How to Save Money When Building or Renovating Without Sacrificing the Home You Want
GUEST
Building costs are rising fast, and most people don’t realise where the money is actually going or how much they could save with a bit of upfront planning. In this episode, Behan walks through the key strategies IBA uses with clients every day to keep builds on budget without cutting corners on the things that matter. From setting a two-number budget before you do anything else, to the hidden design decisions that can cost you tens of thousands, this is essential listening before you sign anything.
Chapters
01:23 – Why saving money doesn’t mean compromising your home
02:52 – Part 1: The overview: how to approach your build process
03:37 – Set two budget numbers before you do anything else
06:58 – Price creep: what it is and how to stop it
08:07 – Design for your current life stage AND the next one
09:19 – Get your finance sorted first
10:22 – Timing matters: building costs rise roughly 1% per month
10:42 – Three ways to approach finding a builder
12:03 – Why the cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest build
13:50 – The risks of going through an architect without a budget guardrail
16:10 – Why owner-builder sounds great but rarely works out
18:21 – Fixed-price vs. cost-plus contracts: what you need to know
20:34 – How IBA’s builder comparison process works
22:26 – Match the builder to your project type
24:27 – Site costs: the hidden budget killers (slope, retaining, bushfirezones)
26:10 – How delays during the build process cost you money
29:43 – Part 2: Design & specification strategies
30:18 – Keep your home’s footprint simple and square
31:40 – Windows: stick to standard sizes and save a fortune
33:38 – Wall construction choices and what they really cost
35:27 – Slab and footing differences: how site conditions affect this
36:12 – Energy efficiency: design it right and save every year
37:38 – Don’t brand-specify fixtures early in the process
39:44 – How builder supplier agreements work: and how IBA gets discounts for clients
42:06 – Flooring: supply it yourself and save
47:43 – Kitchens and bathrooms: where to trim and where to spend
02:52 – Part 1: The overview: how to approach your build process
03:37 – Set two budget numbers before you do anything else
06:58 – Price creep: what it is and how to stop it
08:07 – Design for your current life stage AND the next one
09:19 – Get your finance sorted first
10:22 – Timing matters: building costs rise roughly 1% per month
10:42 – Three ways to approach finding a builder
12:03 – Why the cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest build
13:50 – The risks of going through an architect without a budget guardrail
16:10 – Why owner-builder sounds great but rarely works out
18:21 – Fixed-price vs. cost-plus contracts: what you need to know
20:34 – How IBA’s builder comparison process works
22:26 – Match the builder to your project type
24:27 – Site costs: the hidden budget killers (slope, retaining, bushfirezones)
26:10 – How delays during the build process cost you money
29:43 – Part 2: Design & specification strategies
30:18 – Keep your home’s footprint simple and square
31:40 – Windows: stick to standard sizes and save a fortune
33:38 – Wall construction choices and what they really cost
35:27 – Slab and footing differences: how site conditions affect this
36:12 – Energy efficiency: design it right and save every year
37:38 – Don’t brand-specify fixtures early in the process
39:44 – How builder supplier agreements work: and how IBA gets discounts for clients
42:06 – Flooring: supply it yourself and save
47:43 – Kitchens and bathrooms: where to trim and where to spend
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