Today's guest is John Davis, Director of MMC Modular and creator of ModFloor, a light gauge steel chassis system that is changing the way modular buildings are designed, manufactured, and transported across Australia and internationally.

John's story spans Darwin in 1974, residential building in Queensland, a successful expansion into New Zealand, and launching a light gauge steel framing company in the United States before anyone else had done it. When he returned to Australia in 2012, he set his sights on solving one of modular construction's most expensive and persistent problems: chassis deflection and the skilled labour required to build them.

What came out of that was ModFloor, and then ModFloor Plus. A system assembled by unskilled labour in under three hours, with no welding, no cutting, and deflection figures that have transformed the economics of transporting modules to regional and remote sites."

In this episode John and Az cover:

- The real cost of chassis deflection and why modular builders are allocating up to $25,000 for remedial work on country jobs

- How MMC Modular's in-house roll forming machinery and online design portal removes the need for builders to employ engineers or experienced detailers in-house

- The case for a separate NCC code for modular and factory-built housing, and why the current system is holding the industry back

- Why modular construction is manufacturing, not building, and what that mindset shift means for operators who want to scale

- The land lease sector, litigation risk, and how MMC's relocatable system is solving a compliance problem most developers haven't faced yet yet

- How MMC's steel and insulated floor panel is helping builders eliminate concrete entirely in regional builds

John's answer to what makes a good builder, covering costing, product knowledge, and thinking laterally about new materials

John can be reached directly on 0412 918 297 or through the Steelfast website at www.steelfast.co

Sponsored by MyConstruct — construction management software built for Australian builders. Find out more and get your 30-day trial at myconstruct.com

Also sponsored by Pay.com.au — use code GOOD20 for 20,000 bonus points. T's & C's Apply. Head to https://pay.com.au/tgb/

#TheGoodBuilder #BuildersOfAustralia #AIForBuilders #ConstructionTech #BuildingBusiness #IncreaseConstruction #AIAgents #ConstructionIndustry #SmallBusinessAustralia #BuilderLife #BusinessAutomation #ResidentialBuilding #DailyDose

Az sits down with Drew and Sean from Increase Construction and what starts as a conversation about AI quickly turns into one of the most eye-opening episodes the show has done.

These two aren't talking about AI. They're doing it. Live. On camera.

In this episode, Az gets a behind-the-scenes look at the AI agent system Increase Construction has built. One that replaces the equivalent of $1.5 million worth of specialist staff, works 24/7, and pulls all of a building business's data into one live dashboard. Marketing, operations, sales, and technology all in one place, constantly updated, ready for whoever needs to make a decision.

They walk through real use cases, show the backend of their setup, talk about what it actually costs, and explain why the construction industry is ripe for this kind of change.

Az shares what it looked like from the inside of a major franchise network and exactly what a tool like this would have been worth.

This one's not theory. It's happening now.

Sponsored by MyConstruct — construction management software built for Australian builders. Find out more and get your 30-day trial at myconstruct.com

Also sponsored by Pay.com.au — use code GOOD20 for 20,000 bonus points. T's & C's Apply. Head to https://pay.com.au/tgb/

#TheGoodBuilder #BuildersOfAustralia #AIForBuilders #ConstructionTech #BuildingBusiness #IncreaseConstruction #AIAgents #ConstructionIndustry #SmallBusinessAustralia #BuilderLife #BusinessAutomation #ResidentialBuilding #DailyDose

If you don't know your numbers, you're flying blind.

That's the reality Josh Pierpoint has seen up close across 15 years in the industry, and across 56 builders in just the last 12 months through his business, Elevate Estimate.

In this episode, Az sits down with Josh for an honest conversation about what's really going wrong in building businesses right now. They talk about the wave of fuel levies and price rises hitting builders on fixed price contracts, why estimating is the function most likely to make or break your business, and what happens when builders try to wear too many hats.

Josh also opens up about the critical shortage of qualified estimators coming through the industry, why there's no real training pathway, and what that means for builders trying to fill that seat.

This one is timely, practical, and straight from the front line.

In this episode:

• Why estimating is the single highest-risk function in your business
• The price rise wave hitting builders right now — and what to do about it
• How Josh works with builders from sales estimate through to purchase orders and variations
• The estimator shortage no one is talking about
• What makes a good builder (Josh's answer might surprise you)

Connect with Josh and Elevate Estimate: https://elevateestimating.com.au/about/

Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by MyConstruct, construction management software built for Australian builders. Check them out at myconstruct.com.

Thanks to this month's podcast sponsor Pay.com.au.

Our audience gets 20,000 bonus points when you sign up!

Also supported by Pay.com.au — use code GOOD20 for 20,000 bonus points. T&Cs apply. Head to pay.com.au/tgb.

