The Build Insite Podcast

In this second instalment of the live panel recording, hosts Dean Backman and Luke Callery continue the conversation with Jesse Raeburn (FRP Group), Dale Cheeseman (The Melbourne Builder), and Matt Minichelli (Elevate Building). This time, the focus shifts to the long game: building the right team, navigating growth speed humps, and learning when to say yes (and when to set boundaries).
The panel opens up about what it really takes to find team members who align with your vision, not just your skill requirements. Dale shares his philosophy on looking for loyalty and longevity in hires, while Jesse reflects on the biggest lesson from his first two years in business: communication is everything. Matt gets honest about being mid-transition right now, pulling back from 60-90 hour weeks and trusting his team to step into bigger roles without losing the company's DNA.
Then come the audience questions, and that's where the gold drops. The builders share their proudest business moments, the strategic value of taking jobs at cost for the right opportunity, and the hard-earned wisdom around client boundaries. It wraps with a personal look at what success means to each of them in five years (spoiler: it has very little to do with revenue figures).
What You'll Learn- How to identify team members who'll grow with your business, not just work for it- Why having uncomfortable conversations early removes the weight off your shoulders- The compounding effect of strategically taking jobs at cost for the right opportunities- How to set client communication boundaries without losing the relationship- Why pulling back from the business can be the hardest (and most important) move you make- The mindset shift from chasing margin to chasing the right opportunities
Chapters00:00 - Welcome Back to Part 200:22 - How to Build a Team You Can Trust01:38 - Jesse's Biggest Lesson: The Power of Communication03:34 - Audience Q&A: Biggest Business Challenges05:32 - Sustaining Growth Without Burning Out06:30 - Matt's Mid-Transition: Pulling Back While Maintaining Quality08:55 - Keeping Your Company DNA Through Growth10:03 - What Are You Most Proud of in Your Business?12:39 - The Strategic Value of Jobs at Cost14:42 - The Block Reunion: Matt & Jesse's Backstory15:34 - Setting Client Communication Boundaries17:54 - What Does Success Look Like in 5 Years?19:22 - Wrap-Up & Networking
🎧 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 lights are on, the mics are live, and three builders are about to get real. Welcome to the Build Insite Live Podcast.
In this episode, hosts Dean Backman and Luke Callery bring the podcast to life with a panel of three respected Melbourne builders: Jesse Rayburn from FRP Group, Dale Cheeseman from The Melbourne Builder, and Matt Minichelli from Elevate Building. Recorded in front of a live audience, this conversation strips away the Instagram gloss and dives into the real challenges of running a building business in 2026.
With price increases hitting hard (PVC up 38%, bins up 10%), these builders share how they're navigating fixed-price contracts, managing team expectations, and having those uncomfortable conversations with clients that can't be avoided any longer. From Jesse's transparent approach to price variation discussions, to Dale's insights on maintaining consistency over 16 years, to Matt's focus on trade efficiency and waste reduction, this panel covers the practical realities of staying profitable when margins are under pressure.
But it's not all spreadsheets and site meetings. The conversation shifts to something equally important: the transition from tradesperson to business owner, the mental load that comes with running a company, and the non-negotiables when it comes to family time. These builders open up about working on four hours of sleep, choosing bedtime routines over weekend work, and learning to appreciate the good old days while you're still in them.
What You'll Learn- How to approach difficult price increase conversations with clients (and why they often go better than expected)- Practical strategies for maintaining profit margins when material costs spike unexpectedly- The importance of team communication and getting trades to understand business pressures- What it really takes to transition from the tools to the office (and why the mental load is heavier than the physical one)- How successful builders protect family time while still growing their businesses
Chapters00:00 - Introduction & Welcome to Build Insite Live00:39 - Meet the Panel: Jesse, Dale & Matt02:14 - What Makes a High-Performance Building Company?04:02 - Navigating Price Increases & Fixed-Price Contracts06:00 - The Art of Difficult Client Conversations08:05 - Bowlins Partnership Acknowledgment10:04 - From Tradesperson to Business Owner: The Transition14:55 - Family First: The Non-Negotiables18:29 - Wrap-Up & Part 2 Preview
🎧 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

Scaling a build company isn't just about hiring more people or chasing bigger jobs. Sometimes the real growth happens when you slow down, sharpen your systems, and trust your team to run with it.
