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  • We Got Challenged on Everything We Believe

    We Got Challenged on Everything We Believe
    2026/08/16

    In this episode, Joel (Heidi Build) hijacks the mic for an unfiltered conversation about the realities of building in Australia.

    We break down why builders can feel “owned” by a client for years after a contract is signed, how viral “circus build” videos damage trust in the whole industry, and the difference between educating and selling when builders share their work on social media.

    We also get practical: if you live in a typical 1990s brick veneer home (single glazing, gaps, limited insulation), we cover the first upgrades that improve comfort and indoor air quality, including draught proofing, ceiling insulation, and ducted bathroom and kitchen ventilation.

    Start with draught proofing. Seal the gaps. Stop the house bleeding comfort.

    You don’t have to be a tree-hugging hippie to want comfort and health. You can still love your V8s.

    We finish on a solid reminder for builders. It’s okay to step back. It’s okay to realise you don’t like being the builder. It’s okay to run a smaller business. It’s okay to define success by profit, lifestyle, and sanity, not just turnover.

    CHAPTER MARKERS

    00:00 Introduction

    01:01 Rapid Fire Nerd Check

    05:21 Money Tightness and Numbers

    07:59 WIP and Builder Finance

    14:30 Trades Pride and Tool Skills

    16:09 How Hamish and Matt Met

    21:35 Apprenticeships and Passive House Path

    23:14 Cost Talk and Comparisons

    24:38 Why Building Feels Expensive

    27:19 Wood Fires vs Airtight Homes

    37:54 Bad Builds and The Gap

    41:43 Licensing Upskilling Debate

    45:49 Social Media and Industry Lift

    49:20 Restoration vs New Builds

    51:20 First Fixes for Homes

    01:02:27 Sustainability Money Traps

    01:07:04 Rapid Fire and Wrap Up

    01:10:00 Mindful Moment Closing

    Our Sponsors:

    Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima

    MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt

    Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod

    Connect with Hamish:

    Instagram: @sanctumhomes

    Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/

    Connect with Matt:

    Instagram: @carlandconstructions

    Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Proclima Sponsor
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    1 時間 13 分
  • The Truth About Cheap Aussie Windows

    The Truth About Cheap Aussie Windows
    2026/08/09

    If you’ve ever wondered why Australian homes feel freezing in winter and brutal in summer, this episode makes it painfully clear. “Suppliers in Australia are still delivering single-glazed aluminium windows,” and that one sentence explains a lot about comfort, energy bills, condensation, and why so many people feel worn down inside their own homes.

    We sit down with Monika Rogers from Eco Sky Windows to talk high performance windows, Passive House certified systems, and what “thermally broken” actually means. We discuss U-values, why the whole window unit matters (not just the glass), and how slimline design, hardware, and airtightness change real-world performance.

    The conversation also goes beyond windows into indoor air quality and ventilation. Monika shares why she rates HRVs so highly, and the hosts describe what it felt like having 30 to 40 people in a sealed space that still felt fresh, clear, and comfortable. If you care about building better homes, this is a practical look at the details that actually move the needle.

    We finish up with the realities builders and clients need to plan for: shop drawings, lead times, shipping, and cashflow. If you’ve been nervous about imported high performance windows, this episode breaks down the process and shows why organisation matters more than geography.

    CHAPTER MARKERS

    00:00 Intro

    00:36 Meet Monika and Eco Sky Windows

    01:01 Thermally broken vs “thermally improved”

    03:00 U-values, triple glazing, and performance comparisons

    03:33 How window performance is calculated (whole unit vs glass only)

    09:00 “Passive culture shock” and why Australian homes feel so cold

    13:11 SIP studio build in six weeks and what that means

    20:00 Architects, glass-to-wall ratios, shading, and orientation

    24:49 Low-E coatings, argon gaps, and glazing science

    26:25 Slimline frames, concealed hinges, and hardware choices

    29:11 HRVs, fresh air, and comfort in real buildings

    33:16 Ordering process, drainage details, and shop drawings

    34:01 Lead times, shipping, and getting windows on site

    36:42 Cashflow, progress claims, and paying before arrival

    38:12 Where high performance is growing in Australia

    41:52 Mindful Moment: apprenticeships are a licence to learn

    43:19 How to contact Eco Sky Windows

    Our Sponsors:

    Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima

    MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt

    Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod

    Connect with Hamish:

    Instagram: @sanctumhomes

    Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/

    Connect with Matt:

    Instagram: @carlandconstructions

    Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Proclima Sponsor
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    46 分
  • What tradies won't say publicly

    What tradies won't say publicly
    2026/08/02

    In this episode, we sit down with Joel from Heidi Build and Andrew “Hoppo” from Hoppo Construction for a no-script, no-agenda chat.

    It starts with what makes tradie creators actually work online: being approachable, having an opinion, and showing up as yourself. Joel breaks down why the polished, curated Instagram approach did nothing for him, then the one raw timber-quality rant that finally cut through.

    From there, we get into the stuff people don’t always say out loud. The stigma that tradies aren’t intelligent, why that stereotype still lingers, and the moment Joel’s own brother hit him with the line: “I’m not one of your dumb tradie mates.” We talk about what that does to your confidence, especially when you come from a culture where university is seen as the only “good” path.

    It also turns into a proper Mindful Builder conversation about bullying, body image, and parenting. Hamish shares what it’s like watching your kid go through it, and Joel talks about how he handles it at home by listening, asking questions, and helping his kids feel heard.

    We also cover the real side of “influencing” in the trades: DeWalt vs Makita, how brand partnerships actually work when they’re not forced, why you shouldn’t monetise too early, and what happens when you say yes to something that doesn’t align.

    CHAPTER MARKERS

    00:00 Introduction

    00:18 What Makes Tradie Creators Work: Confidence and Being Approachable

    01:22 Why Curated Instagram Content Failed

    03:00 DeWalt vs Makita: How Tool Sponsorships Actually Work

    09:33 Feeling Valued: Why DeWalt Support Helped Them Lean Into Content

    11:22 Quick Tradie Eats and the Misconceptions About Tradespeople

    13:12 “Tradies Are Dumb”: The Stigma and Why It Still Exists

    24:10 Confidence, Bullying, and Being the Overweight Kid at School

    26:25 Parenting Through Bullying: Listening, Questions, and Helping Kids Feel Heard

    31:50 Team Culture and Leadership: Honesty, Vulnerability, and Check-Ins

    37:00 The “Wellness Survey” Debate: Corporate Systems vs Trade Reality

    45:27 Influencer Goals: Cars, GM, and Brand Partnerships That Fit Your Identity

    Our Sponsors:

    Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima

    MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt

    Connect with Andrew - Hopkins Construction

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopkinsconstruction/?hl=en

    Connect with Andrew

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joel_heidibuild/?hl=en

    Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod

    Connect with Hamish:

    Instagram: @sanctumhomes

    Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/

    Connect with Matt:

    Instagram: @carlandconstructions

    Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Proclima Sponsor
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    1 時間 8 分
  • The Day I Almost Quit Building for Good

    The Day I Almost Quit Building for Good
    2026/07/26

    James Turner from JTurner Constructions didn’t plan to start a building business. A torn ACL and a forced shift into subbie life pushed him into it, and he built the company the way most builders do: decks, renos, extensions, then new homes.

    Two and a bit years ago, he was ready to pull the pin. Bad estimating, people management gaps, COVID losses, and the mental load stacked up fast. A turning point came from an unexpected place: an eight-week men’s course (Rising Kings) that helped him rebuild structure through daily habits and exercise.

    From there, Zara D’Cotta’s course sparked a new interest in the health of homes, and Future Builder gave him the systems and support to start moving toward Passive House and high-performance building.

    This episode is a practical look at what it really takes to transition: filtering the noise, learning the fundamentals, marketing like a human, and selling health and comfort before you ever mention acronyms.

