Home Building Podcast

Independent Building Advice
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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. 6d ago

    Stone Benchtops Explained: How Stone Ambassador Survived the Ban – Brad D’Lima

    Brad D'Lima, WA State Manager at Stone Ambassador, joins the podcast to unpack everything homeowners need to know about stone benchtops. From the engineered stone ban and how Stone Ambassador got ahead of it, to the real differences between Zenith, Vasari and Kaya surfaces, this episode covers pricing, slab sizing, maintenance and the mistakes that quietly add thousands to your build.  What you’ll learn:   What caused the engineered stone ban and how Stone Ambassador developed a compliant product ahead of it  The real differences between Zenith (engineered stone alternative), Vasari (porcelain) and Kaya (hybrid) surfaces  Why standard 3.2m x 1.6m slab sizing affects your benchtop cost, and how an oversized island can cost you an extra slab  How chips, cracks and stains are repaired, and the everyday cleaning routine that keeps stone looking new  Why gas cooktops need extra clearance for a stone splashback, and when to consider electric or induction instead  Why viewing a full slab in the gallery matters more than judging a small sample  How builder standard ranges vs upgrade selections affect your final stone cost    Chapters:   00:23 - Introducing Brad D'Lima and Stone Ambassador 01:03 - Brad's background in architectural drafting and buildin 04:08 - What the engineered stone ban is and why it happened 06:07 - How Stone Ambassador developed Zenith ahead of the ban 08:29 - Zenith, Vasari and Kaya surfaces explained 11:25 - Pricing differences between engineered stone and porcelain 14:35 - Edge details, thickness and design options 16:28 - Why viewing a full slab beats a small sample 23:15 - Chips, cracks and repairs 28:51 - Cleaning and maintenance across stone types 36:00 - Slab sizing and avoiding an unnecessary join 41:05 - Dos and don'ts when choosing your stone 46:10 - Gas cooktops and splashback clearance rules 53:00 - How Stone Ambassador became WA's market leader  About Our Guest: Brad D’Lima & Stone Ambassador  Brad D'Lima is the Western Australian State Manager at Stone Ambassador, bringing over 20 years of building industry experience spanning architectural drafting, new home sales and custom home design. He's spent the last three and a half years at Stone Ambassador as it grew from challenger brand to national market leader.  FREE Homeowner Decision Checklist 👇🏽 Not sure where to start? Download our free checklist to help you plan your build, renovation or extension before you speak to anyone.  DOWNLOAD HERE:  info.independentbuildingadvice.com.au/decision-checklist-page?utm-homebuildingpodcast  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.

  2. Sep 14

    The Uncle Effect: Who to Trust During Your Home Build | Home Building Podcast

    Behan breaks down why so many people make bad building decisions after asking the wrong people for advice. From well meaning family members to anonymous forums and salespeople with a vested interest, he explains exactly who to trust, who to ignore, and how to protect your build from other people's opinions.     What you'll learn:  - Why advice from family and friends can quietly derail your build  - The "Uncle effect" and why one opinion can undo months of good design work  - Why you should pick one trusted advisor instead of asking everybody  - The hidden risk of posting your plans on building forums and social media  - How to spot fake reviews and competitors posing as buyers online  - Why a salesperson's advice is rarely neutral, and a real example of inflated pricing  - How to ask for advice in sections instead of on your whole home at once  - Why AI answers about building should always be double checked     Chapters:  00:00 - Why bad advice derails builds at every stage  01:08 - Family advice and why well meaning isn't the same as well informed  02:39 - Don't share your plans with everybody  03:44 - Choose one trusted advisor and stick with them  04:17 - The Uncle effect: how one opinion creates fear and confusion  05:51 - The danger of asking for advice in online forums  07:04 - Fake reviews and competitors posing as unhappy buyers  09:12 - Why salespeople are rarely neutral (the Ford vs Toyota example)  11:13 - Real example: a $300,000 markup from a builder with a vested interest  12:30 - Ask for advice in sections, not on the whole home  13:21 - Being careful with AI advice  13:41 - Final takeaway: get advice from experts, not everybody  FREE Homeowner Decision Checklist 👇🏽🏡  Not sure where to start? Download our free checklist to help you plan your build, renovation or extension before you speak to anyone.  info.independentbuildingadvice.com.au/decision-checklist-page?utm-homebuildingpodcast  Found the episode useful?  Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you.    About Independent Building Advice  Building a home shouldn't mean stress, costly mistakes, and constant overwhelm but for most people, it does, so that’s why we exists. We help homeowners navigate every step of the home building journey, from first concept to move-in day. We know what things actually cost, we work across 21 vetted builders so you can compare properly, and we're in your corner the whole way through... not the builder's. Think of us as your building advantage.  Building or renovating a home soon?  Find out more about what we do: 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. Sep 6

