Builders Beyond Borders

This one's different. We put the tools down and have the conversation most blokes in the building game never have. We talk about what happens when builders do the inner work. Andy opens up about getting sober, the seminars and men's weekends that turned things around for him, and why the man behind the build matters when a client is trusting you with the biggest investment of their life. Paul shar...

Ever felt like you've signed up for a build or reno and suddenly you're way out of your depth? You're not alone, and you're not the problem. In this episode of Builders Beyond Borders, we sit down to pull back the curtain on what really happens once a project gets going, and why so many homeowners feel like they've walked in blind. Between us we've seen it all: the decision fatigue, the budget sho...

When you're choosing a builder, you'll ask about price, timelines, references and maybe their last few jobs. But here's a question almost no homeowner thinks to ask: is your builder still learning? In this episode, Louise from Perway Construction Services, Paul from Independent Building Solutions and Hugh from New Realm Homes get into why a builder who's constantly improving is one of the best sig...

What goes through a builder's mind when a major storm rolls in? Most homeowners assume the stress ends once the keys are handed over, but experienced builders often carry a different kind of responsibility. In this episode, Dean Hodgetts and Matt Auld share a candid conversation about building in extreme weather conditions, the decisions made behind the scenes to protect homes, and why quality bui...

Most homeowners assume a builder saying no means they're too busy, too expensive, or just not interested. But here's the thing the best builders know: saying no is often a sign you've found the right one. Good builders don't say yes to everything, and in this episode we get into exactly why that matters for you. Louise from Perway Construction Services (WA) sits down with Paul from Independent Bui...

Can you actually afford to build right now? It's the question on everyone's mind, and in this episode the team tackles it head on. With interest rate rises, economic uncertainty and prices that have shot up over the last few years, plenty of homeowners are wondering if they've missed the boat or whether they should just wait it out.   We cover why inquiries have dropped off, why prices aren't goin...

Ever asked a builder "how much per square metre?" and copped a long pause? There's a reason for that. In this episode, Dean and Shannon from DJH Builders, Hugh from New Realm Homes, and Matt from Warrnambool sit down to unpack why square metre rates have quietly disappeared from builder advertising, and why relying on them to budget your new home or reno will lead you down the garden path. They ta...

Ever wondered what actually happens during site inspections on your build? Or whether you're allowed to just pop down to your own house whenever you feel like it? Paul Kennedy from Independent Building Solutions in Canberra and Hugh from New Realm Homes in Melbourne pull back the curtain on the meetings, inspections and site visits that happen during a build. From mandatory council inspections to...

Thinking about transforming your home but stuck on whether to renovate the place you love or knock it down and start fresh? You're not alone. It's one of the most common questions Australian builders get asked, and the answer is rarely as simple as homeowners hope. In this episode, Paul Kennedy from Independent Building Solutions (Canberra) sits down with Hugh from New Realm Homes (Melbourne) to u...

In this episode of Builders Beyond Borders, Paul and Hugh tackle one of the most pressing concerns for homeowners right now: rising construction costs, fixed price contracts, and why the best builders are taking their time before starting your project. With fuel prices fluctuating wildly, PVC piping up nearly 40%, and concrete suppliers issuing multiple price hike letters in a matter of weeks, the...

What does it really take to build a business that lasts? In this episode, Shannon and Paul sit down with a very special guest, Paul Purdon, founder of Fair Dinkum Builds and a man who has spent over 50 years in the building industry. Paul joins us through our shared business coaching community, Builders Business Black Belt, and brings with him a lifetime of hard-won lessons about leadership, resil...

Most homeowners assume their home is covered during a renovation. Most of the time, it's not. In this episode, Louise from Perway Construction Services shares a real situation that unfolded on a live renovation project, where a homeowner's insurer declined to cover their existing home during construction. What followed was a complicated web of risk, cost, and liability that neither the builder nor...

