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.

Welcome back to The Home Building Podcast for our first episode of 2026. In this episode, we break down what the home building industry is really shaping up to look like in 2026 and whether it actually makes sense to build, renovate, or extend your home this year. With record low housing supply in Perth, rising construction demand, and ongoing pressure on builders and trades, many homeowners are unsure what the right move is. We talk through what is happening on the ground, how builders are pricing work, and the real risks buyers need to understand before signing a contract.

In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, we sit down with Mick Hart from Hart & Co, part of the iconic Rick Hart family- a group that has shaped Western Australia’s appliance industry for more than 50 years. We explore the world of kitchen appliances, induction technology, steam ovens, downdraft rangehoods, alfresco setups, laundry tech, and how to make smart appliance decisions when building or renovating. If you’re planning a new home or updating your kitchen, this episode is a masterclass on what matters. From real performance to brand selection to products that genuinely make daily life easier.

In this episode, we sit down with Linda and Jay from Noble Avenue, two of Perth’s top coastal-suburb real estate experts, to break down what’s actually happening in the property market right now. We cover buyer psychology, suburb price shifts, why people are paying record highs, and how to prepare yourself so you don’t get priced out. We dig into selling strategies, presentation tips that add real value, and why some homes are coming back onto the market within months of being purchased. If you’re buying, selling, or just trying to understand the madness of the current market… this is a must-listen.

Painting feels simple… until you’re halfway through and it’s felt like forever. Most homeowners underestimate just how much technique, prep work and product knowledge goes into getting a clean, long-lasting finish. In this episode, we sit down with Tracie & Peter Barrass, married couple running an amazing painting company, with more than 47 years of experience, to unpack everything you should know before picking up a roller or hiring someone who will actually do it right.

If you’re designing, drafting, or planning a new home, this episode will give you the clarity you need to avoid costly copyright disputes and protect your investment. Design copyright is one of the most widely misunderstood parts of the home building process. Who owns your plans? Can you take your design to another builder? Does changing ten percent actually protect you? And what happens if your builder goes under? In this episode, we sit down with David Wilson from Stratocumulus Legal to break down the real rules around design copyright, plan ownership, implied licenses, moral rights, and the common myths repeated in the building industry.

Boston Cable, buyer’s agent and property strategist, unpacks the realities of Perth’s wild property market record-low stock levels, bidding wars, and why so many people are overpaying for average homes.

Ever wondered what all those property terms actually mean green title, strata, survey strata, tenants in common, or joint tenants? In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, Behan sits down with Kealeigh Barker, property and leasing lawyer at Lavan , to unpack the legal side of property ownership in Western Australia. From understanding titles and strata schemes to knowing when to use a settlement agent vs. a lawyer, Kealeigh breaks down complex topics into plain English. You’ll also learn how to avoid common pitfalls like double stamp duty, poorly written contracts, and bylaw confusion. If you’re planning to buy, subdivide, or develop in WA this episode will help you protect your biggest investment.

From ceiling heights to skylights, contrast, and clever design tricks, Andrew Santich shares how smart design can completely transform a home’s comfort, light, and flow without blowing your budget.

Choose the right stone benchtop with confidence. In this episode we sit down with Ty Pyror from Asetica, to beak down one of the most confusing decisions in modern home design, choosing your kitchen benchtops

Ben Black, owner of Total Homes Inspections, dives into the world of building inspections and covers what’s important & what he’s seeing in the construction industry right now. From good; to bad; to ugly, Ben has seen it all and wants to help homeowners & builders alike to produce quality work.

Behan sits down with Josie Martin, owner of Décor Avenue, kitchen designer and cabinetmaker with over 20 years of hands-on experience. They dive into what really makes a kitchen functional, beautiful, and built to last. From how wide your island bench should be to whether pot drawers are worth it, Josie shares expert advice on layout, budgeting, and materials that will save you time, money, and stress. They also dive into the latest design trends, like fluted paneling, curved benchtops, and porcelain splash backs plus the common kitchen mistakes that look great on paper but fail in real life.

Behan sits down with David Bergen from DB2 Pest Control to uncover one of the most expensive risks facing Aussie homeowners: termites. Termites cause over $1 billion worth of damage to 650,000 homes every year and none of it is covered by insurance. David explains why these pests are so dangerous, how to spot the hidden signs before it’s too late, and the biggest mistakes homeowners make that invite termites straight into their homes. Whether you’re building new, renovating, or maintaining your current home, this episode will give you practical tips to protect your most important investment.

