Bec Askin didn't plan to be in construction. It just became her life. And then she made it her own.

In this episode, I sit down with Bec from Adapt Modular (a division of Campbell Construction Co.) to talk about her 25 years in the industry, studying for her QBCC licence while raising two kids solo during COVID, and why she's now heading up a modular building division doing work that genuinely matters.

We talk about:

• How Bec went from admin to licence holder while doing it all on her own
• The barriers women still face on site (and why it's more about acceptance than it is about progress)
• What Adapt Modular is building and who they're building it for (including a disabled bathroom for a school two hours north of Birdsville)
• Why long service leave for admin workers is broken and needs fixing
• The NCC, modular building codes, and why the industry is fighting with itself over prefab
• What a good builder actually looks like (Bec's answer is one we've never heard before)

Bec is the kind of person who doesn't make a big deal of what she's done. I had to push her to tell the story properly.

Worth the listen.

#constructionindustry #builderlife #womeninconstruction #buildingbusiness

This episode is proudly brought to you by myconstruct.com

You've heard it before...builders burning out, running the business solo, quoting at night and doing payroll on weekends. But when it comes to getting support, most builders don't know what it actually costs. This episode fixes that.

Az is joined again by Anisha and Nayan from Scale Up Smart — and this time, it's all about price. What does it cost to outsource estimating, project management, admin, design and drafting, or marketing coordination? What's the difference between part-time and full-time? Developing level versus mastery? And how does it all stack up against hiring locally in Australia?

Spoiler: the numbers are going to surprise you.

But this episode quickly becomes about more than cost. It's about what builders actually get — vetted staff, three layers of quality assurance, twice-weekly software training, seamless integration into your existing systems, and a structured 90-day onboarding process designed to give you clarity before it gives you results.

From a $330-per-week part-time estimator to a full-time mastery-level project manager at $700 per week, the team walk through every core role and what it delivers. There's also a sneak peek at an upcoming guaranteed marketing package from Scale Up Smart — one Az is very excited about.

What we cover:

• The real cost of outsourced estimating, project management, admin, design and drafting, and marketing coordination
• Part-time vs full-time and how to match the right level to your business size
• How Scale Up Smart vets, trains, and supports every team member before they touch your business
• Why clean books, clear schedules, and consistent marketing all point to the same outcome — peace of mind
• What the first 90 days actually looks like when you bring on a Scale Up Smart resource
• The upcoming guaranteed lead generation package — and why Az nearly started a building company again on the spot

It's Tuesday and the headlines are rolling. This week's Daily Dose covers five stories that matter to builders right now — from a geopolitical conflict that could hit your build costs, to a WA land release tying housing directly to major resource projects, to one of Queensland's fastest-growing builders revealing the mindset behind their 4.9-star sales system.

Powered by MyConstruct.

What we cover:

• When success starts breaking things — why momentum without foundations creates problems inside your building business, and what Dan Urquhart from A Thousand Feet Deep says to fix first
• US-Iran conflict and your build costs — what rising oil prices, shipping disruptions, and unpredictable lead times could mean if you're running fixed-price contracts
• 133 workforce homes in Karratha — the WA government's Pilbara land release and why their model of tying housing directly to major projects is worth watching nationally
• Avia Homes' 4.9-star sales system — the key insight Hayden Ashton shared about why slowing down your sales process could be the smartest move you make
• Bec Askin's modular mission — a preview of Thursday's episode with the single mum, licensed builder, and head of Adapt Modular who's helping rebuild housing faster after disasters

All five articles are live at thegoodbuilder.com.au.

Links:
MyConstruct - myconstruct.com
The New Home Electrical Specialist - tnhes.com.au

Dan Urquhart from 1000 Feet Deep is back on the couch...and this one gets real fast.

Dan knows what it looks like when a building business starts to crack under the weight of its own success. He lived it. And now he helps builders understand the foundations they need before the cracks appear…not after.

In this episode, Az and Dan get into why success can actually be the most dangerous thing for a business without the right foundation underneath it. They talk about negative momentum, the worker vs. leader mindset, and why the phrase "I just can't find good people" is usually a leadership problem in disguise.

They also cover Dan's upcoming events — a webinar on March 11th and a one-day masterclass on March 19th in Newcastle — built around the three foundations every building business needs: leadership, team, and organisational structure.