Most homeowners breathe a sigh of relief when the build wraps up, but the finish line isn't actually the end. What happens after completion can make or break your experience, and most people have no idea what they're entitled to until something goes wrong. In this episode, we get into the stuff that rarely gets explained at handover. Defect periods, statutory warranties, home warranty insurance, a...

Most homeowners receive multiple quotes and pick the cheapest. What they don't realise is they're not comparing prices — they're comparing completely different scopes of work, allowances, and assumptions. In this episode, we break down what actually goes into a builder's quote, why "free" quotes carry hidden costs that get passed on somewhere, and what a single-page contract can cost you when thin...

Choosing between an architect and a draftsman is one of the first and most important decisions you'll make in your building journey… and it can significantly impact your budget. In this episode of Builders Beyond Borders, we break down the real differences between architects, draftspeople, and building designers so you can choose the right path based on your goals, budget, and level of design clar...

Feeling overwhelmed before your build has even started? You are not alone. In this episode, Hugh Maastricht from New Realm Homes in Melbourne and Paul Kennedy from Independent Building Solutions in Canberra sit down to cut through the confusion that hits most people in the very first stages of building, whether that is a new home, renovation, or even just looking at land. With well over 50 years o...

Building a home is exciting, but what happens when you decide to change something after construction has already started? In this episode of Builders Beyond Borders, we dive into one of the most common challenges during construction. Mid build changes. While some changes might seem small at first, they can quickly create ripple effects that impact cost, timelines, trades, and even the relationship...

You've received the quote, it fits your budget, and you're excited. You say yes. So why isn't construction starting tomorrow? In this episode of Builders Beyond Borders, Hugh from New Homes in Melbourne, Paul from Independent Building Solutions in Canberra, and Matt from Matthew Auld Builder in Warrnambool unpack what actually happens after you accept a builder's quote. Spoiler: the real work is j...

What really makes a building project run smoothly? It is not just plans, materials, or timelines. It is leadership, culture, and the strength of the team behind the scenes. In this episode of Builders Beyond Borders, Hugh Maastricht from New Realm Homes in Melbourne, Matt Auld from Matt Auld Builder in Warrnambool, and Paul Kennedy from Independent Building Solutions in Canberra dive into the real...

Building or renovating can quickly turn into a reality check when your dream selections do not align with your budget. In this episode of Builders Beyond Borders, we tackle the classic problem of champagne taste on a beer budget and how to manage expectations before financial shock sets in. Hosted by Andy Kearns in Western Australia, this conversation features Paul Kennedy from Independent Buildin...

Weather delays are one of the most frustrating parts of building or renovating, especially when it feels like nothing is happening on site. In this episode of Builders Beyond Borders, experienced builders unpack what really happens when rain, wind, and wet ground stop a project, and why these delays are often unavoidable and necessary. Paul Kennedy from Independent Building Solutions in Canberra i...

If you've ever asked a builder, "When can you start?" and hoped the answer would be tomorrow… this episode is your reality check (in the best way). Andy from Perway Construction Services,  Hugh from New Realm Homes, and Paul from Independent Building Solutions break down why quality builders don't rush to site, and why the pre-start phase is what protects your budget, timeline, and sanity.     Lis...

Have you ever wondered why some renovations feel like a dream while others turn into a financial nightmare? In this episode of Builders Beyond Borders Podcast, we sit down with Bronwyn from Bronz DC, a residential design specialist, to uncover the "hidden" reasons why construction costs often spiral out of control. We dive deep into the Triangle of Trust—the essential collaboration between the bui...

When you receive a building quote, it's easy to focus on the bottom-line number. But what's actually behind that price? In this episode of Builders Beyond Borders, the team breaks down one of the most misunderstood parts of the building industry: overheads — and why understanding them is critical to making sure your builder can actually finish your project. From insurances and staff wages to vehic...

If you feel like your project is stuck before it even begins, you are not imagining it. In this episode, the Builders Beyond Borders team breaks down the consultant stage and why it can take weeks, months, or even years before construction starts. We explain who consultants are, what they actually do, and why the approvals process often takes longer than the build itself. From councils and certifi...