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The confronting lessons I had to learn | Amelia Lee, Undercover Architect - Episode 01 (Season 13 - Your next best steps) Dec 14, 2020

Show notes

This season is all about helping you take action. This season is going to help you, whatever stage you’re at, take your next best steps. To avoid the mistakes many make, and have some goals to aim for, and clear action steps to achieve them.

And in this episode, I kick off this season by sharing the story of how Undercover Architect all began, and the confronting lessons I had to learn in order to bring it into reality.

Listen to the episode now, and stay tuned for a fantastic season!

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, including the transcripts of this season (all packaged in a downloadable PDF E-Guide).

This is the 186th episode of the podcast! I can’t quite believe it.

Those 4 years have flown, and over the course of that time, I’ve been able to share a huge amount of information and awesome people with you here on the podcast.

I’m not stopping anytime soon.

I’m making plans for 2021 on the podcast, and the what and the who I’ll be bringing you over the year ahead. It’s super exciting to think of a fresh new year, and what’s ahead.

So stay tuned, tell your friends, and know there’s lots more good stuff on its way here on Get it Right.

Before we jump into those episodes though, I’m spending this episode talking more generally about Undercover Architect.

I’ve realised that, even though I’ve shared in lots of other places the how and why Undercover Architect began, I’ve never really shared it here, on the Get it Right podcast.

So, tune in, as I share some nitty gritty details on how and where Undercover Architect began, and some tough lessons I needed to learn to bring it into reality!

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-about-undercover-architect-amelia-lee

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Create Your Home With Heart Nov 16, 2020

Show notes

I’m super excited to be bringing this episode to you. Because in it, I’m going to share with you some really fantastic news if you’re designing, building or renovating your future home, and share with you some great insight into what will ultimately create that feel-good home you can’t wait to live in.

SHOW NOTES:

Since I started Undercover Architect in mid 2014, I’ve been able to help thousands and thousands through the website and this podcast.

In fact, the podcast is now at over 750,000 downloads, which is incredible.

And through Undercover Architect’s online programs, I’m directly helping, and have been able to personally help, over 1,600 homeowners with various aspects of designing, building and renovating their family homes.

I’m always looking for what creates true enjoyment and success in residential projects. Whatever the scale or size, budget or location, what is it that really matters and makes not only the experience of building and renovating an enjoyable one, but that also creates a fantastic, feel-good, family home at the end of that journey.

I’ve come to realise that it comes down to four key ideas. There’s 4 things that make designing, building and renovating your family home do-able, enjoyable, worthwhile, and save you time, money and stress along the way.

Before I dive into these 4 things, these 4 key ideas, I want to briefly mention my exciting news - and be sure to stay tuned until the end of this episode, because I’ll share more detail.

So what is this exciting news? Well, it’s this. We’ve made some big changes to how you can work with me more closely in your new build or renovation project.

Announcing, The HOME Method.

(Head here to learn more >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/)

The HOME Method is available to join now, and it offers incredible value for you to get such comprehensive support and help in your project.

As well as accessing these much-loved online programs, I’ve also increased our Q & A’s to fortnightly so I can provide more regular help and input to member’s projects.

And you still get access to our great member benefits as well. So, if you’d like to learn more and join us, then head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ for more information.

Ok, so I’m going to dive into these 4 things, these 4 key ideas that improve your project experience, and the type of home you create. And I’m going to take you through them one-by-one.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For resources mentioned, and a full transcript of this episode, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-the-home-method

To learn more about The HOME Method, head here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Choosing the Right Builder: How to Get it Right Nov 09, 2020

Show notes

This is a special episode where I’ll be sharing how to choose the right builder and some of the mistakes I see homeowners make when it comes to selecting the builder for their new home or renovation project.

SHOW NOTES:

Before we jump into the episode, I want to mention a mini-course that I created a little while ago and have been super excited to see well over 100 beautiful people jump into already.

It’s called ‘Choose Your Builder’, and it’s designed to give you actionable and practical information so you can be more confident when researching, interviewing and selecting your builder.

