Better Builder Podcast
Social Links Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast 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
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 executing complex, high-end architectural homes.
In this episode, Nick pulls back the curtain on the business reality of scaling to 15 staff, the mental hurdles of stepping off...
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 premium 25-person practice, Andrew pulls back the curtain on the real relationship between architects, clients, and builders.
We dive deep into why New Zealand is an archi...
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 break into the trades.
In this episode, Luka talks about the reality of getting your first apprenticeship, what separates good apprentices from bad ones, and why he's tuning out th...
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 highlights the benefits of frequent assessments and a strong connection with his mentor to accelerate his career.
In this episode, Adrian discusses why his generation is...
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 importance of giving back to the trade. We discuss his star apprentice, Aidan, and how the support system at Builders Academy is changing the game. Learn why frequent six-week check-ins are t...
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 building Kāinga Ora houses. He emphasises that the academy acts as a critical support system, giving students who struggled academically a chance to excel in a practical field they ...
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 everything in between that defined the year for the community."
Social Links
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast
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 leaders stress the critical importance of setting firm boundaries with clients and maintaining a 12-14% net profit margin to avoid financial burnout. Jarryd Duffy and Matt Griev...
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 argues that architectural plans are a graphic, artistic process that fundamentally dictates a house's final outcome. He dives into the complexity hidden within simplicity and...
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 "resonate" with occupants. This episode is a masterclass in architectural philosophy, emphasising the crucial connection between structure, design, and materiality. Don't miss C...
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 client experience, offering services from initial design through to construction observation.
In this episode, Jeremy opens up about the 'rollercoaster' of workload and the const...
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, one-year, full-time program that creates genuine opportunities for students by having them build a three-bedroom, 100m² house on site. Luke shares how the academy uses ...
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 advice on structuring contracts to ensure you get paid what you've earned. This powerful and insightful episode is a must-listen!
Social Links
Instagram - https://www.insta...
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 discusses his philosophy where "less is more" is the mantra and the site's beauty is the maximum priority. We revisit his career-defining first project, the iconic "Forest House," and...
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 lacked fundamental business systems. He shares how his past as a competitive bodybuilder instilled the discipline and determination required to push through the current econo...
Join us this week on the Better Builder podcast with Joel Macreadie, Director of Macreadie Builders. Joel talks about the shock of his tough apprenticeship and the steep learning curve when he started Macreadie Builders around age 24. He reveals his leadership secrets, including leading from the front by getting on the tools, fostering team buy-in through open conversation, and the positive impact of having female b...
Hamish gets brutally honest about the one mistake that almost broke his business: a massive fixed-price blunder on residential renovations. Learn his blueprint for strong systems, finding the right business partners, and empowering your team to scale successfully.
Social Links
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast
Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast
Facebook - https:/...
This month, we're joined by Jason Goertzen, a workplace apprenticeship educator at the Builders Academy. Join us as we dive into the harsh reality of what it means to be a qualified tradesman. Jason argues that your qualification is a "minimum standard, not a finish line," and reveals the critical skill needed to succeed—not hammer skills, but "learning how to learn." He shares the proven 10-minute daily study...
Join us this week on the Better Builder podcast with David Stark, Founder of Stark Building. David, an award-winning builder, shares the mindset that drives his business, where his "I'll prove you wrong" attitude pushes him to work solo and make hard work look easy. He discusses the crucial role of luck in finding a good apprenticeship, the challenge of working with less "red tape" in London, and how he channels his...
Join us this week on the Better Builder podcast with Warren Adolph, Founder of Warren Adolph Homes. With over 30 years in the industry, Warren shares the story of his incredible partnership, which began back in intermediate school, and how they built a successful, family-run business focused on quality. He speaks frankly about the immense frustration with government "help" that only adds to the "red tape" and bureau...
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