    CHAPTER MARKERS

    00:00 Intro

    01:00 Meet James Turner (J Turner Constructions)

    02:20 How the business started: ACL injury, subbie shift

    08:45 Exit meeting shock + the pivot into carpentry

    10:10 Nearly quitting: estimating, people, COVID losses

    11:30 Rising Kings: structure, habits, exercise, and the mental reset

    17:50 Zara DCottas course: holistic homes and health

    19:00 Kids health trigger: carpet, dust, mould, air filtration

    24:00 Future Builder call: systems, assets, and direction

    25:15 Discovering Passive House and high-performance building

    34:25 Marketing advice: document the journey, be vulnerable

    36:10 Content that works: face to camera, education, long game

    39:25 Fear of failure + getting comfortable in your skin

    44:05 Transition risk: don't shoot yourself in the foot

    49:00 PHPP as an optimisation tool + right-sizing systems

    50:20 MEGT Mindful Moment: resilience and career pivots

    Our Sponsors:

    Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima

    MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt

    Connect with James:

    Website: https://jturnerconstructions.com.au/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jturnerconstructions/

    Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod

    Connect with Hamish:

    Instagram: @sanctumhomes

    Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/

    Connect with Matt:

    Instagram: @carlandconstructions

    Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Proclima Sponsor
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    53 分
  • The Tradie Who Lost It All and Came Back

    The Tradie Who Lost It All and Came Back
    2026/07/19

    “The difference between a good businessman and a bad businessman is the good one fails and learns.”

    A tradie builds momentum fast. Makes money fast. Spends it faster. Learns the hard way about GST, tax, super, and the cost of looking like you’ve “made it”. Then the pressure stacks up, burnout hits, and the whole thing starts to wobble.

    Andrew Hopkins (Hoppo from Hopkins Construction) walks through the real comeback: rebuilding a construction business with better boundaries, a stronger brand, and a work week that actually fits parenting. It also gets practical on social media for tradies (recording vs editing), why AI in construction is useless without clean systems, and how to handle trolls without losing sleep.

    If you’re a builder, carpenter, landscaper, or tradie thinking about starting a construction business, this is the reality check and the roadmap.

    CHAPTER MARKERS

    00:00: Intro

    04:36: Meet Andrew “Hoppo” Hopkins (Hopkins Construction)

    06:09: Leaving school early and starting a carpentry apprenticeship

    07:00: Getting suspended from an apprenticeship

    08:50: Snowboard accident + income protection for tradies

    11:05: Starting a business naive (tax, super, entitlements)

    13:11: Tradie overspending (Rangers, trailers, debt)

    18:10: Partnership breakup + learning from failure

    22:07: Burnout: when the business runs but you crash

    23:10: Tradie dads being present is hard

    27:13: Rebuilding life and work after the split

    29:10: Boundaries and setting expectations with clients

    31:39: Social media on site: recording vs editing

    37:31: AI in construction: fundamentals first

    41:10: How many hours content creation really takes

    48:10: Weird brand deals, saying no, and not being a sellout

    52:15: Trolls, comments, and protecting younger tradies

    56:28: MEGT Mindful Moment: advice for apprentices starting a business

    Our Sponsors:

    Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima

    MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt

    Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod

    Connect with Hamish:

    Instagram: @sanctumhomes

    Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/

    Connect with Matt:

    Instagram: @carlandconstructions

    Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Proclima Sponsor
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    1 時間 4 分
  • The Estimating Mistake That Costs You Thousands

