The Enthusiast Lab

Welcome to Episode 81 of The Enthusiast Lab!

The WA brick shortage is real, it's developing, and there are a lot of questions flying around. So we brought in someone who's right in the thick of it.

In this episode, Nik and Julia sit down with Matt from La Vita Homes — one of our most trusted builder partners — for a straight-talking builder's take on what's actually happening, what it means for clients, and where things are headed.

They break down the difference between double brick, brick veneer, and fully framed construction in plain English, and tackle the questions we've been hearing most from clients — termites, bushfire ratings, noise transfer, thermal performance, hanging your TV, and what switching construction methods actually involves behind the scenes.

They also get into the real costs of making the change, why importing bricks or building a new factory isn't as simple as it sounds, and why brick veneer is nothing new — it's just new to WA.

If you're building, have already signed, or are trying to make sense of what this all means for your home — this one's worth your full attention.

Let's Meet in Person: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/60min
Let's Chat: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/quick-phone-chat
Website: https://mrenthusiast.net.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrEnthusiastNewHomesByNik
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/mr.enthusiast_new_homes_by_nik/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrenthusiast
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mr.enthusiast8988

Welcome to Episode 80 of The Enthusiast Lab

We're back!

After two months off air, Nik and Julia sit down to catch up on everything that's happened, and there's a lot of it. 

Celebrating 10 years in business and hosting a gala to celebrate, then the scare of their dog Shadow falling seriously ill and needing round the clock emergency care, followed by Nik getting knocked out sick for a week and then losing his voice entirely to acute laryngitis. 

It's honest, it's chaotic, and it's exactly why the show's been quiet. But It's good to be back!

Were all chatting about the issue dominating the building industry right now, the brick shortage affecting both residential and commercial construction across WA.
Nik and Julia unpack how the market got to this point, including the reliance on a single major supplier controlling stock for the majority of builders across the state, and what it means when that much of an industry depends on one source.

From there they get into the real alternative people are turning to, brick veneer versus fully framed construction, breaking down the pros and cons of each. That includes the stuff people don't think about until it affects them directly, noise transfer between rooms and from outside, thermal efficiency and how each option performs in WA's climate, build speed, cost, and maintenance down the track. 

If you're building now or about to sign a contract, this episode gives you what you actually need to make the call.

Let's Meet in Person: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/60min
Let's Chat: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/quick-phone-chat
Website: https://mrenthusiast.net.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrEnthusiastNewHomesByNik
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/mr.enthusiast_new_homes_by_nik/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrenthusiast
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mr.enthusiast8988

Welcome to Episode 79 of The Enthusiast Lab!

If you've been wondering about land — where it's at, what's available, and what the market is actually doing right now — this one's for you.

In this episode, Nik and Jules give you a real snapshot of where land availability is sitting at the moment. They go deep on what the current market actually looks like and what to be aware of if you're in the market — plus they tackle some of the most common questions people are asking right now.

No fluff, no real estate spin — just a clear, honest look at the current landscape so you can make smarter decisions about your build.

Let's Meet in Person: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/60min
Let's Chat: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/quick-phone-chat
Website: https://mrenthusiast.net.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrEnthusiastNewHomesByNik
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/mr.enthusiast_new_homes_by_nik/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrenthusiast
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mr.enthusiast8988

Welcome to Episode 78 of The Enthusiast Lab!

In this episode, we'd like you to meet Will — one of the sales reps here at Mr Enthusiast, and a bloke who knows a thing or two about how a home actually goes together.

Before joining the team, Will spent his time on the tools as a carpenter — and that hands-on background is exactly what makes him so valuable to the clients he works with today. We sit down with Will to get to know him as a person, chat about his journey from the trade to sales, and find out what his role at Mr Enthusiast actually looks like day to day.

If you're working with us or thinking about it, Will is one of the people you'll be dealing with — and this is your chance to get to know him before you do.

Follow Will on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildwithwill__

Let's Meet in Person: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/60min
Let's Chat: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/quick-phone-chat
Website: https://mrenthusiast.net.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrEnthusiastNewHomesByNik
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/mr.enthusiast_new_homes_by_nik/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrenthusiast
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mr.enthusiast8988

Welcome to Episode 77 of The Enthusiast Lab!

The questions kept coming — so we kept answering.

In this episode, Nik and Jules are back for Part 2 of Q&A 6, picking up where they left off and working through even more of your questions from social media.

