The Build Insite Podcast

Day one on site, and there's asbestos. What happens in the next ten minutes tells a homeowner more about their builder than anything in the tender.
In this second half of the conversation at Callery Creek House, Zoe and Andrew get into the part of a build that most people only understand in hindsight: how communication actually works between a homeowner and a builder, and what happens when it doesn't. We recorded this on handover day, with the keys about to change hands, so everything is still fresh.
They share the advice they'd give anyone about to sign a building contract, from working out your own values before you start researching, to visiting an open home and talking to a builder's current client. There's also a warning about builders juggling too many sites at once, and a strong case for getting every site meeting decision confirmed in writing.
It's not all process. Zoe wrote a blessing and had it embedded in the concrete pour, which landed at the threshold by pure chance, and a gum leaf left a perfect stencil in the burnished slab that they chose to keep. We also talk about the night Zoe found herself at the Master Builders National Awards as a current client, watching her own builder go up on stage.
What you'll learn:- Why the first problem on site tells you more about your builder than the sales pitch- How to set a communication rhythm before you sign, and why it should be in the contract conversation- Why documenting site meeting outcomes in writing protects both sides, not just one- What to ask about a builder's workload and site supervision before you commit- Why locking in selections before construction takes stress off the critical path
Chapters:00:00 Introduction00:20 Advice for homeowners choosing a builder00:53 Do your research and visit a site02:42 Why communication makes or breaks a build03:21 Day one and the asbestos discovery04:18 Agreeing a meeting rhythm before signing05:53 Why everything needs to be documented08:32 A blessing in the concrete pour12:14 The gum leaf in the slab13:53 The Master Builders Awards night16:14 Tips for homeowners starting a build18:49 Why your builder's workload matters21:23 What they wish they'd known22:13 The two week look ahead and the whiteboard25:13 What they'd do differently25:50 Getting selections done early26:49 What this home means to them28:14 Wrap up
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

Most build stories get told by the people getting paid to be there. This one comes from the couple who lived in the middle of it, for nine months, with three kids and a dishwasher in the bathroom.
In this episode we're sitting at the finished marble benchtop of Callery Creek House with Zoe and Andrew, the homeowners. It's a rare thing to hear a renovation unpacked from the client's side of the table, and they don't hold back. We cover how a "bit of a tizzy up" turned into a full two storey extension, why an 18 month design process was worth every minute, and what it actually feels like to live on your own building site while it's being built around you.
Zoe brought a long held commitment to sustainable design and passive house principles to the project. Andrew brought a refusal to let her compromise on them. Between the two of them, and an architect willing to design for performance, the brief was set well before a builder was ever engaged. That timing turns out to be one of the biggest lessons of the episode.
We also get into how they chose their builder, what almost sent them in a different direction, and the one thing that ultimately got Callery Building over the line. Spoiler: it wasn't the glossy finished photos.
What you'll learn:- Why careful design takes time, and why you should be worried if it doesn't- What early contractor involvement gives you, and what it costs you to skip it- The real pros and cons of living on site during a renovation, from both sides- How to interview builders and what homeowners are actually assessing- Why showing the hurdles publicly builds more trust than showing the highlights
Chapters:00:00 Introduction00:28 Meet Zoe and Andrew02:13 Buying the house and the original bungalow03:38 What sold them on the location05:12 From a tizzy up to a full renovation07:55 Where the sustainability passion came from09:57 Lessons from previous builds11:47 Living on site during the build16:18 A word on site safety16:43 Time, quality and cost18:36 Engaging an architect20:07 Why early contractor involvement matters21:04 Why good design takes time22:55 What they learned about each other26:01 Choosing a builder28:24 Why social media sealed the decision29:25 Advice for builders30:19 Wrap up
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

The code is moving. Slowly. But there's a lot you can do without waiting for it.
Part two with Jess from Climasure picks up where we left off, starting with the state of the NCC and what the next update means for builders. South Australia's energy efficiency pause, the drained and vented cavity change everyone's talking about, and why blower door testing already sits in the code as a verification option that almost nobody uses.
From there, Jess gets practical. If you want to build better but can't overhaul everything on your next job, where do you start? Her answer is a step by step: benchmark with a blower door test, then get serious about membranes and moisture management, then build the team around it. Because a builder pushing high performance without the right client, trades and designer is fighting uphill.
The back half goes into the two rabbit holes Jess is currently down. EMFs, including the moment a monitor reading dropped because the electricity was travelling through her body. And mould, which she calls a silent killer for good reason, with a story from a client whose respiratory problems cleared up only after a leaking shower wall came out.
What you'll learn:
- Where the NCC is heading, and why drained and vented cavities are a game changer for moisture management- Why air tightness sitting in the code as an option is still a win, and how the UK does it differently- The step by step for builders who want to improve without blowing the budget- Why energy efficiency upgrades have unintended consequences if you don't understand the whole system- What foil backed membranes can no longer be used for, and what to check on your spec- Why hidden mould is so serious, and what a mould inspection actually involves
Chapters:00:00 - Introduction00:21 - Where the NCC is at03:09 - Drained and vented cavities04:00 - Is the code heading in the right direction07:56 - The rabbit hole of building science09:28 - Where to start if you want to build better12:32 - Membranes and the one product Jess swears by14:41 - What's next: the EMF rabbit hole18:05 Mould, moisture and chronic illness21:03 - Studying building biology22:17 - Where to find Jess and the Building Sciology Podcast
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/📸Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

