In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Jamie Rowler from Rowler Construction.  

In this episode we talk about: 

• Jamie grew up on the Mornington Peninsula - close to where he still is based now on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.  

• Building is in Jamie’s DNA as he is a third-generation builder.  
• Completing his carpentry apprenticeship with his father - which gave him a variety of experience in differing fields.  

• Jamie started his early years working for some high-end carpenters and architects and completed the Victorian DBU, which was one of proudest moments in his life. 
• For the DBU (Domestic Building License), you need to know a little bit of everything.  
• After his apprenticeship, Jamie teamed up with his Dad to build Rod Hannah’s home, which has led into critical word of mouth referrals.
• Client relationships and the value of ‘good ol’ fashion relationships’.
• This episode was recorded in Christine and Craig’s Hamptons inspired home, a recent client of Rowler Construction, and Jamie shares how their building journey unfolded. 
• The chemistry between client and builder and the importance of standing behind your word. 
• Although Jamie loves carpentry and his 25 years in the role, he has grown to love the client interaction more and shares how his emotional intelligence has evolved over the years. 
• Jamie enjoys being the provider in the family and loves that his family is proud of the job that he enjoys so much. 
• Jamie explains Rowler Construction and the work they focus on in the Mornington Peninsula  area.
• Jamie has a strong community, and supports local owned and operated suppliers and contractors. 
• Pricing projects and Rowler Constructions’ process. 
• How the influx of people relocating to coastal Victoria has affected business for Jamie, as well as the impact of COVID.
• Jamie’s approach to marketing and social media. 
• Jamie defines the difference between a carpenter and a builder. 
• One of the challenging projects on Jamie’s books and managing the crossover between clients and construction. 
• The future for Rowler Construction.
• And, finally Jamie shares his work in the Building and Business Mentoring Course and the value he has found in focusing on building vs carpentry.  

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Jamie Rowler.  

Links: 

Rowler Construction

Follow @rowlerconstruction on Instagram 

Rod Hannah and Associates 

Build Hatch 

Follow @buildhatch on Instagram

In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from James Hickey from Lifesize Plans 

In this episode we talk about: 

• Lifesize Plans was born in 2016 after founder Chris renovated his own home and realised that there was a lack of understanding when it comes to A3 plans, so, Chris hired a warehouse so he could project life size plans for clients to have a virtual walk though. 
• James grew up in Western Sydney near Penrith but now calls The Blue Mountains home.  
• For James, there was always construction talk at home and after school he completed a carpentry apprenticeship in the renovation space.  
• James is process-driven and always had a feeling that there was more for him outside of the day to day of carpentry so, he spent two years travelling the world and shopfitting.  
• After returning home, James realised his calling was in project management and he ended up in an international role managing multi-million-dollar projects.  
• Chris, at Life Size Plans, was looking for someone who shared his vision and to scale the business - so, James joined the team. 
• James’ role in not only scaling Lifesize Plans, but also building the team by implementing process so people can shine.  
• The problems with the current construction ecosystem. 
• Seeing a life-size plan of a home can bring to light layout issues that can be re-designed at the planning stage rather than half-way through construction, saving time and money for all parties, including the client.  
• The application for Lifesize Plans is endless – from hospitals, day-care centres and hotels - the ability to make changes early on and mitigate risk.  
• Humans connect best when we are face to face and the ‘ah-ha' moments which are revealed during their virtual walkthrough.  
• The process of working with Lifesize Projects and how architects, designers and families can take advantage of this new technology. 
• The pre-construction journey and application for builders and contractors to see a final product and know their role when it comes time to the build. 
• The product ecosystem James wants to see and the application for the client experience.  
• The feel, and even smell of home, is considered so that a client feels an emotional connection to their future plans.  
• The value of feedback to evolve a business to be the best it can be.  
• The ultimate goal of Lifesize Plans is to allow everyone to bring their passions to the table resulting in a client centric model using technology to facilitate the process.  
• The future for Lifesize Plans as they step into the global space. 
• James loves enabling people to see their vision come to life and this is the same for his personal life.  

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with James Hickey from Lifesize Plans.  

Links: 

Lifesize Plans 

Follow @lifesizeplans on Instagram 

Build Hatch 

Follow @buildhatch on Instagram 

In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to sit down with Brett Hocking from APP Corporation.

