The Builders Coach Show

Pricing mistakes are one of the biggest reasons builders are losing profit, and in some cases, going under. In this episode of The Builders Coach Show, Kurt Hegetschweiler breaks down the real issue facing the construction industry right now: pricing accuracy, margin confidence, and client communication. With rising costs, fixed-price contracts, and increasing insolvencies across Australia, New Ze...

Are builders actually going under because of the economy? Or is something else going on? In this episode of The Builders Coach Show, Kurt Hegetschweiler (fresh from his Channel 7 Weekend Sunrise appearance) and Jess Norton break down what's really driving Australia's building industry crisis and why the builders who understand their numbers are about to have the best years of their careers. They c...

Most building problems don’t start on site. They start before construction even begins. In this episode of The Builders Coach Show, Kurt Hegetschweiler and Jess break down the powerful principle: “Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.” Originally used by firefighters and paramedics, this mindset has huge implications for residential builders and construction company owners. Kurt shares real stories from...

Getting back into rhythm after the holidays is harder than most builders admit. In this episode of The Builders Coach Show, Jess and Kurt talk about the real challenges of restarting momentum after Christmas — from slipping habits and low motivation to mindset traps that impact performance in business and life. You’ll hear practical insights on why goals alone don’t work, how routines and small da...

Builder insolvencies are rising at an unprecedented rate.   In Australia alone, over 3,500 builders went insolvent in 2025 — more than double the historical average. Similar trends are happening globally.   At the same time, demand for housing has never been higher.   So why are builders still going bankrupt?   In this episode of The Builders Coach Show, Kurt Hegetschweiler and Jess Norton unpack...

Builders who perform at the highest level don’t just get better at estimating and managing jobs, they get better at leading, thinking, and preparing. In this episode of The Builders Coach Show, Kurt and Jess unpack the psychology and performance strategies used by elite athletes, special forces, and successful construction business owners. We cover: - Identity, self-image & leadership psycholo...

In this special episode of The Builders Coach Show, Jess and Kurt share the biggest lessons, insights, and hard-won strategies from 2025, and how builders can use them to make 2026 their most profitable and streamlined year yet. Whether you’re a residential builder, construction business owner, or managing a team and pipeline, this episode gives you practical clarity on leadership, estimating, pre...

In this episode of The Builders Coach Show, Jess and Kurt unpack one of the most valuable chapters from Million Dollar Builder 2.0: the 80/20 Focus Framework. This practical, no-BS conversation breaks down the three metrics every builder must optimise to run a profitable building company in 2026: ✅ Profit – How to get accurate numbers, set proper margins, and use the 25–10–15 model ✅ Cash Flow –...

In Episode 46 of The Builders Coach Show, Jess and Kurt unpack the strategy behind true profitability: market positioning, layered niches, and exceptional client experience. Most builders stay stuck in a red ocean, competing on price, blending into the market, and dealing with endless pressure. But the top 3% carve their own path. They choose a layered niche, position themselves as premium, and bu...

AI is supposed to save you time… so why do so many builders feel busier than ever? In this episode of The Builders Coach Show, Jess and Kurt break down the Productivity Paradox: the same pattern that happened in the 70s and 80s with the rise of computers, and why builders today are experiencing the exact same dip before the real gains kick in. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE You’ll learn: - Why AI initially re...

In this episode of The Builders Coach Show, Jess and Kurt dive deep into the leadership leap that separates struggling builders from those who scale to multi-million-dollar businesses. Fresh off their Perth workshop and Rottnest Island trip, they unpack: - When to finally step off the tools & how to cost in supervision & PM (and why most builders never do) - The real cost of distractions &...

Welcome to Episode 43 of the Builders Coach Show! In this special edition, Jess sits down with Kurt to celebrate the official launch of Million-Dollar Builder 2.0, which has just been announced as an international #1 bestseller across multiple categories. We dig deep into: Why Kurt decided to write a second book and how the building industry has evolved since 2018. The core upgrades in 2.0: leader...