If you've ever felt like things are rolling downhill and you can't stop it — this one's for you.

What we cover:

Why success has weight — and what happens when your business can't carry it
The difference between a worker mindset and a leadership mindset
Negative momentum: what it is and how to spot it before it takes over
Why "I can't find good people" is the wrong question
Dan's March webinar and masterclass — what they cover and who they're for

🔗 Links mentioned:

• A Thousand Feet Deep webinar (March 11) — https://www.1000feetdeep.com.au/event/webinar-foundational-performance-plan
• One-day masterclass Newcastle (March 19) — https://www.1000feetdeep.com.au/event/hand-head-heart-masterclass---thu-mar-19th-2026
• A Thousand Feet Deep socials — https://www.instagram.com/1000feetdeep_/
• 1000 Feet Deep Podcast: #15 Eric Grothe Snr | Skillset, Mindset & Character: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2592709/episode_players/18759107-15-eric-grothe-snr-skillset-mindset-character?client_source=large_player&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzsprout.com%2Fadmin%2F2592709%2Fpodcast%2Fembed

#TheGoodBuilder #DanUrquhart #AThousandFeetDeep #BuilderLeadership #ConstructionBusiness #LeadershipFoundation #BuildingIndustry #BuilderMindset #BusinessForBuilders #GoodBuilder #ConstructionAustralia #LeadershipDevelopment

In this episode, Az sits down with James Renshaw and Jason Shedden from the Bellevue Group Australasia — the team behind VuTrade, an Australian timber connector manufacturer with over 35 years in the building industry.

This one's less about product specs and more about the philosophy behind doing things properly. James and Jason talk about what it means to actually listen to builders, why they only bring products to market that solve a real problem, and how cutting corners on something as critical as a timber connector can cost a builder — and a homeowner — far more than the few hundred dollars saved.

They also get into the compliance issues quietly sitting in the market right now, the shift they're seeing toward custom builders who care about quality, and why peace of mind might be the most underrated thing a good builder can offer.

A genuine conversation with two blokes who are in the industry for the right reasons.

What we cover:

• How VuTrade was built on a builder's background and a family commitment to quality
• Why listening to the trade is baked into how they develop every new product
• The real cost of non-compliant or substandard timber connectors on site
• Stainless vs galvanised — using the right material in the right application
• The growing split between volume builders and quality-focused custom builders
• Why Australian-made matters beyond the tagline
• What makes a good builder, according to two people who work with them every day

For more on VueTrade head to: https://vuetrade.com/

#TheGoodBuilder #VuTrade #BellevueGroup #TimberConnectors #AustralianMade #BuildingCompliance #ConstructionAustralia #BuilderLife #QualityBuilds #AustralianBuilders #CustomBuilders #BuildingIndustry #GoodBuilder

Gregg Somerville is the General Manager of Stonewood Homes, a franchise builder with roots going back to 1987 and a growing presence across Queensland.

In this episode, Aaron sits down with Gregg to unpack what a franchise model actually gives a builder that going it alone can't. The conversation covers the Homeye system that lets builders price and customise homes in real time, why the best builders still struggle with the business side, and how Stonewood is expanding across Queensland with the right people in the right places.

Gregg also shares what he genuinely believes makes a good builder — and it's not what most people expect.

If you're a builder doing five homes a year and thinking about how to reach twenty, this one's worth your time.

In this episode:

• Why builders who are great at their trade often run bad businesses — and what to do about it
• The Homeye system: real-time pricing, bill of materials, and 3D customisation in one tool
• What franchise fees actually pay for (and why it's often cheaper than going alone)
• How Stonewood approaches franchisee onboarding and due diligence
• The Queensland market and why Greg sees a long runway ahead
• What makes a good builder, in the eyes of the customer

Connect with Stonewood Homes: Visit stonewoodhomes.com.au and head to the franchise recruitment page to start a conversation with the team.

In this episode, I sit down with two blokes who know exactly what it takes to build a business that lasts, Jake from MyConstruct, one of Australia's leading construction management platforms, and Sean Hewitt, franchisee of Stonewood Homes on the Sunshine Coast.

