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 this final episode for 2025, Amelia and Frank unpack why confidence in the building process has shifted over recent years. From rapidly rising construction costs and labour shortages to planning complexity, approval delays, and supply chain uncertainty, they explain what’s really driving that sense of risk, and why it’s not just about money. Frank shares insights from decades in the industry, explaining how risk has moved away from builders and now sits much more heavily with homeowners, particularly when it comes to contracts, price increases, and late-stage changes.

The conversation explores how many building problems actually start long before construction begins, often due to poor research, unrealistic expectations, or assumptions made during the design phase. They discuss why estimates feel “rubbery,” why fixed-price contracts are harder to secure, and how small decisions around land choice, materials, or selections can have major cost and timing impacts later on.

Most importantly, this episode focuses on what you can do to reduce that risk. You’ll learn why early planning, asking better questions, choosing experienced professionals, and making informed decisions upfront can dramatically reduce stress, delays, and disputes.

If building feels risky right now, this episode will help you understand why, and show you how to approach the process with far more clarity and confidence. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. 

About us
Prime Design is a building design company locally owned and operated in Tasmania since 2004.  Our goal is to share as much valuable information as possible about the process of building design, extensions, and more. We will talk about a different topic each week. To suggest a topic you would like us to talk about contact us at info@primedesigntas.com.au

Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, individual circumstances, or remedy. We strongly suggest you consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on the information provided in this podcast. The views, opinions, and information provided in this podcast are those of the hosts do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organisation, employer, or company. All content provided on this podcast is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, or damages arising from its use. We reserve the right to change content or delete any information provided on this podcast at any time without prior notice.

Transcript

E117. Why building feels risky right now 

[INTRO] (0:08 - 0:42)

Hello and welcome to the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, focused on providing valuable information for anyone looking to undertake a new build or extension project. We'll share our tips, tricks and stories from a building designers perspective. 

[Amelia]

Hello and welcome to the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast. I'm your host Amelia and once again we're joined by Frank Geskus.

[Frank] (0:42 - 0:48)

Hey Amelia, we've actually got summer. It's been approved. 
 
 

[Amelia]

We have.

[Frank]

We've got sunshine.

[Amelia] (0:48 - 0:49)

It's amazing.

[Frank] (0:49 - 0:52)

Can't believe it. It's not even too windy. Happy days.

[Amelia] (0:52 - 0:56)

That's right. I'm a little bit sad though because this is our last podcast for 2025.

[Frank] (0:57 - 1:00)

Yeah, I suppose. It's kind of snuck up on us.

[Amelia] (1:00 - 1:04)

It has. Christmas is sneaking up very quickly.

[Frank] (1:04 - 1:07)

It doesn't sneak up, it comes like tearing along and you go what happened?

[Amelia] (1:07 - 1:15)

I know. I had this kind of epiphany. I looked at the calendar and I was like, holy moly, we finish work next week. Wow.

[Frank] (1:15 - 1:18)

Have a well-earned rest.

[Amelia] (1:19 - 1:21)

Yes. And then we'll be back into it for 2026.

[Frank] (1:22 - 1:38)

True. And it'll be interesting how next year folds out with the economy, the construction industry, the Tasmanian government just announced 30,000, I think it was 10 to 30 or was it $30,000 first homeowners grants to stimulate some of the construction?

[Amelia] (1:39 - 1:43)

Yes. I believe the 30,000 is just for new builds.

[Frank] (1:43 - 1:46)

Yeah. New builds. Well, we know what that means.

[Amelia] (1:46 - 1:49)

Craziness, if it's the same as last time.

[Frank] (1:49 - 1:54)

But to be fair, I don't think it's going to have the same effect because last time it happened, it happened at COVID.

[Amelia] (1:54 - 1:54)

Yes.

[Frank] (1:55 - 2:03)

And you could buy a block of land for $150,000 to $170,000. It was pretty normal, somewhere a bit more at like 200,000 for a nicer block.

[Amelia] (2:03 - 2:04)

Same with houses though.

[Frank] (2:04 - 2:12)

And they all went up by $30,000 last time. And then all the other prices and then everything went berserk and everyone went mental.