    Homelessness in Perth: What It Really Looks Like | Home Building Podcast

    BONUS CHARITY EPISODE: ST BARTS Homelessness in Perth is more common - and far more hidden - than most people realise. Vanessa Baxter from St Bart's joins the podcast to explain what homelessness actually looks like, how Perth's services work together to help people off the street and into stable housing, and why she believes most of us are only 2-3 steps away from finding ourselves in the same situation.  What you'll learn:  - What homelessness in Perth actually looks like beyond people sleeping rough  - Why hidden homelessness among women is a growing and often overlooked issue  - How Perth's "no wrong door" network connects people to the right support  - What a transitional housing pathway looks like, from a shared room to your own apartment  - Why bricks and mortar alone doesn't solve homelessness  - The health toll of homelessness, including a dramatically shorter life expectancy  - What St Bart's is building next in East Perth  - How to help through donating or volunteering  Chapters:  00:23 - Homelessness in Perth 00:57 - What St Bart's does 01:17 - Redefining what homelessness actually looks like 01:42 - Hidden homelessness among women 02:08 - Perth's 22,000-person social housing waitlist 02:45 - The "no wrong door" referral network 04:20 - Inside transitional housing 04:59 - Case study: four months living at Perth Airport 07:23 - Relearning trust and social norms 14:04 - Why housing alone doesn't solve homelessness 20:43 - Building two new sites: aged care and social housing 27:01 - Why we're all "2-3 steps away" from homelessness 28:04 - The impact on life expectancy 37:45 - $10K Questions  About Vanessa Baxter from St Barts Vanessa Baxter leads Strategic Partnerships and Engagement at St Bart's, a Perth housing and homelessness charity operating for almost 65 years. Her background spans hospitality, education, and not-for profit, spanning multiple countries, including corporate partnerships to support homelessness services at Auckland City Mission in New Zealand before returning home to Perth. Visit St Barts website: http://stbarts.org.au/ Get in touch with St Barts: enquiries@stbarts.org.au Follow on socials: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn 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.

  4. Aug 31

    Kitchen Layout Do’s and Don’ts | Home Building Podcast

    The kitchen is the heart of the home and one of the most expensive things to get wrong. In this episode Behan breaks down his do's and don'ts for kitchen location, layout, sculleries, storage and lighting. Practical, opinionated and straight from 25 years of designing Perth homes.  DOWNLOAD IBA’S KITCHEN CHECKLIST 👇🏽 https://info.independentbuildingadvice.com.au/kitchen-design-checklist-page  What you’ll learn:   Where to position your kitchen in the home  The kitchen triangle   Why 1200mm between benches is the minimum   Scullery do's and don'ts   Breakfast bar seating   Kitchen lighting   Powerpoint placement     Chapters:   00:04 - Kitchen location in the home 01:22 - Garage access and shopping bag rule 01:50 - Kitchen position for families with kids 02:06 - Kitchen off the alfresco - indoor outdoor flow 02:46 - Natural light and dark colour kitchens 03:00 - Kitchen layout - the triangle explained 05:00 - Sink placement - island vs back bench 08:00 - Bench spacing - the 1200mm rule 12:00 - Scullery design - do's and don'ts 18:00 - Sink in the scullery vs main kitchen 22:00 - Storage - overhead cupboards, drawers and pantry 28:00 - Breakfast bar seating and push-to-open cupboard problem 30:38 - Kitchen lighting - bench lights and skylights 31:54 - Dimmers, separate switches and mood lighting 32:40 - Scullery sensor lights and PowerPoint placement      What should we cover next time?  Tell us what you think must go into the kitchen to upgrade it to the next level. And make sure you follow us on whatever platform you’re on, so you don’t miss out on part 2.   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. Aug 24