In Part 2 of this live podcast, hosts Dean Backman and Luke Callery sit back down with Sam Hammond (Built by Hammond), Luke Davies (Davies Constructions / Future Builder / Align Architecture), and Adam Antony (VEO Building) for an open Q&A with the audience. The conversation digs into how each of them has scaled their businesses through culture, clarity, and the right use of AI, not by chasing more headcount.
From leading by example on site, to using one-page role docs that actually work, to honest talk about the tools that delivered and the ones that flopped, this episode is packed with practical lessons for builders at any stage. The guys also share straight up advice for young builders entering the industry and the mindset shifts that helped them get out of their own way.
🎯 Key Takeaways / What You'll Learn:
How to scale your business through efficiency instead of just adding more staffWhy culture and clear communication beat fancy software every timeHow AI tools can multiply what your existing team is capable ofThe power of one-page role descriptions and structured meeting cadenceReal talk on the software and tools worth your money (and the ones that aren't)Why authenticity and confidence matter more than you think when running a build business
Chapters:0:00 - Welcome to Part 20:55 - Why AI is a Multiplier, Not a Replacement0:12 - Leading by Example: Lessons From Japan0:22 - How to Scale Revenue Without Scaling Your Team0:23 - Adding Architects to Your Project Management System0:00 - Build a Daily Learning Habit With AI and YouTube0:46 - Top Advice for Young Builders Starting Out1:34 - Stop Doing It All: Hire Experts to Accelerate Growth1:14 - Use AI to Build Your Business Plan and Avoid Costly Mistakes1:24 - The Power of Business Coaching and Being Authentic1:48 - Hiring the Right People for the Right Role1:33 - The One-Page Role Description That Drives Clarity1:55 - Meeting Cadence: The Secret to Scaling Without Chaos1:34 - Rapid Fire: Tools That Work and Money Wasters to Avoid
Hosts: Dean Backman & Luke CalleryGuests:Sam Hammond - Built by HammondLuke Davies - Davies Constructions/Future Builder/Align ArchitectureAdam Antony - VEO Building
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 theory's one thing. Doing it live in front of a room full of builders? That's a whole new level. Welcome to our very first live-recorded Build Insite podcast episode.
For this special episode, Dean and Luke are joined by three powerhouse guests: Sam Hammond from Built by Hammond, Luke Davies from Davies Construction, Future Builder & Align Architecture, and Adam Antony from VEO Building. Together, they pull back the curtain on what's really driving modern building businesses forward — from pre-construction processes and team culture, to scaling without losing your mind, to the rapidly evolving world of AI in construction.
Whether you're a builder, designer, tradie, or industry professional, this conversation is packed with practical insights from three operators who are actively shaping the future of how Aussie builders run their businesses. Expect real talk about systems, software, leadership, and the mindset shifts that come with growth.
What You'll Learn• Why pre-construction is the make-or-break phase — and how the right software changes everything• How Sam built a high-performance team of 14 by leading with passion and matching workload to people• Where AI is heading next, and the simple steps you can take today to start using it in your business• Why "control freak" builders need to learn to let go in order to truly scale• How design + build offerings can unlock new opportunities (and the lessons learned along the way)
Chapters00:00 – Introduction & Welcome to Build Insite LIVE00:40 – Meet the Guests: Sam, Luke & Adam03:30 – The Evolution of Pre-Construction05:10 – Why Builders Need a Project Management System07:00 – How Systems Create Freedom (and Holidays!)09:35 – Building & Keeping a High-Performance Team12:00 – The Move into Design + Build13:35 – AI in Construction: Where It's Headed15:40 – Getting Started with AI as a Builder17:45 – Adam's Take: Plain Language AI & SOPs19:30 – Scaling Without Losing Quality21:20 – Letting Go of Control to Grow21:55 – Wrap Up & Part 2 Teaser
Hosts: Dean Backman & Luke CalleryGuests: Sam Hammond - Built by HammondLuke Davies - Davies constructions/Future builder/align architectureAdam Antony - VEO building
🎧 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 hardest part isn't the workout. It's putting it in your diary and actually showing up.
In Part 2 of our chat with Rusty Clark from Purpose Fitness Adelaide, we get into the practical side of building strength, energy, and resilience when you're already stretched thin running a business or grinding it out on the tools. Rusty breaks down why "I'm too busy" is the most overused excuse in the trades, and how three sessions a week can completely change the way you show up — at work, at home, and in your own head.