This one goes deep. We talk about what actually holds builders back when they try to scale...and it's rarely about skill. It's about systems, cost visibility, and the discipline to get the foundations right before chasing growth.

Sean brings the builder's perspective...someone who's seen businesses grow fast and fall apart, and is now applying every one of those lessons to build Stonewood Homes Sunshine Coast the right way. Jake brings the systems view, more than a decade of experience working with builders of every size, from two homes a year to hundreds.

What came out of this conversation was real. No fluff. No theory. Just honest talk about knowing your costs, tracking what matters, hiring at the right time, and building a business you'd actually want to work in.

In this episode:

• Why builders who can't take a week off haven't got the right systems in place
• The real cost of reactive supervision and loose material tracking
• Why software doesn't fix chaos — it just digitalises it
• How Sean is setting up Stonewood Homes Sunshine Coast for long-term success
• What MyConstruct is building next — live weather stamping, client portals, AI messaging cleanup, and more

If you're running two to five homes a year and thinking about what's next — this episode is for you.

Your weekly construction industry news wrap — five stories that matter for builders and trades. This week: DCOH acquires Melbourne's Unlimited Commercial Constructions in a major national expansion; new Queensland land clearing rules that could delay your projects; DARE Property Group starts construction on a $1.3M+ Fitzroy boutique apartment project; Bunnings enters the flat-pack modular market; and the GBCA breaks down the 2026 policy agenda including NCC 2025 adoption and lead-free plumbing timelines.

This week on the pod: Wednesday — Jake from MyConstruct and Sean Hewitt (Stonewood Homes Sunshine Coast) on scaling a building business. Thursday — Gregg Sommerville, GM of Stonewood Homes Australasia, live from Auckland. Friday — James Renshaw and Jason Shedden from Bellevue Group and ViewTrade.

Powered by MyConstruct — construction management software built for Australian builders. Visit myconstruct.com.au.

• DCOH / Unlimited Commercial Constructions — thegoodbuilder.com.au

• Queensland Land Clearing Rule Changes — thegoodbuilder.com.au

• DARE Property Group / Saint David Fitzroy — thegoodbuilder.com.au

• Bunnings Flat-Pack Pods — thegoodbuilder.com.au

• GBCA 2026 Policy Snapshot — thegoodbuilder.com.au

Seven out of ten Australians have changed their mind on who to build with based on what they read online. Not a referral. Not a recommendation. A review from a stranger.

And that research is happening before they ever pick up the phone.

In this episode, Aaron breaks down exactly what potential clients are finding when they search your name — and what you can do about it this week. From handling one-star reviews without losing your cool, to building a simple process that gets happy clients to actually leave feedback, this one is practical from start to finish.

You'll learn:

• Why your Google profile is your new front door
• How to respond to negative reviews in a way that builds trust, not damage
• The right way to ask for reviews without it feeling awkward
• Why staying silent on reviews is costing you jobs

Powered by MyConstruct — the software helping builders stay organised, deliver better experiences, and protect what they've worked hard to build.

🔗 Check out MyConstruct: https://myconstruct.com/

Nicola Scott is one of the most respected voices in the Queensland construction industry. As a senior figure at Master Builders Queensland, she's spent years connecting builders, championing standards, and quietly showing up for the people around her.

But this episode isn't just about industry.

Over the past year, Nicola has navigated a breast cancer diagnosis, a mastectomy, and the loss of her father — all within months of each other. In this conversation, she talks openly about what that period looked like, how the industry responded, and what it means to keep showing up when life gets heavy.

We also get into her career at Master Builders, what she sees changing across the industry, and why the relationships builders build matter just as much as the structures they put up.

This one is honest, warm, and a reminder that behind every role and every title, there's a person.

What we cover:

• Nicola's breast cancer diagnosis and recovery journey
• Losing her father nine weeks after her diagnosis
• The overwhelming support she received from the construction industry
• Her role at Master Builders Queensland and what it actually involves
• What she sees happening across the building industry right now
• Growing up in Humpty Doo — and working in a beer fridge at 12

Connect with Nicola Scott: Master Builders Queensland — Sunshine Coast Office LinkedIn: Nicola Scott

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

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The Good Builder Directory: https://thegoodbuilder.com.au/business-directory/packages/

MyConstruct: https://myconstruct.com/