Choosing a builder is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when building or renovating a home and it’s also where most people get it wrong. In this episode, we break down how to think about the building industry, the different types of builders, and the real criteria that actually matter when selecting who to trust with your home.

Building or subdividing in Western Australia can feel overwhelming. Planning approvals, building approvals, council policies, R-Codes, neighbour sign-offs, subdivisions, strata titles… it’s a lot. In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, we’re joined by Benedict McCarthy from Planning Horizons, a town planner with over 25 years of experience working across local government, construction, and private consultancy.

In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, we break down everything you need to know about skylights. From design and placement to cost, performance, and long-term value. Joining us is Ryan Lucev from Clearview Skylights, who shares real-world insight from years in the building industry. We cover why skylights have exploded in popularity, the difference between Velux, tubular, and solar skylights, and the design mistakes that can cost you thousands if you get them wrong.

What truly makes a great kitchen to live in? In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, we sit down with Don Hancey, one of Australia’s most respected chefs and food ambassadors, to explore kitchen design from a professional chef’s perspective. With over 40 years in hospitality, Don has cooked for world-famous artists, led major international events, and built a career around food that works in the real world, not just on paper. In this conversation, he shares how those lessons translate into better home kitchens. We cover everything from bench layouts and workflow to natural light, herb gardens, and why the kitchen should be designed as a social space first and a showpiece second. Don also shares behind-the-scenes stories from catering for global music acts, his passion for Western Australian produce, and the small design decisions that make a huge difference to how a home actually functions day to day.