Get It Right with Undercover Architect

Latest Episodes:

Building Carbon Zero Homes with Jeremy Spencer, Positive Footprints [Part 1 of 2 Episodes] Apr 18, 2022

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 232, and in it, I bring you a fantastic conversation with Jeremy Spencer, sustainable builder, thermal assessor and director of Positive Footprints.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/232]

Jeremy and I talk about sustainability and energy efficiency in home renovation and building, but in a way I’ve not discussed in detail on the podcast before.

Jeremy and his wife, through their design-build Melbourne-based business, Positive Footprints, specialise in Carbon Zero homes. This is their term for a home that is not only Net Zero, but also low in embodied energy.

What’s all that mean? Well, we’ll be discussing this in more detail, but in short - it means you have a home that produces more energy than it uses AND is considerate of how much energy went into the creation of the products, materials, fixtures and finishes it is constructed from. Which is great for you and the planet.

This is a fantastic conversation with super actionable information on how to consider energy efficiency, sustainability and your carbon footprint in your home design and build. And about how simple it can be to achieve a net zero home as well.

As well as being an educator and former GreenLiving lecturer in an earlier life, Jeremy is a founding member of Builders Declare, and currently sits on the Design Matters Board, the Sustainability Hub, and the NatHERS Stakeholder Consultative Group.

I know you’ll find what Jeremy has to share super helpful. I’ve broken our conversation into two episodes, so let’s dive into Part 1 now - and be sure to tune into the next podcast to hear part 2.

Just head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/232. Be sure to grab the PDF transcript so you can file that away and review this episode as needed.

Now, let’s dive in!

SHOW NOTES:

If you’re struggling with understanding the overall steps for your project, what you should be focussing on and when, or how to best invest your efforts, energy and money to get a great outcome in your future home, I’ve created something super helpful for you.

Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan

This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.

Plus, I’ll share with you what to focus on and when, so you know you’re getting everything in order for a successful project and beautiful home. And you’ll get access to some great bonuses as well.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/232

Access my free “Your Project Plan” online workshop and awesome bonuses now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan

Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mould in Your Home? Here’s What To Do with Alexx Stuart, Low Tox Life Apr 11, 2022

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 231, and in it, I’ll be talking about what happens when you find mould in your home, how you should treat mould and what to do to remove mould from your home.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/231]

I’m chatting to the amazing Alexx Stuart from Low Tox Life, who has a huge personal and professional knowledge and understanding of mould, and what happens when it’s in the home you live in, how it can impact you, and what you need to do to take care of it, and yourself.

In this episode, I ask Alexx these questions:

Why is mould something we need to be concerned about?
Is some mould worse than others? Can you have a 'little bit' of mould and it not be too harmful?
Apart from your home being inundated with flood waters, what other signs can there be that you may have mould in your home?
What are the ways to get rid of mould from surfaces, soft furnishings, the building itself?
What are the methods of mould removal / mould treatment to totally avoid?
Thinking about the urgency of treatment after inundation / storm damage / flooding etc. Lots of homeowners who are insured are having insurance companies tell them that they have to wait for the assessors before removing wall linings, etc, and now seeing mould growing on wall linings extending into the timber frame of a home. Is there a point where it's too hard to rectify / dry out / improve?

My hope is, with this episode, and what you’ll specifically learn about mould and how it can impact you, is that it will empower you.

Empower you to push back on a builder or an insurance company who tell you it’s not a big deal that you have mould in your home.

Empower you to know how to properly deal with it, instead of using products or paying for services that may in fact feed it and make it worse.

Empower you to dig deeper with your health practitioners if they’re dismissing your symptoms as nothing they can help with.

And empower you to know how to resolve and improve problematic areas through a renovation project, or how to prevent issues in a new build, so that, in the future, mould can be easily dealt with and mitigated or eliminated altogether.

Remember, you can grab a full transcript of this episode as a free PDF download. Plus I’ve got info about other helpful links and resources related to this topic.

Just head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/231. Be sure to grab the PDF transcript so you can file that away and review this episode as needed.

Now, let’s dive in!

SHOW NOTES:

Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan

This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/231

Access my free “Your Project Plan” online workshop and awesome bonuses now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What to do before signing a building contract Feb 28, 2022

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 230, and in it, I’m going to be sharing one of Year 5’s most popular episodes and completing our celebration of 5 years of the “Get it Right” podcast.

Back in Episode 219, I kicked off a 5th birthday celebration of the podcast, by rebooting some of the most popular and listened to episodes in each year of the podcast. And then I mixed that up with new episodes to share more information and updates on those specific topics.

It’s been great to receive messages from listeners who are hearing some of these older episodes for the first time, and also from those of you who’ve been here a while, but enjoyed revisiting the content I’ve shared and getting a refresher and reminder of what it covered.

