The Building Talks Podcast

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Thanks for tuning in to another episode of The Building Talks Podcast. This one digs into where margin and risk really sit in construction. 
In this episode, we're joined by Alastair Blenkin and Tim Rogers, the team behind ProcurePro.  There’s plenty of talk in the industry about productivity, but this conversation gets into something often overlooked, procurement, and why it plays such a critical role in project success.
On the surface, procurement doesn’t sound that exciting, but scratch beneath it and you’ll find where margin is protected, risk is managed, and a lot of project stress quietly builds.
We unpack how ProcurePro came to life, Tim’s experience on the contractor side with Hutchinson Builders, and Alastair’s background in tech and law. From spreadsheet-heavy processes and quote levelling to scope clarity and the impact of COVID, this is a proper look at one of the most manual parts of the industry.
There’s also a great discussion around AI, productivity, and why good systems shouldn’t replace people, they should free them up to focus on higher-value work.
If you’ve ever wondered why construction struggles to adopt new tech, and why implementation is often harder than the idea itself, this will be an eye-opener for you.
Takeaways:
✅ Why procurement is the frontline for protecting margin
✅ The risks of spreadsheet-driven processes
✅ How quote levelling and scope clarity reduce project stress
✅ Where AI fits into construction workflows
✅ Why implementation is harder than innovation
Chapters:
10:10  Understanding Procurement Challenges
16:54  The Evolution of Procurement Solutions
21:23  Building the Minimum Viable Product
29:07  The Importance of Scope in Construction
35:57  Streamlining Procurement with ProcurePro
40:45  The Visibility Revolution in Construction
43:46  AI’s Role in Transforming the Construction Process 
54:42  Implementing Change: Overcoming Resistance in Construction Tech
1:00:28  Future Aspirations: Saving a Billion Construction Hours
Tune in for a smart, practical conversation on how better procurement can drive performance across every project.
Hope you enjoy the podcast!
#ConstructionTech #Procurement #BuildingTalksPodcast #ConstructionLeadership #AIinConstruction #BuiltEnvironment #ProjectManagement #ConstructionInnovation #CommercialConstruction
The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland.  For an overview of our service, visit:
www.buildingenvirons.com.au
Proud to partner with Housing All Australians (HAA) and The Building and Construction Foundation. Check out their websites and join the movement!
www.housingall
The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast.
Contact The Building Talks Podcast
Follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram
Visit us on our website
Email us at [email protected]

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text!
Back with another episode of The Building Talks Podcast, this one’s a deep dive into how smart subcontractors actually build successful businesses.

I sit down with Ethan Chittick, carpenter and co-founder of B&E Built and Commercial Carpentry. Over the past decade, he’s built a serious subcontracting operation, with a sharp focus on the numbers and how the business really runs.

We get into cash flow, margins, retention, and why many tradies don’t fully understand their numbers. Ethan shares the risks of scaling too fast, how to choose the right builders, and why a production-line approach often beats being a jack of all trades. We also unpack the shift from the tools to leading a team, and why doing what you say you’ll do is still a key differentiator.
Takeaways:
✅ Why most subcontractors struggle with margins and cash flow
✅ The risks of growing too fast in construction
✅ How to choose the right clients and builders
✅ Moving from the tools to running a business
✅ Building systems that scale, not just survive

Chapters:
06:46  Navigating the Subcontractor Landscape
09:38  Transitioning from Residential to Commercial
12:38  The Journey of Entrepreneurship
19:10  Understanding Contracts and Financial Risks
22:13  Qualifying Leads and Building Relationships
27:20  Identifying Good Clients
32:54  Learning and Growth as a Business Owner
36:25  Understanding Margins and Risks
44:27  Designing Efficient Workflows
49:20  Navigating Competition in the Market
56:19  Nurturing Talent: The Importance of Apprenticeships
1:02:40  Assessing Project Management: The Key to Successful Collaborations
1:03:55  Market Insights: Current Trends in Melbourne’s Construction
1:10:53  Future Growth: Aiming for $20 Million Revenue
1:13:07  Passion for Building: The Heart of Business Success
Tune in for a practical, straight-talking conversation about building a subcontracting business that actually works.
Hope you enjoy the podcast!
#ConstructionBusiness #SubcontractorLife #BuildingTalksPodcast #CommercialCarpentry #ConstructionLeadership #CashflowManagement #TradeBusiness #BuiltEnvironment #ConstructionCareers #BusinessGrowth
The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland.  For an overview of our service, visit:
www.buildingenvirons.com.au
Proud to partner with Housing All Australians (HAA) and The Building and Construction Foundation. Check out their websites and join the movement!
www.housingallaustralians.org.au
https://www.buildingandconstructionfoundation.org.au/
The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast.
Contact The Building Talks Podcast
Follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram
Visit us on our website
Email us at [email protected]

