The Builders Coach Show

Kurt Hegetschweiler

Introducing ”The Builders Coach Show” 🎙️– the ultimate podcast for builders ready to take their business to new heights! Hosted by industry expert Kurt Hegetschweiler, this show dives deep into the stories, insights, and strategies that will help you optimise your profit, cash flow, and workflow. Whether you’re looking to streamline operations, boost your profit, or finally enjoy the lifestyle you deserve, Kurt’s got the blueprint to get you there. Tune in for practical tips, expert advice, and the inspiration you need to build a business that works for you. It’s time to build your dream business! #TheBuildersCoachShow

  1. 10h ago

    How This Builder Caught a $100K Blowout Before It Hit His Margin

    Most builders find out a job made no money when it's already finished. Joe Crawford finds out every Friday. That's how he caught a $100K cost blowout early enough to fix it. Joe runs Crawcon with his brother Dom: 18 staff across Sydney and Newcastle, delivering luxury renovations from $500K up to $10M. In this episode of The Builders Coach Show, Kurt Hegetschweiler digs into how two brothers took a business full of family (Mum, Dad, brothers, cousins) and turned it into a structured operation with real role clarity, weekly financial controls, and a pipeline that doesn't rely on luck. No theory. Just what's actually working inside a growing residential building company. WHAT WE COVER: - Role clarity in a family business, and why "this isn't a conversation between two brothers, it's two business owners" changed everything - Why the client, not the architecture, is the real difference between a big job and a small job - The weekly dashboard: 10 key metrics Crawcon tracks to score the health of the business every single week - How weekly financial controls caught a $100K restumping blowout, and why the client thanked them for it - Delivering bad news early: the variation conversation most builders are terrified of - Margin erosion: every week a job drags on eats your profit, here's how to track it - Switching job management software to Wunderbuild for the forecasting tool - Cost codes, purchase orders, and why Crawcon won't start a job unless it's 90% procured - Timesheets and labour tracking: labour is now 50%+ of the job, get it wrong and there's no margin left - The "donkey on the bridge": letting go of the belief that the builder has to do everything - First key hires (bookkeeper, estimator, admin, content) and how to know you can afford them - Daily stand-up meetings: what happened yesterday, what's happening today, what's blocking you - Mindset, identity and leadership: lessons from rugby, a builder father, and $500M construction businesses READY TO GET YOUR NUMBERS SORTED? If you're a residential builder doing $1M+ and you want the same clarity Joe has (margins, cash flow, and a business that doesn't run on guesswork) book your FREE 30-minute Strategy Session with Kurt: 👉 https://builderscoach.com/contact/ More free resources for builders: https://builderscoach.com/book/ ABOUT THE SHOW The Builders Coach Show is hosted by Kurt Hegetschweiler, founder of Builders Coach, creator of the Million Dollar Builder framework, and business coach to thousands of residential builders over 20+ years. Real builders, real numbers, real strategies for profit, cash flow and workflow. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

    How This Builder Caught a $100K Blowout Before It Hit His Margin
  2. Apr 17

    Episode 53. Chaos = Opportunity: The Mindset That Separates Builders Who Thrive From Those Who Don’t

    Are builders actually going under because of the economy? Or is something else going on? In this episode of The Builders Coach Show, Kurt Hegetschweiler (fresh from his Channel 7 Weekend Sunrise appearance) and Jess Norton break down what's really driving Australia's building industry crisis and why the builders who understand their numbers are about to have the best years of their careers. They cover: ✅ The real reason builders go broke (hint: it's not the economy) ✅ The science-backed stress mindset that can add 20 years to your life ✅ Why demand is at a generational high and what that means for YOU ✅ The peak performance structure used by elite athletes, and how to apply it to your building business ✅ How to protect your margins and come out the other side of this cycle stronger Whether you're feeling the pressure right now or you're building well and want to stay ahead, this episode will give you a reality check AND a roadmap. 🎧 Subscribe so you never miss an episode. 📩 Want to work with Kurt? Visit www.builderscoach.com 🙏 THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY GORDON DIGITAL Ready to grow? Book a Growth Session with Elly from Gordon Digital to explore the digital strategies that can help you reach your goals and get clarity on what’s working, and what isn’t, in your current marketing. 👉 Book your Growth Session here: https://app.gordondigital.com.au/widget/booking/ZL2qYG5h6RmXTiwt5Dik http://www.gordondigital.com.au/ 📌 Also mentioned in this episode: "Peak Performance. Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with the New Science of Success" By Brad Stulberg,Steve Magness #BuildersCoach #BuildingIndustry #ConstructionBusiness #BuilderMindset #AustralianBuilders #BusinessCoaching #PeakPerformance #ConstructionIndustry #BuilderLife #FuelCrisis