In the last episode, I shared info on whether now is the right time to build or renovate your home, and what you need to consider contractually to manage your risk in challenging times like these in our industry. If you haven’t listened to it, you can head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/229 to check it out or grab the free, downloadable transcript.

In this episode, I’ll be rebooting a super popular episode from Season 13 of the podcast. That Season is called “Next Best Steps” and in each episode, I highlight the different stages of your project journey, and what the next best steps are to move forward confidently.

If you haven’t listened to Season 13, it’s worthwhile as an insight into key tips and strategies to assist you along your project journey. It even includes the next best steps if you’ve got a design you don’t love, or you’re stuck in your project in some way, and don’t know how to move forward.

This episode I’m rebooting here was the last episode of that season, and it’s for those of you who have got your plans locked and loaded, and it’s now time to sign contracts with a builder and hit go.

Many homeowners race urgently towards this point, enthusiastic to see construction commence and their dreaming, planning and designing becoming physically real on site.

But, in that haste, you can turn a blind eye to red flags, and end up legally bound to a relationship and a process that can go really pear-shaped.

Homeowners can get it so wrong at this stage. From stress and frustration, right through to half finished homes and bankrupt builders, the stakes are high.

It IS possible to enjoy this stage though, and to get yourself fully informed so you can be actively involved, and confident through your construction phase.

Remember, you can grab a full transcript of this episode as a free PDF download. Plus I’ve got info about other helpful links and resources related to this topic.

Just head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/230. Be sure to grab the PDF transcript so you can file that away and review this episode as needed.

Now, let’s dive in!

SHOW NOTES:

Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan

This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/230

Access my free “Your Project Plan” online workshop and awesome bonuses now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Now the Right Time to Build or Renovate Your Home? Feb 21, 2022

Show notes

Hello! This is episode 229, and I thought it might be a good opportunity to answer a common question I’ve been getting a lot lately which is this:

“With the way the industry is right now, with the price rises, and everyone so busy, is now the right time to do my project? Should I be starting my renovation or new build, or should I wait until things calm down a bit?”

I don’t often do time-specific episodes here on the “Get it Right” podcast, as I like this information to be something that homeowners can get help from at any time.

However, we are in some pretty unusual times, and so I thought it might be helpful to discuss it here.

And as I’ve also been discussing HOME Method in the last couple of episodes, I thought that having this conversation with you about current scenarios and what to be aware of, will also give you a good insight into the types of conversations we get the opportunity to have in HOME Method.

Because that’s what happens in HOME Method, and especially happens during our regular Q & A sessions. I’m often sharing info on specific industry news, or things to be aware of, and knowledge I have from my network with members, and homeowners who are dealing with this in real time are also sharing with each other their own learnings and discoveries along their project journey.

If you’d like to get a transcript of this episode to read, and refer back to later, remember you can download a free PDF transcript by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/229

Now, let’s dive in.

Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan

This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/229

Access my free “Your Project Plan” online workshop and awesome bonuses now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frequently Asked Questions about HOME Method with Undercover Architect? Feb 14, 2022

Show notes

Hello! This is episode 228, and as with the last episode, I’ll be talking in more detail about HOME Method, the member community, the group support and covering some of the questions I’m frequently asked about the program.

If you’ve been wanting to know more about HOME Method, and if it’s a fit for you and your project - then this will be a great episode for you.

And, this is a continuation of Episode 227, my last episode, where I covered what’s inside HOME Method. So if you haven’t listened to that yet, please check it out.

If you’re curious about when is the right time to join HOME Method, or how easy or time consuming it is to navigate, then they’re some of the questions I’ll be answering in this episode.

AND if you have NO interest in joining HOME Method, or perhaps you’re already a member of HOME Method, this episode will not necessarily be relevant for you.

Feel free to jump off and catch up on other episodes on the “Get it Right” podcast you may have missed. Or, you can even relisten to episodes - I know I do that every so often on my favourite podcasts, and it’s amazing how you hear different things the second time around.

I’ve also got a full transcript available of this episode, which you can download by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/228 so head to that link to grab a free PDF that you can read and review later.

In this live and free session, you’ll learn what these universal factors are, how to avoid them derailing your project, and to use them to your advantage instead.

You can register and choose from a lunchtime or an evening session, and I’ll also be sending out a replay. Head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/workshop to register your details, and I’d love to see you there.

Let’s dive in.

Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan

This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/228

Join me for my free online workshop happening mid February, 2022 >>>

https://undercoverarchitect.com/workshop

Access my free “Your Project Plan” online workshop and awesome bonuses now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s inside HOME Method with Undercover Architect? Feb 07, 2022

Show notes

Hello! This is episode 227, and let me tell you right up front that I’m going to be talking about my flagship program, HOME Method.

