Reno Specialist: Charming Architects, Partnership Realities and Building Lean | Chris Sweeney #53
Send us a textThis week, we chat with Chris Sweeney, co-owner of C&C Renovations and a seasoned Licensed Building Practitioner. Chris brings 12 years of global building experience, from the London Olympics to Amsterdam's historic canal houses, now delivering exceptional renovations in Auckland.In this episode, Chris shares key lessons on documenting everything, avoiding naivety, and the power of strong partnerships. He reflects on the need for continuous improvement, the fast-paced nature of renovations, and the benefits of running a lean operation with a strong team culture.We also discuss the value of clear systems, achieving tangible results, and maintaining a pragmatic, ego-free approach to tackling any renovation challenge. Social Links Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders attract higher quality projects. Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betterbradvisser Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency Gro’s Offer https://builder.groagency.co/vsl DisclaimerThis podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any inform...
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Construction Veteran: Steps to building the right foundations for success | Ed Cooney #52
Send us a textWe welcome back Ed Cooney, the founder and director of Iron House, for another insightful conversation. With over three decades of experience in the construction industry, Ed has worked on significant projects worldwide, most recently in Vanuatu through Luxor Homes.In this episode, we delve into the critical importance of thoroughly understanding your business's back-end operations, the necessity of meticulous detail when managing contract variations to avoid potential pitfalls and the unexpected challenges that can arise from being overly accommodating in the construction industry. Social Links Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders attract higher quality projects. Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betterbradvisser Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency Gro’s Offer https://builder.groagency.co/vsl DisclaimerThis podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any inform...
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Builder to Joiner: Changing Careers, Brand Building & Secrets to Hiring | Adam Beswick #51
Send us a textAdam Beswick co-founded Next Level Joinery in 2017 with a vision to create a modern timber joinery workshop committed to delivering exceptional, sustainable timber products on time with outstanding service. Next Level Joinery prides itself on its dedicated team, modern precision machinery, and a customer-centric approach, aiming to exceed expectations and foster long-term relationships built on trust and transparency. We sat down with Adam to discuss the crucial role of effective marketing in their growth, the importance of implementing robust systems to ensure efficiency, and how this allows them to 'buy back time' and focus on strategic initiatives. We also explore the value of building a strong and collaborative team, their commitment to adding significant value to both builders and clients and the often-overlooked reality that 'it's not free money' when it comes to running a successful business. Social Links Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders attract higher quality projects. Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betterbradvisser Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency Gro’s Offer https://builder.groagency.co/vsl DisclaimerThis podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any inform...
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Coastal Town Builder: Winning Mentality, Hiring Slow & Life Outside of Building | Matt Saathof #50
Send us a textMatt Saathof leads Totara Construction, a family-owned Tauranga-based company inspired by the enduring strength and integrity of the Totara tree. Since 2016, Totara Construction has been dedicated to providing a personable and lasting approach to building, emphasizing excellent design without excessive expense. They are known for their commitment to working closely with clients and architects to create beautiful and functional homes.In this episode, we sat down with Matt to discuss his journey building Totara Construction, the importance of teamwork, the lessons learned from growing up in a rural environment, and the strategies for building momentum in a competitive industry. We also delve into his experiences working overseas, the challenges and rewards of slow growth, the critical aspects of team building, and his philosophy on hiring and managing talent – 'hire slow, fire fast.' Matt also shares his insights on cultivating a positive work culture and the importance of balancing professional success with making time for family. Social Links Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders attract higher quality projects. Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betterbradvisser Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency Gro’s Offer https://builder.groagency.co/vsl DisclaimerThis podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any inform...
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Building Apprentice: War Stories, Dating Apps & Making it as a Builder | Caitlin Wilson BBA #06
Send us a textWelcome back to Better Builder Apprentice! In our sixth monthly bonus episode, we're joined by Caitlin, a powerhouse fourth-year apprentice who's practically breathing down the neck of qualification – just 99% to go! We're diving deep into the realities of apprenticeship, exploring the exciting career avenues that open up after qualifying, and pinpointing the common pitfalls that apprentices should absolutely avoid.Caitlin generously shares her insights on how companies and employers can truly champion their apprentices, fostering a supportive and productive learning environment. But it's not all hard hats and hammers! We're also getting real about the 'war stories' that come with life on the construction sites. Social Links Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders attract higher quality projects. Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betterbradvisser Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency Gro’s Offer https://builder.groagency.co/vsl DisclaimerThis podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any inform...
Real Conversations with Successful Builders.Brad sits down with experienced building business owners from around Australia and New Zealand to discuss their journey into construction, mistakes they've made along the way and how they achieved holistic success.