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. 5d ago

    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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Jun 22

    Lighting & Electrical in Your New Home - What to Plan, What to Avoid & What Builders Leave Out

    Lighting is one of the most overlooked parts of building a new home and one of the most expensive to fix after the fact. In this episode Behan walks through everything you need to think about before your lighting appointment, from switch placement and sensor lights to doorbells, feature lighting and where to save money on fittings.  FREE ELECTRICAL & LIGHTING PLAN REVIEW - Until 30 August 2026 We're offering free electrical and lighting plan feedback until 30 August 2026.  Submit your plan online: info.independentbuildingadvice.au/free-electrical-plan-review  Or email your plan directly to: info@buildingadvice.au  Mention you came from the Home Building Podcast. One of IBA's designers will review your plan and provide constructive feedback. Conditions apply.  What you'll learn:  Why builders include the bare minimum for electrical and how much extra to allow in your budget  Why you should always hardwire your doorbell  How to read a lighting plan what the circles and dotted lines actually mean  The "wear different hats" exercise how to walk through your home as every family member before you finalise your plan  Where to place light switches so they're actually convenient not just compliant  Two-way switches explained when and where you need them  Why alfresco and outdoor lighting is worth investing in  Sensor lights where they work brilliantly and where to avoid them  How to save money on feature lighting buy on sale, supply to builder    Chapters: 00:00 - Why lighting gets rushed and how to fix that  01:03 - What builders include as standard and why it's never enough  02:34 - Always allow $5,000 to $10,000 extra for electrical  03:37 - Hardwiring your doorbell  04:17 - How to read a lighting plan  04:48 - Think about how you move through your home  05:20 - Two-way switches explained  06:17 - The "wear different hats" exercise  07:30 - Light switch placement at night  09:14 - Bedroom lighting pendants and bedside switches  11:02 - Bathroom lighting vanity placement and avoiding shadows  12:30 - Kitchen lighting benchtop illumination and balance  14:15 - Living and dining dimmers, zones and mood vs task lighting  16:00 - Alfresco and outdoor lighting  18:22 - Sensor lights outside security and street appeal  22:19 - Sensor lights inside sculleries, linen and storage  23:24 - How to save money on feature lighting  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.

  7. Jun 15

    How to Design a Home You'll Never Want to Leave - Layouts, Facades & Wow Factors - Luke Tufilli | Home Building Podcast

    Most people get one shot at designing their home. Get it wrong and you'll feel it every single day. In this episode Behan sits down with Luke Tufilli from Aria Home Designs - one of Perth's leading custom home designers - to talk about what separates a great home from a good one. From facade trends and street appeal to floor plan logic, wow factor features and how to get the absolute best out of your designer, this episode is essential listening before you draw a single line.  Chapters: 01:06 - Luke's background - from project home drafting to Aria Home Designs 03:11 - Why designers get neutered inside project home builder systems 04:33 - The education gap - why first home buyers are the least informed on design 08:07 - Building costs have doubled - what built $350K 7 years ago costs $700K now 10:32 - When to go custom vs. sticking with a project builder catalog 11:25 - Design trends - curves, arches and free form walls 13:04 - Street appeal - why your facade is worth investing in 14:36 - Where to put your design budget - high function, high reward zones 17:08 - How front yard living became backyard living and what that means for design 18:28 - The three element rule for a great facade 21:42 - Materiality, colours and getting proportions right 25:19 - Developer estate design controls - where they go wrong 29:15 - Why Perth homes grew in size but lost character along the way 30:04 - Do you really need a theatre room - and a fourth bedroom 31:21 - Purpose design rooms vs. multi-use spaces 34:11 - Wow factor features - concealed doors, sculleries and hidden spaces 36:13 - Mudrooms, dump zones 39:25 - Entry sequence - laundry, drop zone, scullery, kitchen 42:16 - Life stages and how your home needs to adapt43:02 - Vaulted ceilings, raking ceilings and glazing explained 44:15 - Where to invest - kids wing vs. core living area 47:06 - Ensuites, steam rooms and designing for your personal retreat 50:12 - Solar orientation and why your block's position changes everything 54:20 - How to brief a designer - the questions that unlock a great outcome 57:33 - Understanding your client - lifestyle, hobbies, how you actually live 59:35 - The doctor analogy - diagnose first, prescribe second 01:01:46 - Understanding your builder before you start the design 01:06:06 -10K Question Find Our Guest:   Luke Tufilli | ARIA Home Designs  Website: https://www.ariadesigns.com.au/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariahomedesigns/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ariahomedesigns  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 podcast page 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 8

    Hidden Costs of Building a New Home - What You Need to Know Before You Sign | Home Building Podcast

    LOOKING TO CUSTOM DESIGN & BUILD YOUR NEXT HOME? VISIT US ON INDEPENDENTBUILDINGADVICE.COM.AU 🏡 Most people get stung by hidden costs when building not because builders are dishonest, but because nobody told them what to look for upfront. Behan walks through every major hidden cost category you need to know before you sign anything.  What you'll learn:  How builder quotes are structured - base price, itemised costs and site works  Why site works are provisional sums, not fixed quotes  How soil type affects your slab, footings and trenching  Wind ratings and when your home needs structural upgrades  BAL ratings Low, 12.5, 19, 29, 40 and Fire Zone and what each costs  When noise attenuation kicks in and what happens when it clashes with your BAL rating  The 7 Star NatHERS energy rating and what builders do to comply  Flooring, painting, blinds, air conditioning, landscaping and fencing with rough pricing  How price rises happen between your preliminary agreement and building contract  Why cost-plus contracts put all the risk on you    Chapters:   2:00 - Site works explained - provisional sums vs fixed quote  3:15 - Connecting power, water and sewer - run-ins and trenching  04:14 - Soil types - sand vs clay vs limestone  05:09 - Wind ratings and structural upgrades  07:33 - Soakwells  09:10 - Retaining walls - brickwork, panel and post, limestone blocks  12:24 - Why some builders underquote site works to win your business  13:52 - Driveways, crossovers and verge responsibilities  15:13 - Shire fees, building approval vs planning approval  16:19 - Concrete pumps and scaffolding  18:00 - BAL ratings and bushfire costs  22:11 - Noise attenuation and when it clashes with BAL  23:19 - 7 Star NatHERS energy rating  25:33 - Fencing - costs  27:38 - Flooring costs  29:37 - Internal wall painting  31:05 - Blinds and curtains  32:37 - Air conditioning - kilowatts matter  33:47 - Landscaping  35:44 - Demolition  36:09 - Kitchen appliances and specification  37:35 - Price rises - preliminary agreements and building contracts  40:26 - Cost-plus contracts - why all the risk sits with you  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
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Independent Building Advice
  • Show Website
    Home Building Podcast

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