The Christmas break is one of the only times builders get real space to think.
Sites slow down. Phones quieten. And for a brief moment, you can step back from the day-to-day and look at how your business actually runs.
In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, we sit down with ScaleUp Smart to unpack the DAD Framework — Delete, Automate, Delegate — a simple, practical way for builders to reduce overload, protect margin, and set their business up better for the year ahead.
We talk through:
This isn’t about working harder next year.
It’s about using the Christmas break to gain clarity, remove friction, and come back in January knowing exactly where your time creates the most value.
A practical episode for builders who want to build a better business — not just a busier one.
In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Aaron sits down with Phil from GJ Gardner Homes Brisbane North to unpack a real construction journey — from starting an apprenticeship in 2008 to becoming a franchise owner alongside business partner Chris McNeil.
Phil shares how a strong sporting background shaped his discipline as a builder, why customer experience matters more than perfect builds, and how trust, transparency, and leadership underpin long-term success in construction. The conversation covers partnerships, franchise life, acreage building trends in Brisbane’s outer north, and the small one-percent decisions that separate average builders from great ones.
This is an honest, grounded discussion about what it really takes to build a sustainable business, earn five-star reviews, and leave a lasting reputation in the industry.
If you’re a builder, apprentice, or business owner wondering what “good” actually looks like in practice — this episode is for you.
In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Aaron continues the conversation with Phil from GJ Gardner Homes Brisbane North, diving deeper into what it takes to build a strong, sustainable building business — not just great homes.
Phil opens up about partnership dynamics with co-owner Chris McNeil, how clear roles and trust underpin their success, and why customer experience has become the backbone of their operation. From slab parties and transparent leadership to handling mistakes with compassion, this episode lays out what five-star building businesses actually do differently.
The discussion also explores acreage building trends across Brisbane’s outer north, knockdown rebuild demand, franchise life, and why builders who focus on people — clients, staff, and partners — consistently outperform those who don’t.
If you want a practical blueprint for building trust, strong partnerships, and a reputation that lasts, this episode is worth your time
In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, we sit down with Dan Hanara from James Hardie to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing builders today.
Complexity.
From installation guides and design decisions to customer communication and onsite execution, modern building has never been more complicated. But according to Dan, the best builders are not the ones doing more. They are the ones simplifying better.
In this conversation, we explore:
• Why most builders struggle to translate customer emotion into technical decisions
• How better education on site reduces mistakes months later
• What good supplier support actually looks like
• Why visualisation and digital tools are becoming essential in home building
• How clarity builds trust with clients, trades and teams
Dan also shares insights from his background in engineering, manufacturing and sales, and explains why being a “useful construction wingman” matters more than ever in today’s building environment.
This episode is a must listen for builders, designers, suppliers and anyone focused on lifting standards across the construction industry.
Rick’s journey into construction did not start with business plans or franchises. It started on the tools.
From roofing in Victoria to years of formwork in Queensland, Rick spent most of his career doing physically demanding site work in some of the toughest conditions construction has to offer. That time on site shaped how he sees building today — not just how homes are constructed, but where things commonly go wrong once multiple trades are moving through a job.
In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Az sits down with Rick from Goop Guys Sunshine Coast to unpack how that lived, on-site experience led him into surface protection and ultimately into business ownership. Rick shares how watching avoidable damage pile up on finished homes pushed him to look for a better solution — one that protects glass, floors, sills and finishes before problems occur, not after.
The conversation dives into why Goop has become known as “liquid insurance” on site, how small scratches and shortcuts can turn into major delays and replacement costs, and why protecting surfaces properly is often cheaper than fixing them later. Rick also opens up about the realities of running a trade-based business, the challenges he faced early on, and the role strong culture and support play in long-term success.
A practical, honest discussion about quality, accountability and what it really means to care about the finished home — from someone who has spent most of his life on site.
Learn more about Goop Guys at https://www.goopguys.com.au
In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Az sits down with Brent Nolan from Blunt Agency for a straight-up conversation about brand, trust, and why so many businesses overcomplicate both.
Brent shares the thinking behind helping position G.J. Gardner Homes as Australia’s most trusted builder, and why real brand strength is built from the ground up, through customer experience, internal culture, and consistency, not clever slogans.
They also unpack what happens when brands lose touch with their audience, using the Bud Light controversy as a real-world example of what not to do, and how listening to customers should always outweigh chasing noise.
If you are serious about building a brand people actually trust, not just recognise, this one is well worth your time.
