The Good Builder Podcast

You can be great on the tools, making a profit and have money in the bank, but still find yourself in serious financial trouble a few months down the track.In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Aaron Ng sits down with Noah Hodgson from Xact Accounting at The Professional Builder summit on the Gold Coast to unpack the financial side of running a building business.From cash flow forecasting and QBCC licence requirements to GST, business structures and the cost of labour, Noah explains why knowing your numbers is about much more than keeping your accountant happy.They also discuss the financial challenges builders face as they grow, the move from client builds into property development, and why having the right financial advice can make a difference.Key takeaways:Profit isn't cash. Why builders need accurate financial data and forward cash flow forecasts rather than relying on their bank balance.Understanding QBCC requirements. How net tangible assets, current ratios and MFR reporting affect a builder's ability to maintain or increase their licensed turnover.GST and property development. Why builders moving into their own developments need to plan for GST obligations when properties are sold.Labour costs and margins. How subcontractor pricing and labour shortages are affecting job costing and profitability, particularly in Southeast Queensland.Building a better business. Why business structures, financial advice and access to fractional CFO services become increasingly important as builders grow.Guest: Noah Hodgson, Client Director, Compliance Team, Xact Accounting.For more head to: https://xactaccounting.com.au/#thegoodbuilder #constructionindustry #buildingbusiness #australianbuilding #builderlife #qldbuilders #seqbuilders #constructionaccounting #accountingforbuilders #QBCC #cashflow #jobcosting #knowyournumbers #fractionalCFO #propertydevelopment #negativegearing #smallbusinessaustralia #tradiebusiness

You can build a great house. But how much time are you putting into becoming a better business owner?Recorded at The Professional Builder Summit, Az sits down with Abba from A to Z Homes to talk about professional development, planning ahead and why there’s always something to improve in your building business.Building across Newcastle, the Central Coast and the Hunter region, Abba shares his journey through a construction management degree, into commercial construction and then residential building, where helping everyday people build their homes gave him a reason to stay.He also shares the commercial practices he brought with him, his plans to grow and the first thing he’s reviewing when he gets back to the office: his overheads.In this episode:Moving from commercial construction into residential buildingBringing better coordination and forward planning to your tradesWhy builders need to take their professional development seriouslyHow overheads change and why last year’s numbers aren’t enoughPlanning to grow from eight projects to double that workloadThe changing face of professionalism in the building industryWhy caring about your customer and the finished product mattersAba’s answer to what makes a good builder is simple: respect the customer, look after them and care about what you deliver.This is The Good Builder Podcast.

Builders can be flat out today and still have a problem brewing with their next lot of work.The RBA has lifted interest rates for the fifth time in 2026, the HIA says new home sales are at their lowest level in 18 months, and the Reserve Bank is hearing that while residential builders remain busy, forward sales are slowing.So what does that mean for your building business?In this solo episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Aaron Ng looks beyond the market headlines at something every residential builder should be paying attention to: how much certainty is actually sitting in your sales pipeline?Az gets into:Why a full construction schedule doesn't necessarily mean a healthy future pipeline.The difference between genuine opportunities and enquiries that might never turn into work.Why spending more on marketing isn't always the answer.How a better sales process can stop good opportunities going quiet.Three practical things builders can do this week to get a clearer picture of their future workload.Plus, a look at Queensland's construction software rebate and what eligible builders need to know before applying.The takeaway? You can't control interest rates or when clients decide to build. But you can get a much better handle on where your next jobs are coming from.Subscribe to The Good Builder Podcast for independent industry news, practical business insights and conversations that matter to Australian residential builders.#TheGoodBuilder #ResidentialConstruction #AustralianBuilders #BuildingBusiness #ConstructionIndustry #BuilderMarketing #ConstructionSales #HousingMarket #BuildingIndustry #Podcast

