We’ve just dropped our latest chat on Spotify with Chris Baptista, founder of HOMES by CMA and trust us, this one’s a cracking interview.

Chris runs a business that’s built different. From pouring the slab on his first spec home with his dad to now leading a company turning over more than $150 million a year, he’s never lost sight of what really matters: doing the job properly.

He’s not chasing headlines (although it’s fair to say a few good ones have come his way) or cutting corners. He’s just showing up, building great homes people love, and running a team that backs it all up.

Here are a couple of things that really stood out from the interview. These are our four big takeaways that show what being a good builder actually looks like.

1. Transparency: No Surprises, No Spin

Chris doesn’t waste time dressing things up. If you want to build trust, he reckons it starts with being clear from the get-go.

“A good builder has to have a really good level of transparency.”

That means laying out all the costs upfront, not luring clients in with a lowball figure, then hitting them with thousands in extras once they’re locked in.

“From the start, how clear are your inclusions? … Even if that means we have to overprice things at first so that we don’t look like we’re trying to scam people, I’d rather do that.”

Chris knows the industry too well. He’s seen how clients get burned when builders play games with pricing.

“You shouldn’t try to somehow shift the perception of things to purely get a deposit and then screw the costs later on.”

That straight-shooting approach has helped CMA build such a loyal customer base with a drop-off rate of just 1% from deposit to build.

2. Quality Over Gimmicks

Chris is careful about what goes into his homes. He’s not chasing flashy trends or cutting costs just to win a job. Every material, finish, and detail is picked with long-term durability in mind.

“We just cost-control everything really, really carefully … so we can keep our costs still really, really low.”

Cost control doesn’t mean nasty; it means smart. It’s about building in a way that avoids problems years down the track.

“I just want to show the way we build things, the products we use, how we do certain things, just so that it doesn’t become an issue after five, six, or seven years.”

At the end of the day, it’s about handing over a home that’ll still feel solid, comfortable, and well-built long after the paint’s dried.

3. Maintenance Matters (Even When You Don’t Have To)

Some builders hand over the keys and disappear. Not CMA.

Chris has invested in a full-time maintenance crew: three tradies and an admin who jump on issues fast and follow through.

“Maintenance is one of our biggest things … We’ve got three maintenance guys and a maintenance admin … we go that hard.”

And that’s not just lip service; the results speak for themselves.

“We still very often get five-star reviews from maintenance jobs because we try to go that hard.”

Plenty of builders leave clients hanging once the contract’s done. Chris takes pride in doing the opposite.

“I see so many builders; you build a house, and then it’s pretty much, ‘Here are the keys and goodbye.’ We don’t do that, even if we don’t have to.”

That kind of follow-up builds serious goodwill and serious word of mouth.

4. Trust Brings the Right Clients

CMA isn’t trying to be the cheapest, and that’s fine because people who value trust, quality, and honesty keep coming back.

“The drop rate of CMA is maybe 1% … The only reason someone’s gonna drop from CMA is never about CMA. It’s something external.”

Chris also talked about how CMA’s spec homes aren’t just for sale, they’re a powerful calling card.

“Even if we didn’t make money on the spec home side of things, we still get five or six contracts. It’s worth it.”

When people see the build quality, the styling, and the finishes in person, they want in. It’s a long game, and it works.

Final thoughts?

Chris doesn’t need to shout to stand out. He gets the job done properly with care, honesty, and pride.

He may have a little more lifestyle back than in those early years, but his passion for building and his commitment to his team and his clients are second to none.

His story is a solid reminder that being a good builder isn’t about cutting prices or chasing volume. It’s about sticking around, solving problems, and doing what you said you would.

Click here to read more about the family business side of things at HOMES by CMA.

Author: The Good Builder

The Good Builder is a media platform that provides news and insights for Australia’s home building industry. From exclusive stories and curated insights to bold industry perspectives, we deliver the news and updates that keep builders, suppliers, and the entire home building industry inspired and ahead of the curve.