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Latest Episodes:

Getting the Best Build Experience, with Builder, Anthony Hickey, Two Tone Construction Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 360, and I’m back with Part 2 of my conversation with builder, Anthony Hickey, from Melbourne-based Two Tone Construction. Anthony recently completed a renovation project with HOME Method members, Tanya and Paul, and as he said in Part 1, they’ve redefined his benchmark for his ideal client!

In this episode, Anthony and I talk about how to set up effective communication between a builder and a client, especially when you’re a client who has invested in getting educated and informed, and you’re wondering how a builder might welcome your input and involvement in your own project.

Anthony also shares his recommendations for how to find the right builder to work with, how to work well with your builder, and when to get them on board to achieve the best outcome.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/360]

If you haven’t listened to Part 1 of the conversation, head back to Episode 359, where you’ll hear Anthony discuss his pre-construction involvement, and the processes he used to set up a great working relationship with his HOME Method clients. You can find that at www.undercoverarchitect.com/359.

If you’ve been wondering what to expect during the construction of your new build or renovation, and how to have a great project experience by choosing a builder who respects your desired investment and collaboration, you’ll love this conversation.

Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find all of that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/360.

Now, let’s dive in!

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/360

My free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability for you, and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home - whatever your dreams, your location or your budget. Access your copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways

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/

Just a reminder:All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting it Right in Your Renovation, with Builder, Anthony Hickey, Two Tone Construction Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 359, and I’m super excited to bring this conversation to you.

For some time on the podcast, we’ve been hearing the stories of HOME Method members in all different parts of their projects. Some right at the beginning, some mid-way through and keeping us updated over their project timeline, and some who have moved into their finished newly built or renovated home.

I’ve been getting so much great feedback from you about these episodes. About how much you’re loving these stories, as well as the people and homes in them, and how helpful they are for understanding more about your own project as well.

However, we’ve only been hearing from the homeowner's side. And so, in this episode, I want to introduce you to Anthony Hickey, the Director and Builder in Melbourne-based building business, Two Tone Construction.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/359]

Anthony recently finished a renovation for HOME Method members, Tanya and Paul. And this is a great opportunity to hear about how he found it to work with educated and informed homeowners, and how it impacted his work and the renovation project overall.

I regularly get messages from homeowners who are nervous to upskill themselves further in their project, concerned they’ll frustrate their professional team, or their designer, architect or builder will find it difficult and annoying to work with a client who is wanting to know more, be better prepared and informed as a collaborator in their own project.

If that’s what you’re worried about, or you’re simply curious about the role you can play in your project, and how your team may potentially receive that, then this episode will be fantastic for you.

And if you’re keen to understand what a builder thinks makes a great project and a great client, and their suggestions for how to ensure your project goes well, stay tuned.

Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find all of that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/359.

Now, let’s dive in!

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/359

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why People Join HOME Method: In Their Words May 26, 2025

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 358, and in it, I’m sharing something a little different.

Over the years of running my signature online program, HOME Method, we’ve welcomed hundreds of homeowners who are navigating all kinds of new builds and renovations.

And when someone joins, we ask them a few questions - not just to get to know them, but to better understand how they’re feeling, what they’re hoping for, and where they need support.

In today’s episode, I want to share some of those answers with you.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/358.]

Because whether you’re just starting out or already mid-project, I know it can feel like everyone else has it figured out - and you’re the only one who’s unsure or overwhelmed.

But that’s simply not true.

So in this episode, you’ll hear the real, honest reasons people join HOME Method - in their own words. What they’re afraid of. What they’re excited about. What they want to learn. And what stage of the project they’re in when they start looking for help.

My hope is that by hearing this, you’ll feel seen, supported, and reminded that you’re not behind in your renovation or new build - you’re just creating something that really matters to you.

Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, plus information on the resources we discuss, you can do that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/358.

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, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/358

Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perfection vs Reality: How to Navigate Your New Build Confidently, with Ellen Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 357, and it’s Part 2 of my conversation with HOME Method member, Ellen, about her new build and the construction process of her family home in Ballarat, Victoria. It’s been under construction for around 7 months.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/357]

If you missed Part 1 of this conversation, head back to Episode 356 so you can catch up on what we’ve discussed. You can find that at www.undercoverarchitect.com/356.

Remember too, that Ellen originally appeared on the podcast in Episodes 336 and 337 to discuss all the steps and decisions that led up to construction, so if you’d like to learn more about the design process, builder and team selection, and feeling prepared for a project like this, I’ll pop the links to those episodes in the resources for this podcast.

Now, as I wrapped up Episode 356, we were discussing this idea of ‘there is no perfect’. There was more to that conversation, so we kick off this episode talking more about this concept of ‘there is no perfect’ and how you can empower yourself to still realise an incredible outcome for your project, whilst not overwhelming yourself with an unattainable goal of perfection.