(Head here to learn more >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/choose-your-builder/)

Inside, you’ll find my video workshop, “The 5C’s to Choosing Your Builder” where I give you a simple framework to remember and use as you’re looking for, and speaking with builders - plus I outline all the right questions to ask.

I also have a series of short videos outlining the common mistakes many homeowners make when choosing a builder, and working with them in their project - so you can totally avoid these in yours.

There’s also some helpful resources curated for your builder checks, and a PDF download you can use to interview your builder, and remember all the questions I want you to ask them … because this is how you get the answers you need to make an informed decision.

And, when I created this program, I ran it live and we had one of the most epic Q & A sessions that went for 90 minutes … and that’s also included in the mini-course. We covered so much ground, so many varying topics in that Q & A, your questions are bound to be answered in there too.

All of this is packaged up and ready to dive into, and move through at your own pace, and make it super easy to get informed, plus the resources you need to make a confident decision about your builder. Head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/choose-your-builder/ to join now.

A fair few weeks ago, I posted a question in my instagram stories. It said:

“What makes you nervous about selecting a builder?”

It was great to see the responses I received, and they were all very common nerves that I’ve heard from homeowners many, many times before.

They included worries such as:

Unexpected costs
Whether they’ll be there for the entire project
Integrity of the company
Transparency
Being ripped off
The builder claiming to be able to build just to win the job
That their workmanship will not be of a good standard

Plus lots more along similar lines. And really a lot of these nerves boil down to this:

Can I trust this builder? Can I trust them to do a good job of building my home, to do what they say they’ll do, to be honest and have integrity in the way they run their business, build my home and the way they take care of me?

So, I want to share with you 3 really useful things to remember when you’re choosing your builder so you can find one you can trust, and then work with them really well in your project.

And don’t forget, if you want to dive into this in much more detail, then the ‘Choose Your Builder’ mini-course is a great way to do that.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For resources mentioned, and a full transcript of this episode, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-how-to-choose-the-right-builder

To learn more about my Choose Your Builder mini-course, head here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/choose-your-builder/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part 2 of the Australian Bushfire Building: Active Defence - Episode 17 (Season 12 - REBUILD + BUILD BETTER) Nov 02, 2020

Show notes

Hello! I’m back with Part 2 and more of my recap of the Australian Bushfire Building Conference.

There was a consistent theme to the conference about the role you as a homeowner, living in your home, can do to ensure its bushfire resistance - that can actually have a more significant impact than its construction. Something that’s not just about its construction.

So in this episode, I’ll be talking about that. Let’s dive in (and check resources for more helpful links and the transcript to this episode).

SHOW NOTES:

In my research for this ‘Rebuild + Build Better’ season, I saw a lot of examples where properties were only saved because someone had been there to defend them.

There was a vivid example from the recent fires where a woman returned with her family to find her home was still intact - and she was shocked because so many others were lost. As she surveyed her home, she found an area of charring on the back of the property, up the rear wall, but that was the extent of damage.

Later, she crossed paths with a volunteer who had stayed and walked the streets with other volunteers to help defend from the fires. And this volunteer, on finding out where this woman lived, said that she had seen flames ignite the home, but she’d been able to put them out before they took hold of the home.

When I attended the Australian Bushfire Building Conference in September, I was really interested to hear a lot of discussion about this topic: focussing on the importance of defence in any bushfire building strategy.

In the last episode, I shared a lot of the information that was focussed on what we can do in regards to designing and building for bushfire prone sites, or in bushfire prone areas.

In this episode, I want to take you through what was discussed in regards to active defence, and its role in protecting your property and home in the event of bushfire - or any fire for that matter.

So, let’s hear more.

