Home Building Hub
Home Building Hub is an independent podcast designed to provide education and value to anyone looking to build a new home with a volume home builder in Australia. Hosted by industry experts Colin Bischof & Darren Brennan, the Home Building Hub podcast features interviews and insights that will help better educate listeners about new home building so they can avoid costly mistakes when choosing their preferred home builder.
Episodes
In this episode, we down the concept of overshadowing - how it affects your home design, when it applies, and how builders identify it. They share practical tips to spot potential issues early, especially on titled land, and explain the key rules and design solutions to help you stay compliant and avoid costly setbacks.
Topic timestamps
2:45 - What is overshadowing?
6:20 - When does overshadowing apply?
6:49 - How d...
Getting your budget right is the first real step in the building journey - but most people don’t know where to start. In this episode, we break down the full process of setting your game plan, from confirming your finance capacity to comparing quotes, and share a free Google Sheets budgeting template to help you stay on track from day one.
Topic timestamps
2:30 - The process. 7 Steps explained.
15:08 - 7 Steps summarised...
Building contracts can be full of hidden traps and confusing jargon. In this episode, we break down the five clauses that trip up most homeowners - covering prime costs, provisional sums, payment schedules, special conditions, build time frames and utility connections.
Topic timestamps
02:28 Prime Costs (PCs): allowances for items not yet selected (e.g., taps, tiles)
03:41 Provisional Sums (PSs): estimated co...
We unpack what “all-electric” means for new homes - from heating and cooling to cooking and hot water. Learn when the rules came in, why they matter, and the key inclusions and upgrades you’ll need to budget for.
Topic timestamps
2:55 - Why all-electric?
7:53 - Heating and Cooling changes
11:15 - Cooking inclusions
13:15 - Hot water service
13:59 - Power supply upgrades
15:35 - How are builders including these items into quo...
In this episode, we break down the government’s First Home Buyer Deposit Scheme updates kicking off in October 2025. We cover who qualifies, the property price caps, and how the scheme impacts loans, eligibility, and the wider housing market - plus one major cost the government hasn’t addressed.
Topic timestamps
1:28 - The announcement
1:55 - The snapshot
5:31 - The caps
9:55 - Who can use the scheme?
10:55 - What pr...
Slash years off your home loan with five proven strategies you can start today. We unpack easy ways to pay extra without feeling it, offset vs redraw (and when to use each), refinance traps that add interest, and why comparing lenders through a broker beats going direct. Plus, the #1 mistake slowing borrowers down - and how to avoid it.
Topic timestamps
1:57 - What is the easiest way to pay more than the minimum of...
Join us as Scott Baker from Toast Finance busts open the common misconceptions around getting finance if you’re self employed. Tune in to learn about simple, actionable guidance that covers options if you’ve just started out, what to do after a loss year, and the pros and cons of buying in a trust.
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Industry advisor Ryan Gazzard joins us to cut through the noise: what’s genuinely working in home building right now - and where projects keep falling short. We unpack clear briefs and realistic budgets, expectation management, and the systems great builders use. Walk away with practical steps to de-risk your build before you sign.
Topic timestamps
1:55 - Ryan’s background.
3:00 - The relationship between a custome...
We sit down with Fabian Pisano from Phase Consulting who reveals the top mistakes home buyers make when starting their building journey. From tackling overwhelming contracts to avoiding costly paperwork errors and managing variations, you’ll hear practical advice that could save you time, stress, and money.
Topic timestamps
4:02 - If you could give one piece of advice to anyone about to embark on the journey of bui...
In this episode, Colin and Darren break down everything you need to know about your soil test - from what it is and how it’s classified, to why your soil class matters for your build. They also explore the key factors that can impact your results and what to do once you have them.
Topic timestamps
1:13 - What is a soil test?
3:15 - How is the soil classified?
8:44 - Why your soil class matters
12:32 - What affects th...
In this episode, we explain the role of a building surveyor in your new home build, when they get involved, and whether they truly operate independently. We also discuss if you can appoint your own surveyor, why most buyers don’t, and the potential benefits of making your own choice.
Topic timestamps
1:44 - What is a Building Surveyor?
3:35 - When Do They Get Involved?
5:04 - Are They Independent?
8:13 - Can You Choose You...
In this episode, we unpack Developer Approval - what it is, why it matters, and how the process works. From design guidelines to who actually conducts the approval, we share practical tips to help homebuyers navigate this often misunderstood step in building a new home.
Topic timestamps
2:40 - What are design guidelines / covenants?
5:14 - What is Developer Approval?
9:35 - Who Conducts It? As in who actually review...
In this exclusive episode, HIA Victoria boss Keith Ryan joins us to unpack the new Building & Plumbing Commission (BPC) and what it means for builders and homebuyers. From rectification powers to insurance reforms and upcoming legislation - this is essential listening for anyone in the industry.
Topic timestamps
2:57 - What exactly is the Building & Plumbing Commission, and what are the benefits to the BPC ...
In this episode, we unpack the real value behind upgraded facades - are they worth the extra spend or just a visual splurge? We break down what a facade actually is, how many options you’ll get, and the key tips to help you picture the final look before you commit.
Topic timestamps
1:40 - What is a facade?
3:18 - How many facade options are available to choose from?
6:53 - Is it worth spending the money on an upgraded fac...
In this episode, we sit down with a leading sales trainer who’s coached building company sales teams across Australia. Learn how to be the kind of buyer builders go the extra mile for, how to brief your sales consultant for the best result, and how to separate price from real value when choosing your builder.
Topic timestamps
9:07 - Being the buyer type the builder is trying harder for?
16:01 - How to select an experienc...
In this punchy episode, Colin and Darren break down the five biggest barriers slowing down new home supply - and what the government needs to do to fix them. From planning delays to broken supply chains, it’s a no-nonsense look at the urgent actions needed to unlock housing affordability.
Topic timestamps
4:12 - Fast-Track Planning and Approval Processes
7:48 - Incentivise Land Release and Infrastructure Investment
9...
Your builder’s base price isn’t locked in forever. In this episode, we explain what a base price actually includes, how long it’s protected, and the key differences between price lock and contingency periods - plus a real-world example to bring it all together.
Topic timestamps
2:08 - What is a base price?
4:24 - What is a “price lock” period?
7:22 - What is a contingency period - and how does it work?
12:16 - A practical ...
Many buyers get caught out by surprises during the build process. In this episode, we break down three key things most people overlook - unexpected costs, unclear exclusions, and design oversights - that can make or break your new home experience.
Topic timestamps
2:45 - Budgeting for unknown or unforeseen costs
6:26 - Understanding your exclusions just as much and your inclusions.
13:40 - Neglecting important design and...
Buying untitled or unregistered land can be risky if you don’t know what to look out for. In this episode, we unpack the pros and cons, key timing risks, and the critical steps you must take before committing. Don’t buy blind - tune in first.
Topic timestamps
2:13 - What is untitled or unregistered land? And what are the pros and cons of it?
6:05 - Understand the impact of untitled land
10:00 - Get a REAL estimate of the ...
Irregular shaped blocks can offer serious value - if you know what to look for. In this episode, we break down the key benefits and the common traps to avoid when buying one. Perfect for buyers chasing more space or a unique design.
Topic timestamps
3:06 - What is an irregular shaped block?
4:30 - Benefit 1: Price - usually more bang for buck.
6:23 - Benefit 2: Yard space - open up great side and rear yard opportunities...
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