Most builders blame themselves when the pressure becomes too much. On a recent Good Builder Podcast, estimator Josh Peapoint made a different case. A lot of that pressure is built into how the business runs, not who the builder is. No builder burns out because they...
Behind every insolvency statistic is a person. Usually a couple. Often a family. The construction industry talks constantly about cashflow and contracts. It almost never talks about this. In 2024, more than 3,200 construction companies in Australia entered insolvency...
There is a number that sits behind every conversation about mental health in the Australian construction industry, and it does not get said often enough. On average, a construction worker takes their own life every two days in Australia. Not per week. Every two days....
A state government review into Queensland's workers' compensation scheme is raising important questions about how psychological injuries are treated. Legal and mental health experts are urging caution before protections are wound back. Queensland's workers'...
Construction has the highest suicide rate of any industry in Australia. That is not a headline designed to shock. It is a fact that has sat in the background of every site safety briefing, every RUOK Day morning tea, and every quiet conversation between mates for...
The Good Builder Podcast today Az sits down with Dr Yannick Van Heeden, a mindset and leadership specialist (and founder of Impaktr) whose work sits at the intersection of behavioural science, ancient wisdom, and real world performance. It is the first time The Good...
There is a familiar moment on Australian building sites. Someone asks, “How are you going, mate?” The answer comes quickly. Too quickly. “Yeah mate, all good.” End of conversation. No follow-up. No eye contact. Back to work. It is not because builders and tradies do...
In residential building, most stories about pressure focus on business owners, supervisors, and site schedules. Far fewer look at the people behind the emails, prestarts, and plan changes the “humans behind the build” who quietly hold huge responsibility every day....
Victoria has entered a new chapter in workplace safety, with fresh regulations coming into effect today that formally recognise psychological health as a core employer responsibility. The Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025 now apply...
When you think of wellness, construction sites aren’t usually the first setting that comes to mind. Dust, deadlines, and physical strain often take priority over meditation or mindfulness. But Australian cladding manufacturer Weathertex is looking to change that...
“The greatest danger for most of us is not that we aim too high and miss it, but that we aim too low and reach it.” – Michelangelo Dan Urquhart dropped that quote mid-conversation on The Good Builder Podcast, and it landed like a hammer on concrete. Because if there’s...
Since launching The Good Builder, we’ve had hundreds of conversations with builders, trades and suppliers right across the country. What’s become crystal clear? People are ready to talk. We’re seeing site managers and apprentices open up. Business owners sharing their...
When you think of golf days in construction, it’s easy to picture the beers, the banter, and a few questionable swings. But on Friday 18 July, AVIA Homes is hosting a charity golf day with a far more serious goal in mind, raising awareness and funds for mental health...
Why builders are craving real connection — and how the right community can change everything By Aaron NgFounder, The Good Builder If you’ve ever sat at your desk at 10pm wondering how the hell you’re going to make payroll, finish that job, or face your clients...
This week marks Men’s Health Week (9–15 June 2025), a pivotal time to spotlight the health challenges men face, particularly in the construction industry. At The Good Builder, we recognise the immense pressures builders and tradespeople endure, tight deadlines,...
As the building industry continues to grapple with labour shortages, mental health pressures, and the need for greater inclusivity, Carpentry Australia is stepping up with a series of free events across New South Wales designed to deliver real impact. Backed by the...
In an industry where hard hats are mandatory and vulnerability is often masked behind bravado, a new campaign is using rugby league to tackle an invisible crisis head-on. You’ll Never Walk Alone: Why Culture and Communication Matter on Site On construction sites...
Today marks the launch of something special: TGB Fridays. More than a meet-up, TGB Fridays is a movement — a growing initiative from The Good Builder that brings builders, suppliers, and trades together for connection, conversation, and a bit of well-earned downtime....
Carpentry Australia offers free NSW events aimed at tackling tradie shortages, well-being and inclusion across the trade.Supported by Carpentry Australia & the Women in Construction program from NSW Government Carpentry Australia is rolling out a series of free...
In an industry where hard hats are mandatory and vulnerability is often masked behind bravado, a new campaign is using rugby league to tackle an invisible crisis head-on. The Good Builder, in partnership with the Gold Coast Titans, Lauxes Grates, and mental health...
For years, Dan Urquhart built homes — and by all accounts, he built them well. He ran one of the most respected franchises in his group, sat on panels, and was flown across the country to share insights with fellow builders. But behind the site photos and polished...
The first cold one hits different when it’s earned. TGB Fridays is on next week, Thursday 6 June, and we’re firing up for a killer afternoon with the legends who build this country. Come and Joins us for our very first TGB Friday on the Sunshine Coast....
In our industry, where stress, pressure, and tough times are par for the course, knowing there’s someone on the other end of the line can make all the difference. That’s why we reckon that TIACS is doing a great thing. TIACS - The Home of Blue Collar Counselling , ,...
We don’t always want to talk about mental health, especially not on site or around the smoko table. But this one’s worth sticking with. Because sometimes, the biggest strength isn’t pushing through. It’s knowing when to pause. Aaron Morris, Group Sales Manager at...
Let’s be honest most of us aren’t scrolling through TED Talks at the end of a big day. But chucking on a good podcast while you’re behind the wheel, on the tools, or just barbecuing a brisket? That’s something else. In the pod this morning, Az and Pete rattled off...
Not to get too woo-woo on you, and if this isn’t your thing and you’d rather scroll on, we totally get it. But we reckon you should read on anyway. Taking a couple of minutes to think about what drives you isn’t just good for business — it’s good for your mental...
LATEST NEWS
Mathew Vanstyn built a 15-person patio and renovation business by knowing exactly how big he wanted it to be. His refusal to chase scale is a lesson in risk management most builders learn the hard way. Most builder failure stories share a common thread. The business...
From the start of the new financial year, almost any roof job on a single-storey home in SA becomes high-risk construction work. For most residential builders, the day-to-day change is simple: a Safe Work Method Statement now has to be in place before the work starts....
A new bill before Queensland Parliament would let the state compulsorily acquire private land to help deliver projects of state significance. Owners keep their right to compensation, but the usual avenues to contest the underlying decision on its merits would be...
A long-established Perth and Melbourne truss fabricator has secured just over $3 million in state funding to automate its Western Australian plant, and the detail behind the grant tells builders something useful about where component supply is going. A.G. Trusses, a...