The building industry is entering another transition. Projects are slowing, interest rates are biting, and homeowners are hesitating. For some, it feels like the wind has gone out of the sails.
But for those paying attention, this moment presents something else entirely: a rare window to get ahead.
What The BuiltGrid Team Are Seeing In Data
Toby Loft, co-founder of BuiltGrid and a long-time observer of construction trends, believes now is exactly when builders should be doubling down on process, not retreating from it. During a recent episode of The Good Builder podcast, he laid out what his team is seeing, and why this phase matters more than most think.
“When we started BuiltGrid in the middle of COVID,” Toby explains,
“90% of projects coming into our platform were contracted. They were moving fast. But now, we’re seeing a very different pattern.”
According to the data, roughly 30% more of those projects are now sitting in the ‘estimate’ stage — and they’re staying there for an average of three months longer.
Why The Lag?
This lag is more than a stat. It’s a reflection of growing homeowner indecision — a mix of economic pressure, election jitters, and rising build costs. “People aren’t pulling the trigger,” Toby says. “They’re pausing. They’re shopping around. They’re unsure.”
It’s a tough climate, no doubt. But Toby sees opportunity. “This is the moment to embed change,” he says. “To take stock, clean up your systems, and set your business up to scale — not when you’re flat out, but now, when you have the breathing space.”
For Builders, The Time Is Now…
For many builders, change comes only when things break…when you’re overwhelmed, clients are unhappy, or profits start to slip. But that reactive mindset is exactly what Toby warns against.
“The market will turn again. It always does. And when it does, you won’t have time to fix the foundations. That work needs to happen now.”
In practice, that means tightening up every part of your process, from how you estimate and quote, to how you communicate with suppliers, to how you hand over a home. “We’ve seen builders shave weeks off their schedules just by bringing suppliers and trades into a single system,” Toby says.
“It’s not about adding more people. It’s about using the people you have better.”
Efficiency doesn’t just improve delivery. It improves trust. In a time where clients are already cautious, builders who operate with clarity and consistency are more likely to convert leads and move projects from estimate to contract.
Toby’s Advice
Toby’s advice for builders feeling stuck is simple: start somewhere. Don’t wait for the perfect tech stack or a smooth patch in the calendar.
“Reach out. Ask for help. Talk to the people already using better systems. Change doesn’t have to be massive to be meaningful.”
And that’s the core message. In a market where hesitation reigns, the best builders aren’t waiting. They’re refining. Because when the tide turns, and it will, the ones who’ve prepared will be the ones who lead.
Want to stay ahead?
You can talk to Toby and the team at BuiltGrid at https://builtgrid.com/
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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.
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