Growing a building business is one thing. Knowing when you don't want it to get any bigger is another.In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Az sits down with Evan LaMotta from LaMotta Group for an open conversation about building a business, finding your own version of success and the unexpected opportunities that come from putting yourself out there.Evan shares his journey into the building industry, the experiences that shaped how he operates today and why growing for the sake of growing isn't necessarily the right move.They also get into how Evan built a following on social media without setting out to become a content creator, what it's like putting your business and personality online, and how he deals with the criticism that comes with it.In this episode:Evan's early years in the building industry and the lessons that stuckWhy a bigger building business isn't always a better oneMaking decisions about growth, staff and the business you actually wantHow social media opened up new opportunitiesDealing with criticism and staying authentic onlineThe future of the trades and what it means for buildersIt's a refreshingly open conversation about business, building and doing things your own way.Listen now on The Good Builder Podcast.Proudly brought to you by Australian Building Research. Check them out to ensure your giving the best building experience you can.#TheGoodBuilder #EvanLaMotta #LaMottaGroup #AustralianBuilders #BuildingBusiness #ResidentialConstruction #ConstructionAustralia #BuilderLife #ConstructionIndustry #BuildingIndustry #BuilderPodcast #ConstructionBusiness #BusinessGrowth #TradieLife #SocialMediaForBuilders

What does it take to build a profitable business without losing the parts of building you actually enjoy?In EP363 of The Good Builder Podcast, Az sits down with Jack James from James Marsden Builders at the TPB Summit to talk about profitability, trade relationships, renovation budgets and building a business that works for the people running it.Jack has a clear view on why profitability matters. It is not about buying bigger vehicles or chasing the rewards of growth. It is about creating a sustainable business that can keep delivering good work.The conversation covers how Jack approaches paying trades on the same day, why he believes in earning their trust before asking for longer payment terms, and how staging renovations can help clients work within their available budgets.Jack also explains why he and Ben want to hire themselves out of the office rather than off the tools, including their plans to systemise more of the estimating process.And when the conversation turns to success, Jack offers a different measure: getting invited to his plumber's daughter's 21st birthday or heading to the footy with a supplier because they have built a genuine relationship.In this episode:Why profitability is essential to building a sustainable business.The thinking behind paying trades on the same day.How staging renovations can help clients manage their budgets.Why Jack wants to spend more time on the tools and less time in the office.The role of estimating systems and administrative support.What strong relationships with trades and suppliers mean to Jack.How Jack defines success beyond the financial numbers.A conversation about making the numbers work while building a business you still enjoy being part of.Thanks to Jack James from James Marsden Builders for joining us and sharing his experience.Listen to EP363 of The Good Builder Podcast.#TheGoodBuilder #TheGoodBuilderPodcast #AustralianBuilders #BuildingBusiness #BuilderProfitability #ResidentialConstruction #ConstructionBusiness #BuilderLife #HomeRenovations #TradeRelationships #ConstructionIndustry #BuildingIndustryAustralia #ClientExperience #BrisbaneBuilders #TPBSummit

No guest this week, it's just Az...On Friday 30 October we held the first ever Good Builder Fishing Classic at Bli Bli Barra Park, and the turnout was way bigger than we expected for our first go.Here at The Good Builder we like to do things a bit differently. No stuffy function room, no tux or gown. Just a hat, some sunscreen, a rod in your hand and some of Australia's best builders out in the sun, because that's where the real conversations happen.In this episode I run through the big catches, the winners and the sponsors who backed us on day one with no track record:Biggest Barra: Jordy from J3 BuiltChamp Angler: Scott Cragg, Stroud HomesPerpetual Shield: Team Casa CeramicaFish Whisperer: John Leonardis, Metricon (57cm mangrove jack)First Catch: Alex from James Marsden Builders, who took home a Paslode nail gunOddest Catch: Linn Batey, Nyblad Constructions (yes, a bird)Total Legend Award: Steve from Stroud Homes' young fellaA big thanks to our spodosrs Future Build, iBuildNew, Halcol Energy, Casa Ceramica, TFH, HazardCo, James Hardie, Jirsch Sutherland,  Paslode, Build Launch the drinks sponsor and the food truck. We're taking it on tour around Australia.TFH Hire Services Pty LtdFuturebuild EventsSilvina Alvarez from Casa CeramicaHalcol EnergyJames HardieiBuildNewJirsch SutherlandHazardCoITW Paslode / Paslode ANZBuild LaunchComing up this week: Jack from James Marsden Builders on Wednesday, and Evan La Motta from La Motta Group on Friday.Check out our socials for pics and videos from the day, and keep an eye out for articles announcing the winners.This episode proudly sponsored by: https://australianbuildingresearch.com.au/#TheGoodBuilder #TGBFishingClassic #FishingClassic #BliBliBarraPark #Barra #Barramundi #Builders #AustralianBuilders #QueenslandBuilders #ResidentialConstruction #ConstructionIndustry #BuildingIndustry #HomeBuilders #TradiesLife #ConstructionPodcast #BuilderPodcast #IndustryEvent #SunshineCoast

