When you spend your working life outdoors, you get a very clear view of what does and does not hold up on a job. You also get a front row seat to the small mistakes that turn into big, expensive fixes.
That is the lens Rick brings to this Good Builder Podcast episode.
Az caught up with Rick after visiting one of his jobs on the Sunshine Coast, alongside Sarah from Goop Guys. It was hot, humid, and the kind of day that reminds you Queensland weather is its own beast. But it was also the perfect backdrop for a practical conversation about site protection, surface damage, and why more teams are treating protection as part of the build, not a nice-to-have.
Rick is the franchise owner behind Goop Guys Sunshine Coast. His story is not a straight line, and that is what makes his perspective useful.
From roof tiling to formwork to running his own show
Rick started out as a roof tiling apprentice in Victoria, one of the toughest places to learn what it means to work under the sun. When he moved north, he knew he did not want to stay on roofs. Too much heat, too much risk, too much wear and tear.
Like many good operators, he did what needed to be done. He moved through other parts of the industry, including cabinet making, then spent more than a decade in formwork.
That period matters, because formwork is hard yards. Long days, repetitive lifting, bending, hauling sheets, working around high rise structures, and being on your feet constantly. Rick looks back and admits he is not sure how he did some of it.
But it built something in him. A respect for physical work. A strong work ethic. And a desire to eventually run his own schedule.
Why Goop Guys made sense
Rick had known Goop Guys founders Shane and Kirsty for more than 25 years. They had lived in the same street. He had watched Shane in the early days while the product was being formulated.
Even with that connection, Rick says he did not really understand the business until he got inside it. When he saw a Goop Guys sign and popped into the office to ask about franchise opportunities, there happened to be one on the Sunshine Coast up for sale.
He did what you would hope any sensible buyer would do. Looked over the books, spoke to the outgoing owner, worked through the scope, and asked why the business was being sold. The reasons were personal, not performance related. Rick went through the interview process with the founders, aligned expectations on both sides, and made the call.
He started in 2018, which means he is heading towards eight years in the system. In that time, he has seen what he describes as phenomenal growth. He credits that to the leadership from head office, but also to the culture.
Rick is clear on this point. As a franchisee, you are not treated like a number. You are treated like family, with consistent standards, clear protocols, and support when you need it.
The real cost of site damage is not just money
The heart of this episode is not a sales pitch. It is a breakdown of where damage actually happens and why it becomes such a headache late in the job.
Rick says damage can show up across the home because there are so many trades moving through one site. Windows, frames, sills, thresholds, tiles, grout, and finished surfaces can all take a hit if they are not protected.
Glass is one of the biggest pain points.
Rick runs through common scenarios:
- Tools left leaning against glass that slide and scratch the surface
- Mortar or render splatter that gets “cleaned” off with the wrong method
- Wet sponge wiping that feels harmless, but drags sand particles across the glass
- Cleaners using blades or aggressive techniques because the mess has baked on
The key point is simple. Many scratches are not caused by one big accident. They are caused by small actions repeated across the job, often by people trying to help.
When it comes to tiles, Rick explains another common trap. If floors are not protected early, dust and grit settle into grout lines. Then, by the time cleaning happens, teams are forced into harsher methods like acid washing, which can pull out grout or damage finishes and trigger rework.
Low E glass and why protection needs to be tested
One of the more technical but important sections of the chat is around Low E glass.
Rick explains it as glass that includes a protective film on the inside, often with a tinted look. It is a great product, but it comes with a catch. If the wrong protection system sticks to it, removal can peel off the film. That can mean a full panel replacement.
And replacement is not a quick fix. Rick points out that panels are often made to order for that specific opening, which means lead times can blow out from weeks to months depending on how the supply chain is tracking.
In his words, doing it right the first time is what saves the job.
Thresholds, frames, and the small details that get smashed
Rick also talks about sills and thresholds, especially around sliding doors. These are high traffic pinch points. People step on them without thinking, even though damage is easy to cause and annoying to repair.
His approach is straightforward. Clean the area properly, tape it up, add clear “no step” messaging, and protect it from day to day foot traffic.
He also mentions frame protection, depending on the material and finish, and floor protection timing, particularly after tiling.
Is everyone doing it on the Coast?
Az asks the blunt question: do most builders protect surfaces or not?
Rick’s answer is balanced.
He says there are plenty of builders using Goop, including national builders across franchise territories and private builders on the Sunshine Coast. But there are also builders who choose not to use it, often because they see it as another cost.
Rick’s response is basically this: it is not a big cost when you compare it to one panel of glass. A single repair might run anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500 or more depending on the surface. Protection is a fraction of that.
Az sums it up with the phrase Sarah used earlier: liquid insurance.
Rick agrees. The protection peels up and lifts particles with it, without damaging the surface underneath.
Running a business as a tradie
The episode finishes with a refreshing, honest chat about running a small business.
Rick enjoys being his own boss, planning his week, ordering materials ahead, and running a tight schedule. He treats it like a proper workday, but he likes having control over how the day flows.
The hardest part for him has been the business admin side, staying on top of bills, not overspending, and catching up when he falls behind. He does not pretend it is easy.
What helped, he says, was support from head office. Guidance when needed, without judgement.
Rick’s take on what makes a good builder
Az closes with a question that always reveals character: what makes a good builder?
Rick’s answer is not about volume or ego. It is about awareness.
A good builder, in Rick’s view, is someone who:
- Understands what can go wrong on site and plans for it
- Runs a clean, safe environment
- Knows their trades and how they work
- Is approachable and listens, not just tells
- Communicates properly and is willing to compromise on better ideas
That “approachable” point lands, because it is not talked about enough. Teams move faster when people feel like they can raise issues early.
How to get in touch
Rick says Sunshine Coast builders can contact Goop Guys via the Goop Guys website or through head office, or simply call him directly if they spot the van around the Coast.
www.goopguys.com
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