Builders Beyond Borders

Every building project will face challenges.

Unexpected site conditions. Delays. Variations. Mistakes. Supply issues.

The difference isn't whether something goes wrong—it's how your builder responds when it does.

In this episode of Builders Beyond Borders, Hugh, Andy, and Dean have an honest conversation about one of the most overlooked parts of the building journey: the difficult conversations.

The phone calls no builder wants to make.

The conversations homeowners often fear.

And why these moments reveal far more about your builder than when everything is running smoothly.

The team shares personal experiences of handling unexpected project issues, why transparency builds trust, how avoiding difficult conversations creates even bigger problems, and why choosing a builder is about far more than comparing quotes.

If you're planning to build or renovate, this episode will help you understand what great communication really looks like—and why the right builder is someone who tells you the truth, even when it's uncomfortable.

Listen on Spotify// https://open.spotify.com/show/0eGpiuFZidHdOcFunXPo4q

Apple Podcast// https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builders-beyond-borders/id1841312899

Youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@BuildersBeyondBordersPodcast

Follow us on Facebook// https://www.facebook.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast/

Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast_/

Looking for a builder? Perway Construction Services in Western Australia - https://www.perway.com.au

DJH Builders in Tasmania - https://djhbuilders.com.au

New Realm Homes in Victoria - https://newrealmhomes.com.au

Independent Building Solutions in Canberra - https://www.ibscanberra.com.au

Matt Auld Builder in Victoria - https://mabuilder.com.au

Builder burnout doesn't just affect the builder. In this episode we sit down with Mick Hawes from Builders Business Blackbelt, o unpack why so many good, capable builders end up overloaded and undercharged, and what that actually costs the homeowners they're working with. From free quoting to poor communication systems, we dig into what's really happening behind the scenes in the building industry, and what homeowners can do to spot a builder who has their processes sorted.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why charging for quotes protects both the builder and the client

• What a financial health check revealed about builder profitability

• The signs of a builder with strong systems and processes in place

• Why not every builder is the right fit for every client

• How poor communication creates a stressful building experience

• What the "tip of the iceberg" theory means for handling problems early

• Why cheap, fast and high quality can't all exist in the same build

Want to join the number one Builders Coaching Program? Visit Builders Business Blackbelt here: https://buildersbusinessblackbelt.com.au

Listen on Spotify// https://open.spotify.com/show/0eGpiuFZidHdOcFunXPo4q

Apple Podcast// https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builders-beyond-borders/id1841312899

Youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@BuildersBeyondBordersPodcast

Follow us on Facebook// https://www.facebook.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast/

Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast_/

Looking for a builder? Perway Construction Services in Western Australia - https://www.perway.com.au

DJH Builders in Tasmania - https://djhbuilders.com.au

New Realm Homes in Victoria - https://newrealmhomes.com.au

Independent Building Solutions in Canberra - https://www.ibscanberra.com.au

Matt Auld Builder in Victoria - https://mabuilder.com.au

This one's different. We put the tools down and have the conversation most blokes in the building game never have.

We talk about what happens when builders do the inner work. Andy opens up about getting sober, the seminars and men's weekends that turned things around for him, and why the man behind the build matters when a client is trusting you with the biggest investment of their life. Paul shares his recent men's weekend, the shadow work, working through a marriage breakdown, and breaking the pattern that gets passed down through generations. Hugh talks about a relationship and a business that both fell apart nearly 20 years ago, and the work he now does supporting men who are struggling, including men who've been to the brink.

We get into the stuff that actually helps. Going for a walk. Breath work. Cold plunges. Getting around the right people. Why working on yourself comes before working on the business, and why "I don't have time" doesn't hold up when it's the most important thing you'll do.

It's a raw one. If you're driving home after a rough day, this is the episode we made for you. You're not alone, you're number one, and what's going on in your life matters.