[Amelia] (2:12 - 2:14)

Building costs went crazy.

[Frank] (2:14 - 2:26)

Oh, it went nuts. So our problem now is we're at that point where we're between 40 to 60%, depending where you are in the country, of an increased building costs.

[Amelia] (2:26 - 2:26)

Yes.

[Frank] (2:26 - 2:56)

And that doesn't include the cost to buy the land. 

[Amelia]

That's right. 

[Frank]

So now it's got really, really hard for people to get in to build something.

And that means the price of the existing stock has gone up as well. So, and we've spoken about this a little bit, but, man, it makes it hard. What it does do, and I think we can all attest to this, but also being in the industry dealing, working with lots and lots of people who want to build, extend or whatnot, there seems like there's this feeling of building feels risky.

[Amelia] (2:56 - 2:57)

Yes.

[Frank] (2:57 - 3:06)

There's a lot of uncertainty. And I totally get it. I'm going through a bit of pain myself with that type of stuff.

You were just starting as we spoke about in one of the podcasts.

[Amelia] (3:06 - 3:07)

Yes.

[Frank] (3:07 - 3:10)

The building industry hasn't got bad. It's become uncertain.

[Amelia] (3:11 - 3:20)

And I guess what we're trying to help with this podcast is to identify how we can make smarter decisions when we're going through that process.

[Frank] (3:20 - 3:21)

Take away the uncertainty.

[Amelia] (3:22 - 3:22)

That's right.

[Frank] (3:22 - 3:31)

You know, because I believe there's risks have changed to different areas and you've got to be a lot more savvy now.

[Amelia] (3:31 - 3:32)

Oh, definitely.

[Frank] (3:32 - 4:54)

And you've got to work harder at it. So I honestly believe if you're thinking about building and you hear about the stories, you go on the internet, you know, you're looking at YouTube, searching AI and all this, and you really have to do a really good job filtering all the information that's out there. And you've got to be very Australia specific for if you want something in Australia, because the Americans do it quite different.

And everyone else does it quite different. Australian market is quite different. So a lot of the problems that we see don't start on site.

They start before even the drawings are finished or the design is finished, because it hasn't been well thought of. It hasn't identified potential issues. And there's, I suppose, an expectation that things just run smoothly.

But we're going to talk about a couple of things here. This is why most projects are kind of blown out. And that's not necessarily budget.

It could be the relationship between the builder and the homeowners. It could be between the designer and the homeowner. It could be between all three.

It could be with the building surveyor, the plumbing, the bushfire guys, whoever. It could be like the whole thing could turn to a mess, suppliers, subcontractors, all sorts. But when uncertainty isn't matched earlier, the risks show up later.

And that could be costs, delays, and what does that equal? Stress.

[Amelia] (4:55 - 4:55)

Yes.

[Frank] (4:55 - 5:15)

You know, I've known a few situations where people put unreasonable demands on the builder because their circumstances change. Oh, I need to get in my house. My lease runs out, but we agreed on this date.

No bad luck. Get this shit sorted. And it does happen.

And it's highly unfair. If you've got a clear contract, the builder's got to stand their ground because mistakes are going to be made.

[Amelia] (5:16 - 5:17)

Oh, that's exactly right.

[Frank] (5:17 - 5:24)

So the uncertainty is real problems. And it's not just about costs. Everyone's saying costs are high.

And they are. It's just fact.

[Amelia] (5:24 - 5:27)

Especially over the last five years. We've spoken about that before.

[Frank] (5:28 - 5:35)

Yep. It's going full on, but it's not the whole story. But I also believe people's expectation of what they want in a house...

[Amelia] (5:36 - 5:37)

Has changed.

[Frank] (5:37 - 5:59)

The size of the house, when they choose a piece of land or a house to extend or whatever, they haven't analysed and researched properly of what it could be from a cost or what's really able to be done. So the real issue is when prices move and the builders can't promise accuracy in that price, especially early on, because if you're doing concepts...

[Amelia] (6:00 - 6:00)

Yes.

[Frank] (6:01 - 6:12)

But you could be six, seven, eight, ten months down the track, even 12 months before you actually get a final price. And it could be quite different. 12 months, even on inflationary rates, you're going to get a lift.