Be sure to subscribe to this season, and also head to Undercover Architect’s YouTube Channelfor video interviews. All interview transcripts are available at www.undercoverarchitect.com/rebuild

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For resources mentioned, and a full transcript of this episode, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com /podcast-rebuild-australian-bushfire-building-conference-part-2

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Bushfire Building: Conference Review Part 1 - Episode 16 (Season 12 - REBUILD + BUILD BETTER) Oct 26, 2020

Show notes

Hello! It’s been an amazing season on the podcast so far, and it’s been great to hear from those of you who have found this information helpful.

And thanks to those of you who have been reviewing the podcast so it can reach more people, and also sharing this resource with others who need to hear it. I’m so, so grateful that you’re getting this podcast out there, and to know that homeowners all over are learning how to Get it Right with Undercover Architect.

In mid September, I attended the Australian Bushfire Building Conference. Held in the Blue Mountains, they opened it up to virtual attendance, which was fantastic. It was 2 days of incredible speakers, so many insights shared, and such great info, that I wanted to share it here on the podcast as well.

In this episode and the next, I’m going to be sharing the highlights and big takeaways from the Conference. There’s something here for everyone, so, let’s dive in (and check resources for more helpful links and the transcript to this episode).

SHOW NOTES:

This conference I wanted to talk about in this episode is called The Australian Bushfire Building Conference … and I was grateful to be able to hear from so many speakers from all around Australia at this event.

The Blue Mountains is, as cited during the conference, the most bushfire prone area in Australia for properties - with 73% of properties on bushfire prone land.

The speakers were largely from NSW, with other speakers presenting virtually from other locations around Australia. They covered a huge range of topics - and had a huge amount of experience in this area.

The Conference was … heavy.

I think with the year that 2020 has been, the immediacy of just what so many went through during those Black Summer fires, and have endured in the past fire events as well, may seem like a distant memory for many of us.

It was quite confronting to be reminded of the intensity, the scale and the sheer destruction those fires caused, and what fire fighters, volunteers, and local communities were and are dealing with in facing those fires, and on their recovery paths now.

I thought it would be worthwhile to take you through the highlights and big learnings for me, the big a-ha’s I felt would be relevant to anyone who is rebuilding, or wanting to build a better, more resilient and bushfire resistant home.

Speakers that I share on this podcast include:

Commissioner Rob Rodgers
Shane Fitzsimmons (Resilience NSW)
Justin Leonard, CSIRO
Dr James Davidson and Clive Ba-Pe, JDA Co.
Sam Vivas, Viva Living Homes

So, let’s hear more.

Be sure to subscribe to this season, and also head to Undercover Architect’s YouTube Channel for video interviews. All interview transcripts are available at www.undercoverarchitect.com/rebuild

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For resources mentioned, and a full transcript of this episode, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-rebuild-australian-bushfire-building-conference-part-1

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to check your Home Insurance covers you - Part 2: David Keane, Solve My Claim - Episode 15 (Season 12 - REBUILD + BUILD BETTER) Oct 19, 2020

Show notes

Hello! It’s the last part of my conversation with David Keane from Solve My Claim, in what’s been an amazing interview (over 5 episodes) full of such helpful information and insights into home and contents insurance, insurance claims, and how to ensure you’re protected when you need to be.

Solve my Claim provides expert support and assistance to anyone struggling with their insurance claims.

And it’s been fantastic to hear members of the UA Community have been getting in touch with Solve My Claim to get the help they need - and have been sharing this incredible information with others as well.

David has more great information to share in this episode.

So, let’s dive in (and check resources for more helpful links and the transcript to this episode).

SHOW NOTES:

Solve My Claim exists to provide expert guidance, to help you navigate through claims disputes and problems that can be difficult to resolve. They provide an extraordinary service to people who can often feel so worn and lonely.

First they’ve often been through a traumatic experience that’s resulted in significant loss or damage to their home and belongings. And then they’ve had to battle their insurance company to get the money they thought they were due, to help them get back on their feet.

I know from personal experience, it’s a harrowing experience, and you can feel like all the insurance company is doing is trying to wear you down so you settle for what they’re offering.

Solve My Claim does such important work in being in your corner, and providing you with the expertise and support you need to argue your case in the necessary language and parameters required, so you can get what you’re owed.