    Is Building a Home Worth It? A Property Investment Strategy - Tim Guest | Home Building Podcast

    Most Australians are told to buy a home, pay it off over 30 years and call it financial freedom. But is that actually the best strategy? Tim Guest from Infinite Wealth has spent 15 years helping everyday Australians build genuine passive income through property and his perspective on the traditional path might surprise you.   What you’ll learn:   Why owning your own home might not be the best first financial move  What "infinite wealth" means and why it has nothing to do with being rich  The difference between financial security and financial freedom  Why high income alone will never give you the life you want  How to build a property portfolio that replaces your income  The role of negative gearing, tax and leverage in property investment  Why most people wait too long to start and what to do instead  How to find and work with the right property investment advisor  Why the media's property reporting is almost always working against you    Chapters:   01:12 - What is Infinite Wealth and who does it help  01:56 - Tim's story - growing up in Gosnells and watching his dad break down  04:20 - Why climbing the corporate ladder never leads to financial freedom  05:49 - The moment Tim knew he needed a different plan  07:00 - What most Australians get wrong about wealth  10:00 - Is buying your own home really the Australian dream worth chasing?  15:00 - Rentvesting explained - renting where you live, buying where it makes sense  22:00 - How to build a property portfolio from scratch  28:00 - Negative gearing, tax and how leverage actually works  35:00 - The biggest mistakes first-time investors make  42:00 - How to find the right property in the right location  48:00 - Why the news is almost always wrong about property  54:55 - Only take advice from people who are where you want to be  56:39 - How to reach Tim and Infinite Wealth  57:27 - The $10K question   About Our Guest   Tim Guest is a renowned Australian investor, entrepreneur, and financial educator who has dedicated his career to empowering individuals and families to achieve their financial dreams.  As the founder and Managing Director of the Infinite Group, Tim is at the forefront of financial education, blending his deep expertise with a passion for transformative learning.  Get in touch with Tim:   Infinite Wealth: https://infinitewealth.com.au/tim-guest/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infinitewealthau/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infinitewealthau/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfoZYxghqClEql8we5IgTGw  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. Aug 17

    Building a Home When You’re Busy – Fast way to build or renovate a home | Home Building Podcast

    DOWNLOAD IBA BUILDING WHILE BUSY CHECKLIST 👇🏽 https://info.independentbuildingadvice.com.au/building-when-youre-busy-checklist-page?utm-hbp  Building a home is stressful. Building a home when life is already full makes it even harder. But there are ways to move the process along quicker than most people think. In this episode Behan breaks down exactly how to approach a build, renovation or extension when you've got a job, kids, and a full life without losing your mind in the process.  What you’ll learn:   Why you don't need to have it all figured out before you start   The two questions to ask your partner before you speak to anyone else  What "building creep" is and how it silently blows your budget  Why designing your dream home first is the worst thing you can do   How to keep your design phase to 2-6 weeks so you stop second-guessing yourself  Why a stop-start build costs you more time, money and stress than a slow and steady one    Chapters:  00:00 - Building when life is already full 00:33 - Start with some sort of plan - even a rough one 01:49 - What are the 1-2 things driving you to build or change? 02:38 - Must-haves vs. nice-to-haves - write them down 03:15 - Get on the same page as your partner first 04:04 - Write down what you do know - not just what you don't 05:10 - Finance - sort this before anything else 07:30 - How to choose a path - buy, build, extend or knock down 09:00 - Display homes - use them for inspiration, not decisions 12:00 - The design phase - how to keep it moving 16:00 - Don't design everything at once - do it in stages 21:21 - The biggest design mistake - including everything upfront 22:10 - Start lean and add up - not the other way around 23:12 - Make sure your builder's process is actually good 24:09 - The full recap - step by step 26:02 - Keep the design timeframe to 2-6 weeks 26:41 - Most people enjoy it looking back  FREE Homeowner Decision Checklist 👇🏽Not sure where to start? Download our free checklist to help you plan your build, renovation or extension before you speak to anyone.  info.independentbuildingadvice.com.au/decision-checklist-page?utm-homebuildingpodcast  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. Aug 10

