The Good Builder Podcast

The Good Builder
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This week in home building news! Catch up with Az and a colourful array of guests, to hear about who's killing it, who's innovating, and who's getting into strife in the world of new home construction.

  1. The Daily Dose #276 | The Quiet Builder: Trust, Standards, and the Art of Saying No with Ash from Glenvill Homes

    21H AGO

    The Daily Dose #276 | The Quiet Builder: Trust, Standards, and the Art of Saying No with Ash from Glenvill Homes

    Most builders will take any deal they can get. Ash doesn't. In this episode, Az sits down with Ash, State Sales Manager at Glenvill Homes, inside their new Docklands headquarters in Melbourne. Glenville is one of Australia's quieter success stories. No marketing machine. No noise. Just a business built on sharp standards, deep trust, and a culture of doing things right. Ash's path into construction wasn't straight. A computer games degree, a stint at Telstra and Apple, and a cold call from a recruiter eventually landed him inside a business he's helped grow from a small Brisbane office to a serious retail and wholesale player across Queensland. In this conversation they cover: Why saying no to a client is sometimes the smartest business decision you can make. How Glenville moved from wholesale into retail and what it took to get 42 deals done in six months without a billboard in sight. The trust problem at the centre of every builder-client relationship — and why it's only getting harder to earn. How AI is already changing the way buyers research and assess builders, and what you should be doing about it right now. Why referrals carry more weight than any marketing spend — and the responsibility that comes with them. What makes a builder genuinely worth trusting in a market full of noise. Ash is exactly the kind of operator this industry needs more of. Thoughtful, transparent, and genuinely focused on getting it right. This one is worth the full listen. Sponsors This episode is proudly supported by MyConstruct, the all-in-one platform built for residential builders by builders. Try it free at myconstruct.com. And by Pay.com.au — use code GOOD20 for 20,000 bonus points. Head to https://pay.com.au/tgb for more. #TheGoodBuilder #GlenvilleHomes #AustralianBuilders #ConstructionPodcast #BuilderMindset #TrustInConstruction #BuildingBusiness #HomeBuilding #ConstructionAustralia #SalesStrategy #BuilderLife #ResidentialConstruction #AIInConstruction #MelbourneBuilder #QueenslandBuilder #WholesaleBuilder #BuildingIndustry #SmallBusinessConstruction #TradiesAustralia #GoodBuilding

    1h 13m
  2. The Daily Dose #275 | What Builders Were Never Taught About Healthy Homes with Zara D'Cotta

    1D AGO

    The Daily Dose #275 | What Builders Were Never Taught About Healthy Homes with Zara D'Cotta

    Most builders know materials, margins and project management. Very few know what the materials going into their homes are doing to the people living inside them. In this episode, Aaron sits down with Zara D'Cotta, building biologist, EMF specialist, and founder of The Healthy Home. Zara spent years navigating her own cancer diagnosis, environmental illness, and the search for a safe place to live. That experience became the foundation for her work helping builders, architects, and designers across Australia and New Zealand understand the relationship between the built environment and human health. This conversation covers ground most of the industry hasn't touched yet. Topics covered in this episode: Zara's personal journey through cancer, melanoma, and environmental illness — and what it revealed about the homes we buildWhat building biology actually is and why it was founded in post-war GermanyThe four areas that matter most in a healthy home: materials, moisture, air quality, and electromagnetic radiationWhy low VOC doesn't automatically mean safe — and what builders and designers should be asking insteadHow moisture gets trapped in walls during construction and why mold appears in homes less than two years oldWhat electromagnetic fields are, why the electrical code doesn't account for them, and how they can affect sleep, health, and wellbeingThe difference between a genuinely healthy home and one with a sauna and a dog bathHow builders can position themselves in the healthy homes space with integrity and transparencyWhat makes a good builder — Zara's answer will stay with youThis is bigger than building. But it starts with builders. Zara's work and upcoming workshops: https://www.thehealthyhome.com.au/ This episode is proudly supported by MyConstruct, the all-in-one platform built for residential builders by builders. Try it free at myconstruct.com. And by Pay.com.au — use code GOOD20 for 20,000 bonus points. Head to https://pay.com.au/tgb for more.

    44 min

  3. 2D AGO

    The Daily Dose #274 | AI On Your Website Is Working. That's The Problem.

