In this episode of Builders Beyond Borders, we sit down to unpack one of the biggest disconnects we see in the industry: the gap between what homeowners think their build or renovation will cost, and what it actually costs to bring their project to life.
Hugh is joined by Andy and Louise from Perway Construction Services in Western Australia, and we get into the reality of what’s happening on the ground right now. We talk about where homeowners are getting their information from, why shows like The Block and Grand Designs are shaping expectations in ways that don’t line up with real-world costings, and why so many clients are walking into first meetings with budgets that are already well short of what their dream project actually requires.
We share real examples from this week’s client meetings, including a full home renovation that a designer had quoted at $350,000 when the true cost was closer to $1 million. We talk about scope creep once interior designers come on board, why clients need to stop holding their budget cards close to their chest, and why comparing a high-performing eco pod to a Bunnings flat pack is never going to give you an accurate picture of value.
If you’re planning a build or renovation, or you’re already in the middle of one and wondering why the numbers keep shifting, this is a conversation that will change how we think about budgeting from day one.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
– Why Andy asks every new client “Are you a Block or a Grand Designs?” at the first onsite meeting, and what the answer tells him about their expectations
– The real client example from this week where a designer had quoted a full home renovation at $350,000 when the true cost was closer to $1 million
– Why comparing a high-performing eco pod to a Bunnings flat pack tiny home is never comparing apples with apples
– Why choosing a builder based on the lowest number is almost always the most expensive decision a homeowner will make in the long run
– How the investment in coaching typically pays back many times over when you follow the systems
Key Timestamps
01:10 Are Homeowner Budgets Actually Realistic in Today’s Market
05:34 The $350K Renovation That Was Really a $1 Million Job
12:27 Why You Can’t Compare a Bunnings Flat Pack to an Eco Pod
17:44 The One Takeaway Every Homeowner Needs to Hear
Listen on
Spotify// https://open.spotify.com/show/0eGpiuFZidHdOcFunXPo4q
Apple Podcast// https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builders-beyond-borders/id1841312899
Youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@BuildersBeyondBordersPodcast
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Looking for a builder?
Perway Construction Services in Western Australia – https://www.perway.com.au
DJH Builders in Tasmania – https://djhbuilders.com.au
New Realm Homes in Victoria – https://newrealmhomes.com.au
Independent Building Solutions in Canberra – https://www.ibscanberra.com.au
Matt Auld Builder in Victoria – https://mabuilder.com.au
