Home Building Podcast

Building, renovating or extending a home takes a lot of research and trial and error, and when you're spending hundreds of thousands of dollars, you can't afford to get it wrong.   In this episode, IBA's director, Behan Flaherty, walks through the common ways people go about building a home and where each one can catch you out: going straight to a builder, using an architect or designe...

Most homeowners have no idea what R Codes are, what triggers a planning approval, or why energy efficiency requirements are quietly adding tens of thousands to the cost of their build. In this episode Behan sits down with Aaron Sice - Assistant Director at the Housing Industry Association - for one of the most information-dense conversations the podcast has had. From planning vs. building approval...

Lighting is one of the most overlooked parts of building a new home and one of the most expensive to fix after the fact. In this episode Behan walks through everything you need to think about before your lighting appointment, from switch placement and sensor lights to doorbells, feature lighting and where to save money on fittings.  FREE ELECTRICAL & LIGHTING PLAN REVIEW - Until 30 August 2026...

Most people get one shot at designing their home. Get it wrong and you'll feel it every single day. In this episode Behan sits down with Luke Tufilli from Aria Home Designs - one of Perth's leading custom home designers - to talk about what separates a great home from a good one. From facade trends and street appeal to floor plan logic, wow factor features and how to get the absolute best...

LOOKING TO CUSTOM DESIGN & BUILD YOUR NEXT HOME? VISIT US ON INDEPENDENTBUILDINGADVICE.COM.AU 🏡 Most people get stung by hidden costs when building not because builders are dishonest, but because nobody told them what to look for upfront. Behan walks through every major hidden cost category you need to know before you sign anything.  What you'll learn:  How builder quotes are structured -...

Most people don't think about home automation until it's too late when the walls are already closed and the wiring is done. In this episode, Behan sits down with Andy Moore lighting & home automations expert to break down what home automation actually is, how to use it to genuinely improve your everyday life, and the one critical decision you need to make during your build that will sa...

One of the most common and costly mistakes people make is going too far down one path before realising it was the wrong one. In this solo episode, Behan breaks down the four main options available to Perth homeowners: buying established, renovating, extending, and knockdown rebuild. He cuts through the noise with real costs, honest advice, and a simple rule of thumb that could save you tens of tho...

Most people have no idea what modular construction actually is or how good it's gotten. In this episode, Behan sits down with Natalie Lawrence and Dan Thake from MIRA Residential to bust the myths around modular building, explain how the whole process works from factory to front door, and help you figure out whether it could be the smartest way to build your next home especially if you're building...

Building costs are rising fast, and most people don't realise where the money is actually going or how much they could save with a bit of upfront planning. In this episode, Behan walks through the key strategies IBA uses with clients every day to keep builds on budget without cutting corners on the things that matter. From setting a two-number budget before you do anything else, to the hidden desi...

In life there a particular stage in life that you’ll be ready or need to build or buy a home. It’s important that you know when you might need to so you can best prepare yourself for what comes next.       Some people buy. Some people build. It’s up truly to your situation. Our job is to best educate you, so you know how to have a better home building experience.      We catch up with Domenic, one...

In life there a particular stages in life that you’ll be ready or need to build or buy a home. It’s important that you know when you might need to so you can best prepare yourself for what comes next.     Some people buy. Some people build. It’s really up to yours situation. Our job is to best educate you, so you know how to have a better home building experience.    We catch up with Domenic, one...

In this episode, Behan from Independent Building Advice tackles one of the most common questions in the current Perth building market: should you build now, or wait? With global uncertainty rising interest rates, inflation, supply chain pressures, and an upcoming election many people are sitting on the fence. Behan cuts through the noise, sharing how to stress-test your budget, understand hidden b...

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...