Home Building Podcast
by Independent Building Advice
The Home Building Podcast is Perth's go-to resource for anyone designing, building, or renovating a home. Hosted by Behan Flaherty founder of Independent Building Advice and 25-year building industry insider each episode gives you the kind of honest, practical advice the building industry usually keeps to itself. From choosing the right builder to design decisions, contracts, hidden costs, and everything in between. Independent. No builder bias. Just eal advice from someone who's been on the inside. Building in Perth? Book a free call with our team at independendentbuildingadvice.com.au
Episodes
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Solar orientation explained in 11 minutes | Home Building Podcast
A fundamental design principal missed by many “designers” or “consultants” in the industry. Solar orientation is extremely important to achieve an energy efficient and comfortable home. Behan breaks down solar orientation in the most practical way possible what it is, why bad orientation costs…
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Landscaping Tips for Your New Build | Stuart Cattanach
Landscaping is one of the most important parts of a home and the thing most often left until the budget is gone. Behan sits down with Perth landscaper Stuart Cattanach of Greener Scapes to talk lawn choices, paving vs exposed aggregate, artificial turf, realistic budgets, design tricks that make…
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WA Brick Shortage: Alternative Ways to Build Your Home | Home Building Podcast
There's a brick shortage in WA, and it could affect your build. Behan explains why Midland Brick is prioritising its biggest and most reliable builders, then gives a high level run through the alternative build methods, including brick veneer, full timber and steel frame, reverse brick veneer…
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Negative Gearing and Capital Gains Tax Changes Explained - Robert Tawil | Home Building Podcast
The government has changed the rules on negative gearing and capital gains tax, and a lot of Perth homeowners and investors are unsure what it means for them. Financial adviser Robert Tawil of Vantage Wealth returns to re-record our earlier chat and breaks the changes down in plain English. We...
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Boring Numbers in Building (But Extremely Important to Know) | Home Building Podcast
Reading your plans and understanding your build 101 How many of these did you know? Comment them below We break down the "boring" details builders assume you already know - coursing heights, FFL, slab thickness, door and window codes - the stuff that quietly makes or breaks your build. Miss these...
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Stone Benchtops Explained: How Stone Ambassador Survived the Ban – Brad D’Lima
Brad D'Lima, WA State Manager at Stone Ambassador, joins the podcast to unpack everything homeowners need to know about stone benchtops. From the engineered stone ban and how Stone Ambassador got ahead of it, to the real differences between Zenith, Vasari and Kaya surfaces, this episode covers...
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The Uncle Effect: Who to Trust During Your Home Build | Home Building Podcast
Behan breaks down why so many people make bad building decisions after asking the wrong people for advice. From well meaning family members to anonymous forums and salespeople with a vested interest, he explains exactly who to trust, who to ignore, and how to protect your build from other…
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Homelessness in Perth: What It Really Looks Like | Home Building Podcast
BONUS CHARITY EPISODE: ST BARTS Homelessness in Perth is more common - and far more hidden - than most people realise. Vanessa Baxter from St Bart's joins the podcast to explain what homelessness actually looks like, how Perth's services work together to help people off the street and into stable...
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Kitchen Layout Do’s and Don’ts | Home Building Podcast
The kitchen is the heart of the home and one of the most expensive things to get wrong. In this episode Behan breaks down his do's and don'ts for kitchen location, layout, sculleries, storage and lighting. Practical, opinionated and straight from 25 years of designing Perth homes. DOWNLOAD IBA’S...
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Is Building a Home Worth It? A Property Investment Strategy - Tim Guest | Home Building Podcast
Most Australians are told to buy a home, pay it off over 30 years and call it financial freedom. But is that actually the best strategy? Tim Guest from Infinite Wealth has spent 15 years helping everyday Australians build genuine passive income through property and his perspective on the...
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Building a Home When You’re Busy – Fast way to build or renovate a home | Home Building Podcast
DOWNLOAD IBA BUILDING WHILE BUSY CHECKLIST 👇🏽 https://info.independentbuildingadvice.com.au/building-when-youre-busy-checklist-page?utm-hbp Building a home is stressful. Building a home when life is already full makes it even harder. But there are ways to move the process along quicker than…
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Tax, Investment Property & Knowing Your Numbers – Scott Greer
In May 2026, the Federal Government announced changes to the rules around rental losses and capital gains tax for investment properties. This podcast was recorded prior to the changes; however, the general information discussed still applies. Scott is well across the new rules. Reach out to MKG...
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How to Subdivide a Block in Perth - Home Building Podcast
Subdividing is one of the most popular property strategies in Perth and one of the most misunderstood. Behan walks through everything from R Codes and zoning to battle axe vs. side by side, build strata, feasibility and why more blocks doesn't always mean more money. Chapters: 00:23 - What is...
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7 Star Energy Ratings Explained - What It Means, What It Costs & How to Get It Right | Nina Kelly
Energy efficiency is now mandatory for every new home in Australia but most people have no idea how the assessment actually works or what it costs. Nina Kelly from ESD Studio joins Behan to break it all down, from NatHERS ratings and climate zones to solar orientation, insulation, glazing and the...
