Home Building Podcast

The Home Building Podcast is Perth's go-to resource for anyone designing, building, or renovating a home. Hosted by Behan Flaherty founder of Independent Building Advice and 25-year building industry insider each episode gives you the kind of honest, practical advice the building industry usually keeps to itself. From choosing the right builder to design decisions, contracts, hidden costs, and everything in between. Independent. No builder bias. Just eal advice from someone who's been on the inside. Building in Perth? Book a free call with our team at independendentbuildingadvice.com.au

Home Building Podcast is a education podcast hosted by Independent Building Advice, with 61 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Independent Building Advice hosts Home Building Podcast, a education show with 61 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Home Building Podcast

  Boring Numbers in Building (But Extremely Important to Know) | Home Building Podcast

  Sep 28, 202632 min

  Reading your plans and understanding your build 101 How many of these did you know? Comment them below We break down the "boring" details builders assume you already know - coursing heights, FFL, slab thickness, door and window codes - the stuff that quietly makes or breaks your build. Miss these and you can end up with a garage that won't fit your 4WD, a kitchen benchtop that costs thousands more than it should, or a home that floods every time it rains. What we cover: Brick coursing - why 86mm is the number to know, and how to read course heights on your elevations Reading a survey - how to check if your land slopes, and why it matters more than you think Finished floor level (FFL) - what it tells you about flooding risk and street presence Stone benchtops - the slab sizes that keep costs down, and the difference between 20, 40 and 60mm edges Provisional sums vs fixed price vs cost plus - and why one of these puts all the risk on you Room sizes - what actually makes a "good" bedroom, garage or hallway Slab thickness options and why the upstairs slab matters more than people think Door and window codes - what those little letters (A, FX, OBS) actually mean on your plan Bi-fold and stacker doors - the one detail almost everyone gets wrong Chapters: 00:51 - Brick coursing and the 86mm number 01:43 - Finished floor level (FFL) and reading a survey 04:36 - Why you should order a survey early 05:32 - Stone benchtop slab sizes 06:49 - Stone thickness options 07:44 - Ideal bench-to-island distance 08:21 - Naked flame vs induction cooktops 08:59 - Why 1:100 plans make sizing easier 11:09 - It's normal to struggle reading a plan 12:01 - Provisional sums explained 12:24 - Fixed price vs cost plus 16:05 - Hallway widths 16:57 - Double bedroom sizes 19:10 - Slab thickness options 21:37 - Garage heights and courses 22:37 - Garage sizes 23:09 - Step-downs for outdoor areas 24:23 - Door widths 26:35 - Front door sizing 27:26 - Window codes (A, FX, OBS, S) 28:54 - How to read window height numbers 30:17 - Gas lift and bi-fold doors 31:39 - Stacker doors and which one opens first 32:11 - Lighting plan legends Found the episode useful? Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you. Need design & building advice? Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/ Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #2

  Stone Benchtops Explained: How Stone Ambassador Survived the Ban – Brad D’Lima

  Sep 21, 202659 minS60

  Brad D'Lima, WA State Manager at Stone Ambassador, joins the podcast to unpack everything homeowners need to know about stone benchtops. From the engineered stone ban and how Stone Ambassador got ahead of it, to the real differences between Zenith, Vasari and Kaya surfaces, this episode covers pricing, slab sizing, maintenance and the mistakes that quietly add thousands to your build. What you’ll learn: What caused the engineered stone ban and how Stone Ambassador developed a compliant product ahead of it The real differences between Zenith (engineered stone alternative), Vasari (porcelain) and Kaya (hybrid) surfaces Why standard 3.2m x 1.6m slab sizing affects your benchtop cost, and how an oversized island can cost you an extra slab How chips, cracks and stains are repaired, and the everyday cleaning routine that keeps stone looking new Why gas cooktops need extra clearance for a stone splashback, and when to consider electric or induction instead Why viewing a full slab in the gallery matters more than judging a small sample How builder standard ranges vs upgrade selections affect your final stone cost Chapters: 00:23 - Introducing Brad D'Lima and Stone Ambassador 01:03 - Brad's background in architectural drafting and buildin 04:08 - What the engineered stone ban is and why it happened 06:07 - How Stone Ambassador developed Zenith ahead of the ban 08:29 - Zenith, Vasari and Kaya surfaces explained 11:25 - Pricing differences between engineered stone and porcelain 14:35 - Edge details, thickness and design options 16:28 - Why viewing a full slab beats a small sample 23:15 - Chips, cracks and repairs 28:51 - Cleaning and maintenance across stone types 36:00 - Slab sizing and avoiding an unnecessary join 41:05 - Dos and don'ts when choosing your stone 46:10 - Gas cooktops and splashback clearance rules 53:00 - How Stone Ambassador became WA's market leader About Our Guest: Brad D’Lima & Stone Ambassador Brad D'Lima is the Western Australian State Manager at Stone Ambassador, bringing over 20 years of building industry experience spanning architectural drafting, new home sales and custom home design. He's spent the last three and a half years at Stone Ambassador as it grew from challenger brand to national market leader. FREE Homeowner Decision Checklist Not sure where to start? Download our free checklist to help you plan your build, renovation or extension before you speak to anyone. DOWNLOAD HERE: info.independentbuildingadvice.com.au/decision-checklist-page?utm-homebuildingpodcast Found the episode useful? Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you. Need design & building advice? Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/ Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #59