So, let’s hear more.

Be sure to subscribe to this season, and also head to Undercover Architect’s YouTube Channel (can you link that to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1yGH5xSdvyYipHiSvPfbxw for video interviews. All interview transcripts are available at www.undercoverarchitect.com/rebuild

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For resources mentioned, and a full transcript of this episode, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-rebuild-current-home-insurance-solve-my-claim-part-2

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you got the right insurance? Part 1: David Keane, Solve My Claim - Episode 14 (Season 12 - REBUILD + BUILD BETTER) Oct 12, 2020

Show notes

Hello! In this episode, I’m back with more from David Keane, Solve My Claim.

Solve my Claim provides expert support and assistance to anyone struggling with their insurance claims.

David is an expert on all things home and content insurance, and he’s going to help us understand and decipher the differences between insurance policies, and what to check so we know we’re covered.

This is essential listening for anyone choosing a home and contents insurance policy, or wanting to review their existing policy to ensure they’re covered properly.

So, let’s dive in (and check resources for more helpful links and the transcript to this episode).

SHOW NOTES:

David is the Director of Solve My Claim, and he has been involved in the insurance industry for more than 24 years. During this time, he was constantly amazed at how many people came to him with insurance problems, complaints, disputes and claims problems. In every instance, he was able to resolve those claims. He realised that there was nowhere for these people to turn, and that realisation started a process that resulted in the creation of Solve My Claim in 2014.

Many people feel disempowered when making an insurance claim, because the company has a team of experts acting for them, and you are all on your own. Well not any longer! Solve My Claim is levelling the playing field, and ensuring that you have the best possible opportunity to solve your claim.

David Keane is an expert in how to choose insurance policies for your home and contents, and what to be aware of in assessing and deciphering those PDS documents!

It’s definitely worthwhile understanding the pitfalls and hazards of insurance policies BEFORE you have to make a claim.

So, let’s hear more.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For resources mentioned, and a full transcript of this episode, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-rebuild-the-right-home-insurance-solve-my-claim-part-1

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Choosing a sustainable home loan - Part 2: Amy Beattie, Good Green Home Loans - Episode 13 (Season 12 - REBUILD + BUILD BETTER) Oct 05, 2020

Show notes

I’m back with Part 2 of my conversation with Amy Beattie, Mortgage Broker and owner of Good Green Home Loans.

We’re covering more info about financing your new build or renovation.

This will include talking about some of the many factors that banks and lenders consider to determine your viability, and the fact that banks can put black marks on postcodes or specific criteria that can be completely outside of your control.

All super helpful knowledge to have when you’re seeking finance for your new home or renovation, especially if your site is challenging or in a bushfire-prone area.

If you haven’t listened to Part 1, pause this podcast, and head back do that now. We’ll be here when you get back.

Otherwise, let’s dive into Part 2 now.

SHOW NOTES:

Good Green Home Loans is here to help you find the right home loan at a great rate – using only environmentally responsible lenders who aren’t using their profit and power to support the fossil fuel industry.

Good Green Home Loans helps you make sustainable choices with your home loan, which is fantastic for exercising your buying power.

When we feel powerless to create change, it’s important to remember how powerful our personal spending decisions can be. We can send a great big message to the companies who seek to serve us, by demanding better from their businesses.

Amy is a wealth of knowledge and experience in helping those buying, building and renovating, find suitable, competitive loans, from ethical lenders.

So, let’s hear more from Amy now.

Be sure to subscribe to this season, and also head to Undercover Architect’s YouTube Channel for video interviews. All interview transcripts are available at www.undercoverarchitect.com/rebuild

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For resources mentioned, and a full transcript of this episode, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-rebuild-home-loans-101-lending-criteria-amy-beattie-part-2

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting a home loan for your new build or renovation - Part 1: Amy Beattie, Good Green Home Loans - Episode 12 (Season 12 - REBUILD + BUILD BETTER) Sep 28, 2020

Show notes

I’m looking forward to this episode and introducing Amy Beattie to you. Amy is a Mortgage Broker and owner of Good Green Home Loans, a mortgage broking business that puts sustainability at the forefront of its lending decisions.

