Home Building Podcast

In this special episode, Behan sits down with Sandra Ursino, a passionate community volunteer and key member of WA Charity Direct - a remarkable organisation that has distributed over $4.3 million to those in need across 20 years, run entirely by volunteers with zero paid staff. Sandra shares how the charity identifies individuals and small organisations that fall through the cracks of mainstream...

Thinking about building an upside-down home with living areas upstairs? You'll discover the key design considerations for making this layout work, from maximising ocean or river views to solving accessibility challenges. Learn practical tips on stairs, lift shafts, outdoor spaces, and creating a home that works for you now and into the future. When upside-down home designs make sense and how t...

Think property investment stops at residential? Think again.  In this episode, we sit down with commercial real estate specialist Jevan Singh to break down why commercial and residential property are two completely different asset classes and why understanding that distinction could change how you build long-term wealth.  Jevan shares how savvy investors manufacture value through yield improvement...

Thinking about renovating or extending your home in 2026?  Most homeowners assume adding space is the answer, but it’s often the most expensive and inefficient option.  In this episode, we break down the real difference between renovations and extensions, why extensions blow out budgets, and how smart design thinking can completely transform your home without major structural changes.  If you're p...

Air conditioning is one of the most important systems in any home build, yet many homeowners don’t think about it until it’s too late.  In this episode of the Home Building Podcast, we sit down with air-conditioning specialist Daniel Nazroo, director of Advanced Air WA, who has over 15 years of experience in the industry.  We break down the most common types of residential air conditioning systems...

Building a farmhouse or rural home can be one of the most rewarding projects you’ll ever undertake but it also comes with unique challenges most people don’t anticipate.  In this episode of the Home Building Podcast, we break down the key considerations when designing a rural property or farmhouse-style home. From zoning regulations and land constraints to bushfire ratings, services, site slope an...

Choosing the right carpet for your home can feel overwhelming but it doesn't have to be. In this episode, we sit down with a flooring expert, Domemic Condo, from a long-standing family flooring business to break down everything you need to know before you buy. From understanding the difference between loop pile and cut pile (plush) carpets, to choosing between nylon and polypropylene fibres, D...

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Hunt, an experienced painter and interior finish specialist, to talk about the overlooked details that completely transform a home.  From wallpaper mistakes and feature walls to microcement bathrooms and limewash finishes, Mark shares practical advice homeowners rarely hear before building or renovating.  We break down:  How to choose wallpaper properly  Why...

Not everyone building a home is designing for a growing family.  Whether you’re downsizing, living child-free by choice, flying in and out for work, or simply entering a new stage of life, your home should reflect your lifestyle, not someone else’s blueprint.  In this episode of the Home Building Podcast, we explore how to design a home specifically for a no-kids or post-kids lifestyle. From avoid...

Flooring is one of the most misunderstood decisions in home building. In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, we sit down with Robin Wobbe from Trevor’s Carpets to break down the real differences between hybrid flooring, vinyl plank, engineered timber, solid timber, and carpet.  We cover common misconceptions pushed by builders, why certain products look great on paper but fail in real homes...

Choosing a builder is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when building or renovating a home and it’s also where most people get it wrong. In this episode, we break down how to think about the building industry, the different types of builders, and the real criteria that actually matter when selecting who to trust with your home.  We talk through fixed price vs cost plus, small vs medium vs l...

Building or subdividing in Western Australia can feel overwhelming. Planning approvals, building approvals, council policies, R-Codes, neighbour sign-offs, subdivisions, strata titles… it’s a lot.  In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, we’re joined by Benedict McCarthy from Planning Horizons, a town planner with over 25 years of experience working across local government, construction, and...

Thinking about adding skylights to your home but not sure where to start?  In this episode of  The Home Building Podcast , we break down everything you need to know about skylights. From design and placement to cost, performance, and long-term value.  Joining us is Ryan Lucev from Clearview Skylights, who shares real-world insight from years in the building industry. We cover why skylights have ex...