In this episode we talk about:

• Brett was one of Aaron’s first bosses in construction management and shares the story of how his new shoes landed him the job.
• APP is a client-side property, project management and infrastructure advisory firm, who help clients come up with a strategy to transition their assets, in large-scale Government work and the private sector.
• Brett grew up in Avalon on the Northern Beaches of NSW, with his school’s back gate sitting right on the beach.
• Brett was academically minded and after school attended UTS studying civil engineering, but quickly worked out it wasn’t for him.
• Attending a site visit on the Sydney M5 as it was being built changed Brett’s perspective on his engineering degree, so he took 6 months off and worked in the snowfields.
• After his time away, Brett then enrolled himself into a Bachelor of Building and Construction and Economics whilst working as a cadet at the Department of Public Works and Services.
• He was then called by a recruiter who invited him to join the team at APP and Brett has been with this leading company for over 24 years.
• APP has more of a corporate structure and Brett explains the diverse range of clients and jobs he has worked with over the years.
• The graduate program that APP offers and the diverse range of backgrounds, training and careers that can be developed through their program.
• APP and their involvement in everything from military services to turning Albert Park into a Formula One race track each year including the process to dismantle this landmark event each year.
• There are three really important factors for the graduates of APP, that being, they understand the commercial process behind the delivery of a project, receive a practical understanding and understand the value of the relationships that can establish, through APP, to grow their careers.
• Training and teambuilding for graduates, in a post-university context, so they can pull together their learning and general professional services.
• The process for corporate clients approaching APP to implement the best strategy, definition, delivery or transition for a property and infrastructure project.
• At the moment APP has around 330 employees in 10 offices all around the Country.
• APP has 4 divisions – Infrastructure, Projects, Urban Development and the Program’s Division which Brett is in charge of and leads.
• Brett’s favourite aspect of his job, by far, is to see young people succeed and grow themselves into trusted professionals in their field.
• Mentoring, connection, contact and the value of relationships.
• Outside of work, Brett is a family man and enjoys snow sports and building projects with his kids around home.
• The defining characteristics of an APP graduate is the right attitude, aptitude and someone who enjoys a bit of fun.
• The process of getting involved with APP as a graduate, postgraduate or experienced trades.
• Pete who was once an APP Graduate also drops in and joins us to discuss the day in the life of an APP Graduate.

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Brett Hocking from APP Corporation.

Links:

APP Corporation

Connect with Brett

Build Hatch

In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Peter Kelly from Little Fish Property Developments. 

In this episode we talk about: 

• ‘Little fish are sweet’ and we hear the story behind the name Little Fish Property Developments and the intentional warmth they have brought to the brand.  
• Pete grew up in Wangaratta North East Victoria. After graduating high school he started Uni while he worked part-time at Australasian Shop Fitting.  
• Realising that University wasn’t for him he started a shopfitting trade with his now business partner Mark.  
• Fitting out for national clients meant Pete had to travel for up to 30 days at a time. He loved the team environment and working non-stop.  
• After a few years Pete started a project management role within the company while studying a diploma in project management.  
• The advantages of starting on the tools in the practical side of business and moving up into project management – his experience helped him to provide his shop-fitting team with that they needed to complete projects.  
• Knowing that project management wasn’t the end game, Pete then pivoted and trained as a real-estate agent.  
• During this time Pete gained the soft skills needed to interact with people. 
• The importance of a strong support network. 
• Little Fish Property Developments is owned by Pete, Ben and Mark – and we hear how they joined forces.  
• ‘It’s the execution that matters’ – unless your execution is done well, it means nothing.  
• Little Fish Property Developments manage projects for clients ranging from owners of sites, those looking for a build site and large investors wanting a hands-off approach.  
• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Pete shares the multiple ways to approach property development and the differing results he has seen for their clients.  
• The value of town planners and the essential role they play in the success of a property development, especially in their ability to mitigate risk.  
• Pete loves that he can provide the network, trust and a foot in the door for their clients.  
• Property development can be a high stakes game, and the time needed to dedicate to a development.  
• We get down and dirty and discuss some of the issues Pete has seen in property developments.  
• Pete defines the ‘dual-occ’ model and the start to finish model that Little Fish Property Developments implements.

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Peter Kelly from Little Fish Property Developments. 