[Amelia] (6:13 - 6:23)

Yeah. And that could even change now with this grant that's just been introduced. There's the potential that there is even more fluctuation.

[Frank] (6:23 - 6:24)

I think it's called gouging.

[Amelia] (6:24 - 6:25)

Yes.

[Frank] (6:25 - 6:49)

And it's happened. And it ticks me off a lot when this happens. So mainly, and I'll say it, it's the real estate prices go up instantly.

Developers put up their price because people are looking for land. They've got $30,000. But I actually don't think it's going to have the same impact as it has previously, like in COVID, purely because $30,000 is not even 5% of the average...

[Amelia] (6:49 - 6:50)

That's true.

[Frank] (6:50 - 6:53)

...build and land price, where previously it was 10%.

[Amelia] (6:53 - 7:12)

We had an interesting chat in the office, actually, during one of our question time sessions. And it was to do with just the cost of a really basic renovation. I think it was something...

I think it was a bathroom and maybe a bedroom extension. It was a very small extension. Anyway...

[Frank] (7:13 - 7:19)

So that sounds 4x4 and 2.5x2.5. Something like that. In the square meterage, yeah.

[Amelia] (7:19 - 7:26)

And the expectation for the price on that was, oh, you can get that for 100 grand. No.

[Frank] (7:27 - 7:28)

What was it??

[Amelia] (7:28 - 7:38)

I don't know. It was something ridiculous. It was some ridiculous price.

I can't remember exactly. But it was... Yeah.

It's just gotten really ridiculous, some of the prices on this stuff.

[Frank] (7:38 - 7:42)

Context, though. You don't know what else was being done around the house and upgrades.

[Amelia] (7:42 - 7:42)

That is true.

[Frank] (7:42 - 8:55)

We upgraded all the windows, re-roofing new fascia and gutters. Who knows? Repaint the whole house or whatever.

Another thing that's been a real problem in our industry is the labour availability. So for builders to find qualified chippies, sub-trades. All this is changing because the apprentices are dropping out at a rate.

I've experienced people leaving the industry because it's burnt them. I know plenty of builders have been burnt. And why wouldn't you when you can get an easier job?

And I'll use the example of the NDIS carers. You can make some crazy dollars just being a carer for someone. Yet you work your tail off with a qualification and you get paid half.

So I know teachers have left and other people have left their jobs to go do this stuff. With building, why would you? If an apprentice is earning peanuts and they can go do something else and earn twice the money.

It's not the long-term view. That's what I disagree with. But they can earn really good money.

It's bonkers. So with that, then the builders can't hold prices because at the end of the day too, that is a problem.

[Amelia] (8:56 - 8:58)

What became a problem during COVID?

[Frank] (8:58 - 8:59)

People went broke.

[Amelia] (8:59 - 8:59)

That's right.

[Frank] (9:00 - 9:31)

But now it's very hard to get a fixed price contract. So treat estimates or budget costings as exactly that. They are rubbery.

They're estimates. They're not fair dinkum. Don't think that figure is fixed in your head.

The other part is when people think they're getting a extension, but hey, there's a deck, there's a roof, there's a shed and all that. And I think that's all part of the house where you've got to consider the cost of the house is X. Anything outside...

[Amelia] (9:31 - 9:31)

Is extra.

[Frank] (9:31 - 9:41)

Extra. It's treated as an extra. So the problem is where you've got this uncertainty with the pricing, but pretending it doesn't exist is foolish.

[Amelia] (9:41 - 9:42)

Yes.

[Frank] (9:43 - 10:10)

Be very pragmatic with all these figures. Nothing comes for free. And there is one rule book with all this too, because you've also got to deal, and we've spoken this before, planning approval, building approval, fire access, water, sewer, soil tests, planning overlays, all sorts of stuff that can mess things up or even covenants and restrictions on your title that you have not researched or your solicitor has not passed on to say, this is a problem.

[Amelia] (10:11 - 10:11)

Yes.

[Frank] (10:11 - 10:17)

So we've spoken, we had a whole podcast talking about the five different levels.

[Amelia] (10:17 - 10:18)

That's right.

