Send us a text Warwick Allen is the director of Glass Vice, an innovative New Zealand-owned company specializing in Glass & Aluminium balustrades, pool fencing, floating platforms, Aluminium Screens/shrouds/sliders & building-related products. Glass Vice is known for their customer service and innovative patented product range including the world-famous double friction that gives them an industry edge. In this episode, we sat down with Warwick and chatted about how his upbringing infl...
Send us a text Anthony Kane is the director of Kane Build Group. With a family history in real estate, Anthony is driven by a passion for architectural excellence and finely-crafted construction. Among his qualifications are a New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry, Licensed Building Practioner, and Registered Master Builder. With over 20 years of experience in construction, Anthony leads Kane Build Group with a craftsman's eye for detail and precision. Anthony loves to explore the design proce...
Send us a text Andy Crompton is the director of Abstract Floors, a company specialising in timer floor installation and renovation. After purchasing the business from the previous owner, Andy revitalised it into a modern award-winning team by working closely with home owners, designers and builders to make sure timelines are met and jobs run smoothly. In this episode, we sat down with Andy and chatted about his early days travelling through Asia, his stance on passion vs profession, and what...
Send us a text This week, we sit down with Corey Aiken from Beachside Builders, a father-and-son company blending tradition with innovation. Corey shares his unique journey from fashion sales to the building trade, an experience that fueled his personal growth. In this episode, Corey candidly discusses his struggles with work-life balance and the pivotal moment he realised he was bringing stress home. He highlights the challenges of rapid business growth, the importance of open conver...
Send us a text We welcome back Ed Cooney, the founder and director of Iron House, for another insightful conversation. With over three decades of experience in the construction industry, Ed has worked on significant projects worldwide, most recently in Vanuatu through Luxor Homes. In this episode, we delve into the critical importance of thoroughly understanding your business's back-end operations, the necessity of meticulous detail when managing contract variations to avoid potential pitfall...
Send us a text Adam Beswick co-founded Next Level Joinery in 2017 with a vision to create a modern timber joinery workshop committed to delivering exceptional, sustainable timber products on time with outstanding service. Next Level Joinery prides itself on its dedicated team, modern precision machinery, and a customer-centric approach, aiming to exceed expectations and foster long-term relationships built on trust and transparency. We sat down with Adam to discuss the crucial role of...
Send us a text Welcome back to Better Builder Apprentice! In our sixth monthly bonus episode, we're joined by Caitlin, a powerhouse fourth-year apprentice who's practically breathing down the neck of qualification – just 99% to go! We're diving deep into the realities of apprenticeship, exploring the exciting career avenues that open up after qualifying, and pinpointing the common pitfalls that apprentices should absolutely avoid. Caitlin generously shares her insights on how companies and em...
Send us a text Dave Bulling leads Cook Brothers Construction, a national commercial construction powerhouse specialising in diverse and complex projects. They are recognised for their commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and a unique approach to business. Beginning with a $1.5 million apartment conversion in Dunedin, managed from their early "Tree Hut" office, Cook Brothers has achieved significant growth, including three appearances on Deloitte's Fast 50 list. Originally starting...
Send us a text John Creighton owns and founded John Creighton Builders, a company specialising in high-quality residential construction, including new builds, renovations, and repairs. They are known for constructing homes with superior craftsmanship and architectural excellence, often collaborating with architects. In this episode, we sat down with John to chat about his extensive experience in the building industry, his journey from Christchurch to Auckland, his approach to creating beautif...
Send us a text Len Bogatin is the founder of LBA Construction Group, Melbourne's foremost high-end builder. Len founded LBA with his business partner Denis, and the idea is to bring the customer focus of commercial construction to the residential market. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, LBA has earned a reputation for delivering outstanding quality projects in a position of honesty and total transparency, along with a strong emphasis on producing a quality finished product.&n...
Send us a text As we approach the end of 2024, it is time to look back on our favorite moments throughout the year. In this episode, we invited Henry Dunham from Henry Dunham Building back to celebrate our picks for the most memorable guests, banters, and moments of the podcast this year, in our very first Better Builder Annual Awards. Better Builder Podcast is made possible by our partners, Forte Forte - https://forte.co.nz/homeowners Social Links Instagram - https://www.instagram.co...
Send us a text Matthew Menichelli is the founder of Elevate Building Group, a building company based in Diamon Valley, Melbourne and specialises in Custom homes complemented by a wealth of experience ranging from renovations, extensions, new homes, multi-res developments, basement construction and commercial fit-outs. Mattew began as an Industrial Design student, but his passion led him away from the classroom and towards the hands-on approach of a carpenter in the building industry. Matt thr...
Send us a text Dale Cheesman is the founder of The Melbourne Builder. As a young and talented certified master builder, Dale Cheesman has been quietly transforming the face of Melbourne’s building industry for more than a decade. Specialising in high-end residential construction, events and temporary structure across the hospitality and events sectors, Dale has not only collaborated with some of Australia's best designers, architects, and event managers but his laid-back charm and industry kn...
Send us a text George Passas is the founder of Pascon. With over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, George has been a pivotal figure in Victoria’s construction scene. His journey began with prestigious roles at Melbourne’s top construction companies, including Multiplex, Abigroup, and Buildcept, where he honed his skills in project management, design and construction, financial control, and client relationship management. His work on iconic and award-winning construction sit...
Send us a text Robbie Stratti is the founder of Stratti Building, specialising in creating architectural custom homes, boutique commercial spaces, and renovations. Robbie discovered his passion for innovative construction in 2008, while spending eight months building a community village in East Africa with his father. As he honed his carpentry skills, he also developed an innate ability to ‘think outside the box,’ finding quick and effective solutions when conventional modern building techniq...
Send us a text Stephen Humphry is the owner of MODIFY, a building company specialises in home renovations and new builds in Sydney, Australia. Based on years of experience, the company has carved a streamlined process that provides clients with an upfront and detailed cost management plan for their renovation project, minimising any surprises during the design phase. With an integrated team of senior Architects, Interior Designers, and Construction Managers, MODIFY ensures their building proc...
Send us a text Marshal Keen is the founder of Built by MK. With over 20 years in the industry, Marshal is a skilled builder and carpenter with a great sense of design and a sharp eye for detail. Inspired by his father, he started his building career on the Gold Coast, completing his carpentry apprenticeship and earning his building license. After climbing the ranks at Queensland’s top residential construction companies and gaining project management experience, he decided to move to the Easte...
Send us a text Joe Sidoti is the founder and director of SQ Projects, a building company specialising in boutique residential construction in Sydney, Australia. Since Joe started SQ in 2010, the company has evolved from a one-man operation into a multi award winning building company offering a wide range of services. SQ takes pride in delivering quality projects, on time and within budget. With every project, they love to be involved in the whole process, from concept to completion, and aim t...
Send us a text Tony Fraser founded House of Nautica in 1997, specialising in building outstanding masonry homes to suit the needs of their discerning clients. Being a big believer in honesty and integrity, Tony prides himself in providing the highest level of service, with a keen attention to detail and unsurpassed quality in materials and workmanship. Being a veteran in the industry, Tony is also no stranger to the ups and downs the industry has gone through. In this episode, we sat down w...
Send us a text Nic Foster is the director of NF Construction. Nick started his building career working for a developer in Auckland for 10 years. After that, he and his wife decided to move up to Mangawhai Heads and founded their company. They began by building their own project houses, designing, building, and then selling them. The company has won multiple awards for their projects due to Nic's commitment to quality. Nick personally manages every project, constructing houses to a standard th...