    Az is back from Melbourne with something every builder using AI on their website needs to hear. The AI isn't broken. That's actually what makes it dangerous. In conversations with Gavin Sloan from Live Chat Monitoring, one of the world's largest live chat and AI agent providers with over 4,500 clients, a clear pattern emerged. Builders who deployed AI agents on their websites found those agents happily recommending competitors, quoting prices, outlining timelines, and answering every question so thoroughly that prospects never felt the need to book. The fix isn't expensive. It's not technical. It's guardrails, a few clear sentences that tell your AI what it can and can't say, who it works for, and when to hand the conversation to a real person. In this episode, Az breaks down what guardrails are, why they matter, the five things your AI should never do, and the moment a conversation stops being an AI job and becomes a sales conversation. Three practical actions you can take this week, starting with a test you can run in the next five minutes. This episode is brought to you by MyConstruct. Go to myconstruct.com for your free 30-day trial. Thank you to this month's monthly sponsor Pay.com.au — get 20,000 bonus points when you go to pay.com.au/tgb. Head there for terms and conditions.

    12 min
  4. The Daily Dose #273 | What Your Building Contract Is Costing You (And You Don't Even Know It)

    3D AGO

    The Daily Dose #273 | What Your Building Contract Is Costing You (And You Don't Even Know It)

    Your contract could be killing deals before they even start. This week on the Monday episode, Az is joined again by Emily Pollard from Nesta Builder Brokers — and she brings the heat. Emily has read hundreds of building contracts. What she finds inside them would surprise most builders. And what clients think when they read them? That might surprise you even more. They cover the contract clauses that are quietly blowing up sales, how provisional sums are being used in ways that cost clients tens of thousands they never saw coming, why some special conditions may not even hold up in court, and how simply showing clients your contract early could save months of wasted time for everyone. This is not about attacking builders. It's about understanding what's happening right now — with banks, with clients, with trust — and what a smarter approach to contracts actually looks like. If you're signing jobs, chasing finance approvals, or wondering why clients are pulling out late in the process, this episode is for you. Episode Co-Host Emily Pollard | Nesta Builder Brokers nesta.com.au This episode is brought to you by MyConstruct. Go to myconstruct.com for your free 30-day trial. Thank you to this month's monthly sponsor Pay.com.au — get 20,000 bonus points when you go to pay.com.au/tgb. Head there for terms and conditions.

    38 min
  5. The Daily Dose #272 | What Builders Don't Know About Underpinning | Nicole Rosenthal, Foundation Solutions

    6D AGO

    The Daily Dose #272 | What Builders Don't Know About Underpinning | Nicole Rosenthal, Foundation Solutions

    Most builders don't talk about underpinning. Most homeowners are scared of the word. And most of the industry doesn't understand what actually causes a foundation to move — or who's responsible when it does. Nicole Rosenthal is the Director of Foundation Solutions, a specialist screw pile underpinning company based in Southeast Queensland. With 31 years in the construction industry — starting as a receptionist at an engineering firm and working her way through operations, marketing, and business ownership — Nicole brings a depth of knowledge that's rare in this space. In this episode, Nicole breaks down what underpinning actually is, why it's not always the builder's fault when foundations move, and what builders can do right now to protect themselves and their clients. She also calls out the misleading tactics being used by some operators in the underpinning market, advocates for proper documentation to stay with the home for its lifetime, and explains why screw pile underpinning is simply not comparable to the alternatives. This is one of those conversations that fills a genuine gap. If you've ever had a client call you about cracks in a slab and not known what to say, this episode is for you. What we cover: Nicole's 31-year journey from receptionist to business owner. What underpinning is and when it's actually needed. Why the builder is less often at fault than the media suggests. The difference between screw pile underpinning and alternatives — and why it matters. Misleading marketing in the underpinning space and what to watch for. Why foundation documents should stay with the home forever. Foundation Solutions' proprietary Lift Rig Max system. What makes a good builder — Nicole's answer. Connect with Nicole: https://foundationsolutions.com.au/ Sponsors:  This episode is proudly supported by MyConstruct, construction management software built for Australian builders. Visit myconstruct.com and get your 30-day free trial.  Also supported by Pay.com.au — use promo code GOOD20 for 20,000 bonus points. Head to pay.com.au/tgb for more.

    56 min
  6. The Daily Dose #271 | Know Your Market, Know Your Numbers, Know What You Don't Know. Matt Hope | Wattle Court.

    APR 15

    The Daily Dose #271 | Know Your Market, Know Your Numbers, Know What You Don't Know. Matt Hope | Wattle Court.

