In this episode Drew Mansur the co-founder of TileCloud and Yabby tapware shares essential advice for renovators, including recalibrating expectations, understanding realistic timelines, choosing quality materials, and paying attention to the functionality and aesthetic value of a space. Drew emphasizes the importance of prototyping and planning, as well as tips for lighting and material selection. Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical tips for your renovation project.

In this episode, Georgia shares her experience with a bathroom renovation gone wrong. They initially hired a family friend builder, but soon faced a series of avoidable errors and missteps, including improper waterproofing, incorrect piping, and faulty tiling.

In this episode, Gino shares his owner build journey which he completed with his wife Marie whilst working full time. In his role as the General Manager of Home Base Design and Build Centre, Gino has some key advice for other budding Owner Builders or renovators. A must-listen if you're considering the Owner Builder path.

In this episode, Gen shares her journey of renovating a character home while navigating her son’s autism diagnosis. Discover how sensory-friendly design principles, thoughtful spatial planning, and multi-generational living considerations shaped their forever home. Gen also opens up about the impact of working with an architect and occupational therapist to create a functional and calming environment for her family.

In this episode of Australian Build Stories, Sam Payne sits down with Tenille, a commercial interior architect and experienced builder, to discuss the creation of her family’s dream home—Karijini House. This home, built with her husband in Perth, started as a rough sketch drawn on a camping trip and grew into a complex project requiring patience, balance, and budgetary discipline.

Tenille opens up about the challenges of managing such a significant build while raising a family and shares her hard-won insights on keeping a consistent design narrative, staying hands-on throughout the process, and the need for transparency in budgeting. Her story is a testament to the resilience required in building a space truly tailored to your lifestyle and the sense of accomplishment that follows.

This episode captures the dedication needed to bring a long-term vision to life and offers inspiration for anyone navigating their own building journey.

Orla and her partner initially planned to build a larger home with a focus on entertaining family. However, after having a baby, they realised their existing house was no longer suitable for their growing family.

They explored the option of renovating but found the cost and disruption to be significant. Orla's conversation with Sam led her to reconsider her priorities and the potential benefits of their current home.

Andrew shares insights from his array of build and renovation projects across Perth. Andrew discusses the importance of long-term planning, the art of budgeting effectively, and the challenges of balancing design with practicality. Discover how his previous experiences have shaped his approach to building and how he's had a methodical approach allowing him to gradually work up to his dream home. 

This story follows Nic, an architect who embarks on a nine-year quest to build his dream home. The journey is filled with unexpected twists and turns, highlighting the challenges and realities of building a house in today's market.

Initial Plans and Frustrations

Nic and his wife set out to buy land and build their dream home. They find a perfect block of land and Nic designs a house that perfectly fits their needs and vision. However, after getting initial pricing from builders, they realize the costs are higher than anticipated. This forces them to put their plans on hold and save more money.