The Build Insite Podcast

Proximity matters. Who you spend time with, learn from, and build alongside can shape the direction of your business and your life.

In this episode of the Build Insite Podcast, we sit down with Luke Davies from Tasmania to unpack the idea that community isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a growth accelerator. From weekly catch-ups to industry events, Luke explains why surrounding yourself with the right people can move you forward faster than any tool or system.

Luke shares his journey from growing up on dairy farms in Tassie to becoming a builder, architect, author, and co-founder of Future Builder. We explore how early work ethic shaped his mindset, why Tasmania produces highly skilled builders, and how systemising your business can be the difference between burnout and balance.

This conversation also dives into high-performance building, healthy homes, integrated design, and why better systems lead to better outcomes. That includes benefits for clients, teams, and builders themselves.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
• Why proximity and community can accelerate your growth as a builder
• How Luke’s early life shaped his work ethic and leadership style
• The importance of systemising your business to regain time and clarity
• Why design integration is critical to reducing waste and variations
• How healthy businesses lead to healthier homes and lifestyles

Chapters:
00:00 – Proximity is power and the value of community
01:55 – Growing up on dairy farms and building work ethic
04:40 – The decision to start a building business
06:47 – Why Tasmania produces highly skilled builders
07:31 – Community, collaboration, and sharing knowledge
09:17 – Systemisation as the turning point
12:50 – The missing link between design and construction
14:07 – Why great building can’t fix poor design
20:18 – Healthy homes and the builder’s responsibility
23:38 – The origin story of Future Builder

🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
🌐 Explore more at: buildinsite.com.au
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite

Before we roll into 2026, we are pressing pause to revisit the moments that defined 2025 on the Build Insite Podcast. The quotes, stories, and hard truths stuck with us long after the mics were switched off. These short reflections capture the ideas, lessons, and conversations that challenged thinking and sparked better discussions across the industry.

A big thank you to everyone who was part of the Build Insite journey in 2025, our guests, listeners, and partners who continue to support better conversations across the industry. Your insights, challenges, and shared experiences are what make this platform what it is. Here’s to new conversations, stronger partnerships, and building better together in 2026.

🎧 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 last episode of 2025 is here, and it’s a proper sit-down recap with Luke and Dean. Christmas chaos, big personal wins, tough industry realities, and the lessons you only get after a massive year on the tools (and behind the scenes).

In this episode, the boys reflect on the year that was — from awards and business growth to the moments where cashflow, workload, and life pressure make you question whether you can keep going. It’s honest, relatable, and a reminder that you’re not the only one feeling the weight of 2025.

They also dive into the value of routine and mental health outlets, Luke’s fitness mission (and a huge charity challenge), and why community matters more than ever — especially when times are tough for families, trades, and small businesses across Australia.

What you’ll learn
• How to push through the “crossroad” moments when cashflow and workflow feel cooked
• Why the right people (and the right habits) can change everything
• How fitness and structure can become your best mental health tool
• What Build Insite learned in 2025 — and what’s coming next in 2026
• Why builders aren’t alone right now (and how to keep moving forward anyway)

Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to the final episode of 2025
00:40 – Christmas chaos + life updates
01:34 – Luke’s Young Australian Builder of the Year win
02:21 – The “crossroad” years: cashflow, lost jobs, doubt
04:25 – Reality check: tough times across the industry
06:07 – Luke’s health mission + building confidence back
08:38 – Bowens partnership + new premier sponsor
09:13 – Why the gym is really about mental health
10:29 – 24 Hours for a Purpose: charity workout for R U OK?
12:41 – Community wins, volunteering, and why it matters
17:35 – Build Insite wins: sponsors, events, and growth
23:21 – New products, innovation, and building better
23:23 – Big team win: bringing Mick (YDY Productions) on board
24:45 – Media giveaway reminder (Victoria builders)
26:44 – Biggest wins of the year + setting up for 2026

🎧 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 does it really take to grow an award-winning steel business while raising a young family and keeping your team motivated on site? In part two of our chat with Matt from Built Structural, we dig into the unglamorous decisions, hiring calls, and mindset shifts behind the highlights reel.

If you missed part one, jump back to last week’s episode first – then come back here as we unpack mentors, mistakes, team culture and what truly separates Built Structural in a crowded market.