Listen on Spotify// https://open.spotify.com/show/0eGpiuFZidHdOcFunXPo4q

Apple Podcast// https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builders-beyond-borders/id1841312899

Youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@BuildersBeyondBordersPodcast

Follow us on Facebook// https://www.facebook.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast/

Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast_/

Looking for a builder? Perway Construction Services in Western Australia - https://www.perway.com.au

DJH Builders in Tasmania - https://djhbuilders.com.au

New Realm Homes in Victoria - https://newrealmhomes.com.au

Independent Building Solutions in Canberra - https://www.ibscanberra.com.au

Matt Auld Builder in Victoria - https://mabuilder.com.au

Ever felt like you've signed up for a build or reno and suddenly you're way out of your depth? You're not alone, and you're not the problem. In this episode of Builders Beyond Borders, we sit down to pull back the curtain on what really happens once a project gets going, and why so many homeowners feel like they've walked in blind.Between us we've seen it all: the decision fatigue, the budget shocks, the relationships that buckle under the pressure, and the one thing that quietly makes or breaks every single project. We get into the questions homeowners are asking, the questions they should be asking but aren't, and the practical stuff that keeps a build on track and a household sane.

If you're thinking about building or renovating, or you're already in the thick of it and feeling overwhelmed, this is the honest, no sugar coating chat you wish someone had with you before you started.

Listen on Spotify// https://open.spotify.com/show/0eGpiuFZidHdOcFunXPo4q

Apple Podcast// https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builders-beyond-borders/id1841312899

Youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@BuildersBeyondBordersPodcast

Follow us on Facebook// https://www.facebook.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast/

Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast_/

Looking for a builder? Perway Construction Services in Western Australia - https://www.perway.com.au

DJH Builders in Tasmania - https://djhbuilders.com.au

New Realm Homes in Victoria - https://newrealmhomes.com.au

Independent Building Solutions in Canberra - https://www.ibscanberra.com.au

Matt Auld Builder in Victoria - https://mabuilder.com.au

When you're choosing a builder, you'll ask about price, timelines, references and maybe their last few jobs. But here's a question almost no homeowner thinks to ask: is your builder still learning?

In this episode, Louise from Perway Construction Services, Paul from Independent Building Solutions and Hugh from New Realm Homes get into why a builder who's constantly improving is one of the best signs you've found a good one. The industry never stops changing. New methods, new materials, new regulations, new tech. The builders worth your money are the ones keeping up.

They also dig into something that catches a lot of homeowners off guard: plenty of genuinely skilled builders go broke. Not because they can't build, but because nobody ever taught them to run a business. The crew talks honestly about why the back end matters just as much as the building, and why a builder who's sorted their systems, finances and communication is far more likely to deliver a smooth job for you.

As Paul puts it, you're either green and growing or ripe and rotting.

Listen on Spotify// https://open.spotify.com/show/0eGpiuFZidHdOcFunXPo4q

Apple Podcast// https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builders-beyond-borders/id1841312899

Youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@BuildersBeyondBordersPodcast

Follow us on Facebook// https://www.facebook.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast/

Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast_/

Looking for a builder? Perway Construction Services in Western Australia - https://www.perway.com.au

DJH Builders in Tasmania - https://djhbuilders.com.au

New Realm Homes in Victoria - https://newrealmhomes.com.au

Independent Building Solutions in Canberra - https://www.ibscanberra.com.au

Matt Auld Builder in Victoria - https://mabuilder.com.au

Wayne Prestone in Victoria - https://prestonbuilders.com.au

What goes through a builder's mind when a major storm rolls in?

Most homeowners assume the stress ends once the keys are handed over, but experienced builders often carry a different kind of responsibility. In this episode, Dean Hodgetts and Matt Auld share a candid conversation about building in extreme weather conditions, the decisions made behind the scenes to protect homes, and why quality builders often go beyond minimum requirements to ensure long-term performance.

From coastal wind ratings and structural bracing to material selection and maintenance planning, this episode offers a fascinating look at the responsibility builders carry long after construction is complete.

Listen on Spotify// https://open.spotify.com/show/0eGpiuFZidHdOcFunXPo4q

Apple Podcast// https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builders-beyond-borders/id1841312899

Youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@BuildersBeyondBordersPodcast

Follow us on Facebook// https://www.facebook.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast/

Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast_/

Looking for a builder? Perway Construction Services in Western Australia - https://www.perway.com.au

DJH Builders in Tasmania - https://djhbuilders.com.au

New Realm Homes in Victoria - https://newrealmhomes.com.au

Independent Building Solutions in Canberra - https://www.ibscanberra.com.au

Matt Auld Builder in Victoria - https://mabuilder.com.au

Wayne Prestone in Victoria - https://prestonbuilders.com.au

Most homeowners assume a builder saying no means they're too busy, too expensive, or just not interested. But here's the thing the best builders know: saying no is often a sign you've found the right one. Good builders don't say yes to everything, and in this episode we get into exactly why that matters for you.