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Do's and Don'ts When Building or Extending Your Home - My 10 Cent’s
25 years of building experience distilled into one episode. Behan runs through his personal do's and don'ts across bathrooms, kitchens, doors, windows, outdoor living, lighting and energy efficiency. Some of it is controversial. All of it is honest. What you’ll learn: Why the bath in your ensuite...
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Concrete Floors, Benchtops & Aggregate - Everything You Need to Know with Tyron Scott
Concrete is one of the most asked-about topics in home building and one of the most misunderstood. Tyron Scott from Firm Concrete joins Behan to cover everything from slabs and hardstands through to polished floors, exposed aggregate and in-situ benchtops. What you'll learn: The difference…
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New Way to Build a Home - What is Independent Building Advice
Building, renovating or extending a home takes a lot of research and trial and error, and when you're spending hundreds of thousands of dollars, you can't afford to get it wrong. In this episode, IBA's director, Behan Flaherty, walks through the common ways people go about building a home and…
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R Codes, Planning Approvals & the Real Cost of Building Regulations - Aaron Sice HIA Assistant Director
Most homeowners have no idea what R Codes are, what triggers a planning approval, or why energy efficiency requirements are quietly adding tens of thousands to the cost of their build. In this episode Behan sits down with Aaron Sice - Assistant Director at the Housing Industry Association - for…
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Lighting & Electrical in Your New Home - What to Plan, What to Avoid & What Builders Leave Out
Lighting is one of the most overlooked parts of building a new home and one of the most expensive to fix after the fact. In this episode Behan walks through everything you need to think about before your lighting appointment, from switch placement and sensor lights to doorbells, feature lighting...
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How to Design a Home You'll Never Want to Leave - Layouts, Facades & Wow Factors - Luke Tufilli | Home Building Podcast
Most people get one shot at designing their home. Get it wrong and you'll feel it every single day. In this episode Behan sits down with Luke Tufilli from Aria Home Designs - one of Perth's leading custom home designers - to talk about what separates a great home from a good one. From facade…
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Hidden Costs of Building a New Home - What You Need to Know Before You Sign | Home Building Podcast
LOOKING TO CUSTOM DESIGN & BUILD YOUR NEXT HOME? VISIT US ON INDEPENDENTBUILDINGADVICE.COM.AU 🏡 Most people get stung by hidden costs when building not because builders are dishonest, but because nobody told them what to look for upfront. Behan walks through every major hidden cost category you...
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Home Automation Explained Lighting, Tech & How to Future-Proof Your Home – Andy Moore
Most people don't think about home automation until it's too late when the walls are already closed and the wiring is done. In this episode, Behan sits down with Andy Moore lighting & home automations expert to break down what home automation actually is, how to use it to genuinely improve your...
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Should You Buy, Build, Extend or Knock Down & Rebuild?
One of the most common and costly mistakes people make is going too far down one path before realising it was the wrong one. In this solo episode, Behan breaks down the four main options available to Perth homeowners: buying established, renovating, extending, and knockdown rebuild. He cuts…
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Modular Homes Explained Build Times, Quality & Whether It's Right for You – MIRA | Home Building Podcast
Most people have no idea what modular construction actually is or how good it's gotten. In this episode, Behan sits down with Natalie Lawrence and Dan Thake from MIRA Residential to bust the myths around modular building, explain how the whole process works from factory to front door, and help…
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How to Save Money When Building or Renovating Without Sacrificing the Home You Want | Home Building Podcast
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…
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Next stages in life you'll build or buy a home - Growing Families & Downsizing (PART 2) - Dom C | HBP
In life there a particular stage in life that you’ll be ready or need to build or buy a home. It’s important that you know when you might need to so you can best prepare yourself for what comes next. Some people buy. Some people build. It’s up truly to your situation. Our job is to best educate...
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5 stages in life you'll build or buy a home - Growing Families & Downsizing (PART 1) - Dom C | HBP
In life there a particular stages in life that you’ll be ready or need to build or buy a home. It’s important that you know when you might need to so you can best prepare yourself for what comes next. Some people buy. Some people build. It’s really up to yours situation. Our job is to best…
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How Does The War Impact Building In Australia - What Can You Do | Home Building Podcast
In this episode, Behan from Independent Building Advice tackles one of the most common questions in the current Perth building market: should you build now, or wait? With global uncertainty rising interest rates, inflation, supply chain pressures, and an upcoming election many people are sitting…
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WA Charity Direct: Building Community Through Charity – Sandra Ursino | Home Building Podcast
In this special episode, Behan sits down with Sandra Ursino, a passionate community volunteer and key member of WA Charity Direct - a remarkable organisation that has distributed over $4.3 million to those in need across 20 years, run entirely by volunteers with zero paid staff. Sandra shares how...