Preparation = PROFIT. Proactive Communication, ECI & the Referral Question If you want to stop putting out fires and start running a calm, profitable building company, preparation is your #1 leverage. In this episode, Jess and Kurt break down: - Why proactive client communication is a profit lever (and what to prep before every meeting). - The six-step sales process and the role of docs, FAQs...

Preparation creates profit. In this episode, Jess and Kurt unpack why proactive communication beats firefighting, how to prepare for architect and developer meetings (including role-plays and scripts), and the exact “referral question” to ask at the start of a project. We cover ECI/Value Management (“design freedom with cost feedback”), networking that multiplies reach, and a client-centric collab...

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of The Builders Coach Show, hosts Kurt Hegetschweiler and Jess Norton unpack what real success means — and why consistent progress toward meaningful goals matters more than quick wins. From the hermit crab analogy on stepping out of your comfort zone to the South Pole expedition story from Greg McKeown’s Essentialism, this episode explores how true gr...

In this episode of The Builders Coach Show, Jess and Kurt break down 15 real-world AI applications for builders across marketing, finance, operations, delivery, and team/HR—so you save time, reduce errors, and scale profitably. You’ll hear how we structure high-performing prompts (role → context → instruction → output format), plus tools we’re testing and how we use AI in our events and with clien...

In this episode of The Builders Coach Show, Jess and Kurt reflect on our Auckland One Day Intensive—an event many called “the best you’ve ever done.” We unpack lessons from rugby greats Piri Weepu (All Blacks) and Duane Vermeulen (Springboks) and reveal how their insights into mindset, leadership, and preparation translate directly to running a profitable building company. 👉 Inside this episode:...

Your business will never outgrow your leadership — and the key to breaking through is expanding your self-image. In this episode, Kurt and Jess explore the pursuit of excellence, peak performance, and leadership lessons from elite athletes and world-class teams like the All Blacks and Springboks. Learn how to set bold goals, visualise success, and lead with confidence. 🎧 Listen now and start work...

Women in Construction: The $20 Billion Profit Opportunity Builders Are Missing. In this episode of The Builders Coach Show, Jess and Kurt unpack why more women in leadership roles isn’t just good for culture — it’s a proven profit booster. Discover: Why companies with 30% female leadership see 34% higher profits The leadership qualities women bring that supercharge productivity Real-life success s...

Transcend & Take Action: AI, Gratitude & Growth from the Builders Coach Success Summit In this jam-packed episode, Jess and Kurt recap our biggest event yet — the 2025 Builders Coach Success Summit in Sydney! We dive into the power of transcending your comfort zone, featuring powerful lessons from keynote speaker and big wave surfer Mark Matthews. From gratitude to grit, his emotional stor...

In this episode, Jess and Kurt dive deep into one of the biggest challenges builders face—time management. But this isn’t just about calendars and to-do lists. It’s about leadership in time management. They unpack: The biggest mistakes builders make with their time How to identify critical path activities Real-life examples of managing a business through personal crisis Why systems and automation...

In this episode of The Builders Coach Show, Jess and Kurt unpack the power of DISC profiling — the psychometric tool that’s transforming leadership, recruitment, and communication in the building industry. Discover: The four DISC personality types and how they show up on site and in the office How to use DISC to recruit better, reduce team conflict, and lead with impact Why knowing your own profil...

This is a special edition of The Builders Coach Show — recorded in front of a LIVE audience at Sydney Build Expo 2025! Jess and Kurt dive deep into how Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and Value Management can transform the residential construction industry. 👉 Learn how to eliminate price shock, align client budgets from day one, and increase your margins without compromising trust. 🚀 In this...

This is a special edition of The Builders Coach Show — recorded in front of a live audience at Sydney Build Expo! Jess and Kurt dive deep into how Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and Value Management can transform the residential construction industry. 👉 Learn how to eliminate price shock, align client budgets from day one, and increase your margins without compromising trust. 🚀 In this episo...

Feeling stuck in reactive mode, constantly putting out fires? In this episode, Jess and Kurt dive deep into what it really means to be proactive as a builder—and why it’s the single most powerful shift to scale your business. Learn how leading builders use forecasting, 12-week planning, and clear communication to gain control, increase profit, and lead with clarity. ✅ How to shift from reactive t...