    Tax, Investment Property & Knowing Your Numbers – Scott Greer

    In May 2026, the Federal Government announced changes to the rules around rental losses and capital gains tax for investment properties. This podcast was recorded prior to the changes; however, the general information discussed still applies. Scott is well across the new rules. Reach out to MKG Partners or similar professionals for advice on how these changes may affect your situation.  Why flipping a property puts you in a completely different tax category to investing  The CGT 50% discount when it applies and when it doesn't  What negative gearing actually is and how it works in practice  Land tax explained what triggers it and how it's calculated  GST and when it applies to property development  Stamp duty costs  Depreciation, construction costs, useful life and how to claim it correctly  Why getting tax advice before you buy is always better than after  The May 2026 budget changes to rental losses and capital gains tax and what grandfathering means for assets held before budget night    Chapters:   00:50 - Why people pay more tax than they need to 01:49 - The tax system is complex barbecue advice is dangerous 03:08 - General disclaimer please see your own professional 03:18 - Different tax types for investment property 04:13 - Flipping vs. Investing why the tax rules are completely different 05:30 - Stamp duty the cost people forget 06:00 - The CGT 50% discount when it applies and when it doesn't 09:00 - Negative gearing explained simply 15:00 - Land tax - what triggers it and how it works 20:00 - GST and property development - when it applies 25:00 - Depreciation - construction costs and useful life 33:40 - Will negative gearing ever be abolished? 36:14 - The $10K question   About Our Guest   Scott Greer is a CPA and part owner of MKG Partners, a Perth-based accounting firm specialising in property investment and tax advice. With 21 years of experience working with property investors, Scott is one of Perth's most knowledgeable advisers on investment tax strategy - including the May 2026 budget changes to rental losses and capital gains tax.  Contact Scott:  Website: https://www.mkgpartners.com.au/  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  General 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. Aug 3

    How to Subdivide a Block in Perth - Home Building Podcast

    Subdividing is one of the most popular property strategies in Perth and one of the most misunderstood. Behan walks through everything from R Codes and zoning to battle axe vs. side by side, build strata, feasibility and why more blocks doesn't always mean more money.  Chapters:  00:23 - What is subdividing and where do you start 01:18 - R Codes explained 02:39 - How to find your zoning online or through council 03:20 - Special council rules and precinct overlays 03:59 - Battle axe blocks explained  04:36 - Side by side subdivision 05:56 - The 4 metre driveway rule for battle axe blocks 07:00 - Green title vs. survey strata vs. build strata 09:30 - The subdivision process with a surveyor, WAPC, council and titles 12:00 - How long does subdivision take and what does it cost 16:30 - Running your subdivision and build at the same time 17:02 - Build strata & how to build before the title is split 18:38 - More blocks isn't always more money  19:48 - Build and hold vs. subdivide and sell  20:17 - Why vacant blocks are hard to sell and what to do instead 21:09 - Real client example  What you’ll learn:   What subdividing actually means and how R Codes determine what you can do  Battle axe blocks vs. side by side   Why 4 metres down the side is the magic number for a battle axe driveway  Green title vs. survey strata vs. build strata   How to run your subdivision and build at the same time to avoid delays and price rises  Why more blocks doesn't always give you the best return   Why selling a vacant block is harder than most people think  The strategy that lets you pay off your front home using the back block    Found the episode useful? Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you.  🏡 DOWNLOAD STEP BY STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO SUBDIVIDE https://info.independentbuildingadvice.com.au/subdivisions-guide-page  ✅ 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.

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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
    60
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Independent Building Advice
  • Show Website
    Home Building Podcast

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