Louise from Perway Construction Services (WA) sits down with Paul from Independent Building Solutions and Hugh from New Realm Homes to talk through the real reasons a quality builder will turn work away, and why that honesty is actually protecting you, your money, and your home.

Listen on Spotify// https://open.spotify.com/show/0eGpiuFZidHdOcFunXPo4q

Apple Podcast// https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builders-beyond-borders/id1841312899

Youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@BuildersBeyondBordersPodcast

Follow us on Facebook// https://www.facebook.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast/

Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast_/

Looking for a builder? Perway Construction Services in Western Australia - https://www.perway.com.au

DJH Builders in Tasmania - https://djhbuilders.com.au

New Realm Homes in Victoria - https://newrealmhomes.com.au

Independent Building Solutions in Canberra - https://www.ibscanberra.com.au

Matt Auld Builder in Victoria - https://mabuilder.com.au

Wayne Prestone in Victoria - https://prestonbuilders.com.au

Can you actually afford to build right now? It's the question on everyone's mind, and in this episode the team tackles it head on. With interest rate rises, economic uncertainty and prices that have shot up over the last few years, plenty of homeowners are wondering if they've missed the boat or whether they should just wait it out.

We cover why inquiries have dropped off, why prices aren't going to come back down, and the big mistake people make when they try to do too much too soon.

We also gets into the real value of having a proper conversation with your builder before you make any decisions, why being upfront about your plans can save you a fortune, and how the equity sitting in your home might mean you're in a better position than you think.

If you've been sitting on the fence about a build or reno because you're worried about the cost, this one's for you.

Whether it's now or later, the message is simple: have the conversation with your builder first. You might be surprised what's actually possible.

Ever asked a builder "how much per square metre?" and copped a long pause? There's a reason for that. In this episode, Dean and Shannon from DJH Builders, Hugh from New Realm Homes, and Matt from Warrnambool sit down to unpack why square metre rates have quietly disappeared from builder advertising, and why relying on them to budget your new home or reno will lead you down the garden path.

They talk through how the building game has changed since the 80s, why volume builders have backed away from the old "X dollars per square" marketing hook, and the surprising reason a smaller house often costs more per square metre than a bigger one. They also get into how new building code changes, thermal ratings, and the sheer amount of choice in finishes today have blown the old metric out of the water.

If you're thinking about building or renovating and trying to make sense of quotes, this one's worth a listen before you go any further.

Listen on Spotify// https://open.spotify.com/show/0eGpiuFZidHdOcFunXPo4q

Apple Podcast// https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builders-beyond-borders/id1841312899

Youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@BuildersBeyondBordersPodcast

Follow us on Facebook// https://www.facebook.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast/

Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast_/

Looking for a builder? Perway Construction Services in Western Australia - https://www.perway.com.au

DJH Builders in Tasmania - https://djhbuilders.com.au

New Realm Homes in Victoria - https://newrealmhomes.com.au

Independent Building Solutions in Canberra - https://www.ibscanberra.com.au

Matt Auld Builder in Victoria - https://mabuilder.com.au

Wayne Prestone in Victoria - https://prestonbuilders.com.au

Ever wondered what actually happens during site inspections on your build? Or whether you're allowed to just pop down to your own house whenever you feel like it? Paul Kennedy from Independent Building Solutions in Canberra and Hugh from New Realm Homes in Melbourne pull back the curtain on the meetings, inspections and site visits that happen during a build. From mandatory council inspections to those casual drive-bys where you spot something that looks a bit off, this one covers what's reasonable, what's risky, and how to keep the relationship with your builder running smoothly. A must-listen for anyone about to start a build or already knee-deep in one.

Listen on Spotify// https://open.spotify.com/show/0eGpiuFZidHdOcFunXPo4q

Apple Podcast// https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builders-beyond-borders/id1841312899

Youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@BuildersBeyondBordersPodcast

Follow us on Facebook// https://www.facebook.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast/

Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/buildersbeyondborderspodcast_/

Looking for a builder? Perway Construction Services in Western Australia - https://www.perway.com.au

DJH Builders in Tasmania - https://djhbuilders.com.au

New Realm Homes in Victoria - https://newrealmhomes.com.au

Independent Building Solutions in Canberra - https://www.ibscanberra.com.au

Matt Auld Builder in Victoria - https://mabuilder.com.au

Wayne Prestone in Victoria - https://prestonbuilders.com.au