[Frank] (10:18 - 10:48)

And this is where it gets really wild. And everyone talks about red tape and simplifying it. Don't listen, it's a load of bullshit.

And sorry, I'm a soapbox, but they are not going to fix this. If anything, you're going to get more red tape going forward because someone does stuffs up and it makes more red tape for everyone else. And the polys can't change that.

All they can do is build better policies in each department to make it clearer and faster. That's all they can do.

[Amelia] (10:48 - 10:50)

To try and avoid more mistakes.

[Frank] (10:50 - 10:52)

But it costs more to do this stuff.

[Amelia] (10:52 - 10:53)

It does.

[Frank] (10:53 - 11:20)

And just please be aware, delays are not necessarily mistakes. They are because of complexity. And I've seen this with lots of commercial projects recently where the complexity has got the better of the project and you couldn't get specialists in the timeframe.

And I've seen this with housing as well where things have changed halfway through. They've changed the flooring. It takes longer to get something and then the whole thing is delayed by a month or so.

[Amelia] (11:21 - 11:25)

And it has such a massive flow on effect with everything else.

[Frank] (11:25 - 11:38)

Nothing happens fast now because this is why good planning, good choices, selections at the very start before they start building will reduce a lot of this. And do not change it.

[Amelia] (11:38 - 11:39)

No.

[Frank] (11:40 - 12:08)

So a design can look great, but it may not be approvable. Which I find, you know, which is really weird. We do our best here to make sure every design we do is approvable.

But then we've got some really crazy overlays, planning overlays that we've got to work through because the client wants to do, they have a specific dream and we're trying to get that within that zoning and the overlays and it's hard work. So planning could take twice as long, three times as long.

[Amelia] (12:08 - 12:32)

Yeah. And I think some people really, they actually don't realise that when they come in, how long the process actually takes. I had a friend of mine say, oh, how are your house plans going?

I said, it's going to be another four to six months and that's without any problems. Just to go through and get all of the reports done and finish all of the drawings and go through the motions. Hmm.

[Frank] (12:34 - 12:45)

But with that, you can remove a level of the uncertainty. Sorry, you can't necessarily remove it, but you can reduce it by doing the research.

[Amelia] (12:45 - 12:46)

At the beginning.

[Frank] (12:46 - 13:18)

At the beginning. Yeah. And I'll keep banging on about this.

Don't buy the wrong piece of land. Go and analyse the actual land. I was talking to someone at a function last night.

They got their holiday home. They've had the block for years. And there's a transformer in the corner of one side of the block.

You know, those big green transformers, electrical transformers. And they were told they can't get within six metres of it. And they didn't know that.

And that restricted their whole design and all their ideas for their shack.

[Amelia] (13:19 - 13:20)

Oh, that's frustrating.

[Frank] (13:20 - 13:35)

It was. So that was a bit tough, as well as the bushfire restrictions around them made it very difficult as well. So it's being aware.

Even if you had the block around your piece of land for a long time, the rules change around you, but your block doesn't.

[Amelia] (13:35 - 13:36)

Yeah, that's true.

[Frank] (13:37 - 13:53)

So don't assume that everything's... 

[Amelia]

Hunky-dory. Yep.

[Frank]

Just get into it because the rules change and you don't know about it. The risk in the industry has moved too. And this is a really interesting thing that years ago builders carried most of the risk.

And it's important to understand that's changed.

[Amelia] (13:54 - 13:57)

So are you saying the builders don't carry the risk anymore?

[Frank] (13:57 - 15:21)

No, no. They take a level, but they don't take all the risk. Because the way they price it now, they're not going to take the risk.

If the price rises, you've ordered this flooring and the flooring is where the last thing goes in. And it might be a $300, $250, $300 a square metre flooring product from Europe. And all of a sudden it's jumped up by 30%.

They'll have clauses in the contract where they say, sorry, it's gone up. But you priced it at this. We're six months down the track.

In my contract, it will now have, it does not include price rises. They can't do that. And this is what sent so many builders broke over that COVID period.

[Amelia]

Especially with the demand. 

[Frank]

The price has got fixed price on everything. Whereas now it's fixed price until we get a price rise.

Because a lot of this stuff, even the suppliers can't hold it for longer than 30 to 60 days subject to what it is. So that's been brutal. So then you either choose another product, you might have a delay.

So the builders have to protect themselves. And right, so otherwise they're going to go broke. And if they all go broke, you're not going to have any builders.

Then all the prices go up. 

[Amelia]

Yes. 

[Frank]

Because there's so few builders.

And so the risk is then shifting to the client to making sure they're aware of this. And in the contract they're aware and they need to have a backup plan. Am I willing to spend the money or do I have to choose another product?

[Amelia] (15:21 - 15:23)

Yes. And will that cause an amendment?

[Frank] (15:24 - 15:28)

Yes, there will be a variation in the contract. So that has to be dealt with.

[Amelia] (15:29 - 15:30)

No, but through planning.

[Frank] (15:31 - 15:31)

Not for flooring.

[Amelia] (15:31 - 15:33)

Oh yeah, for flooring.

[Frank] (15:33 - 15:35)

Flooring you're pretty safe. But if your windows change.

[Amelia] (15:36 - 15:38)

That's what I mean. If it was something else that could. Yeah, a window could be a big one.

[Frank] (15:38 - 16:19)

They're pretty early on. You're about a quarter of the way through the build. So it'd be unlikely you're going to move. But it's quite possible. Aluminium prices. If the windows are coming from overseas, triple glaze, UPVC, beautiful.

But you take a big risk there as well. So just be aware of those things. And the builder has to be upfront about that as well.

Disputes are started with assumptions. 

[Amelia]

That's so true. 
 
 

[Frank]

Don't assume this is being supplied or this is being done or whatever.

Ask the hard questions. The builder's just going to say yes or no. I want a retaining wall in the backyard because it shows it on the drawings because it shows a batter, but I want a retaining wall.

Well, that doesn't come for free.

[Amelia] (16:20 - 16:21)

And that's fair enough.

[Frank] (16:21 - 16:41)

Because there's also drainage involved. I was assuming I was getting a concrete driver with a pebble finish. Was it specified?

So you have to be very clear on this. And let's talk about something that was included. So being very clear what you want and what's not and how that works with your budget.

[Amelia] (16:42 - 16:43)

That's exactly right.

[Frank] (16:44 - 17:14)

So other risks are choosing the right block because here's the thing the builder can't control. And even when we do geotech, they don't know what's under the ground when they dig it. I've seen trees. I've seen car parts. I've seen building materials buried in the ground. I've seen all sorts of crazy stuff.

Old sites, old sawmill sites been reclaimed. Brownfield site turning into subdivisions. Water tables that hadn't been, you know, old water courses filled in and there's silt creeks under there.

You name it.

[Amelia] (17:15 - 17:16)

Wow. How do you build on that?

[Frank] (17:17 - 17:44)

Well, that's why you've got to do geotechs and they do historical searches. So it's very critical. And that's why choosing the right block is very, very important.

Hard to find some of this stuff. The other one is when compliance rules change too. But generally during your job, once you've got a permit, you're going to be pretty right on compliance.

They will not change part of the way through. And if a building surveyor does that, well, I think you've got every right to kick up a stink.

[Amelia] (17:44 - 17:44)

Yes.

[Frank] (17:45 - 17:47)

At least your Hobart plumbing department, they like doing that.

[Amelia] (17:47 - 17:48)

Oh.

[Frank] (17:49 - 17:51)

I'm not letting it go.

[Amelia] (17:51 - 17:52)

Okay. Okay.

[Frank] (17:53 - 18:01)

Your design decisions affect the construction costs during the build. Don't change stuff during the build and expect it doesn't cost anything.

[Amelia] (18:01 - 18:06)

Well, that's exactly right. You can change whatever you want, really, but you've got to pay for it.

[Frank] (18:06 - 18:08)

Sounds obvious, doesn't it?

[Amelia] (18:08 - 18:09)

Yeah, that's exactly right.

[Frank] (18:09 - 18:12)

But you'd be surprised how many disputes have come because of that.

[Amelia] (18:13 - 18:13)

Really? 