For more: https://www.bluntagency.com/
In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Az sits down with Kyle Bate, Founder of ModularSales.com.au and Director of ECP Constructions, to unpack why the modular construction industry needed its own dedicated marketplace.
Kyle explains how ModularSales.com.au was created from lived experience inside the modular sector, not from a boardroom or tech startup. After more than twenty years working hands on in modular construction, Kyle saw how difficult it was for buyers to understand modular options and for builders to get their work seen in one place.
The conversation explores how ModularSales.com.au helps modular builders showcase their homes, granny flats and prefabricated buildings, connect directly with buyers, and gain visibility in a growing market that is often misunderstood.
Kyle also shares why modular construction has evolved far beyond site sheds and dongas, and why platforms built by people who understand construction are becoming increasingly important as housing demand grows across Australia.
This episode is a must watch for modular builders, suppliers, and anyone interested in how off site construction is changing the way homes are delivered.
For more head to: https://modularsales.com.au/
What happens when an estimator gets so frustrated with bad systems that he decides to fix the problem himself?
In this episode, Az sits down with Jake Barry, the quiet force behind MyConstruct, one of Australia’s most practical and underrated builder management platforms.
Jake shares his journey from leaving school at 16 and teaching himself to code, to helping deliver digital systems for organisations like PJ Burns, Master Builders and Stonewood Homes. Along the way, he explains why most construction software misses the mark, how discerning builders properly test platforms, and where AI will actually add value on site and in the office.
This is a grounded conversation about solving real problems, cutting through software hype, and building tools that genuinely make construction easier.
No fluff. No buzzwords. Just a builder-minded technologist with a long-term view.
Try MyConstruct free for 30 days: https://myconstruct.com/signup
In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Az sits down with Mark Corkery, Founder of On-Site Scanning Solutions and Chair of the NSW Scaffolding Association, to unpack how 3D site scanning is quietly changing the way construction projects are planned, priced and delivered.
Mark shares how his background in scaffolding and engineering led to the creation of a scanning solution built for real sites, not theory. From fast, phone-based site capture to creating accurate digital twins, this conversation explores how better data upfront can reduce rework, improve communication between site and office, and build trust with clients and stakeholders.
They dive into how builders, remedial contractors, insurance assessors and designers are using scanning to save time, protect margins, and improve the overall customer experience, without needing surveyors, complex software or huge budgets.
If you care about accuracy, efficiency, transparency and building confidence into every job, this is a must-listen.
Topics covered:
• Why bad data is costing projects time and margin
• How digital twins improve estimating and planning
• Using 3D scans to reduce rework and disputes
• Improving communication between site and office
• Why accessible technology is the next big shift in construction
Learn more about OSS: https://onsitescanningsolutions.com/
In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Az sits down with Thomas, General Manager of V2E, one of Australia’s most trusted outsourced estimating teams — and the conversation quickly becomes a masterclass in how builders can finally take control of accuracy, margin, and trust.
Thomas explains why so many builders lose money before they even pour a slab, and how V2E’s approach flips the industry norm. Instead of pricing off allowances and guesswork, V2E builds full 3D construction models that capture every component of the home — down to battens, membrane layers, steel, fixings and even how many tubes of epoxy you need.
Builders then receive a transparent, objective BOQ plus a browser-based model viewer they can share with trades and clients. No software, no complexity, no more redoing takeoffs during construction.
Az and Thomas also dive into:
• Why most builders are estimating backwards
• The hidden losses caused by manual or package-based pricing
• How “builder DNA” affects every BOQ
• Why trust, transparency and time are the real competitive advantages
• The staffing shortage in estimating and how better systems reduce pressure
• The blueprint for a modern, scalable, profitable estimating workflow
If you have ever wondered where your margin goes — or how to stop losing it — this episode is essential listening.
Listen now and discover why V2E’s modelling and BOQ system is becoming one of the most valuable tools for builders across Australia.
For more: https://www.v2e.com.au/
In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Az sits down with Sean Hewitt, the Managing Director of Stonewood Homes Sunshine Coast South — a builder whose philosophy is built on respect, accountability, long-term thinking and a deep commitment to doing things properly from day one.
Sean shares his 25-plus-year journey, beginning as an apprentice carpenter lifting houses and learning the value of hard work alongside trades who shaped his outlook. From boutique home projects to managing mining camps with more than 200 workers, Sean explains how leadership, safety, culture and communication became the foundations of how he now builds homes and teams.