We also dig into the parallels between sport and business, how habits like the two-minute rule and the 3-3-3 method can make change stick, and why the way you train is often a mirror of how you operate everywhere else in your life. Whether you're a builder, a tradie, or a business owner, this episode is packed with insights you can use straight away.
What You'll Learn:• Why "I'm too busy" is costing tradies and business owners more than they realise• How to use the two-minute rule to actually start (and stick to) a fitness habit• The 3-3-3 method: three workouts, three meals, three minutes of prep• Why strength training beats more cardio for capable, resilient bodies• How sport mindset translates directly into running a better business• Practical nutrition, sleep, and scheduling tips for people working long hours
Chapters:00:00 – Introduction00:20 – Time-Blocking Training Like a Business Meeting01:50 – The "Too Busy" Excuse and How to Beat It02:43 – Where to Start: Diary, Strength, Sleep03:23 – Why Your Job Isn't Your Workout05:11 – Building Stronger, More Capable Humans06:11 – Dialling In Nutrition for Long Days On Site07:13 – Sleep, Recovery, and the Reverse Alarm08:53 – Protein, Meals, and the Cheat Code to Eating Right11:37 – Advice to a Younger Self Still on the Tools14:55 – Sport, Business, and the Scoreboard Mindset17:30 – Atomic Habits and Becoming the Person You Want to Be21:17 – Life Outside the Gym22:23 – What to Say to Someone Who Keeps Putting It Off23:46 – The Two-Minute Rule and Removing Friction26:01 – Is Snacking Okay?27:55 – Showing Up as the Best Version of Yourself
🎧 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

Your job site isn't your gym. And your grind isn't your self-care. So what happens when builders burn out and have nothing outside of work to fall back on?
In this episode, host Luke Callery sits down with Rusty Clark, founder of Purpose Fitness, internationally qualified snowboard coach, former personal trainer in London, and one of Adelaide's most passionate advocates for fitness as a tool for life, not just the gym.
Rusty's story is anything but conventional. From tearing his ACL twice, opening a gym he couldn't walk into, surviving COVID shutdowns, and spending nearly a decade training elite athletes and movie stars in London, he's built Purpose Fitness on one core belief: fitness should give you access to more of life, not just a better body.
This episode isn't just about reps and routines. It's about why busy tradies and business owners need a "third space," somewhere that's not work, not family, just for you. Luke shares his own journey from total gym newbie to training 5 to 6 days a week, and why that shift changed everything as a business owner.
What you'll learn:• Why "my job is my workout" is holding you back• How a dedicated third space, like a gym or community, protects your mental health• The parallels between running a fitness business and running a building business• Why building your team is the only way to step out of your business• The story behind 24 Hours for a Purpose, Purpose Fitness's powerful mental health fundraising event
00:00 – "That's why you still look the same"00:16 – Introducing Rusty Clark & Purpose Fitness01:30 – Why fitness on a Build Insite podcast?02:00 – Rusty's journey: footy, ACLs, Canada & London06:00 – Why he named it "Purpose"07:30 – Opening the gym, on crutches08:05 – COVID hits: closing the doors & going online10:00 – Online coaching lessons: communication & accountability13:00 – Business resilience: grit, systems & not quitting14:30 – AI, social media & building trust as an owner-operator16:40 – Building your team so the business can grow without you17:55 – Luke's personal journey: burnout to 5x a week19:30 – The "third space" and why tradies need it22:50 – 24 Hours for a Purpose: the mental health event25:00 – The workout stats behind the event28:00 – Why you can't escape mental health, and how the event reflects that
🎧 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

Running a building business can look polished from the outside. But behind the finished projects, awards, and social media highlights, the reality is pressure, isolation, constant problem-solving, and learning through mistakes.
In Part 2 of this conversation, Luke Callery sits down with Emile Ellens from SV Built to unpack what building business ownership really looks like. From the lonely early years of winging it, to improving systems, using better tech, and building stronger industry relationships, this episode gives builders an honest look at what it takes to stay profitable, keep improving, and build better over time.
The conversation also dives into the future of better building — from business coaching and builder networks through to high-performance construction, Passive House thinking, and why quality should never stop at minimum code.