    The Estimating Mistake That Costs You Thousands
    2026/07/12
    “You’re at the mercy of the quality of the 2D plans.”We sit down with Tom from Vision 2 Estimating (V2E) to talk about why traditional construction estimating and 2D-only take-offs are costing builders real money. If you’re quoting off PDFs, squinting at elevations, and hoping the details sort themselves out on site, this conversation will hit. It’s about accurate building estimates, protecting margin, and pricing work properly in modern Australian residential construction.We take a look at why 3D modelling for builders is not about pretty renders; it’s about clarity. Tom explains how 3D estimating, quantity take-offs, and a proper Bill of Quantities (BOQ) help you see what 2D drawings often hide: junctions, returns, missing scope, and the “we’ll figure it out later” details that turn into budget blowouts. This is especially relevant for custom homes, high performance builds, and any project where small misses become expensive fast.A big theme is what Tom calls your builder DNA. Every builder has a way they build: preferred details, standard inclusions, sequencing, and products. V2E’s approach is to model and estimate based on how you actually build on site, so your pricing matches reality. We also touch on modern estimating tools like PlusSpec (SketchUp plugin), digital BOQs, and connected workflows that make pre-construction smoother and reduce rework, disputes, and variations.If you’re a builder, estimator, architect, or construction business owner trying to improve construction cost planning, tender pricing, and job profitability, check this episode out. We talk estimating systems, pre-construction services, reducing risk, and why better estimating is one of the fastest ways to lift building business profitability without working more hours. CHAPTER MARKERS00:00 Intro03:07 2D plans miss scope and costs06:55 Builder DNA and estimating accuracy08:21 Who owns pricing and variations15:14 Vignettes standards and estimating workflow18:03 Coordination meetings, RFIs, design clarity21:27 PlusSpec BOQ export and take-offs23:16 Builder-friendly BOQ and trade breakdown24:53 Cost codes setup for builders26:27 Import BOQ into estimating software27:02 Four cost buckets for budgeting30:08 Master price lists and cost control32:36 Model collaboration for builders and architects35:14 Estimating as a repeatable system36:59 Model viewer app for site teams39:25 Charging for pre-construction estimating47:40 AI estimating needs clean data50:07 Apprentices: estimating and building careersLINKS:Vision 2 Estimating: https://www.v2e.com.au/Our Sponsors:Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclimaMEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megtConnect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpodConnect with Hamish:Instagram: @sanctumhomesWebsite: www.yoursanctum.com.au/Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructionsWebsite: www.carlandconstructions.com/Mentioned in this episode:Proclima Sponsor
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    56 分
  • The Hidden Danger in Every Old House

    The Hidden Danger in Every Old House
    2026/07/05
    “If you can’t hit 0.6 ACH on a brand-new build, you probably shouldn’t be building.”Let’s stop tip-toeing around the reality of the Australian housing market. We are throwing up volume-built boxes and high-density apartments that are practically end-of-life before they’ve even seen their first winter. We sat down with Linden Thorley, architect, Passive House designer, and chair of the Australian Passive House Association Retrofit Committee.We take a look into why retrofitting the existing 9.5 million homes in Australia is the single biggest business opportunity for trades over the next decade. Linden walks us through the differences between a cosmetic renovation and a high-performance retrofit, detailing how his team utilises the PHPP (Passive House Planning Package) to model data and manage moisture, insulation, and ventilation risks case-by-case.We don't hold back on the real pain points of the industry either. We talk about the skyrocketing costs of business insurance, why Australian labour rates are fundamentally shifting project costs, and how to structure building contracts using provisional sums for airtightness so builders aren't crushed by unexpected site variations.Linden also breaks down his frustrations with legacy bank valuations that prioritise bloated 300-square-meter floor plans over highly efficient, smaller family homes.Finally, we hit the political wall: how heritage advisors and council planners are actively preventing energy efficiency upgrades, and the clever, practical drawing tricks CHAPTER MARKERS00:00 – Introduction02:08 – The Passive House Association Retrofit Committee & Playbook04:12 – Finding the Ideal Market: How Long Does the Shift Take?05:45 – Passive House as a Design-Agnostic Calculation Tool07:11 – Can a House Be Great If It Doesn’t Reach Certified EnerPHit?09:00 – Retrofitting Multi-Story Blocks vs. Standard Residential10:38 – Managing Airtightness Expectations with the Builder13:36 – How to Contract for Airtightness: The Provisional Sum Solution15:21 – Dealing with Double Brick and Suspended Timber Floors16:23 – The Spray Foam Debate in Subfloors vs. Walls18:41 – The New Build Advantage vs. Retrofit Blind Spots19:16 – A Case Study: Turning a 25 ACH House into an 8 ACH Home22:27 – Threading Centralized MVHR Systems Through Bulkheads23:28 – The Necessity of the ECI Process for Architects26:16 – Why Don’t We Just Knock Them All Down?27:43 – Renovation vs. Extension vs. Retrofit29:47 – Do We Overcomplicate the Carbon Conversation?31:14 – Lessons from Toronto: The 100 Macnab High-Rise Retrofit32:38 – Drawing the Line: When to Demolish an Existing Fabric37:28 – Forcing Council’s Hand with Legal NCC Clauses39:34 – Is Passive House Actually a Premium-Priced Product?41:11 – Breaking Down the True Cost of Australian Site Labour44:46 – Linden’s Fire Loss & Installing His Own INTELLO Membrane48:26 – Thermal Envelope vs. High-End Cabinetry53:03 – The Intensity Slump on Modern Australian Building Sites55:26 – Overheads, Insurance Hikes, and Free Market Economics57:41 – The 3-Story Walk-Up: How Codes Limit Small Footprint Living58:21 – Why Banks Hate Small Homes and Force Massive Floorplates01:01:45 – Macroeconomics, Inflation, and Building for the Top 10%01:08:37 – MEGT Mindful Moment: Harnessing the Un-Jaded Apprentice Mindset01:11:16 – Connect with Linden ThorleyLINKS:Our Sponsors:Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclimaMEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megtConnect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpodConnect with Hamish:Instagram: @sanctumhomesWebsite: www.yoursanctum.com.au/Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructionsWebsite: www.carlandconstructions.com/Mentioned in this episode:Proclima Sponsor
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    1 時間 13 分
  • The Builders Standing Up to a Broken Industry