Links: 

Little Fish Property Developments 

Follow @littlefishproperties on Instagram 

Build Hatch 

In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear Noah and Mostafa from Structural Engineering Basics. 
  
In this episode we talk about: 

• Mostafa grew up in Cairo Egypt with a father who was a structural engineer and shares about his interesting childhood growing up in Chiro, Egypt – including the history of the Pyramids. 
• After graduating from school Mostafa was able to get a consultancy role at a local firm in Cairo and follow in this fathers’ footsteps. 
• In contrast, Noah grew up in a family full of architects and shares his journey to structural engineering. 
• Having an interest in sports, Noah was drawn to structural engineering and the ideas of designing high rise building, hospitals and stadiums. 
• Mostafa moved to Canada which is where he met Noah. 
• Meeting at a job they hit it off and worked together on many projects and have learnt a lot during their time together. 
• Relationships with contractors and the importance of the rapport you need to have. 
• Networking and life-long learning in construction.  
• The amazing feats of construction in Dubai and Middle-East construction in general and the challenges of working in a desert environment.  
• The in-fashion characters of building tall leaning buildings. 
• In contrast, Noah explains the difficulties of working in Canada and again, the impact severe weather can have on structural engineering. 
• Shifts in the construction industry since the pandemic. 
• The start of Structural Engineering Basics and the education courses Mostafa and Noah provide. 
• Noah explains what their courses entail and how you can get involved - all at your own pace. 
• The course explains the process’ from the perspective of a structural engineer currently working in the field and includes lots of practical applications. 

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Noah and Mostafa from Structural Engineering Basics. 

Links:

Structural Engineering Basics

Build Hatch

In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Ben and Dave from Urban Joinery.

In this episode we talk about:

• Ben grew up between Sydney and Newcastle and has called the coast his home for most of his life.
• Dave grew up in Yass, Victoria and after moving to the coast embraced surfing after graduating from high school. After finding himself (or losing himself) in the surf Dave started working for a builder where he discovered that fine workmanship in joinery really appealed to him.
• Ben’s path to construction started as an apprenticeship in grade 10 where he happened to fall into joinery and has loved it ever since.
• Ben and Dave met while Ben was working as a sales rep. When they both had stepped out on their own into the joinery space, they decided to rent a shed together for 18 months.
• Realising that they had the same work ethic and differing strengths, they joined forces to start Urban Joinery and have never looked back.
• Dave gets satisfaction from working on the more challenging architectural projects, and realised he needed more hands-on deck to be able to make a good first impression on builders and their clients.
• Communication is the key when working with deadlines and, as a finishing trade - joinery always has the most time pressure at the critical stages of the construction project.
• Stock levels that are outstanding due to COVID and how they communicate such unavoidable delays with clients.
• The huge expenses involved with joinery and the benefits of a CNC router machine.
• The investment of storage, factory space, tools, technology and the overheads.
• Everything Urban Joinery produces is custom and every job they encounter has its unique set of challenges they need to overcome.
• Quoting materials for jobs is the easiest aspect of joinery - trying to quantify the labour hours of the install and production is the challenge.
• Ben and Dave won’t settle for mediocre and their high standard and attention to the half-millimetres set them apart.
• Asking ‘would I want this result in my own home’ and not settling until the answer is ‘yes’.
• No sweating the small stuff and their process of problem solving.
• Working with architects in the early stages of the design results in a better finish.
• The contrast between working on residential homes in contrast with architects.
• Balancing family, surf and hard work.
• The future for Urban Joinery.

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Ben and Dave from Urban Joinery.

Links:

Urban Joinery

Follow @urbanjoinery on Instagram

Build Hatch

In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Kain Bliss from Greenbuild Constructions.