I also ask Ellen about her thoughts on the psychological aspect of calibrating your standards and expectations for your project with the demands a project can place on you, so you don’t get apathetic or fall into overwhelm. Ellen talks about finding the balance, especially when there’s competing priorities.

Ellen also shares with me what helped her overcome her initial overwhelm in her project journey, and the importance of understanding the work you’ll need to do. In her words: “You may as well do the work well-informed”!

Plus, we talk about making bold choices with selections, and Ellen also talks about what she’s most looking forward to when the home is finished and they get to move in.

Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, plus links to some helpful resources, you can find that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/357.

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, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/357

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Building with Confidence: Contracts, Builder and Selections, with Ellen Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 356, and in it, HOME Method member Ellen is back to give us an update on the construction of her new home in Ballarat, Victoria.

Ellen and her partner are doing a knockdown-rebuild, and creating a single-storey home for their family, which includes Ellen and her partner, and their two teenage kids.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/356]

Ellen was on the podcast in Episodes 336 and 337 discussing her project journey up to commencement of construction. If you haven’t had the chance to listen to those episodes, I encourage you to check them out as you’ll hear more about the earlier parts of the process, choosing her team and getting the design right.

This has been a long process for Ellen and her family, so it’s super exciting to have her back to talk about the build process itself, and how she’s set herself up for success and a smooth process overall.

In this episode, Ellen and I talk about the early signs she started getting from her builder that communication and collaboration was going to be a positive experience during construction.

We also discuss how useful it’s been to make selections earlier in the project, so that construction itself can be managed more effectively and calmly. Ellen also shares how she’s developed confidence in her selections, and how she’s worked with her team to feel comfortable that the significant and impactful factors for her home and build are taken care of as construction commences.

Plus, Ellen is a psychologist by profession, so I love understanding her insights into human behaviour in a project such as this, and her suggestions for dealing with hiccups, managing your mindset and well-being and overcoming concerns as the project unfolds.

This is a fantastic conversation with so many gems of wisdom - I hope you really enjoy it.

Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, plus links to some helpful resources, you can find that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/356.

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, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/356

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early Design Phase: Budget, Plans, and Feedback, with Louise and Zane Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 355, and I’m back with Part 2 of the latest project update with HOME Method members, Louise and Zane, who are renovating their Melbourne Californian Bungalow.

They’re early in their design phase, and whilst they have a floor plan design that’s starting to tick the boxes on their wishes and wants, it’s still sneaking up over their budget.

This is a great insight into the early design stages of a project, how you juggle competing demands and priorities, as well as trying to ensure you’re capturing all the details so you manage your risk and avoid omitting something important down the track.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/355]

If you haven’t caught Part 1 of this conversation, head back to Episode 354 so you can listen or read the transcript. You’ll find that at www.undercoverarchitect.com/354.

In this episode, I talk with Louise and Zane about how they’re taking their existing home into consideration when renovating, and factoring the potential upgrades into their approach and overall budget.

Louise and Zane also share how they’ve navigated receiving feedback and input from family and friends whilst they’re in this design phase. As is often the case, when you share floor plans with your loved ones, they can have an opinion about what they think is missing or not working in them.

These well-meaning opinions and feedback can be based on the personal experience of your friends or family, or because of their own professional backgrounds. However, balancing that input with your own project goals and budget can definitely be tricky.

We also talk about how their timeline is working in this early design phase, and I give them some tips on some specific things they can be doing sooner rather than later to help squeeze up timelines and pricing certainty as they move closer to their final documentation.

This early part of the design process can be super exciting as you see your dreams start to take shape on the page of your designer’s drawings. And yet, it can also feel like nothing is very ‘real’ yet, which can mean you stay too open to flexibility, and scope and budget creep.

It’s great to touch base with Louise and Zane at this point, and hear how they’re navigating this.

And if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find all of that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/355.

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, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/355

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Choosing the Right Team for Your Renovation, with Louise + Zane Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 354, and in it, we’re getting an update from HOME Method members, Louise and Zane, about their renovation project.

If you’re curious about what the early parts of a project experience are like as you choose your team and commence work with them, this is going to be super helpful information for you.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/354]

As with Ben that we had on the podcast over the last couple of weeks, Louise and Zane are also renovating and extending a Californian Bungalow in Melbourne.

And, when we chatted to them back in Episodes 317 and 318, we heard about the early preparation they were doing before choosing their team and commencing their project.

(If you haven’t heard the first part of Zane and Louise’s project journey, head to Episodes 317 and 318 to learn more about where this project begins. The episodes and transcripts are at www.undercoverarchitect.com/317 and www.undercoverarchitect.com/318).

In this update, Louise and Zane talk with me about how things have been going since they assembled their team together. They’re using the PAC Process, or Paid As Consultant Process, with their team. So the builder is involved during pre-construction, advising on cost and buildability, plus also assisting in pre-construction investigation work for the site and existing home.