One of the biggest challenges homeowners face is: debt. Behan sits down with financial expert & owner of Financial Management 101, Karen Adams, to explore what it takes to become financially in control for homeowners balancing life. Karen discloses several strategies & tactics she teaches to help people to live a life free of money stress. If you’ve ever felt stressed about your mortgage, struggled to pay off credit cards, or wondered how to build financial security while still enjoying life, this episode will give you a clear, practical roadmap.

Buying the right home for you can be a very challenging and stressful time. But it doesn’t have to be with the right help. In this episode of Home Building Podcast, Behan sits with buyer’s agent David Keay to unpack the role of a buyer’s agent and why they’re becoming a powerful tool in today’s competitive market. From off-market deals to navigating negotiations, David explains how he helps clients cut through the noise, avoid emotional mistakes, and secure the right property at the right price. Whether you’re building, renovating, investing, or looking for your forever home, this conversation will show you how a buyer’s agent can give you the edge.

In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, Behan is joined by Peter Wiedermann, a pool industry veteran with 30+ years of experience as a builder, technician, and consultant. They dive into everything you need to know if you’re planning a pool for your new build or renovation, including:  What they talk about:  ✅ Concrete vs fibreglass pools – which is right for your block?  ✅ The hidden risks of “natural” pools (and why they don’t work in WA)  ✅ Approvals, fencing rules & common council headaches  ✅ Pool safety essentials every parent must know  ✅ Heating, maintenance, and how to avoid costly mistakes. Whether you’re dreaming of a plunge pool, building a backyard oasis, or simply maintaining an existing pool, this episode is packed with expert insights to save you stress, money, and risk.

Your electrical planning can either future proof your home or annoy you every single time you reach for the light switch. When it comes to building or renovating, it’s often the small details that create the biggest frustrations down the track so in this episode of The Home Building Podcast, Behan sits down with very experienced electrician Tim Learbuch, owner of Learings Electrical to share practical tips on electrical layout, power point location, switches, lighting, and futureproofing that can save you money and headaches later. From avoiding the “bed locked to one wall forever” mistake, to why a $20 decision during construction can cost you $500 later, this episode covers the real-world advice every homeowner should hear before building.

In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, Behan sits down with Premeci, General Manager of Home Base Design & Build Centre in Subiaco, Perth. Australia’s largest home design and build centre. They dive into: ✅ Why Home Base has become WA’s go-to hub for builders, renovators, and designers. ✅ How thousands of products, showrooms, and courses under one roof can save you time, money, and stress. ✅ Tips on getting the most out of your visit — from free design consults to hidden gems you won’t find online. Whether you’re building, renovating, or just looking for inspiration, Home Base is a one-stop destination to kickstart your ideas and connect with experts.

In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, Behan Flaherty sits down with Glen Austen, Director of TAG Finance, to unpack the world of home finance. Whether you’re building your first home, refinancing, or planning a property investment, Glen shares expert advice on navigating loans, securing pre-approval, managing interest rates, and avoiding common mistakes in the lending process. This is your practical guide to making confident financial decisions when building or buying your home. 

Behan sits down with seasoned real estate agent Chadi Damouni from Bourkes Property to uncover the truth behind common property myths and share insider strategies for maximising resale value, whether you’re building, renovating, or selling.

Interior and architectural designer Bianca Campbell from White Door Studio joins us to talk about one of the most overwhelming (and important) parts of home design, choosing the right colours.  From tiles and cabinetry to paint and fixtures, Bianca discusses how to create a cohesive palette using simple home design principles like the 3-Colour Rule. We also discuss how to translate Pinterest inspiration into practical decisions that actually work in your space. 

In this episode, Behan Flaherty founder of Independent Building Advice breaks down how to approach home design with purpose and clarity. Too often, people rush into designing their home without fully understanding how layout, budget, lifestyle, and land all intersect. This Home Building Podcast episode reveals the smart way to begin home design that avoids costly revisions, decision fatigue, and long-term regret. Behan explains: – Practical strategies to help you plan a home – Design that not only looks good, but is functionally beautiful. – What’s involved in the design process – Common areas most people don’t think about – How to priorities what’s important

In the very first episode of The Home Building Podcast, we sit down with IBA Founder Behan Flaherty to unpack how the home building industry has shifted and what that means for aspiring home builders in Australia. We explore the hidden traps most people fall into when building, the outdated way the industry still build homes, and where you should go to find a better way to build. Real, genuine home building stories, practical advice for aspiring home owners. With over 25 years of experience inside the building industry, Behan prides himself on advocating for people who want to build with confidence… not confusion.