This is part 1 of my conversation with Amy, and in it, she shares loads of helpful information about borrowing for your renovation or new build. And especially what you need to know when your site is more challenging, or in a bushfire prone area.

Let’s dive in now.

SHOW NOTES:

Good Green Home Loans is not your typical mortgage broking service.

Amy Beattie is a mortgage broker. However, she’s not like most mortgage brokers I know. And when I first heard about her business, Good Green Home Loans, I was so excited that it not only existed, but that it was being driven by someone with such purpose and commitment to their mission, they were willing to build a business on it.

Amy believes that Australia’s largest corporations have a responsibility to be leaders when it comes to protecting the environment. With their continued investment in the fossil fuel industry they aren’t there yet. The greatest way we can encourage change is by moving our valuable business elsewhere. This is where Good Green Home Loans can help.

When you’re about to set up a potentially decades-long relationship with a lender for one of the biggest investments in your life, Amy helps you not only achieve a great outcome for your mortgage, but vote with your dollar for a future that improves the environment, reduces your carbon footprint, and she also makes a donation on your behalf to a charity or not-for-profit organisation helping the environment as well.

So, let’s hear more from Amy now.

Be sure to subscribe to this season, and also head to Undercover Architect’s YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1yGH5xSdvyYipHiSvPfbxw] for video interviews. All interview transcripts are available at www.undercoverarchitect.com/rebuild

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For resources mentioned, and a full transcript of this episode, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-rebuild-financing-your-new-build-renovation-amy-beattie-part-1

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Passivhaus Design + Construct and designing for bushfires: Envirotecture Part 2 - Episode 11 (Season 12 - REBUILD + BUILD BETTER) Sep 21, 2020

Show notes

Hello! This episode is Part 2 of my conversation with Andy Marlow and Dick Clarke from Envirotecture.

In this episode, we’re talking about Passive House, and specifically discussing the opportunity it provides to protect your indoor air quality. The bushfires and smoke pollution that many areas in Australia suffered from really tested the air filtration capacity of the Passive House system.

We’ll also be talking about the active systems you can use to create better fire protection for your home. And we’ll be talking about Andy and Dick’s other business, Passive House Design and Construct, and what it offers for those wanting to manage budget and sustainability whilst creating a passive house certified home.

If you haven’t listened to Part 1, pause this podcast, and head back do that now. We’ll be here when you get back.

Otherwise, let’s dive into Part 2 now.

SHOW NOTES:

Let me introduce you to Dick Clarke and Andy Marlow from Envirotecture.

Dick Clarke is principal of Envirotecture, is an Accredited Building Designer with over 35 years experience, focusing exclusively on ecologically sustainable and culturally appropriate buildings, as well as sustainable design in vehicles and vessels, and has received many Design Awards.

Andy Marlow is a Director at Envirotecture, holds both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Architecture, is a certified Passive House Designer and has extensive experience in sustainable design at a variety of scales. Andy is currently a Board Member of the Australian Passive House Association.

And recently, they started a new business, Passivhaus Design and Construct. Frustrated by the big challenge many experience in their new home journey - that is, creating a sustainably designed home that can be delivered on budget, they decided to marry together the design and construction in a total delivery model. You’ll enjoy cost certainty, quality design, an excellent build and a certified passive house… because it’s their passion to make homes that are better for everyone.

And remember too, you can grab a full transcript of this episode, plus get all the links I mention by heading to the show notes.

So, let’s hear more from Andy and Dick now.

Be sure to subscribe to this season, and also head to Undercover Architect’s YouTube Channel >>> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1yGH5xSdvyYipHiSvPfbxw for video interviews. All interview transcripts are available at www.undercoverarchitect.com/rebuild

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For resources mentioned, and a full transcript of this episode, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-rebuild-passivhaus-design-construct-envirotecture-part-2

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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