You can't control what you don't measure. And in most homes, no one's measuring anything.
Recorded on site straight after the final blower door test at the Callery Creek House project (4.1 air changes an hour, for the record), this episode brings back one of Build Insite's most popular guests, Jess from Climasure. Third time on the show, and she's brought a whole new rabbit hole with her.
Jess walks us through her path from doing energy efficiency star ratings for the building code, to realising that what gets designed, what gets assessed and what actually gets built can be three very different things. That realisation set off a domino chain: blower door testing, ventilation, Passive House, hygrothermal modelling, and now building biology. We also get into her own podcast, the international guests she's landed, and the internet's very strong opinions about insulating brick cavity walls
Then things get interesting. Jess has just started working in the EMF space, taking radio frequency, electric field and magnetic field readings on a certified Passive House site before the slab was even poured. Plus the everyday stuff most people never think about, like what happens to particulate matter when you fry an egg on a gas cooktop, and why the CO2 in your bedroom is probably sitting at more than double what it should be.
What you'll learn:• Why a blower door test is the cheapest, easiest way to measure how a building actually performs, and exactly what it exposes (window installs, downlights, skirting gaps, even your key lock)• When you can test mid build on a membrane system, and why anticon makes that a lot harder• What EMFs are, how they're measured, and why "you can't control what you don't measure" applies here too• The indoor air quality numbers worth knowing: CO2 targets, particulate spikes from cooking, and the monitors Jess uses at home and on the road• Practical advice for younger builders who want to build better but don't know where to start
Chapters00:00 - Introduction00:50 - What Jess has been up to at Climasure02:12 - From star ratings to building science04:30 - Starting a building science podcast10:01 - The brick cavity wall insulation debate11:56 - EMFs explained14:52 - Indoor air quality: what you can't see19:34 - Where builders should start with testing23:29 - What a blower door test actually is25:27 - The best and worst results Jess has tested
Host: Luke CalleryGuest: Jessica Kismet from Climasure
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

The real test of a building business isn't the boom times. It's how you communicate, hire and hold your ground when things get tight.
 
In Part 2 of this conversation on the Build Insite Podcast, Dean and Luke continue the chat with Brett Way from VW Building Projects. This time, the focus shifts from heritage craftsmanship to the engine room of running a strong building business through uncertain conditions.
 
Brett opens up about VW Building's Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) process, how they educate clients on the unknowns that come with heritage homes, and the challenges of navigating council delays in Victoria. He also gets candid about the current pressure on pricing, fuel costs and material escalations, and how transparent conversations with trades, clients and team are more important now than ever.
The discussion moves into team structure, apprentice development, building culture across two divisions, and Brett's personal approach to staying present at home while running a high-performing business. He also shares where he gets his best learning, his honest take on AI in construction, and what the future looks like for VW Building.
What You'll Learn:
- Why Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) protects both builder and client- How to have honest pricing conversations with clients and trades in tough markets- What real apprentice development looks like across multiple sites- How to set clear communication lines so problems get solved at the right level- Why networking and collaboration are now non-negotiable for solo operators
Chapters:00:00 - Intro00:18 - Educating Clients Through Heritage Content02:33 - Managing Client Expectations and Unknowns04:13 - Council Delays and Approval Challenges05:19 - Navigating Price Hikes and Tough Conversations10:02 - Inside the VW Building Team Structure11:43 - How They Train and Retain Apprentices13:19 - Team Events and Run Melbourne14:22 - Staying Healthy and Switching Off17:32 - Best Learning Resources and AI in Construction20:44 - Future Plans and Pipeline for VW Building24:51 - One Thing to Change in the Victorian Building Industry26:25 - Rapid Fire Questions29:30 - Where to Find Brett
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