Matt shares how he’s used mentors and advisors to make better decisions, why timing your hires is so crucial (and so hard), and how they’ve built a culture where people feel appreciated, supported and aligned to the bigger picture. We also talk through awards, recognition and why the application process itself can be a powerful way to reflect on how far you’ve come.

On the home front, Matt opens up about juggling business growth with renovating, building, and raising two young daughters – and why looking after your health (and having the right support at home) is key if you want to stay in the game long term.

What you’ll learn in this episode
• How to use mentors and advisors without becoming dependent on them
• Why networking and surrounding yourself with the right people really matters
• The hidden cost of hiring too late – and how strategic roles can change everything
• Practical ways to build culture, loyalty and buy-in across multiple departments
• How awards and recognition can help you reflect, reset and keep perspective
• What separates Built Structural from other steel contractors in the market

Chapters
00:00 – Welcome back & intro to Part 2
00:38 – Networking, mentors & asking better questions
03:17 – Forklifts, steel beams & “what were we thinking?” moments
04:16 – Software mistakes, Tekla, and paying for the right tools
06:07 – Hiring timing, strategic roles & bringing on a VA
09:01 – Keeping five departments aligned & building team culture
10:55 – Coffee runs, caring about people & real leadership on site
11:51 – Awards, recognition & Daily Top 40 Under 40 finalist
14:48 – Trade Excellence & Residential Trade Structures awards
15:56 – Why award applications help you reflect on your growth
18:05 – Juggling business, renovations, babies & family life
20:16 – Shout out to Nat & the power of support at home
20:55 – What separates Built Structural from other steel contractors
22:38 – Caring about quality and saying “no” when something isn’t right
23:56 – Most challenging builds & problem-solving under pressure
25:19 – Shout out to Jacko & the value of great people
26:09 – Mentors who’ve shaped Matt’s thinking
27:46 – Tools you can’t live without (beyond software)
28:22 – Drink of choice & Friday arvo vibes
28:40 – Wrap up & where to find Built Structural

Hosts: Dean Backman & Luke Callery
Guest: Matt Warner from Built Structural

🎧 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 happens when a chippy with 19 years on the tools decides he can lift the game in structural steel? That’s the story behind Built Structural.

In this episode of the Build Insite Podcast, Luke and Dean sit down in Adelaide with Matt Warner from Built Structural. Matt shares how nearly two decades as a carpenter, a few side businesses, and one lightbulb moment on his own home led to building a multi-award-winning structural steel company in under four years.

You’ll hear how Matt’s carpentry background shapes the way Built Structural details, drafts, and installs steel – especially on complex renos where nothing is straight and everything moves. He breaks down the systems behind turning engineer’s plans into practical solutions on site, and why having in-house drafting and the right people in the right roles has been crucial to their growth.

The boys also dive into the human side of business – managing different personalities across boilermakers, site crews, draftees and sales teams, handling growing pains, and why the best engineers are the ones who listen to what’s really happening on site.

🔑 What You’ll Learn
• How Matt went from 19 years of carpentry to co-founding Built Structural
• Why carpentry experience can give you an edge in structural steel
• How to take engineer’s details and make them actually buildable on site
• The realities of growing a multi-award-winning structural steel business in under four years
• Practical tips for managing personalities, values, and stress as your team grows
• Why collaboration between engineers, builders, and steel fabricators saves clients money and headaches

⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Welcome back from Adelaide & intros
00:50 – Matt’s story: nearly 20 years as a carpenter and chasing something new
02:19 – The lightbulb moment: doing his own steel and starting Built Structural
03:53 – How carpentry experience shapes better structural steel detailing
06:20 – From plans to install: Built Structural’s process, especially on renos
09:20 – Growing a multi-award-winning business in under four years
11:24 – Timber vs steel: what Matt had to relearn in the steel game
13:43 – Hot topic: should engineers have to go to site first?
17:15 – Managing people, values, and different personalities across the business
21:10 – In-house drafting, 3D models, and making life easier for site crews
24:34 – Wrap up, sponsors, and Build Insite disclaimer

Hosts: Dean Backman & Luke Callery
Guest: Matt Warner from Built Structural

🎧 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