite Podcast

Build Insite

Welcome to the Build Insite Podcast – back with Season 2 and a renewed mission to bring you raw, practical building insights from across Australia and beyond. Led by a passionate team of builders and industry professionals, we explore the latest in construction techniques, design innovation, and the tools shaping modern building. But this isn’t just a trade chat — it’s a space for real stories, sharp lessons, and conversations that go beyond the build. Beginning Season 2, we’re doubling down on what matters: Smarter, healthier homes Business strategies that support better living Technology and systems that future-proof your work The balance between building, business, and well-being From high-performance homes to behind-the-scenes of iconic builds, we’re spotlighting the people, ideas, and challenges driving the industry forward. Whether you’re just starting out or leading your crew, you’ll find something valuable here — every week. Let’s build better, together.

  1. 3d ago

    #59 How to Build a Team You Can Actually Trust: Live with Jesse Raeburn, Dale Cheeseman & Matt Minichelli - Part 2

    In this second instalment of the live panel recording, hosts Dean Backman and Luke Callery continue the conversation with Jesse Raeburn (FRP Group), Dale Cheeseman (The Melbourne Builder), and Matt Minichelli (Elevate Building). This time, the focus shifts to the long game: building the right team, navigating growth speed humps, and learning when to say yes (and when to set boundaries). The panel opens up about what it really takes to find team members who align with your vision, not just your skill requirements. Dale shares his philosophy on looking for loyalty and longevity in hires, while Jesse reflects on the biggest lesson from his first two years in business: communication is everything. Matt gets honest about being mid-transition right now, pulling back from 60-90 hour weeks and trusting his team to step into bigger roles without losing the company's DNA. Then come the audience questions, and that's where the gold drops. The builders share their proudest business moments, the strategic value of taking jobs at cost for the right opportunity, and the hard-earned wisdom around client boundaries. It wraps with a personal look at what success means to each of them in five years (spoiler: it has very little to do with revenue figures). What You'll Learn - How to identify team members who'll grow with your business, not just work for it - Why having uncomfortable conversations early removes the weight off your shoulders - The compounding effect of strategically taking jobs at cost for the right opportunities - How to set client communication boundaries without losing the relationship - Why pulling back from the business can be the hardest (and most important) move you make - The mindset shift from chasing margin to chasing the right opportunities Chapters 00:00 - Welcome Back to Part 2 00:22 - How to Build a Team You Can Trust 01:38 - Jesse's Biggest Lesson: The Power of Communication 03:34 - Audience Q&A: Biggest Business Challenges 05:32 - Sustaining Growth Without Burning Out 06:30 - Matt's Mid-Transition: Pulling Back While Maintaining Quality 08:55 - Keeping Your Company DNA Through Growth 10:03 - What Are You Most Proud of in Your Business? 12:39 - The Strategic Value of Jobs at Cost 14:42 - The Block Reunion: Matt & Jesse's Backstory 15:34 - Setting Client Communication Boundaries 17:54 - What Does Success Look Like in 5 Years? 19:22 - Wrap-Up & Networking 🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/ 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

    21 min

  2. May 24

    #59 The Reality of Running a Building Business: Live with Jesse Rayburn, Dale Cheeseman & Matt Minichelli - Part 1

    The lights are on, the mics are live, and three builders are about to get real. Welcome to the Build Insite Live Podcast. In this episode, hosts Dean Backman and Luke Callery bring the podcast to life with a panel of three respected Melbourne builders: Jesse Rayburn from FRP Group, Dale Cheeseman from The Melbourne Builder, and Matt Minichelli from Elevate Building. Recorded in front of a live audience, this conversation strips away the Instagram gloss and dives into the real challenges of running a building business in 2026. With price increases hitting hard (PVC up 38%, bins up 10%), these builders share how they're navigating fixed-price contracts, managing team expectations, and having those uncomfortable conversations with clients that can't be avoided any longer. From Jesse's transparent approach to price variation discussions, to Dale's insights on maintaining consistency over 16 years, to Matt's focus on trade efficiency and waste reduction, this panel covers the practical realities of staying profitable when margins are under pressure. But it's not all spreadsheets and site meetings. The conversation shifts to something equally important: the transition from tradesperson to business owner, the mental load that comes with running a company, and the non-negotiables when it comes to family time. These builders open up about working on four hours of sleep, choosing bedtime routines over weekend work, and learning to appreciate the good old days while you're still in them. What You'll Learn - How to approach difficult price increase conversations with clients (and why they often go better than expected) - Practical strategies for maintaining profit margins when material costs spike unexpectedly - The importance of team communication and getting trades to understand business pressures - What it really takes to transition from the tools to the office (and why the mental load is heavier than the physical one) - How successful builders protect family time while still growing their businesses Chapters 00:00 - Introduction & Welcome to Build Insite Live 00:39 - Meet the Panel: Jesse, Dale & Matt 02:14 - What Makes a High-Performance Building Company? 04:02 - Navigating Price Increases & Fixed-Price Contracts 06:00 - The Art of Difficult Client Conversations 08:05 - Bowlins Partnership Acknowledgment 10:04 - From Tradesperson to Business Owner: The Transition 14:55 - Family First: The Non-Negotiables 18:29 - Wrap-Up & Part 2 Preview 🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/ 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