    Today's guest is Matt Hope, former master franchisee of GJ Gardner in NSW, ACT, and WA, and now co-founder of Wattle Court, a residential building franchise built for the second, third, and fourth home buyer market. Matt spent 20 years working inside franchise building businesses. He grew his GJ Gardner group to 34 franchisees doing $800 million and became the largest in the national network. He's now applying everything he learned to build a different kind of franchise — one that's selective, values-driven, and built for the long term. In this conversation, Matt and Az cover: Why knowing your market matters more than knowing your product How to read a balance sheet, not just a P&L, and why the difference nearly kills builders The work in progress problem most builders and their accountants ignore Why Wattle Court says no to franchisees more than it says yes Margin protection during cost escalation — what worked during COVID and what builders need to do right now Why Matt hosted a mental health and mindset retreat in Bali instead of a sales conference Business should be enjoyed, not endured — what that actually means If you're a builder carrying too much, knowing too little about your numbers, or wondering whether franchising is the right structure for your growth...this one is worth your full attention. Check out Wattle Court at wattlecourt.com.au This episode is brought to you by MyConstruct — construction management software built for Australian builders. Visit myconstruct.com for your 30-day FREE trial. Also supported by Pay.com.au — use code GOOD20 for 20,000 bonus points. Head to pay.com.au/tgb for terms and conditions.

    36 min

  7. APR 14

    The Daily Dose #270 | Protecting Your Build: Why Window and Surface Protection Is a Profit Issue with Nick from Goop Guys

    Az sits down with Nick from Goop Guys for a conversation that goes well beyond surface protection. They talk about the real cost of defects, the difference between builders who think proactively and those who don't, and why protecting windows, benchtops, and flooring during a build isn't a luxury add-on — it's a margin decision. Nick shares what he's seeing across residential and commercial builds nationally, from $800,000 window schedules on custom homes to the surge in commercial inquiries ahead of the 2032 Olympics in Southeast Queensland. They also get into the uncomfortable truth about builders who quote tight and then bleed profit through defects and repairs they never accounted for. This one is practical, honest, and worth your time — whether you're a volume builder, a custom builder, or a tradie who cares about handing over a job you're proud of. Topics covered: Window protection on site | Defect rates in residential and commercial construction | The real cost of a build vs what you quoted | Commercial growth and the Olympics pipeline | Proactive vs reactive building culture Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by MyConstruct — visit myconstruct.com for your free 30-day trial. And by Pay.com.au — use promo code GOOD20 for 20,000 BONUS points and head to pay.com.au/tgb for more.

    35 min

  8. APR 13

    The Daily Dose #269 | Tuesday Headlines. Sales Regulation, Gympie Moving, Protecting Your Finish, and the Hard Budget Conversation

    This week on Tuesday Headlines, powered by MyConstruct, Az covers four stories that matter for Australian builders right now. First up, Emily Pollard of Nesta Builder Brokers is raising the alarm on something the industry has been ignoring. The people selling new homes to Australians, builder brokers, new home sales consultants, channel partners, are completely unregulated. No licence. No ethics board. No oversight of any kind. And every builder absorbing the cost of a failed prelim or a misled client is paying the price for it. Go back and listen to Monday's episode with Emily if you haven't already. Next, a good news story out of regional Queensland. Sunshine Coast developer RM Capital settled a 19.8 hectare parcel in Gympie for $13.5 million and started construction the very next morning. 29 lots underway. 24 already pre-sold. This is what a professional development operation looks like, and it signals real pipeline opportunity for builders who have the right relationships in place. Third, why the last 5 per cent of a build is where reputations are won or lost. Surface damage at handover costs more than most builders realise, and it is almost entirely preventable. The Goop Guys team breaks down what protecting your finish actually looks like and why it matters for every referral that follows. And fourth, with costs still moving and the market where it is right now, a practical framework for having the over-budget conversation with clients. How to do it early, how to do it honestly, and how to come out of it with the relationship intact. Plus a Public Service Announcement the industry needs to hear. Builders and estimators have been calling in. Do not use the conflict in Iran as your excuse to raise prices before your costs have actually moved. This episode is powered by MyConstruct. Head to myconstruct.com and get your 30-day FREE trial.  Also supported by Pay.com.au, use promo code GOOD20 for 20,000 bonus points. Head to pay.com.au/tgb for terms and conditions.

    15 min
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About

This week in home building news! Catch up with Az and a colourful array of guests, to hear about who's killing it, who's innovating, and who's getting into strife in the world of new home construction.

Information

  • Creator
    The Good Builder
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    276
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Good Builder
  • Show Website
    The Good Builder Podcast

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