Mindful Builder

The Australian building industry is shifting fast, and in this episode, we discuss what that really looks like on the ground. From economic pressure and labour shortages to changing technology and AI-driven disruption, this is an honest conversation about the reality of running a building business in a market that feels increasingly uncertain. If you are a builder in Australia, a construction business owner, or part of the wider residential construction industry, this episode will likely hit close to home.
A big focus in this discussion is pre-construction and the hidden work that happens long before a project starts on site. We talk about planning, pricing, quoting, revisions, and the challenge of helping clients understand the real value of that early-stage work. In an industry where construction margins, project costs, and builder pricing are under pressure, these conversations matter. Better outcomes in the Australian construction industry start with clearer expectations and a more honest understanding of what good building actually takes.
We also get into the mental and emotional side of staying in the game. When projects fall over, confidence drops, and the market feels shaky, builders need more than technical skill to keep moving forward. This episode explores builder resilience, construction industry challenges, and the importance of protecting your health, your mindset, and your business through difficult seasons. It is a grounded conversation for anyone navigating the pressure of running a building company in Australia right now.
We also talk about why industry events and communities still matter, including the Passive Haus Conference, the Sustainable Builders Alliance, and the value of learning from other builders, designers, and architects who want to lift the standard.
👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇
00:00 Introduction | The Mindful Builder Podcast
01:34 Building Industry Events and Podcast Updates
02:12 Builder Reality Check in the Australian Construction Industry
03:26 Pre-Construction Costs, Delays and Client Expectations
05:09 What Is Changing in the Building Industry?
07:37 Builder Margins, Profit and Construction Business Pressure
09:48 Construction Insurance, Retention and Builder Risk
11:30 Sustainable House Day for Builders and Homeowners
15:00 Passive House Conference Australia 2026
20:29 Sustainable Builders Alliance Webinars and Industry Education
24:02 SBA Growth, Industry Partnerships and Builder Support
25:30 Why Builders, Designers and Architects Should Join SBA
26:49 Designer Education, CPD and Demand for Better Building Knowledge
28:09 Beer and BS Webinar for Builders and Construction Professionals
31:11 Construction Sponsorship, Industry Support and Transparency
33:09 Building Industry Newsletter and Education Mission
34:23 Adelaide Building Event and Passive House Learning Opportunities
37:06 Why Builders Need Ongoing Education and Training
37:33 Pro Clima Resources, Building Science and Industry Support
38:41 Wrap Up | What’s Next for Builders and Sustainable Construction

LINKS:
Connect with Sustainable Builders Alliance:
https://www.thesba.com.au/
Passive Haus Conference
https://www.passivhausassociation.com.au/thrive-2025-passivhaus-conference-2-1
Pro Clima Upcoming Events:
https://proclima.com.au/schedule/
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

Episode Title: The NCC Maze, Red Tape Blues, and a Win for Passive House

Date: 9 April 2026
Hosts: Matt & Hamish
In this second instalment of The Weekly Gossip, Matt and Hamish navigate the "grey areas" of the 2025 National Construction Code (NCC) updates and the mounting administrative burden currently squeezing the life out of small building businesses. We also look at some progressive moves in South Australia and shout out a Kiwi builder doing the absolute "impossible" on the side of a cliff.

Inside This Episode:
The NCC "National" Discrepancy: Why are some states adopting the 2025 updates on 1 May while NSW and the ACT push it back to 2027? We discuss the confusion of a "National" code that isn't actually national.
Mandatory Education: The hosts argue that government bodies, not just industry associations like the HIA or SBA, should be responsible for educating practitioners on code changes through mandatory sessions.
Lead-Free Plumbing: Victoria is moving to lead-free plumbing standards by May 2026 to align with global safety standards—no grace period expected.
The "Bullshit Jobs" of Construction: A deep dive into the HIA Small Business Conditions report, revealing that builders are spending a minimum of 10 hours a week just on "red tape" and administrative hurdles.
Industry Stress & Retention: With 88% of small builders reporting increased personal stress and 68% considering closing their doors, we discuss the urgent need for a more supportive regulatory environment.
Passive House as a Pathway: A massive win for South Australia, as they begin allowing Passive House standards as a performance-assessed pathway to meet thermal performance requirements.
The Weekly Shout-Out: We head across the ditch to New Zealand to look at Josh from Compound and his mind-blowing project, "The Hill," in Queenstown.

Important Dates & Events:
HIA National Conference (Gold Coast): 17–18 April 2026.
The Mindful Builder SA Road Trip: 20–21 April 2026. Join Matt and Hamish for a Q&A at Jackson’s display home (Enduro Builders).
SBA Retrofit Event: 7 May 2026. Featuring Sarah Lebner, Dylan Orwin, and Helen Oakley.
Passive House Association Conference (Thrive): 25–26 June 2026. Use promo code THEMINDFULBUILDER.

Construction technology is changing fast, and in this episode, we sit down with Vas from C.R. Kennedy to talk about the tools already reshaping the construction industry. From geospatial technology and 3D site scanning to total stations and robotic set-out systems, this conversation looks at how builders can improve accuracy, efficiency, and communication on site. If you are interested in construction innovation, building technology, and the future of smarter job sites, this episode is packed with practical insight.
We explore how onsite construction technology is helping teams reduce mistakes, improve workflows, and give clients a clearer view of project progress. Vas shares how tools like 3D cameras, laser measuring systems, and digital site capture are making it easier to document existing conditions, track changes, and create more transparent building processes. For builders, architects, and contractors, this is where construction tech stops being a novelty and starts becoming a real competitive advantage.
The episode also dives into the role of robotics in construction and emerging tools designed to support safety and productivity. We talk about robot dogs, automated inspections, and even exoskeleton technology that can help reduce physical strain on trades. It is a grounded look at how construction safety technology and automation in construction can support workers, not replace them, while helping the industry deal with labour pressure, precision demands, and rising expectations.
If you want to stay ahead of where the Australian construction industry is heading, this conversation is well worth your time. We cover survey technology, construction site innovation, digital construction tools, and the growing role of smart building technology in everyday projects.

👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇
00:00 Intro | Construction Technology in Australia
01:36 New Dad Life and Working in Construction Tech
02:39 Postnatal Mental Health and Life on Site
05:30 Meet Vas from C.R. Kennedy
07:21 How Construction Technology Is Evolving
07:58 3D Site Scanning in Construction
13:05 Prefab Construction Needs Precision
20:27 Construction Tech Costs, ROI and Team Training
26:58 Future Technology in the Construction Industry
27:31 Virtual Reality in Construction: Hype or Helpful?
28:09 How Exoskeletons Could Support Trades On Site
30:24 Robot Dogs in Construction Explained
31:48 The Reality of Robotics in Construction
34:02 AR Glasses and Digital Measuring on Site
36:16 Will Robots Replace Trades in Construction
38:34 Drones in Construction and Site Monitoring
40:28 Construction Cameras and Site Security Technology
45:43 Laser Layout Tools and Construction Workflow
48:54 Mindful Moment | Adapting to New Building Technology
50:30 How to Connect with Vas and C.R. Kennedy

LINKS:
Connect with Vas:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vassili-achkar-b2013412b/
C.R.Kennedy:
https://www.crkennedy.com.au/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/crkennedybuild/

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

This episode covers the latest updates in the Australian building industry, including new legislation, code transitions, and innovative materials. Hosts Matt and Hamish analyse recent news, government policies, and emerging technologies impacting builders and homeowners.
Matt and Hamish from The Mindful Builder are launching a new, "short and sharp" weekly news segment. Capped at 10 minutes, the offshoot aims to provide a non-biased rundown of Australian building industry news, focusing on facts and positive stories while navigating a shifting legislative landscape.
In their first wrap-up, they tackle the Victorian Government’s "Dodgy Builder" bill, which empowers the Building Plumbing Commission to halt defective work early and targets "phoenixing"—where builders fold companies to dodge warranty claims. While they welcome the move, they note it may inadvertently hike consumer costs through increased insurance premiums.
The duo also discussed the NCC 2025 transition. While some states have delayed adoption, Victoria is moving ahead on 1 May 2026 with no transition period, introducing crucial lead-free plumbing requirements and mandatory condensation management. Hamish argued that any "pause" in standards must include mandatory as-built verification to ensure seven-star ratings are actually met.
Other highlights include:
Levy Relief: Victoria is winding down the combustible cladding levy, saving developers significant costs on large projects.
EPA Crackdown: The EPA now considers poor moisture management during builds as "environmental pollution," holding builders liable for future mould growth.
Fungi Tech: A "quirky" look at Swinburne University researchers using mycelium to grow fire-resistant, breathable structural blocks.

The segment wraps up with a cheeky acknowledgement of their "work-it-out-as-we-go" style, promising more prepared insights in the coming weeks.

“Sustainable design is not just lower energy bills. It is health, comfort, moisture safety, and long-term performance.”
We sat down with Marcus Strang, Technical Lead in Passivhaus at HIP V. HYPE, to explore what sustainable building design really means in practice. With a PhD from the University of Queensland and deep expertise in building science, Marcus shares how Passive House design is helping shape healthier, more energy efficient buildings in Australia.
We unpack how Passivhaus principles go far beyond energy efficiency. This conversation covers thermal comfort, indoor air quality, moisture safety, and why high-performance homes need to respond to Australia’s diverse climate zones. Marcus explains how sustainable architecture is not about applying one formula everywhere, but about designing buildings that perform properly in their specific environment.
A major focus of the episode is hygrothermal modelling and moisture movement in engineered timber buildings, including CLT construction. Marcus shares why condensation risk, mould prevention, and long-term durability are critical parts of sustainable construction, especially in hot and humid climates. If you care about building performance, timber construction, and low-energy design, this part of the conversation is especially valuable.
We also talk about the bigger picture for the construction industry. How technical expertise, early design decisions, and better collaboration can help drive net zero carbon outcomes and more resilient buildings. If you are interested in Passive House Australia, sustainable design, building science, energy-efficient homes, and the future of high-performance construction, this episode is packed with practical insight.
👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇
00:00 Intro
01:58 Favourite Passive House Build
03:19 Meet Marcus Strang
04:05 What Is High Performance
07:44 Passive House In Humid Environments
12:41 ERVs And Dehumidification
14:08 Why Schools Need It
20:30 Commercial Modelling And Roles
22:52 Conflicts And Certification
23:37 Avoiding Certification Failures
25:29 Common Airtightness Mistakes
27:07 Moisture Risk in Cavities
27:29 Ventilated Brick Drainage
28:22 Photo Checklist Workflow
29:52 First Home Retrofit Plan
33:12 Low Cost Efficiency Upgrades
34:40 Step by Step Passive Retrofit
35:01 Windows and Air Quality
37:41 External Insulation Debate
42:06 Airtightness Without Intello
46:20 Apprentice Mindful Moment
48:44 Embodied Energy Tooling
50:57 EasyPH Controversy
52:14 Wrap Up and Thanks
LINKS:
Connect with Marcus:
https://hipvhype.com/our-approach/our-people?t=marcus-strang
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