Building Design, Prime Time
We are building designers from Prime Design. We created the Building Design, Prime Time podcast, to provide valuable information for anyone looking to undertake a new build or extension project. We share our tips, tricks and stories from a building designer's perspective.
Episodes
138 episodes
E138. How to design for the extension you'll add later
There's one design decision that can quietly cost you tens of thousands of dollars later, and most homeowners never even know it's being made. It's not your kitchen. It's not your bathroom. It's something far less obvious, buried in the layout ...
E137. Downsizing your home
Downsizing isn't just about buying a smaller house. In this episode, Frank and Amelia unpack what actually makes a downsized home work, and it's rarely what people expect.Most people planning their next move focus on bedrooms and floor p...
E136. True or false questions
How well do you actually know your building facts? In this episode we're flipping the format and putting ourselves on the spot with a run of true or false questions, pulled straight from the things people assume about building, buying land, and...
E135. Windows and glazing for renovations (part 2)
If your house has ever felt like it's wearing a jumper full of holes, this episode is for you. Amelia and Frank dig into part two of their windows and glazing series, this time turning their attention to renovations rather than new builds. They...
E134. Windows and glazing for new homes (part 1)
Most homeowners will spend weeks agonising over kitchen benchtops and splashbacks, but only about ten minutes thinking about their windows. That's a costly oversight, because windows are the single weakest thermal point in your entire home, and...
E133. Hot water systems for your home
It's one of the most expensive decisions in your home, and most people make it in a panic.Your hot water system dies. The plumber asks what you want. You say "just replace the old one." And just like that, you've locked in years of unnec...
E132. Types of kit homes and why they may not be as cost effective as you think (Part 2)
The price looked amazing online. The photos looked even better. But before you hand over a cent for a kit home, there's a lot Frank and Amelia need to tell you first.In Part 2 of their kit homes series, Frank Geskus and host Amelia pull ...
E131. Types of kit homes and why they may not be as cost effective as you think (Part 1)
Thinking about building a kit home? Before you fall for that eye-catching starting price online, there's a lot more to understand than most people realise, and Frank and Amelia are here to cut through the noise.In this first of a two-par...
E130. Why "just getting plans drawn up" is a huge misconception!
The Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, hosted by Amelia and Frank Geskus, explains why "just getting plans drawn up" is a significant misconception, construction documents involve far more than drawings, including site investigati...
E129. Living through a renovation or extension
If you’re planning a renovation or home extension and wondering whether you can survive living through the chaos, this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast is a must-listen. Amelia and Frank dive into the real, unfiltered experien...
E128. What's the difference between planning and building permits?
Ever wondered why you can’t start building even after you’ve “got your permit”? This episode unpacks one of the most confusing parts of the building process—planning permits vs building permits, and why misunderstanding the difference can cost ...
E127. Dealing with contamination onsite for renovations and new builds
In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, Amelia and Frank dive into a topic that many homeowners rarely think about, the hidden contaminants that can exist in homes, particularly when renovating or extending older properties....
E126. Renovations that don't add value to your home
In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, Amelia and Frank tackle a surprisingly common mistake homeowners make spending money on features that don’t actually add value to their home.From luxury upgrades to bold design ...
E125. Why nothing is happening onsite during your build
You drive past your new home, expecting progress, and yet, nothing seems to be happening. No trades on site, no deliveries, no visible change. What’s going on? In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, Frank Geskus and Amelia ...
E124. Mistakes people make building their first home
Building your first home should be exciting…but it’s also where the most expensive mistakes happen.In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, Amelia and Frank unpack the real-world errors they see first home buyers make ...
E123. The biggest regulation changes affecting building over the past 15 years
Are homes today actually better than they were 25 years ago? or just more complicated?In this episode, Frank and Amelia unpack the real impact of modern building regulations and what they mean for homeowners, builders, and anyone plannin...
E122. You received a "Request for more Information" from your council, what happens now?
Ever wondered why your building project suddenly hits delays, unexpected costs, or confusing requests from councils and authorities? In this episode of The Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, Amelia and Frank unpack one of the most misundersto...
E121. When is a building project actually finished?
When is a building project actually finished? Most people would say when the keys are handed over, the final payment is made, and you’ve moved in. But legally and financially the answer is very different.In this eye-opening episode of th...
E120. Building estimates vs. final build costs - what you need to know
Cost Estimates vs Final Build Costs – What You Really Need to Know Before You BuildWhy do so many building projects blow their budget? Why does the “estimate” you were given at the start look nothing like th...
E119. Navigating variations in building
In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, Amelia and Frank dive deep into one of the most misunderstood (and stress-inducing) parts of building and renovating: variations. If you’re planning a new home, renovation, or extensio...
E118. How much contingency should you allocate for new homes and renovations/extensions?
Kicking off 2026 with a bang, hosts Amelia and Frank Geskus return to the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast to tackle one of the most overlooked, yet most critical parts of any construction project: budgeting for the unexpected.Whether...
E117. Why building feels risky right now
Why does building or renovating feel so risky right now? If you’ve been thinking about starting a new build or extension but feel unsure, hesitant, or overwhelmed, this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast is for you.In thi...
E116. Renovating existing vs build new for investment properties
In this engaging episode of the Building Design, Prime Time podcast, hosts Amelia and Frank Geskus dive deep into one of the biggest questions facing property investors today, should you renovate an existing home or build a new one? With their ...
E115. The challenges of navigating life transitions with loved ones with guest Sophie from Harrington Road
In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, Frank and Amelia sit down with Sophie from Harrington Road to explore the emotional, practical, and financial challenges of downsizing, transitioning into aged care, or managing a dece...
E114. How to interpret your first floorplan concepts
Designing your dream home is exciting, but designing it on a rural block? That’s a whole new adventure. In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, Amelia steps into the client’s chair as she and Frank unpack the real, unfiltere...