He also opens up about:
• Why mutual respect between builders and trades is non-negotiable
• How Stonewood’s culture of ownership, family, and shared learning won him over
• The systems he considers essential, from Pipedrive and Home to MyConstruct (MyBuild) and GT
• Why transparency and live pricing help clients feel confident and informed
• The importance of fixing small issues early before they become big ones
• What he believes truly separates a “good builder” from an average one
This conversation is a rare look into how great builders think — not just about homes, but about people, processes and responsibility. Sean’s goal is clear: to become the most recommended builder on the Sunshine Coast, not the biggest. And his approach shows exactly why he is on track to get there.
Listen in and learn why mindset, systems, culture and community matter more than ever in today’s building industry.
In this episode, Sarah from Goop Guys takes us inside one of Australia’s most respected franchise networks — and explains why their model works when so many others don’t.
From strict franchisee selection to industry-leading support, Sarah breaks down what it really takes to grow a successful franchise in the construction space. We talk mindset, training, culture, long-standing builder relationships, and the growing demand for Goop Guys across Australia.
Whether you’re a builder, a tradie thinking about starting a business, or someone curious about low-risk franchise opportunities, this episode gives you a clear, honest look at what makes Goop Guys stand out.
Listen in as we cover:
A great conversation with one of the most genuine operators in the game.
In one of the final episodes of the year, Az breaks down three of the biggest stories shaping Australia’s home building industry right now.
First, we dive into new CEDA–Urbis modelling showing how gentle density across middle-ring suburbs could unlock up to one million new homes. From dual occupancies to terraces and townhouses, we explore why this “missing middle” is now one of the clearest pathways to boosting national housing supply.
We then unpack Milwaukee Tool’s latest additions to its 2025 carpentry lineup, including the M18 FUEL™ 184mm Circular Saw and the NITRUS CARBIDE™ demolition blade — and why builders and framing crews should pay attention.
Finally, we look at NXT TEC’s patented superstructure system, which enables complete homes to be built from slab to lock-up in just four days and finished in five weeks. Az explains how this Australian innovation could reshape speed, efficiency, and affordability in residential construction.
Plus: shoutouts from the Stroud Homes golf day, Stacey Combe’s Built to Last event, and a preview of upcoming episodes featuring Goop Guys, Stonewood Homes, and V2E.
A packed episode full of insights, industry updates, and end-of-year momentum for builders heading into 2026.
In this episode, Az sits down with Damon from Odyssey Legal to unpack one of the most confronting issues emerging across the building industry right now: homeowners using negative Google and Facebook reviews as leverage in disputes.
Drawing directly from a recent legal case, Damon explains how a simple defects conversation escalated into termination, defamation notices, police involvement, and potential criminal charges. He breaks down what really happens when builders are kicked off site, what “loss of confidence” actually means in law, and why taking photos and keeping strong documentation can be the difference between protection and disaster.
Az and Damon also explore the growing misuse of online platforms against builders, the importance of early legal intervention, and the big lesson every builder can learn from the Bruce Lehrmann case: sometimes taking the loss early prevents far bigger damage down the road.
They close by announcing a special fundraiser for Teens Take Control — a charity supporting disengaged and at-risk youth — including the raffle of a signed Mike Tyson glove.
A practical, raw and very real conversation for builders who want to protect their reputation, their business, and their peace of mind.
In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Az and Renae sit down with Joanna Cassidy — one of the most inspiring new voices in Australian construction. Joanna’s path into brick and blocklaying is anything but typical. With degrees in environmental health and criminology, years in government compliance roles, and a blended family of five kids, she made the bold decision to switch careers and take on one of construction’s most physically demanding trades.
Joanna shares how a hands-on moment during a home renovation opened the door to a new passion, how she pushed through industry resistance to secure an apprenticeship, and why bricklaying gave her a level of fulfilment no corporate job ever could.
Now the co-founder of Cassidy’s Brick and Blocklaying, Joanna is building a business grounded in high standards, strong team culture, mental health awareness, and genuine inclusivity. She talks openly about the barriers women face entering the trades, why representation in bricklaying is still below one percent, and her mission to change that by visiting schools, mentoring young women, and showing what’s possible.
The conversation also dives into what makes a truly “good builder,” why curiosity matters on every job site, and how real change starts with doing what you say you’ll do.
A powerful, honest story from someone who is not just talking about lifting the industry — she’s actually doing it.
Listen now.
For more: https://www.cassidysbrickandblocklaying.com.au/
For more than 25 years, Amanda Bulow has been one of the quiet forces shaping Australian residential construction. From estimating and procurement to founding one of the country’s most influential advocacy groups for women in construction, her impact reaches far beyond job titles and project lists.
