The 1%

Most people think it's just painting. Marc Regado from That's Us Painting reckons that's exactly the problem.

Jason and Luke sit down with Marc, director of That's Us Painting, for a conversation that goes beyond colour chips and finish coats. He breaks down what preparation really involves and why it makes up the bulk of every job, how to choose colours that work with your lighting and flooring, and what to watch for when comparing painting quotes. He also shares the personal story that brought him to where he is today.

Marc Regado is the director of That's Us Painting, a Newcastle-based painting and decorating company he has been building for four years alongside business partner Bradman Best. Twenty years in the trade, a team of four, and a track record across residential and commercial work throughout the Hunter Region. He has been part of the Spartan Projects crew from near the start.

What you'll learn:

• Why preparation is 70% of a paint job and what that means for the price you're quoted

• How to choose a colour: why "just white" opens up 120 options, and why your lighting and flooring need to be sorted first

• Why painting is the finishing trade, the last thing you see, and how cutting the budget there always shows

• What to look for when hiring a painter: insurance, licensing, and why the cheapest quote is often the most expensive mistake

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro and That's Us Painting background
03:02 The personal story behind the business
05:27 8 years clean and how recovery shaped his approach to work
08:49 The 1%-ers: small habits that make a big difference on site
11:12 Colour selection and why "just white" is never that simple
16:47 Paint brands and what actually matters
19:33 Preparation: why it's 70% of the job
20:46 Why you shouldn't skip the painter on a quality build
32:01 Building a team and staying the face of your business
33:15 Fear, mistakes and taking the leap

The 1% is a podcast hosted by Jason Corr and Luke Conners from Spartan Projects. It's about the trades, the process, and the extra 1% that separates a good build from a great one.

New episodes drop regularly. Follow so you don't miss one.

Instagram: @spartanprojects
Facebook: facebook.com/spartanprojectsaus
Website: spartanprojects.net.au
Got a build in mind? Come find us.

Ryan from Wattus Plumbing has 26 years behind the tools. He reckons most homeowners call a plumber too late.

Jason and Luke sit down with Ryan from Wattus Plumbing to talk through what good plumbing looks like on a residential build and what homeowners consistently get wrong. Ryan covers when to get your plumber involved, what decisions get locked in at rough-in stage that are costly to change later, and how to choose fixtures that won't cause headaches down the track. He also gets into hot water system options, the rise of whole house water filtration, and why tackling a small maintenance issue early is always cheaper than ignoring it.

Ryan is the owner of Wattus Plumbing, a Newcastle-based plumbing business built on 26 years in the trade and a family history in the industry. He works predominantly solo and calls on trusted tradies when the scope demands it. He has been working alongside Spartan Projects for four to five years across residential builds and renovations throughout the Hunter Region.

What you'll learn:

• Why your plumber needs to be across the plans before you finalise your bathroom layout, especially on a concrete slab where moving drains is a costly exercise

• What gets locked in at rough-in stage: tap heights and drain locations that mean cutting tiles and walls if you change your mind later

• Hot water options explained: gas instantaneous vs electric storage, rainwater tanks, and what BASIX requirements mean for new builds

• How to choose toilets and tapware that will last, and why buying from a reputable supplier matters more than you think

• The telltale signs that your plumbing needs attention before a small problem becomes a big one

• What to look for when choosing a plumber: licence, communication and honesty

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro and 26 years in the trade
02:14 Why your plumber should be involved from day one
05:12 Hot water systems: rainwater tanks, gas vs electric, and instantaneous
08:34 What to have ready before your plumber arrives on site
11:09 Toilets, tapware and choosing fixtures that last
22:19 How to find a good plumber and what questions to ask
26:41 Maintenance: tackle it small before it becomes a big problem

The 1% is a podcast hosted by Jason Corr and Luke Conners from Spartan Projects. It's about the trades, the process, and the extra 1% that separates a good build from a great one. New episodes drop regularly. Follow so you don't miss one.

Instagram: @spartanprojects
Facebook: facebook.com/spartanprojectsaus
Website: spartanprojects.net.au

Looking to make changes to your existing home or build your dream house? Get in touch.

Tim and Sam from Warrior Electrical reckon most homes are lit like a hospital. In this episode, they explain how to fix that.

Jason and Luke sit down with Tim and Sam from Warrior Electrical and cover what to plan for, when to get them involved, and why lighting matters more than most people think. They get into how early a sparky needs to be on the job, what you should bring to that first meeting, and the hidden costs that catch homeowners off guard.

Tim and Sam are the co-founders of Warrior Electrical, a Newcastle-based residential electrical company celebrating 10 years in business. They run a team of six and have worked across builds throughout the Hunter Region. Sam has completed specialist lighting design training with Mint Lighting in Melbourne. They're one of the first trades Spartan brings onto a project.

What you'll learn:

Why your electrician needs to be involved from day one, not when the frame is already up

The difference between direct and indirect lighting, and why it's the detail that takes a house to a home

What to have ready before your first electrical consult: mood boards, appliance lists, cabinetry plans

How to check if an electrician holds a valid NSW licence before you hire them

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro and Warrior Electrical background

01:48 Why electricians need to be one of the first trades through the door

03:10 What to bring to your first electrical consult

05:51 Direct vs indirect lighting and why most homes get it wrong

15:24 Hidden costs and what to watch out for

20:52 How to pick a good electrician in NSW

24:40 Final advice: get your plans sorted

The 1% is a podcast hosted by Jason Corr and Luke Conners from Spartan Projects. It's about the trades, the process, and the extra 1% that separates a good build from a great one. New episodes drop regularly. Follow so you don't miss one.

Instagram: @spartanprojects

Facebook: facebook.com/spartanprojectsaus

Website: spartanprojects.net.au

Got a build in mind? Come find us.

Two army mates, one text message, and a building company that nearly got ahead of itself. This is how Spartan Projects came to be.

Co-founders Jason and Luke explain how Spartan Projects came to be, what shaped them as tradespeople and business owners, and exactly what The 1% is about. They also share the honest moments along the way, including the advice from a business consultant that stopped them in their tracks and sent them back to basics.

What's in this episode:

• How Jason and Luke met as combat engineers in the Army and why that friendship became a business

• Their separate journeys through the trades: carpentry apprenticeships, supervising roles, and going out on their own

• The text message that started Spartan Projects and the granny flat that tested whether the partnership could actually work

• The moment a business consultant gave them a reality check that changed how they looked at the company

• What the 1% means to them as builders and what this podcast is going to cover

About the Podcast

The 1% is a podcast hosted by Jason Corr and Luke Conners from Spartan Projects. It's about the trades, the process, and the extra 1% that separates a good build from a great one. New episodes drop regularly. Follow so you don't miss one.

Instagram: @spartanprojects
Facebook: facebook.com/spartanprojectsaus
Website: spartanprojects.net.au
Got a build in mind? Come find us.