All painted steel looks the same on the rack. According to Jason Voglis, it doesn't perform the same."When you actually break it down and you look at the different substrates and the coil coating technologies and the paints, they perform very differently."In partnership with UniCote.Jason is National Sales Manager at UniCote, part of INSPIRE, a division of Selection Steel. He joins Az to talk through what builders should know before they choose roofing and cladding, and why having a credible second supplier is about managing risk rather than ditching a supplier you're happy with.In this episode:Jason's move from real estate into steel, and what his team does with builders, architects, installers and roll formersThe misconception that all painted steel is the same, and how substrate, coating, warranty and price differSupply shortages since COVID and why "delays could mean make or break" when builders are working on slim margins"Imported equals inferior, and it's not the case." Jason on reputable mills, specifications and independent testingHow UniCote supplies through roll formers, and why Selection Steel uses two millsThe UniCote range as Jason describes it: Select (everyday), Coastal (for corrosive environments), Lux (architectural finishes inspired by timber, Corten, zinc, copper and brass) and Extreme (aluminium for the harshest coastal sites)Choosing the right product for a coastal site, and weighing warranty against costWhy a premium product needs a premium experience to go with it"You've got to have a premium product and then couple that with a premium experience for that customer. And that's what creates trust. That's what creates loyalty."Company background as Jason describes it: Selection Steel has supplied steel into the Australian market since 1974 and launched its own UniCote painted range about 12 years ago.This is The Good Builder Podcast.#TheGoodBuilder #TheGoodBuilderPodcast #AustralianBuilders #UniCote #SelectionSteel #Roofing #Cladding #PrePaintedSteel #CoastalBuilding #BuildingMaterials #ResidentialConstructionChapters:00:44 Welcome: Jason Voglis from Selection Steel03:13 From real estate into steel06:11 Why all painted steel isn't the same08:29 Supply shortages: "delays could mean make or break"28:24 "Imported equals inferior, and it's not the case"33:04 The UniCote range: Coastal, Lux and Extreme40:30 Coastal sites, warranty and cost46:19 Premium product, premium experienceFind out more about UniCote: https://unicote.com.au

What does it really take to be a good builder? And we're not just talking about building great homes.Every now and then, a conversation comes along that reminds us exactly why The Good Builder exists. This is one of them.At just 32, Jordan Rogers has spent the past two and a half years building his Gold Coast construction business, J3 Built. He's already stepped off the tools, built a team and developed a genuine passion for leadership. But behind that progress is a young builder who's had to learn some pretty tough lessons about business, responsibility and knowing when to ask for help.Recorded at The Professional Builder Summit, this conversation starts with Jordan's journey from AFL and carpentry into running his own building company. It quickly becomes something much more personal.Jordan opens up about learning the financial side of construction, the importance of surrounding yourself with good people, why leadership is about more than giving instructions, and how seeking guidance helped him through a difficult period.We also get into building systems, using AI properly, managing growth, protecting margins and why being a great tradesman doesn't automatically make you a successful business owner.But it's Jordan's answer to one simple question, "What makes a good builder?", that completely changes the conversation.He talks about the sleepless nights, the decisions nobody else sees, the families depending on you and the enormous responsibility of running a building business.And for the first time in more than 350 episodes, Az finds himself fighting back tears.This isn't a conversation about how big you can grow a building company.It's about the person you become while building one.An episode for every builder who's ever carried the weight of their business, questioned themselves or needed reminding that they don't have to do it alone.This is The Good Builder Podcast.#TheGoodBuilder #TheGoodBuilderPodcast #AustralianBuilders #BuildingBusiness #ConstructionLeadership #BuilderLife #ConstructionAustralia #YoungBuilders #BuilderMentalHealth #J3Built

