The Build Insite Podcast

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 – Introduction
00:21 – The real pressure of running a building business
03:24 – Marketing, coaching, and finding support
07:24 – Inside the SV Built team and systems
09:24 – Tech, software, and going paperless
17:16 – High-performance building and the Passive House mindset
22:00 – Quality control, inspections, and industry gaps
26:13 – 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 years
00:24 – Introduction to Emile Ellens (SV Built)
01:00 – Non-traditional pathway into building
02:29 – Getting a builder’s license without a trade background
05:36 – Lessons from failing the first license interview
06:13 – The biggest challenge: learning everything
07:02 – Problem-solving mindset on site
08:04 – The early days of SV Built
11:48 – First years in business: losses and lessons
12:22 – Margins, scheduling, and trade relationships
13:01 – Renovations vs new builds
15:09 – Awards and standout projects
16:26 – Design and construct approach explained
18:22 – What sets SV Built apart
20:07 – 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 projects
The real state of the construction industry right now
Why labour shortages are still a major issue
How NCC changes are impacting builders
Where residential construction is heading

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
00:27 – Building Excellence Awards
03:47 – State of the Industry
07:44 – Trends in Construction
09:04 – NCC Changes & Regulations
15:44 – Future of Residential Building
18:19 – Advice for Builders
25:34 – Industry Challenges & Opportunities
27:37 – 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 owner
Why programs like RISE are changing mental health support in construction
The real value behind group training and apprenticeships
How industry bodies influence policy, standards, and your day-to-day work
Why builders who leverage support systems grow faster and operate better

Chapters:
00:00, Introduction
00:25, Meet Will Frogley, CEO, Master Builders SA
01:05, From media and politics to construction leadership
05:30, What a CEO of Master Builders actually does
08:00, Apprenticeships and industry impact
10:30, What Master Builders SA offers
11:40, RISE program and mental health support
13:00, Born to Build initiative explained
16:30, Apprenticeship model and how it works
19:20, Contracts, legal support, and member benefits
21:15, 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

Every builder focuses on the build. But the way you tell the story behind it can make all the difference.

In this episode of the Build Insite Podcast, Dean Backman sits down with Michael Lack from You Do You Productions — the videographer and storyteller who has become a key part of capturing the Build Insite journey.

Michael shares his path from travelling through Vietnam documenting life with GoPros to building a creative business focused on helping builders communicate their work through content. What started as experimenting with video has turned into a powerful tool for showcasing projects, building trust with clients, and telling the real story behind construction.

The conversation dives into why storytelling matters in the building industry, how content builds credibility long before a client makes contact, and why authenticity on camera can make a builder stand out in a crowded market.
If you’ve ever wondered whether social media actually helps win projects — or how to start showing up on camera without overthinking it — this episode delivers practical insights from someone working behind the lens.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode
• Why every content touchpoint builds credibility, value, and trust
• How storytelling can help builders connect with the right clients
• Why authenticity matters more than perfectly polished content
• How builders can break the ice with clients before the first meeting
• The mindset required to build a creative business from scratch

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
01:30 – Michael’s journey into videography
05:20 – Why storytelling matters for builders
09:00 – Social media and building trust with clients
12:45 – The story behind the You Do You logo
16:00 – Behind the scenes of Build Insite
19:20 – Advice for creatives and business owners
25:30 – Tech, media, and the future of content
27:30 – Rapid-fire questions

Host: Dean Backman 
Guest: Michael Lack from You Do You Productions

🎧 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