Builders Beyond Borders

Thinking about transforming your home but stuck on whether to renovate the place you love or knock it down and start fresh? You're not alone. It's one of the most common questions Australian builders get asked, and the answer is rarely as simple as homeowners hope.

In this episode, Paul Kennedy from Independent Building Solutions (Canberra) sits down with Hugh from New Realm Homes (Melbourne) to unpack the renovation vs knockdown rebuild debate. They share the real factors that decide which option stacks up, including a surprising case study where a 16-year-old home was cheaper to demolish and rebuild than extend.

If you're a homeowner weighing up your next big move, this conversation will save you from costly assumptions before you even pick up the phone to a builder.

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

In this episode of Builders Beyond Borders, Paul and Hugh tackle one of the most pressing concerns for homeowners right now: rising construction costs, fixed price contracts, and why the best builders are taking their time before starting your project.

With fuel prices fluctuating wildly, PVC piping up nearly 40%, and concrete suppliers issuing multiple price hike letters in a matter of weeks, the building industry is once again navigating uncertain waters. Paul and Hugh break down what's really happening behind the scenes and why a builder who slows down to do their numbers properly is the builder you actually want.

In this episode they cover:

• The real impact of global events on Australian construction costs and why your build is affected by what's happening overseas

• Why fixed price contracts are becoming increasingly difficult and what honest builders are doing instead

• The 20% buffer rule every homeowner needs to understand before signing a building contract

• Why builders are going broke again (just like during COVID) and how to make sure yours isn't next

• How to spot the difference between a builder who's pricing realistically versus one setting you up for failure

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 does it really take to build a business that lasts? In this episode, Shannon and Paul sit down with a very special guest, Paul Purdon, founder of Fair Dinkum Builds and a man who has spent over 50 years in the building industry. Paul joins us through our shared business coaching community, Builders Business Black Belt, and brings with him a lifetime of hard-won lessons about leadership, resilience, people, and purpose.

This is not your typical business success story. Paul gets honest about the moments that nearly broke him, the creditors who stood by him, the father who accidentally ruined a polished timber floor, and the sports psychologist who helped him figure out who he actually is beyond the business.

If you are a builder trying to find your footing, or someone who has been at it for decades and is wondering what comes next, this conversation will hit 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

Most homeowners assume their home is covered during a renovation. Most of the time, it's not.

In this episode, Louise from Perway Construction Services shares a real situation that unfolded on a live renovation project, where a homeowner's insurer declined to cover their existing home during construction. What followed was a complicated web of risk, cost, and liability that neither the builder nor the homeowner was prepared for.

To help unpack it all, Louise and Hugh are joined by Rashida Ditburner, WA State Manager for Master Builders Insurance Brokers — a specialist in construction insurance who works with builders every day to make sure the right protections are in place before something goes wrong.

In this episode they cover:

• Why your home insurer may drop coverage the moment a builder steps on site

• What contract works insurance does and doesn't protect

• Home indemnity insurance — what it is, who pays for it, and why the $200K cap matters

• Public liability, workers compensation, and why builders carry the insurance limits they do

• The biggest insurance mistakes builders make at renewal time

• What to do when a claim actually happens

• Why underinsuring is one of the most costly mistakes in construction

Whether you're planning a renovation, about to sign a building contract, or just want to understand what's actually protecting your biggest asset, this episode will change how you think about insurance on your build.

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

Most homeowners breathe a sigh of relief when the build wraps up, but the finish line isn't actually the end. What happens after completion can make or break your experience, and most people have no idea what they're entitled to until something goes wrong.

In this episode, we get into the stuff that rarely gets explained at handover. Defect periods, statutory warranties, home warranty insurance, and what "no contract" actually means for your legal protections.

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 receive multiple quotes and pick the cheapest. What they don't realise is they're not comparing prices — they're comparing completely different scopes of work, allowances, and assumptions. In this episode, we break down what actually goes into a builder's quote, why "free" quotes carry hidden costs that get passed on somewhere, and what a single-page contract can cost you when things go wrong mid-build.

If you're planning any building or renovation project, this episode will change how you read a quote.

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

Choosing between an architect and a draftsman is one of the first and most important decisions you'll make in your building journey… and it can significantly impact your budget.

In this episode of Builders Beyond Borders, we break down the real differences between architects, draftspeople, and building designers so you can choose the right path based on your goals, budget, and level of design clarity.

Because here's the truth: The wrong choice early on can lead to overdesigned plans, inaccurate cost estimates, and major budget blowouts later.

We also dive into why builder quotes can vary by hundreds of thousands of dollars, how quantity surveyors fit into the process, and why the cheapest price is often the riskiest choice.

If you're planning to build or renovate, this episode will help you make smarter, more confident decisions from the very start.

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

Feeling overwhelmed before your build has even started? You are not alone. In this episode, Hugh Maastricht from New Realm Homes in Melbourne and Paul Kennedy from Independent Building Solutions in Canberra sit down to cut through the confusion that hits most people in the very first stages of building, whether that is a new home, renovation, or even just looking at land.

With well over 50 years of combined experience between them, Hugh and Paul break down exactly why getting a builder involved from day one is the smartest move you can make before spending a single dollar.

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

Building a home is exciting, but what happens when you decide to change something after construction has already started?

In this episode of Builders Beyond Borders, we dive into one of the most common challenges during construction. Mid build changes. While some changes might seem small at first, they can quickly create ripple effects that impact cost, timelines, trades, and even the relationship between the builder and the client.

If you are planning to build or renovate, this episode will help you understand the real impact of mid build changes and how to avoid costly surprises.

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

You've received the quote, it fits your budget, and you're excited. You say yes. So why isn't construction starting tomorrow?

In this episode of Builders Beyond Borders, Hugh from New Homes in Melbourne, Paul from Independent Building Solutions in Canberra, and Matt from Matthew Auld Builder in Warrnambool unpack what actually happens after you accept a builder's quote.

Spoiler: the real work is just beginning.

This conversation walks through the planning, contracts, permits, insurance, scheduling, and behind-the-scenes coordination that must happen before any tools hit the ground.

If you've ever wondered why there's a gap between signing and starting, this episode will give you clarity and confidence.

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