    The Builders Standing Up to a Broken Industry
    2026/06/28
    “On paper, six or seven competitive builders trying to run one organisation together makes no sense.”In this episode, we sit down with Bec Kempster, the brilliant Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA), to talk about the messy, necessary business of upgrading the Australian construction sector. Recording from Matt’s newly completed Grand Designs home, we strip back the hype and discuss how the SBA transitioned from a grassroots cause into a highly structured, professional association shaking up national building standards.Bec shares insights from her eclectic background. Spanning commerce degrees, corporate head office fit-outs, and co-founding business coaching systems for architects, to reveal how the SBA is systematically tackling the biggest bottlenecks in the trade. We break down the SBA’s Theory of Change, detailing their current work with TAFEs to build localised trade courses, and their mission to establish crystal-clear definitions for high-performance builds so the market can finally stomp out greenwashing.We also take a look at the data from the SBA's newly released State of the Market report. Bec details the hidden category of "transitioning builders". These are tradespeople who build above code but fail to market it, and drops the statistical proof that builders who explicitly sell health, comfort, and performance secure nearly double the forward pipeline of their competitors.We chat about the reality of custom build costs, volume builder challenges, and why vulnerability and education are a builder's best defence against insolvency in a volatile economy.Whether you are a seasoned builder, an architect looking for better site execution, or a transitioning tradie ready to stop faking it, this episode delivers raw, unfiltered site-level truths.Make sure to listen through to the end to grab your 15% SBA membership discount code!4. CHAPTER MARKERS00:00:Introduction01:32: Meet Bec Kempster: Managing Six Builders05:05: From Nightclubs to Architect Coaching: Bec’s Journey09:44: The Business of Architecture vs. The Building Trade13:16: Leaving the Past & Aligning with Sustainability21:20: The Material Lifespan & Circular Economy22:36: Unpacking the Five Pillars of the Theory of Change23:51: TAFE Collaborations with Melbourne Polytechnic28:41: Industry Collaborations: From Renew to Master Builders30:10: Changing the Name? Builders Alliance vs. Building Alliance34:49: Overcoming the Industry’s Lack of Education39:06: Volume Builders & The Impact of 7-Star Verification40:04: State of the Market Report: The Transitioning Builder41:41: Documenting the Journey: Content Strategies for Tradies48:07: High Performance vs. Custom Build Realities49:45: The Real Cost of Matthew’s Grand Designs House51:55: Celebrating Social Traders CertificationLINKS:Our Sponsors:Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclimaMEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megtConnect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpodConnect with Hamish:Instagram: @sanctumhomesWebsite: www.yoursanctum.com.au/Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructionsWebsite: www.carlandconstructions.com/Mentioned in this episode:Proclima Sponsor
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    57 分