A heritage facade with an architectural extension is one thing. Conserving Australia's oldest sandstone castle from 1849? That's an entirely different game.
In this episode of the Build Insite Podcast, Dean and Luke sit down with Brett Way, co-founder of VW Building Projects. Brett and his business partner Josh started out as childhood friends turned carpenters, working under the same mentor for nearly a decade before going out on their own. Today, VW Building operates two divisions across Melbourne and the Geelong/Bellarine Peninsula, with a sharp focus on true heritage conservation and high-complexity architectural builds.
Brett walks us through the story behind Corriell, the oldest building on the Bellarine, where his team is undertaking real restoration work on an 1849 sandstone property once owned by the founders of Drysdale and Newcomb. From six metres of underpinning beneath untouched stonework to hand-stencilled fretwork replicas, this is heritage building at its most demanding.
He also opens up about making the sea change to Barwon Heads, splitting roles with his business partner, building culture across two locations, and why VW Building hires the right people first and builds the role around them.
What You'll Learn:- Why heritage conservation demands a completely different skillset to standard renovation- How to split roles across two locations without losing momentum as a business- What it actually takes to underpin a 175-year-old sandstone wall- How to manage team culture and communication across two divisions- Why hiring for the person, not the position, pays off long term
Chapters:00:00 - Intro01:18 - Brett's Journey into Building03:07 - Finding the Heritage Niche04:05 - Splitting the Business Across Two Locations05:54 - Inside the Corriell Restoration08:12 - Underpinning 175-Year-Old Stonework11:31 - The Sea Change to Barwon Heads13:09 - Avoiding Burnout as a Business Owner14:42 - Advice for Builders Considering a Sea Change17:19 - Managing Culture Across Two Locations20:26 - Hiring the Right People
Hosts: Dean Backman & Luke Callery Guest: Brett Way co-founder and builder from VW Building Projects
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

Every builder has a different DNA. The way you trench plates, wrap a cavity, run your crews. It all changes the price, the program, and the product. So why are most builders still being handed a one-size-fits-all quote?
In Part 2, Dean and Luke continue the conversation with Tom Lawson from Vision 2 Estimating, going deeper into how V2E tailors every model to the way your business actually builds. From pre-model meetings and onboarding through to integrating directly with Buildxact and price book setup, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what makes their process tick.
Tom also opens up about where V2E is heading next, including some serious investment in AI tools, a new model viewer release, and plans for an AI chatbot built into the model itself. It wraps with rapid fire questions, plenty of laughs, and a reminder that the builders winning in 2026 are the ones treating estimating like the engine room of the business.
What You'll Learn:
- Why your "Builder's DNA" should drive every estimate, not generic plan notes- How pre-model meetings catch the costly stuff missing from drawings- The smart way to integrate estimating data into Buildxact and your price book- Why a "measuring stick" beats gut feel when reviewing subbie quotes- Where AI is heading in construction and how V2E is leading the charge
Chapters:00:00 – Introduction00:20 – What is "Builder's DNA" and why it matters02:38 – Onboarding and pre-model meetings04:25 – Inside the V2E team: building the right mix of skills08:05 – Integrating with Buildxact the smart way12:00 – Building your price book for instant pricing14:30 – Why empathy with builders is the V2E difference16:00 – Using data as a measuring stick against subbie quotes19:08 – When to bring V2E in and what you need22:30 – What's next: AI tools, model viewer, and chatbot integration24:33 – How Michael first reached out to Luke25:24 – Rapid fire questions26:35 – Final advice and where to find V2E
Hosts: Dean Backman & Luke CalleryGuests: Tom Lawson from Vision 2 Estimating (V2E)
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/📸Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

"A builder who doesn't estimate properly in 2026 is going under." Tom Lawson didn't sugarcoat it, and what follows is a masterclass in why the old way of pricing jobs is leaving builders exposed.
This week, Dean and Luke sit down with Tom Lawson from Vision 2 Estimating (V2E), fresh off the Build Insite Hub Launch and Live event at Circa and Bowens in Port Melbourne. Tom flew in from Adelaide to unpack how 3D construction modelling is reshaping the way builders price, plan, and deliver projects.
From his early days bouncing between structural engineering and architecture, to seven years detailing roof trusses at K&B Timber, Tom walks through the path that led him to co-founding V2E with Michael. What started as a "why can't we do this for the whole project?" idea has grown into a 17-modeller team helping builders nationwide resolve plans before they hit site.
If you've ever been buried under conflicting documents, frustrated by square metre rate guesswork, or burned by design issues that only surface mid-build, this one's going to hit home.
**What You'll Learn:**
- Why traditional estimating is setting builders up to redo work twice- How 3D modelling catches engineering and design clashes before site- The key differences between SA and VIC frame and truss design responsibilities- Why square metre rates don't reflect what your build actually costs- How visual estimating brings clients into the conversation and unlocks smarter decisions
**Chapters:**00:00 – Introduction00:27 – Welcome Tom Lawson to the studio01:15 – Tom's journey: From engineering to architecture to detailing04:00 – Inside K&B Timber and the world of frame and truss design05:23 – The idea that sparked Vision 2 Estimating07:11 – SA vs VIC: How frame design responsibilities differ10:00 – What is Vision 2 Estimating?11:04 – Why the traditional estimating process is broken13:36 – The problem with square metre rates15:07 – Managing 10+ sets of documents on every project16:18 – Catching design issues before site (real examples)19:55 – Helping clients visualise the final build21:55 – Educating clients through 3D visuals22:57 – Wrapping up Part 1
Hosts: Dean Backman & Luke CalleryGuests: Tom Lawson from Vision 2 Estimating (V2E)
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/📸Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