In this episode we talk about:

• Kain is a builder based in the Hunter Valley of NSW who grew up locally.
• Once Kain hit his teenage years his interest in construction was sparked as he joined the family plumbing business.  
• Completing a drafting course at TAFE was critical to his interests in building and he attributes these skills as the foundation for his career.
• Fresh out of school, Kain and his father went into business together using a proprietary green-wall system and soon after Greenbuild Constructions was born.
• Kain was thrown into the deep end of the family business, and like a sponge, learnt all aspects from accounting to site management.
• The choice to start a new business in construction rather than continue to work in the family plumbing business.
• Kain’s first job with Greenbuild and the learning experiences he used for later projects. 
• The motivation to go from small family projects to multi-million-dollar homes.
• Kain shares how optimism led to business motivation and is passionate to take on any challenge.
• The choice to focus on quality builds rather than quantity of builds to allow for the fundamentals to be established. 
• The old bull verse young bull mentality and how Kain and his father balanced each other as Greenbuild grew.
• Managing risk and putting it all on paper to clearly structure plans and mitigate risks.
• Sharing the load of staff between the business and why Kain’s first hire was an estimator role.
• In business, a routine is very important and why we need to work on the business not just in the business.
• Outside of work Kain loves a bit of footy, but mostly spends his downtime with his young family.
• The impact of COVID on Greenbuild and how Kain has managed his 20 staff during this time.
• Kain’s approach to estimating the number of builders needed to complete projects.
• The elusive ‘holy grail’ of project management and scheduling systems, and Kane’s advice for new builders.
• Greenbuild ’s current project is ‘The Ridge’ at Nelson Bay, which has come off the back of ‘Salt’ at Shell Bay.
• The reason Kain suggested a re-design for The Ridge and the reaction of the client to these changes. 
• The challenges of working on a rock shelf and the adjustments made along the way.

Sit back and enjoy this interesting interview with Kain Bliss from Greenbuild Constructions.

Links:

Greenbuild Constructions

Follow @greenbuild.constructions on Instagram

Follow Greenbuild Constructions on Facebook

Build Hatch

In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Anthony Furniss from EJE Architecture.

In this episode we talk about:

• Anthony grew up in the Northern suburbs of Sydney and moved, with his Dad, to Cairns in high school and describes it as his first real interaction with an Aboriginal community – which was invaluable.
• Getting ready for graduating from high school, Architecture was Anthony’s first choice and he ended up at Newcastle University.
• Renovating a home while in high school sparked Anthony’s curiosity in architecture.
• Anthony’s time studying at Newcastle University, which on the first day, he met one of his now fellow directors.
• During the third and fourth year of his degree, he took a job in a large Sydney firm contrasting with a smaller firm in Newcastle.
• His first job was a combined primary and high school which was a foray into the world of education design where he focused on for the first two years of his career.
• An offer came in for Anthony to work within the tertiary education sector in the facilities management department where he collaborated directly with different client groups and provided briefs for other architects.
• During his time working within client services, Anthony was in a team of engineers and other specialists which expanded his experience and understanding of the full life cycle of a building.
• Environmental sustainability is not purely about building materials, but how can you design a building that can adapt without being significantly modified.
• Anthony shares his typical day as a Director of EJE Architecture.
• Anthony views architecture as a collaboration – there are builders, council officers, site managers and everyone has to work collectively at some point.
• As we head into 2021, Anthony says that ‘knowledge is king’ when experiencing hard lockdowns and provides us with his perspective on the reactions he has seen from not only builders but clients as well.
• The impacts of working from home during the lockdown as well as some of the advantages and changes in perspective he has seen in the industry.
• Anthony has noticed an increased level of productivity and appreciation from staff as they work remotely.
• The way in which Anthony’s father conducted business and how he has been the biggest influence on Anthony’s career – especially the way in which he interacts with other people.
• Anthony’s advice to young builders or business owners who want to connect with an Architect like himself and build great relationships.
• Trust in all areas of business is essential. Anthony says, ‘The best form of marketing you can do for yourself is handing over a high-quality job’.
• Outside of EJE Anthony ‘dances on water’ at the beach and refers to it as his counsel which is surfing.

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Anthony Furniss.

Links:

EJE Architecture

Follow @ejearchitecture on Instagram

Build Hatch

In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Jack Martin, creator and founder of The People's Tool Co.  