The Strait of Hormuz is 8,000 kilometres from Australia. Right now, it's hitting your build costs — and most of the commentary out there isn't telling builders what they actually need to know.

In today's episode Az breaks down the Iran conflict and what it means for your supply chain in plain terms — which materials carry the most risk right now, why engineered wood and standard pine framing are two very different stories, which Australian-made alternatives are worth specifying, and three things you should do this week.

Plus — the TGB Australian Building Industry Health Report drops today. Thirty-plus pages of real data on where the industry sits. Brisbane land prices have exceeded Melbourne. Construction costs are up 47% since pre-COVID. And the number one driver of a five-star customer review isn't what most builders think.

And Az responds to two posts from the weekend that got the community talking: what Plantation Homes' communication to customers during price rises means for every builder regardless of size — and whether the people selling services to builders have actually been inside a successful building company themselves.

Free report download at thegoodbuilder.com.au. April 1 — and that's no joke.

This episode is proudly supported by MyConstruct — construction management software built for Australian builders. Jobs, clients, documents, and site management all in one place. Head to myconstruct.com to check it out and get your 30-day trial.

Thanks to this month's podcast sponsor Pay.com.au. 

Our audience gets 20,000 bonus points when you sign up — use code GOOD20. T&Cs apply. Head to pay.com.au/tgb.

This one's a bit different — and a bit special.

Az sits down with Vicki Cooper from Tamworth Property Co, who also happens to be his mother-in-law. With nearly 30 years in real estate across Queensland and New South Wales, Vicki brings real insight into what's driving regional growth in one of Australia's most active inland markets.

Tamworth is moving. Commercial, industrial, residential — the development pipeline is stacking up. With land sitting around $200–$300 per square metre compared to Sydney's $2,000+, the numbers speak for themselves.

What we cover:

• What's driving Tamworth's residential and commercial expansion
• Key developments including Eagle View Estate and the Gunniganoo precinct
• Why the Maas Group (ninth most active developer in NSW) is going all-in on regional
• Land affordability compared to capital city and coastal markets
• The real estate–builder relationship and why it matters more than most think
• Why communication remains the number one factor in customer experience

Who it's for:

Builders, trades and professionals watching regional markets — or anyone thinking about where the next wave of opportunity sits outside the capital cities.

Brought to you by MyConstruct — construction management software built for Australian builders. Learn more at myconstruct.com

Thanks to this month's Podcast sponsor Pay.com.au, remember our audience gets 20,000 bonus points when you sign up.

USE code: GOOD20

T&C's apply go to pay.com.au/tgb

Before the TGB Australian Building Industry Health Report drops, Az puts you to the test.

This episode is a pop quiz built from real data inside the report — land prices, shrinking blocks, customer sentiment, and the one factor that determines a five-star review more than anything else.

No headlines today. Just some numbers that genuinely surprised us when we were putting the report together.

Have a crack. See how close you get.

What we cover:

• The current national median residential lot price — and how fast it's growing
• Which capital city is now more expensive for land than Melbourne (hint: it's not Sydney)
• The capital city with the smallest median lot size in the country
• Why Australians feel it's the worst time to buy — even as they expect prices to keep rising
• The phase of the building journey that generates the most customer complaints by a wide margin
• What 97,000 customer reviews say is the single biggest driver of a five-star rating
• How much more a new home costs today compared to pre-COVID — and what's forecast for 2026

The full TGB Australian Building Industry Health Report is dropping very soon at thegoodbuilder.com.au.

Supported by MyConstruct — construction management software built for Australian builders. myconstruct.com

Thanks to this month's Podcast sponsor Pay.com.au, remember our audience gets 20,000 bonus points when you sign up.

USE code: GOOD20

T&C's apply go to pay.com.au/tgb

In this episode, Az breaks down the TGB Australian Building Industry Health Report — a 30-plus page document built from publicly available data across the ABS, ASIC, RBA, Master Builders, HIA, QBCC, Infrastructure Australia and more, including over 97,000 customer reviews analysed.

This isn't opinion. It's the facts of what's happening across the Australian building industry, pulled together in plain English.

What we cover:

• What the report actually is and why nothing like it currently exists
• Building activity, approvals and how the numbers stack up against the National Housing Accord
• Builder insolvencies — the real numbers, what's driving them and what's coming next
• Construction costs, material pricing and regional cost escalation forecasts
• Workforce and skills — which trades face the most acute shortages and why the problem is structural
• Customer sentiment and experience — what tens of thousands of reviews reveal about what matters most
• Land supply, pricing, interest rates and borrowing capacity
• Government policy, incentives and industry risks on the horizon
• Subcontractor and supply chain health
• Mental health in construction

Who it's for: Builders, trades, suppliers, manufacturers, consultants, brokers, advisors — and homeowners thinking about building.

