Home Building Podcast

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...

Behan sits down with Josie Martin, owner of Decor Avenue, kitchen designer and cabinetmaker with over 20 years of hands-on experience. They dive into what really makes a kitchen functional, beautiful, and built to last. From how wide your island bench should be to whether pot drawers are worth it, Josie shares expert advice on layout, budgeting, and materials that will save you time, money, and st...

In this episode of The Home Building Podcast , Behan sits down with David Bergen from DB2 Pest Control to uncover one of the most expensive risks facing Aussie homeowners: termites.  Termites cause over $1 billion worth of damage to 650,000 homes every year and none of it is covered by insurance. David explains why these pests are so dangerous, how to spot the hidden signs before it’s too late, an...

One of the biggest challenges homeowners face is: debt. Behan sits down with financial expert & owner of Financial Management 101, Karen Adams, to explore what it takes to become financially in control for homeowners balancing life.   Karen discloses several strategies & tactics she teaches to help people to live a life free of money stress. If you’ve ever felt stressed about your mortgage...

Buying the right home for you can be a very challenging and stressful time. But it doesn't have to be with the right help. In this episode of Home Building Podcast, Behan sits with buyer’s agent David Keay to unpack the role of a buyer’s agent and why they’re becoming a powerful tool in today’s competitive market. From off-market deals to navigating negotiations, David explains how he helps cl...

In this episode of The Home Building Podcast , Behan is joined by Peter Wiedermann, a pool industry veteran with 30+ years of experience as a builder, technician, and consultant.   They dive into everything you need to know if you’re planning a pool for your new build or renovation, including:  What they talk about:  ✅ Concrete vs fibreglass pools - which is right for your block?  ✅ The hidden r...

Your electrical planning can either future proof your home or annoy you every single time you reach for the light switch. When it comes to building or renovating, it’s often the small details that create the biggest frustrations down the track so in this episode of The Home Building Podcast, Behan sits down with very experienced electrician Tim Learbuch, owner of Learings Electrical to share pract...

In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, Behan sits down with Premici, General Manager of Home Base Design & Build Centre in Subiaco, Perth. Australia’s largest home design and build centre. They dive into: ✅ Why Home Base has become WA’s go-to hub for builders, renovators, and designers. ✅ How thousands of products, showrooms, and courses under one roof can save you time, money, and st...

In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, Behan Flaherty sits down with Glen Austen, Director of TAG Finance, to unpack the world of home finance. Whether you’re building your first home, refinancing, or planning a property investment, Glen shares expert advice on navigating loans, securing pre-approval, managing interest rates, and avoiding common mistakes in the lending process. This is your...

Behan sits down with seasoned real estate agent Chadi Damouni from Bourkes Property to uncover the truth behind common property myths and share insider strategies for maximising resale value, whether you’re building, renovating, or selling. With over 12 years in the industry, Chadi has worked across Perth’s property market, helping everyone from first-time buyers to investors and forever-home drea...

IBA Founder & Home Building Podcast host Behan Flaherty to unpack how the home building industry has shifted and what that means for aspiring home builders in Australia.  We explore the hidden traps most people fall into when building, the outdated way the industry still sells homes, and why being first to get a quote doesn’t always mean the best you’ll be delivering the best outcome for you. ...

In this episode, Behan Flaherty founder of Independent Building Advice breaks down how to approach home design with purpose and clarity. Too often, people rush into designing their home without fully understanding how layout, budget, lifestyle, and land all intersect. This Home Building Podcast episode reveals the smart way to begin home design that avoids costly revisions, decision fatigue, and l...

Interior and architectural designer Bianca Campbell from White Door Studio joins us to talk about one of the most overwhelming (and important) parts of home design, choosing the right colours.  From tiles and cabinetry to paint and fixtures, Bianca discusses how to create a cohesive palette using simple home design principles like the 3-Colour Rule. We also discuss how to translate Pinterest inspi...