    20 min

  3. May 17

    #58 Why AI Won't Replace Good Builders with Sam Hammond, Luke Davies & Adam Antony - Part 2

    Scaling a build company isn't just about hiring more people or chasing bigger jobs. Sometimes the real growth happens when you slow down, sharpen your systems, and trust your team to run with it. In Part 2 of this live podcast, hosts Dean Backman and Luke Callery sit back down with Sam Hammond (Built by Hammond), Luke Davies (Davies Constructions / Future Builder / Align Architecture), and Adam Antony (VEO Building) for an open Q&A with the audience. The conversation digs into how each of them has scaled their businesses through culture, clarity, and the right use of AI, not by chasing more headcount. From leading by example on site, to using one-page role docs that actually work, to honest talk about the tools that delivered and the ones that flopped, this episode is packed with practical lessons for builders at any stage. The guys also share straight up advice for young builders entering the industry and the mindset shifts that helped them get out of their own way. 🎯 Key Takeaways / What You'll Learn: How to scale your business through efficiency instead of just adding more staff Why culture and clear communication beat fancy software every time How AI tools can multiply what your existing team is capable of The power of one-page role descriptions and structured meeting cadence Real talk on the software and tools worth your money (and the ones that aren't) Why authenticity and confidence matter more than you think when running a build business Chapters: 0:00 - Welcome to Part 2 0:55 - Why AI is a Multiplier, Not a Replacement 0:12 - Leading by Example: Lessons From Japan 0:22 - How to Scale Revenue Without Scaling Your Team 0:23 - Adding Architects to Your Project Management System 0:00 - Build a Daily Learning Habit With AI and YouTube 0:46 - Top Advice for Young Builders Starting Out 1:34 - Stop Doing It All: Hire Experts to Accelerate Growth 1:14 - Use AI to Build Your Business Plan and Avoid Costly Mistakes 1:24 - The Power of Business Coaching and Being Authentic 1:48 - Hiring the Right People for the Right Role 1:33 - The One-Page Role Description That Drives Clarity 1:55 - Meeting Cadence: The Secret to Scaling Without Chaos 1:34 - Rapid Fire: Tools That Work and Money Wasters to Avoid Hosts: Dean Backman & Luke Callery Guests: Sam Hammond - Built by Hammond Luke Davies - Davies Constructions/Future Builder/Align Architecture Adam Antony - VEO Building Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/ 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

    23 min

  4. May 10

    #58 Pre-Construction, AI & Scaling Smart with Sam Hammond, Luke Davies & Adam Antony - Part 1

    The theory's one thing. Doing it live in front of a room full of builders? That's a whole new level. Welcome to our very first live-recorded Build Insite podcast episode. For this special episode, Dean and Luke are joined by three powerhouse guests: Sam Hammond from Built by Hammond, Luke Davies from Davies Construction, Future Builder & Align Architecture, and Adam Antony from VEO Building. Together, they pull back the curtain on what's really driving modern building businesses forward — from pre-construction processes and team culture, to scaling without losing your mind, to the rapidly evolving world of AI in construction. Whether you're a builder, designer, tradie, or industry professional, this conversation is packed with practical insights from three operators who are actively shaping the future of how Aussie builders run their businesses. Expect real talk about systems, software, leadership, and the mindset shifts that come with growth. What You'll Learn • Why pre-construction is the make-or-break phase — and how the right software changes everything • How Sam built a high-performance team of 14 by leading with passion and matching workload to people • Where AI is heading next, and the simple steps you can take today to start using it in your business • Why "control freak" builders need to learn to let go in order to truly scale • How design + build offerings can unlock new opportunities (and the lessons learned along the way) Chapters 00:00 – Introduction & Welcome to Build Insite LIVE 00:40 – Meet the Guests: Sam, Luke & Adam 03:30 – The Evolution of Pre-Construction 05:10 – Why Builders Need a Project Management System 07:00 – How Systems Create Freedom (and Holidays!) 09:35 – Building & Keeping a High-Performance Team 12:00 – The Move into Design + Build 13:35 – AI in Construction: Where It's Headed 15:40 – Getting Started with AI as a Builder 17:45 – Adam's Take: Plain Language AI & SOPs 19:30 – Scaling Without Losing Quality 21:20 – Letting Go of Control to Grow 21:55 – Wrap Up & Part 2 Teaser Hosts: Dean Backman & Luke Callery Guests: Sam Hammond - Built by Hammond Luke Davies - Davies constructions/Future builder/align architecture Adam Antony - VEO building 🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/ 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