  The Uncle Effect: Why the Building Advice You're Getting Might Be Wrong

  Sep 14, 202616 minS2

  Behan breaks down why so many people make bad building decisions after asking the wrong people for advice. From well meaning family members to anonymous forums and salespeople with a vested interest, he explains exactly who to trust, who to ignore, and how to protect your build from other people's opinions. What you'll learn: - Why advice from family and friends can quietly derail your build - The "Uncle effect" and why one opinion can undo months of good design work - Why you should pick one trusted advisor instead of asking everybody - The hidden risk of posting your plans on building forums and social media - How to spot fake reviews and competitors posing as buyers online - Why a salesperson's advice is rarely neutral, and a real example of inflated pricing - How to ask for advice in sections instead of on your whole home at once - Why AI answers about building should always be double checked Chapters: 00:00 - Why bad advice derails builds at every stage 01:08 - Family advice and why well meaning isn't the same as well informed 02:39 - Don't share your plans with everybody 03:44 - Choose one trusted advisor and stick with them 04:17 - The Uncle effect: how one opinion creates fear and confusion 05:51 - The danger of asking for advice in online forums 07:04 - Fake reviews and competitors posing as unhappy buyers 09:12 - Why salespeople are rarely neutral (the Ford vs Toyota example) 11:13 - Real example: a $300,000 markup from a builder with a vested interest 12:30 - Ask for advice in sections, not on the whole home 13:21 - Being careful with AI advice 13:41 - Final takeaway: get advice from experts, not everybody FREE Homeowner Decision Checklist Not sure where to start? Download our free checklist to help you plan your build, renovation or extension before you speak to anyone. info.independentbuildingadvice.com.au/decision-checklist-page?utm-homebuildingpodcast Found the episode useful? Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you. About Independent Building Advice Building a home shouldn't mean stress, costly mistakes, and constant overwhelm but for most people, it does, so that’s why we exists. We help homeowners navigate every step of the home building journey, from first concept to move-in day. We know what things actually cost, we work across 21 vetted builders so you can compare properly, and we're in your corner the whole way through... not the builder's. Think of us as your building advantage. Building or renovating a home soon? Find out more about what we do: www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/ Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #58

  Homelessness in Perth: What It Really Looks Like | Home Building Podcast

  Sep 6, 202639 minS2

  BONUS CHARITY EPISODE: ST BARTS Homelessness in Perth is more common - and far more hidden - than most people realise. Vanessa Baxter from St Bart's joins the podcast to explain what homelessness actually looks like, how Perth's services work together to help people off the street and into stable housing, and why she believes most of us are only 2-3 steps away from finding ourselves in the same situation. What you'll learn: - What homelessness in Perth actually looks like beyond people sleeping rough - Why hidden homelessness among women is a growing and often overlooked issue - How Perth's "no wrong door" network connects people to the right support - What a transitional housing pathway looks like, from a shared room to your own apartment - Why bricks and mortar alone doesn't solve homelessness - The health toll of homelessness, including a dramatically shorter life expectancy - What St Bart's is building next in East Perth - How to help through donating or volunteering Chapters: 00:23 - Homelessness in Perth 00:57 - What St Bart's does 01:17 - Redefining what homelessness actually looks like 01:42 - Hidden homelessness among women 02:08 - Perth's 22,000-person social housing waitlist 02:45 - The "no wrong door" referral network 04:20 - Inside transitional housing 04:59 - Case study: four months living at Perth Airport 07:23 - Relearning trust and social norms 14:04 - Why housing alone doesn't solve homelessness 20:43 - Building two new sites: aged care and social housing 27:01 - Why we're all "2-3 steps away" from homelessness 28:04 - The impact on life expectancy 37:45 - $10K Questions About Our Guest: Vanessa Baxter leads housing and support services at St Bart's, a Perth housing and homelessness charity operating for almost 65 years. Her background spans hospitality, social enterprise and not-for-profit leadership, including running wraparound support services at Auckland City Mission in New Zealand before returning home to Perth. Visit St Barts website: http://stbarts.org.au/ Get in touch with St Barts: enquiries@stbarts.org.au Follow on socials: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Found the episode useful? Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you. Need design & building advice? Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/ Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Home Building Podcast

  Kitchen Layout Do’s and Don’ts | Home Building Podcast

  Aug 31, 202632 min

  The kitchen is the heart of the home and one of the most expensive things to get wrong. In this episode Behan breaks down his do's and don'ts for kitchen location, layout, sculleries, storage and lighting. Practical, opinionated and straight from 25 years of designing Perth homes. DOWNLOAD IBA’S KITCHEN CHECKLIST https://info.independentbuildingadvice.com.au/kitchen-design-checklist-page What you’ll learn: Where to position your kitchen in the home The kitchen triangle Why 1200mm between benches is the minimum Scullery do's and don'ts Breakfast bar seating Kitchen lighting Powerpoint placement Chapters: 00:04 - Kitchen location in the home 01:22 - Garage access and shopping bag rule 01:50 - Kitchen position for families with kids 02:06 - Kitchen off the alfresco - indoor outdoor flow 02:46 - Natural light and dark colour kitchens 03:00 - Kitchen layout - the triangle explained 05:00 - Sink placement - island vs back bench 08:00 - Bench spacing - the 1200mm rule 12:00 - Scullery design - do's and don'ts 18:00 - Sink in the scullery vs main kitchen 22:00 - Storage - overhead cupboards, drawers and pantry 28:00 - Breakfast bar seating and push-to-open cupboard problem 30:38 - Kitchen lighting - bench lights and skylights 31:54 - Dimmers, separate switches and mood lighting 32:40 - Scullery sensor lights and PowerPoint placement What should we cover next time? Tell us what you think must go into the kitchen to upgrade it to the next level. And make sure you follow us on whatever platform you’re on, so you don’t miss out on part 2. Need design & building advice? Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/ Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Home Building Podcast. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.