  3. Mar 14

    Episode 52 - Why Most Building Projects Go Wrong Before Construction Starts

    Most building problems don’t start on site. They start before construction even begins. In this episode of The Builders Coach Show, Kurt Hegetschweiler and Jess break down the powerful principle: “Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.” Originally used by firefighters and paramedics, this mindset has huge implications for residential builders and construction company owners. Kurt shares real stories from builders he coaches and explains why rushing the pre-construction phase leads to delays, cost blowouts, difficult clients, and lost profit. You’ll learn why the most successful builders focus on value management, early builder involvement (EBI), and strong leadership with clients before construction even starts. If you're a builder or construction company owner who wants better projects, better clients, and higher profits, this episode is essential. In this episode: - Why 80–90% of construction problems start in pre-construction - The biggest mistake builders make when starting a new project - Why traditional 3-quote tender processes often fail clients - How value management and EBI create better outcomes - The leadership skill builders must develop with clients - A real case study where a builder had to rip out a kitchen three times The message is simple: Slow down the front end, and your projects run faster and smoother. Subscribe for more insights on profit, leadership, marketing and systems for residential builders. Check out our website for more info and free resources: https://builderscoach.com

  4. Feb 16

    Episode 50 - Why Builders Are Going Bankrupt Despite High Demand (The Real Reason)

    Builder insolvencies are rising at an unprecedented rate.   In Australia alone, over 3,500 builders went insolvent in 2025 — more than double the historical average. Similar trends are happening globally.   At the same time, demand for housing has never been higher.   So why are builders still going bankrupt?   In this episode of The Builders Coach Show, Kurt Hegetschweiler and Jess Norton unpack the real reasons behind the insolvency crisis affecting builders, and why many builders are struggling financially despite being fully booked.   This conversation explores the financial realities builders face, the emotional toll the industry is taking, and the critical importance of understanding your numbers.   In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why builder insolvencies have doubled despite strong demand - How many builders unknowingly operate with dangerously low margins - Why not costing supervision and project management leads to hidden losses - The impact of financial pressure on builders’ mental health and personal lives - Why education and financial clarity are essential for long-term survival   Kurt also explains how builders can regain control by understanding the financial fundamentals of their business and making informed decisions.   If you’re a residential builder or construction business owner, this episode will give you clarity on what’s happening in the industry, and what you must understand to protect your business.   To request a free copy of Million Dollar Builder 2.0: Email info@builderscoach.com.au Subject: Book   Or check out our website for more info: https://builderscoach.com/book/

    Episode 50 - Why Builders Are Going Bankrupt Despite High Demand (The Real Reason)
  5. Jan 6

    Episode 47 - 2025 in Review: What Smart Builders Learned This Year

    In this special episode of The Builders Coach Show, Jess and Kurt share the biggest lessons, insights, and hard-won strategies from 2025, and how builders can use them to make 2026 their most profitable and streamlined year yet. Whether you’re a residential builder, construction business owner, or managing a team and pipeline, this episode gives you practical clarity on leadership, estimating, pre-construction, value management, mindset, and margin protection. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why more architects are finally embracing one-builder tenders and value management - How builders can lead budget-led design to eliminate client price shock - Why pre-construction is where you win or lose the job, and how to run it like a machine - The 25/10/15 financial rule that helps builders quote accurately and protect gross margin - How to handle burnout, boundaries, criticism, and the pressure of never-ending to-do lists - Why “giving more than you take” is a core business strategy, not just philosophy Plus: book recommendations, timeless mindset shifts, and yearly rituals Kurt uses to stay sharp as a leader and coach. If you want to grow profit, improve workflow, lead better teams, and step into 2026 with confidence, this episode is for you. 👉 Listen now and subscribe for weekly episodes designed to help builders scale smarter, earn more profit, and run calmer, more efficient businesses. #builders #builderscoach #residentialbuilder #constructionbusiness #valueengineering #preconstruction #estimating #leadership #businesscoachforbuilders #milliondollarbuilder

    Episode 47 - 2025 in Review: What Smart Builders Learned This Year

About

Introducing ”The Builders Coach Show” 🎙️– the ultimate podcast for builders ready to take their business to new heights! Hosted by industry expert Kurt Hegetschweiler, this show dives deep into the stories, insights, and strategies that will help you optimise your profit, cash flow, and workflow. Whether you’re looking to streamline operations, boost your profit, or finally enjoy the lifestyle you deserve, Kurt’s got the blueprint to get you there. Tune in for practical tips, expert advice, and the inspiration you need to build a business that works for you. It’s time to build your dream business! #TheBuildersCoachShow