In this episode, Az sits down with the founder and CEO of Awesome Women in Construction (AWIC) to unpack the story behind her mission, her grassroots rise from an Ipswich farm, and the moment a simple breakfast catch-up in 2017 grew into a national movement supporting thousands of women across the industry.
Amanda shares the early foundations that shaped her “no excuses, get on with it” mindset, how AWIC grew from 14 women around a table to more than 500 attendees at this year’s International Women’s Day event, and why she believes the industry must rethink flexibility, job-sharing, and pathways if it ever wants to genuinely grow female participation beyond the current 15%.
She also explains the real barriers women face, the blind spots most builders don’t see, and the practical solutions that actually work — including her Skilling Queenslanders program helping long-term unemployed women re-enter the workforce, and the Be Ready app built with QUT to show young people the 30+ career paths that sit beyond trades alone.
For builders, Amanda gives unfiltered advice on estimating mistakes, cost-centre blind spots, pricing accuracy, and why many small-to-medium operators lose money without ever seeing it coming.
This is a conversation about leadership, resilience, and what happens when someone stops talking about change, and actually builds it.
Links:
https://awic.org.au/
https://abulowconsulting.com.au/
https://awic.org.au/app/
On today’s episode of The Good Builder Podcast, we sit down with two people who have already made a genuine impact on the Sunshine Coast building community — and on The Good Builder itself.
Mel and Darran Quade, the new owners of Hotondo Homes Sunshine Coast, share the story behind taking over the franchise, why they believe in craftsmanship over volume, and how a teacher and a former commercial operator built one of the region’s most trusted, people-first building businesses.
This episode dives into what truly makes a good builder: honesty, clear communication, deep client relationships, strong systems, and a relentless commitment to doing things properly — even when it’s hard. The Quades talk openly about land shortages, tough sites, client education, moral standards, and why they treat every home as if they were building it for their own family.
You’ll also hear the story of their tight-knit trade network, how their Hotondo Homes community has supported them, and why they’re focused on sustainable, steady growth rather than chasing volume.
This is an episode about heart, grit, and the kind of builders who are helping raise the bar across the Sunshine Coast.
This week on The Good Builder, we’re kicking off something special — Women in Construction Week — with a huge lineup of guests and some of the biggest stories shaping Australia’s home building industry.
In this episode, Az runs through the headlines builders are talking about right now, including:
• How air-space development is unlocking hidden value for property owners
• Why Australian bathroom design is shifting, and what it means for drainage and detailing
• The rise of quick-start land releases as councils accelerate greenfield approvals across the country
We also preview the powerful conversations dropping this week with inspiring women leading change across construction:
• Stacey Combe
• Mel & Darran from Hotondo Homes
• Amanda Bulow
• Joanna Cassidy
Plus — a massive week of events ahead, from Stroud Homes’ Golf Day to Stacey’s mindfulness event and the Avia Homes party.
The industry is moving. The Good Builder is moving. And we’re taking this momentum through to the new year and beyond, with only a handful of podcast slots left.
Listen in and stay ahead.
In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Az sits down with mindfulness mentor Stacey Combe to explore the part of construction no one talks about enough: the human behind the build. After a decade in pre-construction roles across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, Stacey hit the same wall many in the industry face — high pressure, long days, competing priorities, and a mind running faster than the job schedule. Instead of walking away, she turned that experience into a mission to support the people who keep the industry moving.
Stacey breaks down what mindfulness actually is, why it matters on site and in the office, and how simple moment to moment awareness can reduce mistakes, improve communication, and build stronger relationships across every stage of a project. She also shares the STOP technique, a practical tool anyone can use when the pressure spikes.
This episode also previews her upcoming Sunshine Coast event on 5 December, where builders, trades and construction professionals will come together for an honest conversation about pressure, presence and practical strategies for staying steady in a demanding industry.
If you work in construction, lead a team, or just want to show up better day to day, this one is worth your time.
Most builders are still trying to grow their business with the wrong engine — outsourced marketing that never truly understands the brand, the customer, or the day-to-day reality of running a building company.
In this episode, Az sits down with Anisha and Nayan from Scale Up Smart to unpack one of the biggest questions builders ask:
Do I build an internal marketing team, or should I use an agency?
Drawing on Az’s own experience launching a $24M building company off the back of smart marketing, the conversation dives into:
Scale Up Smart break down what builders actually need to grow, how to stop being transactional, and how to build a brand that clients trust before they even pick up the phone.
This is a blueprint episode — for builders who want predictable leads, stronger brand presence, and a marketing function that actually works.
If you’re thinking about hiring a marketing team in 2026, start here.