The TGB Australian Building Industry Health Report drops April 1. Head to thegoodbuilder.com.au to grab your copy.

#TheGoodBuilder #TGBReport #AustralianConstruction #BuildingIndustry #ConstructionAustralia #BuilderLife #ResidentialConstruction #BuildingApprovals #ConstructionCosts #WorkforceShortages #BuilderInsolvencies #HousingAccord #ConstructionData #BuildBetter #TradesIndustry #ConstructionNews #BuildingAustralia #HomeBuildingAustralia #ConstructionInsights #BuilderCommunity

Five things every builder needs on their radar this week, from a $500 giveaway to diesel prices, fixed-price contract exposure, a major industry health report, and a night out for a great cause.

What we cover:

• The Pointsbuild shoutout and how to enter our $500 Mitre 10 giveaway before 26 April
• The Iran conflict, the Strait of Hormuz, and why diesel is up 67% since early March
• Why PVC, concrete, steel and plumbing materials are all repricing right now
• The fixed-price contract problem — and what your escalation clause position actually means
• The TGB Industry Health Report — one of the most comprehensive looks at the Australian building industry to date
• The Care-Factor event — Reboot Mindset Academy beneficiary, founded by Todd Carney and Mitch Pierce

Competition — Win a $500 Mitre 10 Gift Card Subscribe to The Good Builder eNewsletter for your first entry. Join the TGB Community Directory for a second. Both free. Closes 26 April 2026. 👉 thegoodbuilder.com.au/join-the-community-win

Care-Factor 2026 Event — Supporting Reboot Mindset Academy Tables, tickets and sponsorship available. Live entertainment, 350 guests, Todd Carney and Mitch Pierce attending. 👉 care-factor.com.au/2026event

Links:

• Pointsbuild: pointsbuild.com.au
• TGB Giveaway: thegoodbuilder.com.au/join-the-community-win
• Care-Factor Event: care-factor.com.au/2026event

Thanks to this month's Podcast sponsor Pay.com.au, remember our audience gets 20,000 bonus points when you sign up.

USE code: GOOD20

T&C's apply go to pay.com.au/tgb

Your weekly construction industry news wrap. Five stories that matter for builders and trades this week.

This week: The Federal Government appoints Australia's first Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator as diesel supply chains come under pressure. Why the smartest builders are treating everyday site work as high-trust marketing. Goop Guys and the rise of low-risk specialist franchises expanding across Australia. Everyone's Place reaches 200 completed homes in Queensland. And why CPD done properly is one of the best investments you can make in your building business, featuring our Community Directory Member of the Week, PointsBuild.

PointsBuild is offering 20% off all courses for TGB Directory members. Check them out: https://bem.pointsbuild.com.au/bem/welcome or call 1300 892 829.

Powered by MyConstruct. Construction management software built for Australian builders. Visit myconstruct.com.

Join The Good Builder Community Directory: thegoodbuilder.com.au

What We Cover

• Federal Government appoints first Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator

• Why diesel price and supply pressure matters for construction

• How builders are turning everyday site work into powerful content

• Goop Guys and the rise of specialist service franchises in construction

• Everyone's Place housing program hits 200 homes in Queensland

• Why CPD is smart business, not just compliance (feat. PointsBuild)

• PointsBuild: TGB Community Directory Member of the Week

Thanks to this month's Podcast sponsor Pay.com.au, remember our audience gets 20,000 bonus points when you sign up.

USE code: GOOD20

T&C's apply go to pay.com.au/tgb

Most builders think they lose work on price. The reality is, they're losing work before the conversation even starts.

In this episode, Az shares a story from inside the industry, a lead response audit he ran in 2018 while working within a national home building franchise. Real enquiries were submitted to some of Australia's biggest residential builders, and the response times were tracked from the moment of submission.

The fastest response was 25 minutes.

The slowest was almost six days. And multiple national builders never responded at all.

That data is backed by some of the most respected lead management research in the world — including the MIT/InsideSales study, which found that responding within five minutes makes you 21 times more likely to qualify a lead. And a 2024 study showing more than 63% of businesses never respond to a lead at all.

If you're spending money on marketing and leads are coming through, this might be the most important ten minutes you hear this week.

What we cover:

• The 2018 lead response audit — what happened when real enquiries were submitted to major Australian builders
• Why the fastest response in the audit was 25 minutes and the slowest was nearly six days
• The MIT/InsideSales study: responding in 5 minutes makes you 21x more likely to qualify a lead
• Why 78% of customers go with the company that responds first
• The 2024 data showing 63% of businesses never respond at all
• A simple framework for getting your response time under two hours this week
• Why this pairs with last Monday's episode on follow-up

Powered by MyConstruct — construction management software built for Australian builders. Visit myconstruct.com for your 30-day trial.