What if you could find out your dream home was a million dollars over budget before you spent a cent on design fees? That's exactly the problem Saxon Hall set out to solve.
In Part 2 of our conversation with Saxon Hall from Align Architecture, we dig into the part of the build process where most projects quietly start to fall apart: the gap between what a client thinks their project will cost, and what it actually costs to deliver.
Saxon walks us through his fixed-fee Sketch Design Service, a transparent early-stage process that pairs the architect and builder together from day one, presents two schematic options (one budget-focused, one brief-focused), and ends with a pre-build feasibility document that gives clients real numbers before they're locked into months of design fees.
We also get into the bigger picture: why builders and architects still struggle to trust each other, how the industry's old-school teaching shapes that dynamic, and what genuine early contractor involvement actually looks like on a real project.
Saxon also opens up about how Align is rethinking contract administration, getting creative with materials to fight rising costs, and why he believes more transparency in the early stages is the single biggest fix the industry needs right now.
What You'll Learn
How a fixed-fee sketch design process protects clients from spending tens of thousands before knowing if their project is even viable
Why presenting two designs (budget vs brief) is the fastest way to find out what a client actually values
How a pre-build feasibility document breaks down site costs, construction costs and consultant fees into one clear total project investment
Why early builder involvement saves more than money; it saves buildability headaches on site
A smarter alternative to traditional contract administration that cuts admin hours without losing oversight
Practical examples of using materials creatively to reduce waste and keep budgets in check
Chapters
00:00 - Recap and Welcome Back
00:17 - Managing Design Costs from the First Conversation
01:00 - Inside the Sketch Design Service
02:00 - Two Designs: Needs vs Wants vs Reality
03:22 - The Pre-Build Feasibility Document Explained
05:30 - Why Walking Away Early Is a Win, Not a Loss
06:42 - How Builders Can Plug Into the Process
08:00 - Why Clients Still Get Burned (The $1M Story)
11:21 - Trust, Ego and How Architects Are Taught
12:29 - The Real Value of Builder Input in Design
14:55 - Relationships as the Foundation of Every Project
16:07 - Reinventing Contract Administration
19:11 - Getting Creative with Materials and Budget
22:38 - Mentoring the Next Generation of Architects
24:28 - Rapid Fire
26:30 - Wrap Up and Where to Find Saxon
Hosts: Dean Backman & Luke Callery Guests: Saxon Hall from Align Architecture
📸 Saxon on Instagram: @saxonhallarchitecture 📸 Align Architecture on Instagram: @align.architecture.au
Listen, Watch & Follow
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/ 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

Architects get blamed for blowouts. Builders get blamed for misreading plans. But what if the old way of doing things is the actual problem?
In this episode, Dean and Luke sit down with Saxon Hall, Lead Architect at Align Architecture, who made the trek over from Tassie to share how his team is flipping the traditional architect-builder dynamic on its head. From growing up on construction sites in regional Tasmania to leading a six-person team across Hobart and Victoria, Saxon brings a unique perspective shaped by both high-end traditional architecture and hands-on building experience.
We dig into the rise of AI in the design industry, why architecture is more than just a floor plan, and how Align is pushing Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) as a smarter, more transparent way to build. Saxon also shares a behind-the-scenes look at what could be Tasmania's first architecturally designed Passive House Plus project, and why having the right people around the table changes everything.
If you've ever wondered why some projects run smoothly while others spiral into variation hell, this one's for you.
What You'll Learn:- Why Early Contractor Involvement beats traditional tendering for residential builds- How AI is reshaping the architectural workflow (and what it still can't replace)- The real value of transparency and open-book pricing between builder, architect, and client- Why the builder-architect-client triangle is the foundation of every successful project- How Align Architecture blends traditional rigour with a modern, collaborative approach
Chapters:00:00 – Introduction00:33 – Meet Saxon Hall from Align Architecture01:46 – Growing up on the tools in Tassie03:04 – Joining Align and shaping the vision05:46 – Inside the Align team08:58 – AI in architecture: hype vs reality11:46 – Why architecture isn't just a floor plan12:36 – Inside a Passive House Plus design meeting14:31 – Breaking the architect vs builder mentality15:46 – Early Contractor Involvement explained17:52 – Relationships before budgets18:57 – The hidden cost of tendering and variations21:48 – Wrap up Part 1
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite