Better Builder Podcast
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Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders convert higher quality projects.
Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bradvisser01/?hl=en
Gro's Socials
Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency
Gro's Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@groagency
Gro’s website https://groagency.co/ + https://www.gro.video/
Disclaimer: This podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any information featured in this podcast. Any third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of this podcast, and no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy or completeness of any content contained in any third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this podcast.
Episodes
115 episodes
Do It Right, Not Fast | Jake Woods BBA #19
This week on the Better Builder podcast we sit down with Jake Woods, founder of Calibre Homes. Jake came up as a boat builder, spent nearly two decades on superyachts, then came home and built Calibre into a respected Auckland renovation compan...
When Good Builders Still Go Broke | Jarrett Howe #96
This week we sit down with Jarrett Howe from Frontline Project Management, on-site at a bespoke Auckland home he built with architect Jason Bailey of Hoxha Bailey. Jarrett and his partner Ernie run a small operation that takes on big things, fr...
The Cost Of Pushing Too Hard | Jason Bailey #95
This week we sit down with Jason Bailey of Hoxha Bailey Architects, who flew in from the Sunshine Coast for the chat. Over 30 years designing Auckland homes, Jason shares his story and the lessons behind it.He takes us from a ...
What Working Every Night Cost Me | Ben Kevey-Maiden #94
This week, we welcome Ben Kevey-Maiden, founder of New Wave Construction, to the Better Builder podcast as we sit down on location in St Luke's, Auckland, inside the striking little commercial building he built off the side of his family's car ...
Why Architects and Builders Clash | Ben Lloyd #93
This week on the Better Builder podcast, we sit down with Ben Lloyd from Lloyd Hartley Architects, on location at a small St Luke's office he designed in the corner of a busy Auckland car wash. Ben shares what it really takes to run a small arc...
What Year One as a Building Apprentice Actually Looks Like | Lawrence BBA #18
Lawrence is a second-year building apprentice from Tauranga who joins Brad for an honest chat about life on the tools. He breaks down how the apprenticeship actually works: the trainer visits, the night classes, the book work, and the mistakes ...
Remote Island Builder Specialist | Matt Garlick #92
This week on the Better Builder podcast, we sit down with Matt Garlick, founder of Supreme Builders NZ, to talk about what it actually takes to execute high-end architectural construction in some of the most remote, awkward locations a...
Logistics Of Building On An Island | Paul Francis #91
Architect Paul joins the Better Builder podcast for our second outdoor episode of the season, sitting down on location to discuss the brutal realities of building on an island. From navigating the nightmare logistics of ferry-bound concrete tru...
What Makes A Good Apprentice | Charlie BBA #17
Charlie is a 19-year-old, third-year building apprentice from Auckland who joins Brad for an honest chat about life on the tools. From a school work-experience day on a commercial site to choosing residential building over sparky or plumbing wo...
Can Architects and Builders Be Friends? | Tim Dorrington #90
For our second outdoor episode of the Better Builder podcast, we are on location in Mangawhai with architect Tim Dorrington, founder of Dorrington Atcheson Architects. Tim sits down to share the realities of running a modern practice, his mid-c...
When a Building Business Outgrows the Builder | Nick Smith #89
This week, we welcome back a returning favourite to the Better Builder podcast as we sit down on location in Mangawhai with Nick Smith, founder of Smith Construction. Nick has built an incredible reputation across Greater Northland for executin...
How New Zealand’s Top Architect Separates Himself from the Pack | Andrew Patterson #88
In this episode, Andrew joins us fresh off a lecture tour in the US to discuss his incredible career and what it takes to design world-class structures. From winning a major national housing award three times early in his career to running a pr...
Why the Trades Are Hard to Break Into | Luka Thomson BBA #16
This month on BBA, we chat with Luka Noad, a third-year building apprentice with Builders Academy NZ. After leaving school in Year 12 and cold-emailing over 50 companies to land his first role, Luka knows better than most how hard it is to brea...
Plumbing Versus Building Apprenticeship | Adrian Ferguson BBA #15
This month on BBA, we chat with Adrian Ferguson, a 23-year-old building apprentice who transitioned from plumbing to high-end residential construction. Based on the North Shore and nearing qualification through Builders Academy, Adrian highligh...
Starting A Building Business At 22 | Rory Burnett BBA #14
How do you balance early fatherhood, a growing business, and architectural excellence? Rory Burnett, founder of RB Builds, joins us to share his journey from farm life to business owner.Beyond his own story, Rory dives into the importanc...
How This Builder Fast Tracked His Apprenticeship | Sam Paauwe BBA #13
This month, we sit down with Sam Paauwe, Massey High School Building Academy Prefect, to discuss the fast track to a building career. Sam explains how the Building Academy helped him gain nearly a quarter of his apprenticeship credits by buildi...
Christmas Awards Special 2025 | Better Builder Podcast #87
As 2025 draws to a close, Brad is joined by Dan (Producer of Better Builder) to reflect on a landmark year. From the adrenaline of the podcast tour to the prestigious Better Builder Awards, they dive deep into the highs, the lows, and everythin...
How To Build A Successful Construction Business In Brisbane | (2025 Highlights) #86
This special compilation episode features the best business insights from our recent Brisbane Builder Tour, highlighting five of the city's top custom builders: Seb Toscano, Charlie Mylne, Jarryd Duffy, Matt Grieve, and Caleb Adams. Hear how le...
What Architects Want In A Builder | Jeremy Chapman #85
This week, we sit down with Jeremy Chapman, founder of JCA STUDIO, an award-winning Auckland-based practice committed to authentic and considered design. Drawing on his diverse background as a builder and furniture designer, Jeremy passionately...
How to Design a Good Home | Craig Moller #84
We sit down with Craig Moller, Director at Moller Architects, to discuss the deeper meaning behind design. With three decades of experience and a passion for crafting enduring spaces, Craig shares his wisdom on creating structures that truly "r...
How A Lone Wolf Became An Award Winning Architect | Jeremy Brick #83
This week, we chat with Jeremy Brick from Studio Brick Architects, a design-led office renowned for its elegant, creative, and considered architectural solutions across all projects. Jeremy's practice is focused on delivering a comprehensive cl...
How To Teach High Schoolers How to Build | Luke Kanuta #BBA 12
This month, we sit down with Luke Kanuta, one of the key teachers in charge of the innovative Building Academy at Massey High School. Luke talks about how they are transforming young lives through construction. The Building Academy is a unique,...
Construction Lawyer’s Advice On How To Get Paid On Time | Finn Collins #82 (Reupload)
We are revisiting a classic episode to help secure your business and cash flow in these tough economic times. We welcome back Finn Collins, a leading barrister specialising in complex construction and property disputes. He provides actionable a...
NZ Architect Shortlisted for International Architecture Award | Chris Tate #81
Join us this week on the Better Builder podcast as we sit down with Chris Tate, an Architectural Designer known for creating buildings of unique modernity and daring imagination. Chris shares his unconventional journey and discusse...
Figuring Out The Business Side Of Running A Building Company | Dan Hawke-Mills #80
Join us this week on the Better Builder podcast with Dan Hawke-Mills, Co-Director of Downright Construction. Dan offers a transparent look at navigating the building world, admitting he and his partner spent the first few years "winging it" and...