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#61 Smart Estimating Through 3D Modelling with Tom Lawson - Part 1
"A builder who doesn't estimate properly in 2026 is going under." Tom Lawson didn't sugarcoat it, and what follows is a masterclass in why the old way of pricing jobs is leaving builders exposed.
This week, Dean and Luke sit down with Tom Lawson from Vision 2 Estimating (V2E), fresh off the Build Insite Hub Launch and Live event at Circa and Bowens in Port Melbourne. Tom flew in from Adelaide to unpack how 3D construction modelling is reshaping the way builders price, plan, and deliver projects.
From his early days bouncing between structural engineering and architecture, to seven years detailing roof trusses at K&B Timber, Tom walks through the path that led him to co-founding V2E with Michael. What started as a "why can't we do this for the whole project?" idea has grown into a 17-modeller team helping builders nationwide resolve plans before they hit site.
If you've ever been buried under conflicting documents, frustrated by square metre rate guesswork, or burned by design issues that only surface mid-build, this one's going to hit home.
**What You'll Learn:**
- Why traditional estimating is setting builders up to redo work twice
- How 3D modelling catches engineering and design clashes before site
- The key differences between SA and VIC frame and truss design responsibilities
- Why square metre rates don't reflect what your build actually costs
- How visual estimating brings clients into the conversation and unlocks smarter decisions
**Chapters:**
00:00 – Introduction
00:27 – Welcome Tom Lawson to the studio
01:15 – Tom's journey: From engineering to architecture to detailing
04:00 – Inside K&B Timber and the world of frame and truss design
05:23 – The idea that sparked Vision 2 Estimating
07:11 – SA vs VIC: How frame design responsibilities differ
10:00 – What is Vision 2 Estimating?
11:04 – Why the traditional estimating process is broken
13:36 – The problem with square metre rates
15:07 – Managing 10+ sets of documents on every project
16:18 – Catching design issues before site (real examples)
19:55 – Helping clients visualise the final build
21:55 – Educating clients through 3D visuals
22:57 – Wrapping up Part 1
Hosts: Dean Backman & Luke Callery
Guests: Tom Lawson from Vision 2 Estimating (V2E)
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/
📸Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite
View all episodes
By Build Insite"A builder who doesn't estimate properly in 2026 is going under." Tom Lawson didn't sugarcoat it, and what follows is a masterclass in why the old way of pricing jobs is leaving builders exposed.
This week, Dean and Luke sit down with Tom Lawson from Vision 2 Estimating (V2E), fresh off the Build Insite Hub Launch and Live event at Circa and Bowens in Port Melbourne. Tom flew in from Adelaide to unpack how 3D construction modelling is reshaping the way builders price, plan, and deliver projects.
From his early days bouncing between structural engineering and architecture, to seven years detailing roof trusses at K&B Timber, Tom walks through the path that led him to co-founding V2E with Michael. What started as a "why can't we do this for the whole project?" idea has grown into a 17-modeller team helping builders nationwide resolve plans before they hit site.
If you've ever been buried under conflicting documents, frustrated by square metre rate guesswork, or burned by design issues that only surface mid-build, this one's going to hit home.
**What You'll Learn:**
- Why traditional estimating is setting builders up to redo work twice
- How 3D modelling catches engineering and design clashes before site
- The key differences between SA and VIC frame and truss design responsibilities
- Why square metre rates don't reflect what your build actually costs
- How visual estimating brings clients into the conversation and unlocks smarter decisions
**Chapters:**
00:00 – Introduction
00:27 – Welcome Tom Lawson to the studio
01:15 – Tom's journey: From engineering to architecture to detailing
04:00 – Inside K&B Timber and the world of frame and truss design
05:23 – The idea that sparked Vision 2 Estimating
07:11 – SA vs VIC: How frame design responsibilities differ
10:00 – What is Vision 2 Estimating?
11:04 – Why the traditional estimating process is broken
13:36 – The problem with square metre rates
15:07 – Managing 10+ sets of documents on every project
16:18 – Catching design issues before site (real examples)
19:55 – Helping clients visualise the final build
21:55 – Educating clients through 3D visuals
22:57 – Wrapping up Part 1
Hosts: Dean Backman & Luke Callery
Guests: Tom Lawson from Vision 2 Estimating (V2E)
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/
📸Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite
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