Builders don’t get second takes. Interior designer and TV personality, James Treble, calls out the myths of reality TV, budget traps, and tips to keep clients grounded. He shares tools to set clear expectations early, adapt inspiration into workable builds, and make better design calls that last. Don’t miss this entertaining ep! 

Want more James? 

Instagram | YouTube @designerjamestreble 

www.jamestreble.com/ 

Builder Rob Watchorn has trained plenty of apprentices and learned the hard way what works and what doesn’t.  

Rob shares real-world ways to engage Gen Z, set clear expectations, and keep 'em keen. Tools include a weekly scorecard helps track progress and build team culture.  

We get deep into what it takes to fix the skills shortage. While school-based trade programs like youthBuild are turning things around in Tassie, find out what builders can do to nurture the tradies of tomorrow. This one’s for anyone who cares about inspiring and managing the next gen. 

Question for Rob? Reach out at blythewatchorn.com.au   

More about the youthBuild program - youthbuild.com.au 

Go behind the scenes of the Surfside House in Avalon Beach, crowned 2024 HIA-CSR NSW Home of the Year. Builder Joel Jones shares the challenges and triumphs of crafting a coastal home built to stand the test of time. From hoisting 200kg sandstone blocks to designing floating breezeways and sourcing extra durable materials, discover what it takes to build a beach house that will still turn heads in the next 50+ years. Watch the full ep for a walkthrough of this luxury coastal masterpiece.

Find out more:

www.jjbuilding.net.au

@jjbuildingcompany

Gavin Hepper, Kitchens and Bathrooms specialist, unpacks how futuristic connected homes (where kitchens can ‘talk’ to bathrooms) are closer than you think. Hear how he uses the “Umbrella Effect” to keeps projects moving, what silica rules mean on-site, designing for ‘A.M/breakfast zone’, and why more clients want multigenerational living. Gavin also previews the latest global trends from Salone del Mobile.Milano, the world's #1 design expo - and how they could feature in your next project.

Connect with Gavin:

conceptsbygavinhepper.com.au  

@conceptsbygavinhepper 

Architect and builder Sarah Waller shares how she built HIA's 2025 Australian Home of the Year in only 10 months. 'Blackwood' is a clean, monochromatic masterpiece set in lush Noosa. Refusing to be beat, she tackled months of rain, slopes, scale, detail, and pressure, crediting her trusted subbies along the way. This ep is a sharp look at full-project control, and how she finished a winner.

Good trades stick around when the boss is hands-on and leads by example. Anthony Karlovic of First Avenue Homes didn't do a traditional apprenticeship - he went from pro-tennis player to working at KPMG, before finding his way back to his family roots in building. 

In this ep, Anthony shares how his competitive streak fuels his work ethic and how being strategic with tech helps him take on 40+ custom homes a year - taking jobsites from clipboards to live schedules. He explains why "skin in the game" still matters, especially when it comes to retaining crew and reducing turnover. 

This is a no-BS look at scaling, culture, and using tech to make it all work.

Follow @hia_au

Check out Anthony’s work at @firstavenuehomesmelbourne and

https://firstavenuehomes.com.au/ 

Kim Allen, CEO of CRA Construction, shares how she stepped up from the office to lead a growing team - and why hiring more women made business sense. Her business partner and hubby, Chris Allen backs her with real talk on culture tweaks and rebranding the business for success. Find out how this couple is building a business that people want to work in.

Follow @hia_au

Check out Kim & Chris’ work at @craconstruction and craconstruction.com.au

Branding that stands for something. A bible for your build quality. Leaders who lift the load. Ryan Goodwin from Mode Group lays out how to build a business that could run - or even sell - without you. It’s about honouring the craft, setting the bar, and backing your team. Tune in on how you can think beyond today’s job.

Patrick from McDowell Building chats about renovations - how to handle dust, noise, and tricky old homes. He’s big on clear plans, honest chats with clients, and keeping sites clean. With a small, solid team, he pushes for high standards and learning as you go. Good planning and solid comms are key.

https://mcdowellbuilding.com/ | @McDowellBuilding

We pitched the mics on the expo floor at National Conference and squeezed three sharp chats into one hour: Merrick Watts – comic-turned-entrepreneur – on using pain as a growth gauge and turning your passions into business. Paige Gercovich spills on the move toward timber use in kitchens, playful tiles and calm, earthy palettes. Dean O’Rourke on new tech, cutting waste and making the trade shine for tomorrow’s workforce.