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Upside Down Home: Living Areas Up, Bedrooms Down | Home Building Podcast
Thinking about building an upside-down home with living areas upstairs? You'll discover the key design considerations for making this layout work, from maximising ocean or river views to solving accessibility challenges. Learn practical tips on stairs, lift shafts, outdoor spaces, and creating a...
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Commercial Property: The Truth About Commercial vs Residential – Jevan Singh | Home Building Podcast
Think property investment stops at residential? Think again. In this episode, we sit down with commercial real estate specialist Jevan Singh to break down why commercial and residential property are two completely different asset classes and why understanding that distinction could change how you...
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Extensions: The Smarter Way to Approach Extending Your Home | Home Building Podcast
Thinking about renovating or extending your home in 2026? Most homeowners assume adding space is the answer, but it’s often the most expensive and inefficient option. In this episode, we break down the real difference between renovations and extensions, why extensions blow out budgets, and how...
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Aircon: How to choose the right air conditioning system for your home -Daniel Nazroo | Home Building Podcast
Air conditioning is one of the most important systems in any home build, yet many homeowners don’t think about it until it’s too late. In this episode of the Home Building Podcast, we sit down with air-conditioning specialist Daniel Nazroo, director of Advanced Air WA, who has over 15 years of...
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Farmhouse Design: What to Know Before Building on Rural Land | Home Building Podcast
Building a farmhouse or rural home can be one of the most rewarding projects you’ll ever undertake but it also comes with unique challenges most people don’t anticipate. In this episode of the Home Building Podcast, we break down the key considerations when designing a rural property or...
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Carpet: How to Choose Carpet – Domenic Condo | Home Building Podcast
Choosing the right carpet for your home can feel overwhelming but it doesn't have to be. In this episode, we sit down with a flooring expert, Domemic Condo, from a long-standing family flooring business to break down everything you need to know before you buy. From understanding the difference...
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Microcement, Wallpaper, Painting: Choosing the right wallpaper – Mark Hunt | Home Building Podcast
In this episode, we sat down with Mark Hunt, an experienced painter and interior finish specialist, to talk about the overlooked details that completely transform a home. From wallpaper mistakes and feature walls to microcement bathrooms and limewash finishes, Mark shares practical advice...
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House Layout: Home Design for When You Don’t Have Kids (Or They’ve Moved Out)
Not everyone building a home is designing for a growing family. Whether you’re downsizing, living child-free by choice, flying in and out for work, or simply entering a new stage of life, your home should reflect your lifestyle, not someone else’s blueprint. In this episode of the Home Building...
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Flooring Types: Choosing the right flooring - Robin Wobbe | Home Building Podcast
Flooring is one of the most misunderstood decisions in home building. In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, we sit down with Robin Wobbe from Trevor’s Carpets to break down the real differences between hybrid flooring, vinyl plank, engineered timber, solid timber, and carpet. We cover...
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Builder Selection: Choosing the Right Builder in 2026 | Home Building Podcast
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...
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Subdivisions & Planning: Watch This Before You Build or Subdivide - Benedict McCarthy | HBP
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...
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Skylights: Choosing the Right Skylight for Your Home - Ryan Lucev | Home Building Podcast
Thinking about adding skylights to your home but not sure where to start? 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…
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Kitchen Design: How a Professional Chef Designs the Perfect Home Kitchen - Don Hancey | Home Building Podcast
What truly makes a great kitchen to live in? 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...
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Is 2026 a Good Year to Build in Perth? The Honest Answer | Home Building Podcast
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…
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Entertainment Design: House Design That Actually Works at Christmas | Home Building Podcast
Christmas is when your home gets put under real pressure. In this special Christmas edition of The Home Building Podcast, we talk through how to design a home that genuinely works when it is full of people, food, noise, heat, and movement. From entertaining family and friends to managing indoor...
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Kitchen Appliances Perth: The Future of Cooking & Smart Kitchens - Mick Hart | Home Building Podcast
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,...
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Real Estate: Buying & Selling in Perth’s Real Estate Market – Jay Dass & Linda Noble | Home Building Podcast
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…
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Home Painting: How to Paint Your Home Properly - Tracie & Peter Barras | Home Building Podcast
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...
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Design Copyright: Who Actually Owns Your House Plans? – David Wilson | Home Building Podcast
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…
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Buying Property: How to Buy Property in Perth – Boston Cable | Home Building Podcast
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. We cover: Why Perth’s vacancy rates are driving massive price growth How to know whether it’s...
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Property Law: What You Need to know About Property Law – Kealeigh Barker | Home Building Podcast
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...
About this show
The Home Building Podcast is Perth's go-to resource for anyone designing, building, or renovating a home. Hosted by Behan Flaherty founder of Independent Building Advice and 25-year building industry insider each episode gives you the kind of honest, practical advice the building industry usually keeps to itself. From choosing the right builder to design decisions, contracts, hidden costs, and everything in between. Independent. No builder bias. Just eal advice from someone who's been on the inside. Building in Perth? Book a free call with our team at independendentbuildingadvice.com.au
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