    23 min

  5. May 3

    #57 Stronger Body, Stronger Business: Fitness for Tradies & Owners with Rusty Clark - Part 2

    The hardest part isn't the workout. It's putting it in your diary and actually showing up. In Part 2 of our chat with Rusty Clark from Purpose Fitness Adelaide, we get into the practical side of building strength, energy, and resilience when you're already stretched thin running a business or grinding it out on the tools. Rusty breaks down why "I'm too busy" is the most overused excuse in the trades, and how three sessions a week can completely change the way you show up — at work, at home, and in your own head. We also dig into the parallels between sport and business, how habits like the two-minute rule and the 3-3-3 method can make change stick, and why the way you train is often a mirror of how you operate everywhere else in your life. Whether you're a builder, a tradie, or a business owner, this episode is packed with insights you can use straight away. What You'll Learn: • Why "I'm too busy" is costing tradies and business owners more than they realise • How to use the two-minute rule to actually start (and stick to) a fitness habit • The 3-3-3 method: three workouts, three meals, three minutes of prep • Why strength training beats more cardio for capable, resilient bodies • How sport mindset translates directly into running a better business • Practical nutrition, sleep, and scheduling tips for people working long hours Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:20 – Time-Blocking Training Like a Business Meeting 01:50 – The "Too Busy" Excuse and How to Beat It 02:43 – Where to Start: Diary, Strength, Sleep 03:23 – Why Your Job Isn't Your Workout 05:11 – Building Stronger, More Capable Humans 06:11 – Dialling In Nutrition for Long Days On Site 07:13 – Sleep, Recovery, and the Reverse Alarm 08:53 – Protein, Meals, and the Cheat Code to Eating Right 11:37 – Advice to a Younger Self Still on the Tools 14:55 – Sport, Business, and the Scoreboard Mindset 17:30 – Atomic Habits and Becoming the Person You Want to Be 21:17 – Life Outside the Gym 22:23 – What to Say to Someone Who Keeps Putting It Off 23:46 – The Two-Minute Rule and Removing Friction 26:01 – Is Snacking Okay? 27:55 – Showing Up as the Best Version of Yourself 🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/ 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

    32 min

  6. Apr 26

    #57 Fitness, Mindset & Mental Health in the Trades with Rusty Clark, Purpose Fitness

    Your job site isn't your gym. And your grind isn't your self-care. So what happens when builders burn out and have nothing outside of work to fall back on? In this episode, host Luke Callery sits down with Rusty Clark, founder of Purpose Fitness, internationally qualified snowboard coach, former personal trainer in London, and one of Adelaide's most passionate advocates for fitness as a tool for life, not just the gym. Rusty's story is anything but conventional. From tearing his ACL twice, opening a gym he couldn't walk into, surviving COVID shutdowns, and spending nearly a decade training elite athletes and movie stars in London, he's built Purpose Fitness on one core belief: fitness should give you access to more of life, not just a better body. This episode isn't just about reps and routines. It's about why busy tradies and business owners need a "third space," somewhere that's not work, not family, just for you. Luke shares his own journey from total gym newbie to training 5 to 6 days a week, and why that shift changed everything as a business owner. What you'll learn: • Why "my job is my workout" is holding you back • How a dedicated third space, like a gym or community, protects your mental health • The parallels between running a fitness business and running a building business • Why building your team is the only way to step out of your business • The story behind 24 Hours for a Purpose, Purpose Fitness's powerful mental health fundraising event 00:00 – "That's why you still look the same" 00:16 – Introducing Rusty Clark & Purpose Fitness 01:30 – Why fitness on a Build Insite podcast? 02:00 – Rusty's journey: footy, ACLs, Canada & London 06:00 – Why he named it "Purpose" 07:30 – Opening the gym, on crutches 08:05 – COVID hits: closing the doors & going online 10:00 – Online coaching lessons: communication & accountability 13:00 – Business resilience: grit, systems & not quitting 14:30 – AI, social media & building trust as an owner-operator 16:40 – Building your team so the business can grow without you 17:55 – Luke's personal journey: burnout to 5x a week 19:30 – The "third space" and why tradies need it 22:50 – 24 Hours for a Purpose: the mental health event 25:00 – The workout stats behind the event 28:00 – Why you can't escape mental health, and how the event reflects that 🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/ 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