What truly makes a great kitchen to live in?  We sit down with Don Hancey, one of Australia’s most respected chefs and food ambassadors, to explore kitchen design from a professional chef’s perspective.  With over 40 years in hospitality, Don has cooked for world-famous artists, led major international events, and built a career around food that works in the real world, not just on paper. We cover...

Welcome back to The Home Building Podcast for our first episode of 2026.  In this episode, we break down what the home building industry is really shaping up to look like in 2026 and whether it actually makes sense to build, renovate, or extend your home this year.  With record low housing supply in Perth, rising construction demand, and ongoing pressure on builders and trades, many homeowners are...

Christmas is when your home gets put under real pressure.  In this special Christmas edition of The Home Building Podcast, we talk through how to design a home that genuinely works when it is full of people, food, noise, heat, and movement. From entertaining family and friends to managing indoor outdoor flow in an Australian summer, this episode breaks down the design decisions that matter most wh...

In this episode of  The Home Building Podcast , we sit down with Mick Hart from Hart & Co, part of the iconic Rick Hart family - a group that has shaped Western Australia’s appliance industry for more than 50 years.  We explore the world of kitchen appliances, induction technology, steam ovens, downdraft rangehoods, alfresco setups, laundry tech, and how to make smart appliance decisions when...

In this episode, we sit down with Linda and Jay from Noble Avenue, two of Perth’s top coastal-suburb real estate experts, to break down what’s  actually  happening in the property market right now.  We cover buyer psychology, suburb price shifts, why people are paying record highs, and how to prepare yourself so you don’t get priced out. We dig into selling strategies, presentation tips that add r...

Painting feels simple... until you’re halfway through and it’s felt like forever. Most homeowners underestimate just how much technique, prep work and product knowledge goes into getting a clean, long-lasting finish.  In this episode, we sit down with Tracie & Peter Barrass, married couple running an amazing painting company, with more than 47 years of experience, to unpack everything you shou...

If you're designing, drafting, or planning a new home, this episode will give you the clarity you need to avoid costly copyright disputes and protect your investment.  Design copyright is one of the most widely misunderstood parts of the home building process.  Who owns your plans? Can you take your design to another builder? Does changing ten percent actually protect you? And what happens if...

Boston Cable, buyer’s agent and property strategist, unpacks the realities of Perth’s wild property market record-low stock levels, bidding wars, and why so many people are overpaying for average homes.  We cover:  Why Perth’s vacancy rates are driving massive price growth  How to know whether it’s smarter to buy, build, or renovate  The right time to strike (and when to wait)  How to structure of...

Ever wondered what all those property terms actually mean green title, strata, survey strata, tenants in common, or joint tenants? In this episode of The Home Building Podcast , Behan sits down with Kealeigh Barker, property and leasing lawyer at Lavan , to unpack the legal side of property ownership in Western Australia.  From understanding titles and strata schemes to knowing when to use a settl...

Choose the right stone benchtop with confidence. In this episode we sit down with Ty Pyror from Asetica, to beak down one of the most confusing decisions in modern home design, choosing your kitchen benchtops.  From the rise of porcelain and sintered stone to the truth about engineered stone bans, maintenance, pricing, and durability, Ty shares insider insights every homeowner should know before l...

In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, we sit down with Andrew Santich, an architectural designer with over 20 years of experience, to unpack what really makes a home feel amazing to live in.  From ceiling heights to skylights, contrast, and clever design tricks, Andy shares how thoughtful decisions can completely transform a home’s comfort, light, and flow without blowing your budget.  We...

Ben Black, owner of Total Homes Inspections, dives into the world of building inspections and covers what’s important & what he’s seeing in the construction industry right now. From good; to bad; to ugly, Ben has seen it all and wants to help homeowners & builders alike to produce quality work. Getting an independent building inspection might feel awkward like you’re checking up on your bu...