This week in our series of casual chats in Brew with a Builder we sit down with Stephan Van Der Walt from Walt Construction in Noosa, and he talks about some of the secrets which make his business a success, and reveals something about himself that even his work mates don’t know. 

TGB – So what first attracted you to building?

Stephan – My father was a builder of sorts, and the same with grandfather, so I grew up around it. Grandfather and father were both farmers and then builders. I just love to see things come to life or be renewed. That’s why we’re probably doing more renovations than new builds at the moment. I also do like seeing a set of plans and then imagining it coming to life, and then it comes to life, and it’s pretty satisfying to see.

TGB – What’s the most memorable event in your apprenticeship?

Stephan – I did two years of apprenticeship, and then I went to uni and studied construction management. So, a little bit different to the usual builder, I’d say. Being an apprentice, I loved working with my hands outside every day, and then got into the planning side of things and project management pretty quickly. The builder I worked with wasn’t on site a lot, so from a very early start, I’d be the guy on site. And I think I kind of just took to that side of things.

Stephan on the job with Walt Construction

TGB – What’s the best advice you’ve been given during your career?

Stephan – From a practical side of things it was, if it’s not a variation, you’re doing it for free, as in, if it’s not written down and agreed to, you’re doing it for free. And then, apart from that, communication is the key, right? If you assume that someone wants something done, and you do it and it’s not what they wanted, you’re redoing it.

TGB – Who is your biggest mentor and why were they so important?

Stephan – Definitely, my father, and he’s still my mentor. He helps me see the bigger picture pretty quickly, and made me realise you can’t get too obsessed with one thing and lose track of what’s important.

TGB – What’s your favourite project so far? And why?

Stephan – My favourite recent project would be the Noosa Dune’s project we did, which was like a three level renovation on beachfront at Noosa here. The client really understood what we could do and pushed us to do our best. Along with the architect and interior designer, it was just a really good team, and I think we all pushed each other for a really good outcome.

The stunning Noosa Dunes Renovation by Walt Construction

TGB – What’s the biggest challenge facing the construction industry?

Stephan – The skill shortage. We work with some unreal tradesmen here. I’ll give you an example. We work with this piling guy. He’ll look at set of plans and calculations and then he’ll come out to site and does the work. He’s about 85 years old, and he’s just unreal to work with. I haven’t seen anyone do the work he does as well as he does it. If he retires, I don’t know how we’d replace him. So, the skill shortage going forward is probably our biggest challenge.

TGB – And what’s something interesting about yourself that you work my mates may not know?

Stephan – My work mates know me pretty well. Most of the guys have been here for a couple of years now, but something that they don’t know is I used to do a fair bit of horse riding. I grew up half my first early years in South Africa, until I was eight, and then moved over here, and was always on property, so was horse riding in South Africa and Australia. I just love it. Love working with horses and cattle.

TGB – And the last question, this column is called Brew with a Builder, what’s your favourite brew?Stephan – Definitely coffee. I’m like a three to four cup a day coffee and just flat white. I just love coffee. I love coffee ice cream I can have coffee dessert, like a tiramisu. I just love coffee.

Author: Richard O'Leary

Experienced writer, commentator and political advisor, Richard held a raft of journalism and editorial roles before taking executive communication roles for multiple Premiers, Chief Ministers and even NBN Co. He grew up in his father’s construction business and joins The Good Builder as its founding Editor.