Better Builder Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Join us this week on the Better Builder podcast as we sit down with Logan. In a raw and honest conversation, he shares how a tough time in his life gave him resilience and provided "amazing lessons" for the person he is today. He also discusses why he left the plumbing trade, and his journey to find a different kind of success beyond the tools. This is a powerful episode...

Send us Fan Mail On this month’s episode, we sit down with Thomas from Builders Blueprint. Thomas shares the culture he fosters with his apprentices and highlights the importance of keeping things old school. From his early days hustling to get onto a building site, to running a company focused on legacy homes for Pasifika and Māori families, Thomas opens up about what it takes to succeed in the t...

Send us Fan Mail Catch this week's episode of the Better Builder podcast with Matt Grieve, Director of Frameology. Matt shares his story of leaving a career as a professional athlete after an injury, and how that led to him building his first house and starting his own business. He opens up about the reality of his early mistakes, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people,...

Send us Fan Mail Join us this week on the Better Builder podcast as we sit down with Caleb Adams from Pilgrim Luxury Homes. In an honest conversation, Caleb shares his unconventional journey and the courage it took to start his business just before a global pandemic, and his biggest mistake—losing $1.3 million in a single year.  He also discusses how he's scaled his business by focusing on sy...

Send us Fan Mail Join us this week on the Better Builder podcast as we sit down with Justin Horler from JBH Builders. In an honest conversation, he shares his unconventional upbringing on a remote island and how it shaped his strong work ethic and personal resilience. He opens up about taking client feedback and project challenges personally, the importance of putting your hand up when a mistake h...

Send us Fan Mail Join us this week on the Better Builder podcast as we sit down with Todd Miller from Ziegler Build. In a raw and honest conversation, Todd shares his unconventional journey from professional footballer and hairdresser to a successful builder.  He opens up about the traumatic experience of losing everything in a flood, the valuable lessons he learned from that humbling event, and h...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we're joined by Hunter Struve, a Builders Academy apprentice who's giving us the real talk on his journey into the trades. Hunter shares his initial misconceptions about construction and the moment he realised a trade was far from the "easy way out."  We also dive into how he's navigating the "old school" culture on site, his strategie...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we're joined by Jarryd Duffy from Tide Constructions . With over 15 years of experience, Jarryd's passion for building began in childhood. He shares his early struggles with burnout and the pivotal moment he considered leaving the industry. Jarryd discusses overcoming ego and social media comparison, and the value of a strong team and good processes for sustai...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we sit down with Corey Aiken from Beachside Builders, a father-and-son company blending tradition with innovation. Corey shares his unique journey from fashion sales to the building trade, an experience that fueled his personal growth. In this episode, Corey candidly discusses his struggles with work-life balance and the pivotal moment he realised he was bringing stress...

Send us Fan Mail Charlie Mylne, a qualified builder and carpenter with over 15 years of experience, leads a skilled team at Mylne Construction, known for their exemplary track record. Charlie is committed to a hands-on approach, working closely with each client to ensure projects are delivered to the highest standards. His team prides itself on maintaining clear and open lines of communication thr...

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode of the Better Builder Podcast, we welcome Seb Toscano from Toscano Construction for a revealing look at the building industry. Seb shares his journey from hands-on carpentry to company leadership, discussing the financial realities of early career days and the true meaning of success: time with family. He highlights the "immigrant mentality" that f...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to a bonus episode of Better Builder Apprentice! This month, we're joined by Paul Carter, a workplace apprenticeship educator. Join us as we delve into his high-intensity journey, from the pressures of career progression to navigating personal challenges. Paul shares insights from his upbringing and how a competitive sports background shaped his unexpected path i...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we sit down with Adam Harrison, a builder passionate about tackling challenging sites, finding immense satisfaction in overcoming complex construction problems. Adam's unique journey, shaped by an adventurous upbringing and a non-traditional learning path, highlights his hands-on approach. This episode delves into how his background influenced his perspective on li...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we sit down with Don Cotterill, Director of Sanctuary 28, a Gold Coast-based builder known for providing a personal service and ensuring exceptional quality in every home. With over 30 years in the region, Don's extensive career trajectory, from an apprenticeship to General Manager at Dixon Homes, provided him with a unique "back of house" understanding o...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we're joined by Troy Bannan from Bannan Construction, a company renowned for its specialized, high-end concrete work, including intricate "million-dollar staircases." Troy's immense passion and drive for the construction industry are contagious, stemming from a busy childhood and early exposure to building sites through his father (Ross). This strong...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we chat with Luke Jackison, Founder & Director of Constrkt, a team fueled by a passion for perfection and a culture of excellence. With over 12 years of diverse industry experience across Auckland, Queenstown, and London, Luke has spearheaded high-end residential, commercial, heritage, and masonry projects. His extensive background brings a breadth of knowledge and...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we sit down with Gary Saraf, diving into his personal journey and the pivotal decision to risk his life savings to buy a fit-out business. From a tough upbringing, Gary shares how he turned his path around and transitioned into the commercial interiors world. He offers crucial insights on the mindset required for entrepreneurship, how to spot red flags when acquiring a...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we are revisiting an oldie but a goodie episode. Ollie Tuck from Oliver Tuck Construction shares his wisdom in this reupload episode. If you haven’t checked out this episode yet, then it’s one to watch. Social Links  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/better...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we speak with Ben Gommers from Gommers Construction, a trusted service focused on quality and efficiency in all projects. Ben's path to building went from graphic design to the 'rollercoaster' of construction. In this episode, Ben shares being 'thrown in the deep end' and learning to 'put his big boy pants on.' He reflects on early wor...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we chat with Bryn Williams from Tiny Pools, a Mount Maunganui company transforming backyard pools. Founded by landscapers with the belief everyone deserves a pool, they offer accessible precast concrete kit sets. In this episode, Bryn shares Tiny Pools' incredible growth from landscaping roots to a multi-million-dollar business facing huge demand. Discover how they...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to a bonus episode of Better Builder Apprentice! This month, we're joined by Tony Buchanan from Builders Academy. Join us as we delve into the realities of mentoring the next generation of builders. Tony shares his experiences navigating the work ethic of today's young apprentices, the ongoing challenge of finding reliable workers, and the inspiring presence...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we chat with Sam Newell, the founder of Build Interiors, a company where strong communication and creative solutions drive their work in interior fit-outs for clients like Sky City and Nike. Sam's journey includes a background in civil construction and high-end residential carpentry, culminating in his recognition as the 2022 Retail Design Excellence Award's R...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we're joined by Mike Smith from Wood Smith Building. Mike is a qualified Master Builder with over 20 years of experience in high-end architectural builds both in New Zealand and London. His leadership at Wood Smith Building emphasizes treating their team wisely and fostering long-lasting connections with clients and suppliers. In this episode, Mike shares his insig...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode features Ross Faulkner from Faulkner Construction, a highly respected builder with a long history of delivering exceptional architectural homes across Auckland and Tauranga since 1981. Join us as we explore the key challenges and solutions Ross has encountered while growing his successful business. He shares valuable perspectives on seeing the bigger pictu...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we chat with Chris Sweeney, co-owner of C&C Renovations and a seasoned Licensed Building Practitioner. Chris brings 12 years of global building experience, from the London Olympics to Amsterdam's historic canal houses, now delivering exceptional renovations in Auckland. In this episode, Chris shares key lessons on documenting everything, avoiding naivety, and t...