So, if you’ve ever been curious about what’s inside HOME Method, or considering whether it’s the right program for you to get support and help as you build or renovate your home, this episode will be perfect, because I’ll be sharing info on what’s inside HOME Method, and what you’ll learn from it.

If you have no idea what I’m talking about when I say “HOME Method”, but you’re planning to build or renovate your home, or you’ve already got your project planning underway, and you just wish you could get some step-by-step guidance, then stay tuned, as this may interest you.

If you’re an existing HOME Method member - hello! And thank you for being here!

I love love love working with the homeowners inside HOME Method, answering their questions, showing them the steps and seeing the amazing progress and results they create. It truly is an amazing bunch of homeowners and special and generous people I’m so fortunate to spend time with.

If you’re NOT interested in HOME Method at all, then this episode won’t be for you … but there’s another 200 plus episodes on the “Get it Right” podcast that are super helpful, and jam packed with tips, strategies and insider info to improve your project experience, and your home. So, you definitely want to look through the back catalogue of podcasts to listen and relisten to the loads of free info there.

So, now I’ve gone through who this episode is for, and who it is not for … if you’re sticking around, I’m looking forward to taking you behind the curtain. Or as a friend of mine says, “I’m going to open my kimono!” HOME Method went through a BIG revamp in late 2021, and so I want to share with you what’s inside, and who it really helps, so you can know if it’s a good fit for you or not.

I’ve also got a full transcript available of this episode, which you can download by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/227 so head to that link to grab a free PDF that you can read and review later.

And before I jump into this episode, if you haven’t already, and you’re listening to this episode at or near its time of release, then there’s still time to join me for a free online workshop I’m running on the 4 universal factors that will make or break your project. In this live and free session, you’ll learn what these universal factors are, how to avoid them derailing your project, and to use them to your advantage instead.

Let’s dive in.

Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan

This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/227

Join me for my free online workshop happening mid February, 2022 >>>

https://undercoverarchitect.com/workshop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Step #5 | COMMUNICATION [Home Design: 5 Steps Before You Begin] Jan 31, 2022

Show notes

Hello! This is the fifth and last mini-sode in our super special series titled “Home Design: 5 Steps Before You Begin”. This mini-sode is called “COMMUNICATION”.

These short and super actionable episodes will help you with the 5 steps you need to take BEFORE you begin your home design.

Be sure to download a free PDF transcript of this and the other four mini-sodes that are part of this series by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/5steps. You’ll also be able to access some additional resources and helpful links for your home design that I’ve included there.

Plus, I’m hosting a free live online workshop later this month. In it, I’ll be sharing the 4 factors that can make or break your project. This free workshop is a fantastic way to learn about the key things to focus on that will help you make your project a success, and the home you create one that works for you and your family.

So, if you’re listening to this podcast at or near it’s time of release, then be sure to head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/workshop to join me, and learn loads to help you get it right in your reno or new home. I’d love to see you there.

Let’s dive in.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links and resources mentioned in this podcast, plus a full transcript of this as well as the other four mini-sodes that are part of this series, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/5steps

Join me for my free online workshop “4 Factors to Make or Break Your Project” happening February 2022 >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/workshop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Step #4 | CONNECTION [Home Design: 5 Steps Before You Begin] Jan 31, 2022

Show notes

Hello! This is the fourth mini-sode in our super special series titled “Home Design: 5 Steps Before You Begin”. This mini-sode is called “CONNECTION”.

These short and super actionable episodes will help you with the 5 steps you need to take BEFORE you begin your home design.

Let’s dive in.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

Join me for my free online workshop “4 Factors to Make or Break Your Project” happening February 2022 >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/workshop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Step #3 | CONDITIONS [Home Design: 5 Steps Before You Begin] Jan 31, 2022

Show notes

Hello! This is the third mini-sode in our super special series titled “Home Design: 5 Steps Before You Begin”. This mini-sode is called “CONDITIONS”.

These short and super actionable episodes will help you with the 5 steps you need to take BEFORE you begin your home design.

Let’s dive in.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

Join me for my free online workshop “4 Factors to Make or Break Your Project” happening February 2022 >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/workshop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Step #2 | COLLECT [Home Design: 5 Steps Before You Begin] Jan 31, 2022

Show notes

Hello! This is the second mini-sode in our super special series titled “Home Design: 5 Steps Before You Begin”. This mini-sode is called “COLLECT”.

These short and super actionable episodes will help you with the 5 steps you need to take BEFORE you begin your home design.

Let’s dive in.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

Join me for my free online workshop “4 Factors to Make or Break Your Project” happening February 2022 >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/workshop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.