[Frank] (18:14 - 18:20)

Yep. All this shows up either time problems, money problems, which then all lead to frustration.

[Amelia] (18:20 - 18:30)

Yes, and stress. 

[Frank]

And you don't want that. 

[Amelia]

No, no, it's already...I wouldn't say it's a stressful process, but I mean, there's a lot to know, understand, calculate.

[Frank] (18:31 - 18:40)

Where you've got a right to be ticked off is when you've actually specified something and it hasn't been done or put in or an alternative and you haven't been asked.

[Amelia] (18:40 - 18:41)

Or it's not compliant.

[Frank] (18:41 - 18:42)

Or that too.

[Amelia] (18:42 - 18:43)

Yeah.

[Frank] (18:43 - 19:37)

Then you've got every right to, you know... 

[Amelia]

To kick up. 

[Frank]

Spit the goo and go, dude, what's going on? That's not good enough. And it's not in the contract. Unfortunately, I have seen that. Trying to reduce, be able to reduce their costs. So on the designer side, this is our side. So a good design isn't just about the drawings either.

It's now about good advice. It could be about your budget. It could be about selection of materials that are long, you know, if you want something that's not going to deteriorate.

It's a known product that lasts a long time, low maintenance, all those types of things. And it's all about making informed decisions early. And if a designer's done lots of designs, or the company has, they should be choosing good products or at least give you advice.

Don't be an early adopter and choose something that's really weird and odd because a lot of designers won't accept it because there is no paperwork behind it.

[Amelia] (19:37 - 19:40)

Unless it's had all the testing and stuff done.

[Frank] (19:40 - 19:40)

It's got all the testing.

[Amelia] (19:40 - 19:41)

Yeah.

[Frank] (19:41 - 20:04)

So that's where a lot of designers will identify the risks. I also am a big believer of that the designer coordinates the consultants. We do that ourselves, that we engage all the consultants to make sure they get it on time, how it has to be done as per the design and be very clear on that.

And if there's any mistakes, we go back to them and get it sorted.

[Amelia] (20:04 - 20:05)

Yes.

[Frank] (20:05 - 20:20)

So our job is to see around the corners or look for alternatives when required, or if something's not working, i.e. we've got a problem with compliance or whatever, our job is to find a solution around that.

[Amelia] (20:21 - 20:33)

Yes. And I mean, it's even providing more information to people as well. Like we often get what's called an RFI, request for more information.

And, you know, we have to consult with councils.

[Frank] (20:34 - 20:36)

And that's generally planning.

[Amelia] (20:36 - 20:36)

That's right.

[Frank] (20:37 - 20:53)

And the frustrating thing is sometimes it's time wasting and they haven't looked at the drawings properly. That's very frustrating. Sometimes it's just genuine things we've got to consider and we have to go through and work with the planners over that.

And that's where there are delays. It's not an error. It's the complexity.

[Amelia] (20:53 - 20:54)

Exactly right.

[Frank] (20:55 - 21:22)

So our recommendation there is spend more time upfront researching and your designers would give you lots of websites to go look at for products, fixtures and stuff. I'm a big fan of getting someone to help you with your interiors to really nail down what you want. And please be aware a good interior designer will probably cost you more than the building designer purely because there's so much of you personally inside that interior.

[Amelia] (21:22 - 21:23)

Yeah, a lot of work goes into it.

[Frank] (21:24 - 21:53)

Huge amount of work. Because then it comes back to the design. No, that won't work for this, that and the reason.

Okay, then you can look at an alternative. But a good interior designer can make your house absolutely amazing. So you want to spend that time upfront to understand what you want.

Also you need to understand what that dollar figure is going to be per square metre for the type of house, for the type of style. Because you've got the base build and then you've got the fit out cost. Then you've got the exterior costs.

[Amelia] (21:54 - 21:54)

Landscaping.

[Frank] (21:54 - 22:01)

Like I'm putting this huge deck and our fresco on the side of my house that's hanging three metres out of the ground. That's expensive.

[Amelia] (22:01 - 22:02)

Yes.

[Frank] (22:02 - 22:18)

And I know that but I'd be mad not to put it on because of the view. 

[Amelia]

Of course. 