What you’ll learn in this episode:• Why running a building business can feel isolating• How better systems help builders make faster decisions• Why tech and admin tools can save serious time• How builder communities can shortcut years of mistakes• Why high-performance building starts with better thinking• How quality control protects both the client and the builder
Chapters:00:00 – Introduction00:21 – The real pressure of running a building business03:24 – Marketing, coaching, and finding support07:24 – Inside the SV Built team and systems09:24 – Tech, software, and going paperless17:16 – High-performance building and the Passive House mindset22:00 – Quality control, inspections, and industry gaps26:13 – What’s next for SV Built
This episode is a strong reminder that better builders do not just improve what they build. They improve how they operate, how they think, and how they continue learning.
🎧 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

“I kind of just winged it.”That’s how a lot of builders start, but not many talk about what comes after.
In this episode, Luke Callery sits down with Emile Ellens from SV Built to break down the real journey behind building a business from scratch, without the traditional pathway. From early losses to learning on the fly, this is an honest look at what it actually takes to grow in the building industry.
Emile shares how he transitioned from a steel fabrication background into building, taking on developments, learning from trades, and eventually launching SV Built. The early years were not perfect. There were missed margins, no profits, and plenty of mistakes, but those lessons became the foundation of a high-quality, award-winning building business.
This episode is a reminder that growth in construction does not come from knowing everything upfront. It comes from doing, failing, learning, and adapting on every job.
What you’ll learn in this episode:• How starting without a traditional pathway can still lead to success in building• Why most builders lose money early and how to learn from it• The importance of relationships with trades and clients from day one• How mindset shifts help you move forward when problems hit on site• Why continuous learning is one of the biggest advantages in construction
Chapters:00:00 – Winging it in the early years00:24 – Introduction to Emile Ellens (SV Built)01:00 – Non-traditional pathway into building02:29 – Getting a builder’s license without a trade background05:36 – Lessons from failing the first license interview06:13 – The biggest challenge: learning everything07:02 – Problem-solving mindset on site08:04 – The early days of SV Built11:48 – First years in business: losses and lessons12:22 – Margins, scheduling, and trade relationships13:01 – Renovations vs new builds15:09 – Awards and standout projects16:26 – Design and construct approach explained18:22 – What sets SV Built apart20:07 – Building long-term client relationships
🎧 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 industry’s moving fast, but are builders actually being given the space to keep up?
In Part 2, Luke Callery sits down again with Will Frogley, CEO of Master Builders SA, to unpack what’s really happening across the construction landscape, from industry recognition and awards to labour shortages, rising costs, and regulatory pressure.
This conversation goes deeper into the realities builders are facing today, while also highlighting the opportunities shaping the future of construction in Australia.
From record-breaking growth to ongoing challenges around workforce and supply, Will shares practical insights that matter to builders on the ground.
What you’ll learn:How the Building Excellence Awards recognise top builders and projectsThe real state of the construction industry right nowWhy labour shortages are still a major issueHow NCC changes are impacting buildersWhere residential construction is heading
Chapters:00:00 – Introduction00:27 – Building Excellence Awards03:47 – State of the Industry07:44 – Trends in Construction09:04 – NCC Changes & Regulations15:44 – Future of Residential Building18:19 – Advice for Builders25:34 – Industry Challenges & Opportunities27:37 – Closing
🎧 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

Sometimes the biggest opportunities in construction are not on site. They are in the systems, support, and people behind the scenes.
In this episode, Luke Callery sits down with Will Frogley, CEO of Master Builders SA, to unpack what the organisation really does, and why more builders should be paying attention.
Will shares his unconventional journey from media and politics into leading one of the most influential industry bodies in Australia. From there, the conversation dives into the real value Master Builders brings to the industry, from apprenticeships and training to mental health support and business resources.
This is not just about memberships. It is about building better businesses, stronger teams, and a more sustainable industry.
What you’ll learn:How Master Builders supports you from apprentice to business ownerWhy programs like RISE are changing mental health support in constructionThe real value behind group training and apprenticeshipsHow industry bodies influence policy, standards, and your day-to-day workWhy builders who leverage support systems grow faster and operate better
Chapters:00:00, Introduction00:25, Meet Will Frogley, CEO, Master Builders SA01:05, From media and politics to construction leadership05:30, What a CEO of Master Builders actually does08:00, Apprenticeships and industry impact10:30, What Master Builders SA offers11:40, RISE program and mental health support13:00, Born to Build initiative explained16:30, Apprenticeship model and how it works19:20, Contracts, legal support, and member benefits21:15, Wrap up
Host: Luke Callery Guest: Will Frogley from Master Builders SA
🎧 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