    31 min

  7. Apr 19

    #56 The Reality of Running a Building Business with Emile Ellens - Part 2

    Running a building business can look polished from the outside. But behind the finished projects, awards, and social media highlights, the reality is pressure, isolation, constant problem-solving, and learning through mistakes. In Part 2 of this conversation, Luke Callery sits down with Emile Ellens from SV Built to unpack what building business ownership really looks like. From the lonely early years of winging it, to improving systems, using better tech, and building stronger industry relationships, this episode gives builders an honest look at what it takes to stay profitable, keep improving, and build better over time. The conversation also dives into the future of better building — from business coaching and builder networks through to high-performance construction, Passive House thinking, and why quality should never stop at minimum code. What you’ll learn in this episode: • Why running a building business can feel isolating • How better systems help builders make faster decisions • Why tech and admin tools can save serious time • How builder communities can shortcut years of mistakes • Why high-performance building starts with better thinking • How quality control protects both the client and the builder Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:21 – The real pressure of running a building business 03:24 – Marketing, coaching, and finding support 07:24 – Inside the SV Built team and systems 09:24 – Tech, software, and going paperless 17:16 – High-performance building and the Passive House mindset 22:00 – Quality control, inspections, and industry gaps 26:13 – What’s next for SV Built This episode is a strong reminder that better builders do not just improve what they build. They improve how they operate, how they think, and how they continue learning. 🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/ 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

    35 min

  8. Apr 12

    #56 Learning the Hard Way: From Winging It to Running a Building Business with Emile Ellens - Part 1

    “I kind of just winged it.” That’s how a lot of builders start, but not many talk about what comes after. In this episode, Luke Callery sits down with Emile Ellens from SV Built to break down the real journey behind building a business from scratch, without the traditional pathway. From early losses to learning on the fly, this is an honest look at what it actually takes to grow in the building industry. Emile shares how he transitioned from a steel fabrication background into building, taking on developments, learning from trades, and eventually launching SV Built. The early years were not perfect. There were missed margins, no profits, and plenty of mistakes, but those lessons became the foundation of a high-quality, award-winning building business. This episode is a reminder that growth in construction does not come from knowing everything upfront. It comes from doing, failing, learning, and adapting on every job. What you’ll learn in this episode: • How starting without a traditional pathway can still lead to success in building • Why most builders lose money early and how to learn from it • The importance of relationships with trades and clients from day one • How mindset shifts help you move forward when problems hit on site • Why continuous learning is one of the biggest advantages in construction Chapters: 00:00 – Winging it in the early years 00:24 – Introduction to Emile Ellens (SV Built) 01:00 – Non-traditional pathway into building 02:29 – Getting a builder’s license without a trade background 05:36 – Lessons from failing the first license interview 06:13 – The biggest challenge: learning everything 07:02 – Problem-solving mindset on site 08:04 – The early days of SV Built 11:48 – First years in business: losses and lessons 12:22 – Margins, scheduling, and trade relationships 13:01 – Renovations vs new builds 15:09 – Awards and standout projects 16:26 – Design and construct approach explained 18:22 – What sets SV Built apart 20:07 – Building long-term client relationships 🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/ 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

    22 min
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About

Welcome to the Build Insite Podcast – back with Season 2 and a renewed mission to bring you raw, practical building insights from across Australia and beyond. Led by a passionate team of builders and industry professionals, we explore the latest in construction techniques, design innovation, and the tools shaping modern building. But this isn’t just a trade chat — it’s a space for real stories, sharp lessons, and conversations that go beyond the build. Beginning Season 2, we’re doubling down on what matters: Smarter, healthier homes Business strategies that support better living Technology and systems that future-proof your work The balance between building, business, and well-being From high-performance homes to behind-the-scenes of iconic builds, we’re spotlighting the people, ideas, and challenges driving the industry forward. Whether you’re just starting out or leading your crew, you’ll find something valuable here — every week. Let’s build better, together.

Information

  • Creator
    Build Insite
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Build Insite Podcast

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