In this episode we talk about: 

• The People's Tool Co focuses on tool bags, builders square and hammers and only sells and exclusively distributes quality products.
• Jack was born and raised in the Yarra Ranges where he now lives with his own family.  
• Always wanting to do something with his hands, Jack started working in commercial construction at age 16 but made the switch to carpentry to work with timber.
• Completing his domestic carpentry apprenticeship at age 19, Jack stepped out as a carpenter specialising in frames.   
• Growing up, Jack loved boxing and was never afraid to stand his ground – perhaps we call it an entrepreneurial streak.  
• Finding all big brand toolbelts uncomfortable, Jack started The People's Tool Co which only took 8 weeks from idea to first delivery. 
• Investing $600 he received for his 21st Birthday, Jack invested in Cryptocurrency turning it into a wise investment.
• This approach was to sell as many pre-orders as possible and pay for orders upfront before building up stock levels here in Australia.  
• Jack explains the feeling of getting his first sale through the website while standing in his parent's kitchen.  
• We get hands-on and look at some of the quality tools available through The People's Tool Co. 
• Manufacturing location is important to Jack as he only sources the highest quality items for sale.  
• He has everything from Diamondback toolbelts, Collins clamps to Martinez hammers. 
• Starting out Jack had to work overnight to connect with American suppliers and message buyers directly on Instagram. 
• When the Covid pandemic hit, Jack created the “Essential Crew” merchandise shirts that are exclusively sold as a limited-edition. 
• “Can you imagine yourself in 10 years if instead of avoiding the things you know you should do you actually did them every single day that's powerful” (Jordan Peterson) and the meaning of this quote for Jack.  
• Building frames in his day job, Jack has created friendly competition within his crew.  
• The liberation that comes with working on a business all while keeping your hands on the tools.  
• Jack gives us an example of how to track a repetitive task like framing.   
• The people Jack looks up to in his personal and professional life.  
• The future for The People's Tool Co. 
• Although his core business is products, Jack has been surprised by the community that has been built on Instagram over time.  
• Customer feedback as well as feedback from his own tradesmen are essential to supplying only the highest quality tools.  
• The highlights and learnings from running The People’s Tools Co for Jack.  
• And finally, Build Hatch gives away a @Dimondback toolbelt! Keep an eye on @buildhatch Instagram for more information.  

Sit back and enjoy this interview with Jack Martin.  

To enter the draw to win a Diamondback toolbelt: 

Firstly follow @buildhatch  @the_peoples_tool  @evobuilt_  and  

@diamondback.toolbelts 

Then, tag up to two mates in the comments section to go in the draw to win!  

Winner will be announced on 31 December 2020 on NYE.

Links: 

The People's Tool Co 

Follow @the_peoples_tool Instagram  

Build Hatch 

In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Andy Toniolo from Inner City Excavations.

In this episode we talk about: 

• Andy was always interested in construction and started out labouring while he studied economics and commerce at University.  
• Andy is a Melbourne man born and bred and was a keen footy and tennis player growing up.  
• Finding the learning side of study easier, Andy enrolled as a mature age student in carpentry to pursue is goals of working in construction.
• Building strong relationships with people through Tafe gave Andy the upper hand when he stepped out on his own and formed a framing crew. 
• Working in framing gave Andy a chance to realise his love for ground work and problem solving which was the foundation for a build. 
• Andy saw a gap in the market, where the expectations of engineers in domestic building design contrasted with the skill of general domestic tradies, so Inner City Excavations was born. 
• Andy’s first purchase was a 2-tonne excavator which has completed over 5000 hours and is still in use today.  
• Relationships are the key to Andy’s business. Keep the builder happy and you will not only grow, but form strong bonds with trades.  
• Valuing relationships early on and using his skills of reading plans, Andy has been able to build a business on trust while forming a specialist excavation company.  
• The shift Andy has seen in the public’s respect for trades.  
• No body has X-ray vision, however by keeping the communication open between client, builder and excavator, all ‘problems’ can be easily solved.  
• Information is power and by asking a Geotech to retrieve more samples (above the industry standard) Andy has avoided many excavation mis-haps.  
• The Inner City Excavation Fleet.  
• The biggest challenge Andy has come across when excavating.  
• Loading equipment in and out of trucks is, by far, the most dangerous task and Andy always approaches it with caution, no matter how many times he has done it.  
• The most interesting thing Andy has found on site.  
• In 2012 Andy was involved in ‘The Block’ for Channel 9 and shares his experience.  
• Cycling, football and family occupy Andy outside of Inner City Excavations.  
• Andy gives us his tips for balancing work and still making time for family.  
• The future for Inner City Excavation. 

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Andy Toniolo from Inner City Excavations. 
 
Links: 
Inner City Excavations 

Build Hatch