Their selected builder and architect haven’t worked together previously, and sometimes that can be a concern for clients, as they worry whether the collaboration will work well when those two professionals are getting to know each other and work together for the first time.

We discuss this in more detail, and we also talk about the selection process itself (which took 2 to 3 months to do), and how the Brief Builder template they accessed inside HOME Method was super helpful in formulating a brief and communication document they could share during this process.

Louise and Zane share some great insights about how they’ve set up their project communications, how they’re talking with their team to iron out assumptions and ensure their wishes and wants are understood, and what they’re doing to stay true to their design goals whilst managing their budget.

And if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find it as well as the other resources I mention, by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/354.

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, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/354

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Managing Your Renovation Budget When Designing, with Ben Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 353, and it’s Part 2 of my conversation with HOME Method member, Ben, about the renovation and extension of his and his partner’s 1920’s Californian Bungalow in Melbourne.

As we jump into Part 2, I talk more with Ben about their budget, and how they’ve worked with it over these design changes and the timeline, as well as the way Ben and Mike are now viewing their investment and what they want to get from it.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/352]

If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, head to Episode 352 where you’ll hear Ben introduce us to the project. We discussed some of the early challenges as they worked with a designer for some time, but ended up with a design that was over their budget, and also not the ideal outcome they were seeking.

With those initial quotes coming in too high, it gave them the chance to revisit and review their progress to that point, and led to a redesign that resulted in a far more aligned design outcome.

You can hear Part 1 of my conversation, or grab the transcript, by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/352, where you can also grab the transcript too.

In this episode (Part 2), as well as discussing budget, we also talk about working with your professionals, creating a collaborative team, and having those challenging conversations as your project develops and perhaps isn’t on track with your overall goals.

Ben also has some great insights to share on the emotional side of navigating a project like this, and we hear how he’s built his confidence over the duration of the design process. Plus he touches on the value of community support and technical resources from HOME Method.

Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find all of that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/353.

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, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/353

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to Design a Home Renovation and Extension, with Ben Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 352, and in it, I’m talking with HOME Method member, Ben. He and his partner, Mike, are designing the renovation and extension of their Melbourne Californian Bungalow.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Ben and Mike came up with their renovation and extension design, and some of the challenges they had along the way. They followed a more traditional route of tendering the design, only to discover that the cost to deliver exceeded their budget, which meant they had two choices.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/352]

One: revisit and amend the existing design to see if they can pull it back financially, without compromising the functionality and livability of the home overall.

Or two: take some steps back - or as we call it in HOME Method, get up to helicopter view, and assess whether there is a different design option altogether that can satisfy the brief, and meet the budget expectations more closely.

Many reach this point in their project, and it is always a challenging decision to make. If you’ve already sunk money and time into a design outcome that isn’t exactly what you asked for or thought you’d have, should you just keep going?

Or do you risk halting the project, and also contending with potential construction cost increases in the interim whilst you change the design, so you can scale back what you’re doing, and create a design outcome that’s more efficient, more in alignment with your brief, and also benefits from all the learnings you’ve had in the experience so far?

Well: Spoiler Alert! You’ll hear in this episode that Ben and Mike chose to renew their design. And you’ll also hear how they started first with a feasibility study of two options, and then were able to proceed much more confidently on that basis. And interestingly, VERY speedily as well … so much so, that in the end, they’ve not really ‘lost’ much time at all.

And as a result of their pivot, they’ve ended up with a design that:

aligns far more significantly with their ideal lifestyle
is able to be delivered within their means
Isn’t as disruptive to the structure and layout of the existing home
and they’ve developed a toolset, skillset and mindset that’s elevated their agency in their project as well.

Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find all of that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/352.

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, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/352

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trusting a First Time Builder with your New Home Build, with Tatiana Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 351, and it’s Part 2 of my conversation with HOME Method member, Tatiana, about her new build in regional Queensland on a site with a specific Council Buffer Zone they’re having to contend with.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/351]

If you missed Part 1 of our conversation, make sure you head back to Episode 350 to catch up before you dive into Part 2. You can listen or read the transcript at www.undercoverarchitect.com/350.

In this episode, I talk more with Tatiana about how she’s setting up her pre-construction process with her preferred builder, especially given he hasn’t used the PAC Process before.

We also talk about how to manage your risk when working with a builder who is new to their business, and your project is their first as a business. There’s some important steps to take so you ensure your project doesn’t suffer from them getting their business up and running.

And we also talk through Tatiana’s design goals, and the budget checks she’s been doing as well. They’re working with a tight budget, and so you’ll hear how Tatiana is managing that, what she’s prioritising and considering to be cost efficient, especially based on what we discuss inside HOME Method.

Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find all of that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/351.

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, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/351

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.