[Frank]

So worth spending the money because adds value to the house.

So you've got to pick this stuff what's really important and get clear on all these things and ask questions. Ask heaps of questions.

[Amelia] (22:18 - 22:19)

There's no dumb questions.

[Frank] (22:19 - 22:29)

No dumb questions. If you don't know, you don't know. That's fine.

That's what your designer should be able to answer for you. And if you don't know, yep. Even if the designer doesn't know, they should say, I'm going to find out.

[Amelia] (22:30 - 22:30)

Yes.

[Frank] (22:30 - 22:55)

Choose experience over speed. Because I've had a few times where we weren't able to meet clients so-called deadlines. I'll say so-called.

So they've gone to another designer to get all the construction drawings done and I found out there was delays because they didn't like coordinating all the sub consultants and we found out we would have met that deadline no worries. The time they got it was exactly the same as what we quoted on our deadline.

[Amelia] (22:55 - 22:55)

Yes.

[Frank] (22:55 - 23:08)

You want to have good quality drawings that are well thought out and always coordinated with the sub consultants but coordinate with the builder. I always keep saying builder, designer, with owner, best result ever.

[Amelia] (23:08 - 23:09)

Oh, I agree.

[Frank] (23:10 - 23:23)

So just to wrap it up, building today requires better conversations and not just blind confidence. The projects aren't the fastest, but they are the clearest. You know, you really got to work hard on this stuff.

[Amelia] (23:23 - 23:28)

It's the attention to detail. It's, you know, making sure that the scope is down pat.

[Frank] (23:28 - 23:34)

Yes. Yep. Also be aware when you're choosing certain products, it might be cheaper, but it's more expensive to install.

[Amelia] (23:35 - 23:38)

Yeah, that's a really good point actually. Not everyone would think of that.

[Speaker 1] (23:38 - 23:53)

I had that myself. I was looking at European style triple glazed UPVC windows and they're awesome. Twice or if not more than the normal windows, double glazed windows here, but the installation was four times the cost.

[Amelia] (23:53 - 23:54)

Really? 

[Frank] (23:54 - 23:55)

Yep. That was a good lesson.

[Amelia] (23:55 - 24:03)

And I think you also have to weigh it up with maintenance as well. 

[Frank]

For sure. 

[Amelia]

So, you know, the cost versus how much maintenance it requires.

[Frank] (24:03 - 24:06)

Yep. Will it leak? On the external stuff, that's a serious thing.

[Amelia] (24:07 - 24:07)

Yeah.

[Frank] (24:07 - 24:41)

Will it leak? You don't want leaks. Water will destroy your building. Lots of conversations, get clarity early on your house and what you want to have into it.

Listen to, you know, listen to podcasts, go online, but do further investigation on areas so you're clear on what you want, you know, and it's going to fit your budget. So you're going to have your eyes wide open and then you should be able to ask the right questions. Be very clear on what you're getting.

Confidence and trust in the builder and the design process. And then you should get exactly what you want within your budget.

[Amelia] (24:42 - 24:46)

That's the idea. I think that's what every designer aims to do.

[Frank] (24:46 - 24:53)

Every designer would aim to do that. Every builder would aim to do that. Every owner wants that.

[Amelia] (24:54 - 24:54)

Yes.

[Frank] (24:55 - 24:59)

But you've got to be fair dinkum with everyone. 

[Amelia]

Exactly. 

[Frank]

You've got to listen to the advice.

[Amelia] (25:00 - 25:03)

And be realistic, do your research, understand the process.

[Frank] (25:04 - 25:28)

You know, and the builders can give you rough figures of what's going to cost you per square metre just to get a number in your head of where it could be. Just don't choose really expensive stuff inside if you're on a tighter budget. 

[Amelia]

Exactly.

[Frank]

Yeah. And before we go, end of the year. 

[Amelia]

Oh yeah, Merry Christmas.

[Frank]

Merry Christmas, New Years. Wish you a blessed Christmas and all to your families. And we look forward to catching up with everyone next year and doing this all again.

[Amelia] (25:28 - 25:47)

We might wrap it up there, folks. Thanks for listening to the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast. See you in 2026.

[Frank]

Catch ya. 

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