We've spent the past few weeks travelling through Victoria, New South Wales and the Gold Coast, meeting builders, visiting businesses and hearing what's really happening across the industry.And one thing keeps becoming clearer: there's an enormous amount we can learn from each other.In this Monday solo episode, Az shares some of the conversations and lessons that have stuck with him, from Cheyne Hall's experience growing a national building business to Paul Hogan's approach to delivering better outcomes for homeowners.We also reflect on our time around Newcastle with Mark Sutton from Goop Guys, meeting the next generation of builders at the TPB Summit, and why getting out on site tells us things the industry data doesn't always reveal.It's a conversation about growth, doing things properly, learning from mistakes and why sharing real experiences matters.Also coming up this week: Jason Voglis from Selection Steel UniCote joins us for our Friday feature, plus a conversation with young builder Jordy from J3 Built, who we met at the TPB Summit.At The Good Builder, we're not here because we've got all the answers. We're here to listen, learn and share the experiences of the good builders out there.The Good Builder Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Pulse by Australian Building Research.#TheGoodBuilder #AustralianBuilders #ConstructionAustralia #BuildingIndustry #ResidentialConstruction #BuildingBusiness #BuilderLife #ConstructionPodcast #TPBSummit #AustralianConstruction

AI can help builders produce estimates faster than ever. But when your margins, cash flow and reputation are on the line, who's checking the numbers?Recorded live from the TPB Summit, Az sits down with Haydn, founder of Price A Plan, for a conversation about the future of construction estimating, the growing influence of AI and why experienced people still matter.Haydn didn't set out to build an estimating business. After an operation left him unable to return to the tools for nine months, he started helping other builders with their quotes. Eighteen years later, Price A Plan supports more than 500 builders annually, employs 32 people and has accumulated approximately $6 billion in project history.And while Haydn is investing heavily in AI, he's taking a different approach to businesses looking to replace people with technology. His view is that faster estimating actually creates a greater need for experienced eyes and proper quality control.In this episode, we get into:The risks of relying on AI-generated estimates without experienced oversight.Why getting your estimating right is about more than winning the job.How Price A Plan uses $6 billion in project history to support cost forecasting.The importance of qualifying clients before spending hours preparing detailed quotes.When builders should consider outsourcing their estimating.How AI can improve productivity without sacrificing accuracy or relationships.Why Haydn would spend his first $1,000 on improving his sales process rather than advertising.The surprising quality Haydn believes makes a genuinely good builder: empathy.There's plenty of honest conversation about AI, including the pressure to keep up, the risk of handing over too much control and the importance of remembering what actually makes a building business work.Because at the end of the day, technology might help you produce an estimate, but someone still needs to stand behind the numbers.Another great conversation from the TPB Summit, bringing together the people, ideas and experiences shaping the Australian residential building industry.Proudly sponsored by The PULSE from Australian Building Research.The PULSE helps builders track the customer experience throughout the build, identify issues early and act before they become bigger problems.Discover The PULSE and book a walkthrough: https://australianbuildingresearch.com.au/the-pulse-cepThe Good Builder Podcast. Real talk. Real numbers. Real builders.#TheGoodBuilder #TPBSummit #PriceAPlan #AustralianBuilders #ConstructionEstimating #AIinConstruction #BuildingBusiness