More building advice, more straight talk, more behind the scenes of how Mr Enthusiast actually works — no scripts, no filters, just honest answers from the people running the show.

Keep the questions coming in the comments or through our socials. You might just hear your answer in the next one.

Let's Meet in Person: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/60min
Let's Chat: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/quick-phone-chat
Website: https://mrenthusiast.net.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrEnthusiastNewHomesByNik
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/mr.enthusiast_new_homes_by_nik/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrenthusiast
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mr.enthusiast8988

Welcome to Episode 76 of The Enthusiast Lab! 

You asked, they answered. 

In this episode, Nik and Jules are back for another round of Q&A — working through the questions you’ve been sending in through social media and giving you the straight answers you actually want to hear. 

From building advice to behind the scenes of how Mr Enthusiast works, no scripts, no filters — just honest answers from the people running the show. 

If you’ve got a question of your own, drop it in the comments or send it through on socials. It might just make the next one.

Let's Meet in Person: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/60min
Let's Chat: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/quick-phone-chat
Website: https://mrenthusiast.net.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrEnthusiastNewHomesByNik
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/mr.enthusiast_new_homes_by_nik/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrenthusiast
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mr.enthusiast8988

Welcome to Episode 75 of The Enthusiast Lab!

In this episode, we'd like you to meet Kim — the newest member of the Mr Enthusiast team, joining us all the way from Adelaide.

We sit down with Kim to get to know her as a person first — her life, her background, and what brought her into the world of building. We also chat about her own build with Mr Enthusiast, what that experience was like, and what her new role with the team looks like going forward.

Having been through the building process herself, Kim brings a perspective that's hard to replicate. She knows what it feels like to be on the other side of the table — and now she's here to help others through it.

If you're based in Adelaide or thinking about building in South Australia, this one's well worth a watch.

Let's Meet in Person: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/60min
Let's Chat: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/quick-phone-chat
Website: https://mrenthusiast.net.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrEnthusiastNewHomesByNik
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/mr.enthusiast_new_homes_by_nik/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrenthusiast
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mr.enthusiast8988

Welcome to Episode 74 of The Enthusiast Lab!

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes once your build is underway?

In this episode, we introduce you to Aislinn — our Sales Administration superstar and one of the key people making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

We chat about her role, what sales administration actually involves, how she supports both the team and our clients throughout the process, and a bit about who she is outside of work.

Building a home is a team effort — and Aislinn plays a big part in keeping everything organised, on track, and moving forward from the admin side of things.

If you’ve worked with us before, you may have already come across her. If you’re thinking about building with us, this is your chance to meet another important member of the team who’ll be helping bring your build together.

Let's Meet in Person: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/60min
Let's Chat: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/quick-phone-chat
Website: https://mrenthusiast.net.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrEnthusiastNewHomesByNik
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/mr.enthusiast_new_homes_by_nik/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrenthusiast
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mr.enthusiast8988

Welcome to Episode 73 of The Enthusiast Lab.

Building costs aren’t just the house price — and that’s where a lot of people get caught out.

In this episode of The Enthusiast Lab, we break down the six real cost categories involved in building a home and explain why the advertised price can sometimes be a trap.

We cover everything from land and siteworks through to prestart selections, government fees, finance costs and the expenses that often pop up after handover.

If you're planning to build, this episode is designed to give you a clear, honest look at what the real numbers often look like.

Let's Meet in Person: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/60min
Let's Chat: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/quick-phone-chat
Website: https://mrenthusiast.net.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrEnthusiastNewHomesByNik
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/mr.enthusiast_new_homes_by_nik/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrenthusiast
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mr.enthusiast8988

Welcome to episode 72 of The Enthusiast Lab!

In this episode of The Enthusiast Lab, we introduce you to Bianca — our Customer Experience Representative and one of the key people keeping everything (and everyone) on track at Mr Enthusiast.

We chat about her role, what she actually does day-to-day, how she supports our clients throughout their building journey, and a bit about who she is outside of work too.

Building a home isn’t just about plans and pricing — it’s about people. And Bianca plays a big part in making sure our clients feel supported, informed, and looked after from start to finish.

If you’re thinking about building with us, this is a great chance to meet one of the team members who’ll be right there in your corner.

Let's Meet in Person: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/60min
Let's Chat: https://calendly.com/mrenthusiast/quick-phone-chat
Website: https://mrenthusiast.net.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrEnthusiastNewHomesByNik
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/mr.enthusiast_new_homes_by_nik/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrenthusiast
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mr.enthusiast8988