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text!
In this episode, we hear from Brian Donovan, who built an enviable career through his time at Multiplex and Mirvac where he rose to Project Director, before taking the leap in 2018 to launch Jardon Group. We unpack what it’s really like stepping away from Tier 1 construction and leading $400M projects, to setting up and growing a construction business.
Brian shares the reality of starting just before COVID hit, the uncertainty, pressure, and what failure feels like when you’ve got a young family depending on you. It’s an honest conversation about his experiences setting up a construction business: risk, resilience, mindset and people. Plus why trust, early engagement, and doing ECI properly can completely shift a project’s outcome and act as a great foundation to deliver great projects.
Takeaways:
✅ Leaving Tier 1 construction to start your own business
✅ The reality of launching a company only  for COVID to rock up just as you get going
✅ Managing risk when you’ve got family and responsibility
✅ Building resilience through uncertainty and pressure
✅ Why trust and early contractor involvement matter
Chapters:
05:32  Early Influences and Entry into Construction
06:56  Navigating Early Career Challenges
09:49  Opportunities and Growth in the Industry
12:29  Cultural Differences in Work Environments
15:17  Mentorship and Professional Development
18:31  International Experience and Career Progression
25:41  The Journey to Independence
32:01  Embracing Failure and Taking Risks
38:05  The Reality of Starting a Business
44:58  Navigating Challenges During Covid-19
47:49  Growth and Evolution of Jardon Group
53:30  Navigating Market Entry Challenges
56:17  The Evolution of Land Lease Communities
59:25  Understanding D&C Contracts and Client Engagement
1:04:51  Building Trust in the Construction Industry
1:15:29  Looking Ahead: Growth and Market Opportunities
Tune in for a real-world conversation about risk, resilience, and what it takes to build something from the ground up.
Hope you enjoy the podcast!
#ConstructionLeadership #BuildingTalksPodcast #Entrepreneurship #ConstructionBusiness #JardonGroup #ECI #BuiltEnvironment #ConstructionCareers #Leadership #Resilience 
The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland.  For an overview of our service, visit:
 
www.buildingenvirons.com.au
 
Proud to partner with Housing All Australians (HAA) and The Building and Construction Foundation. Check out their websites and join the movement!
www.housingallaustralians.org.au
https://www.buildingandconstructionfoundation.org.au/
The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast.
Contact The Building Talks Podcast
Follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram
Visit us on our website
Email us at [email protected]

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text!
Thanks for jumping into another episode of The Building Talks Podcast…this episode’s a little different, and one that really matters.
Returning guest Justin McGrath is back on the show. With more than 40 years in construction, Justin’s built a career many would admire, starting as an apprentice and working his way through to Construction Director, leading major projects, big teams, and high-pressure environments.
But this conversation isn’t about project wins or career milestones. Six months ago, Justin suffered a stroke.
What follows is a raw, honest chat about the realities of long-term pressure in construction, the hours, the responsibility, the constant problem-solving, and the mindset of just pushing through because “that’s the job.” Justin shares what he’s learned, what he’d do differently, and how the same drive that built his career is now fuelling his recovery.
This isn’t about sympathy, it’s about perspective. A powerful reminder for anyone in the industry about the cost of always being “on”, and why paying attention to your health might be the most important call you make.
Takeaways:
✅ The hidden toll of long-term pressure in construction
✅ Why “pushing through” isn’t always the answer
✅ Recognising warning signs before it’s too late
✅ Using discipline and mindset for recovery
✅ Rethinking success, health, and longevity in the industry
Chapters:
07:51  Career Highlights and Major Projects
12:23  The Day of the Stroke:  A Personal Account
24:31  The Role of Family in Health Decisions
28:51  The Demands of the Construction Industry
38:33  Transitioning to Strategic Roles
44:45  Conclusion and Key Takeaways
50:44  The Impact of Stress on Health
56:26  Recognising Burnout
1:02:40  Rehabilitation and Recovery Process
1:09:59  Mental Resilience in Recovery
1:18:13  Overcoming Physical and Mental Challenges
1:25:32  Navigating the Road to Return to Work
1:31:01  Reflections on Work-Life Balance and Industry Changes
Tune in for a powerful, honest conversation about health, perspective, and the real cost of high performance in construction.
Hope you enjoy the podcast!
#ConstructionLeadership #BuildingTalksPodcast #MentalHealthInConstruction #WorkplaceWellbeing #ConstructionCareers #LeadershipPressure #HealthInConstruction #BuiltEnvironment #Resilience #IndustryInsights
The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland.  For an overview of our service, visit:
 
www.buildingenvirons.com.au
 
Proud to partner with Housing All Australians (HAA) and The Building and Construction Foundation. Check out their websites and join the movement!
www.housingallaustralians.org.au
https://www.buildingandconstructionfoundation.org.au/
The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast.
Contact The Building Talks Podcast
Follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram
Visit us on our website
Email us at [email protected]

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text!
Season 5 rolls on with a thoughtful and honest conversation about leadership in the toughest moments of construction.
In this episode, returning guest Seamus Egan joins me again on The Building Talks Podcast. Since his last appearance, Seamus has had a full-on couple of years, moving from BESIX Watpac to Roberts Co shortly before their collapse in Victoria, and now in a new role as General Manager at Henny.
We talk openly about what leadership looks like when things stop going to plan. Seamus shares his perspective on navigating uncertainty, the mental load that comes with senior roles, and the importance of leaning on your network when the pressure ramps up. We also unpack his move into a smaller, more agile business, the opportunities emerging in sectors like retirement living, student accommodation and social housing, and why the industry needs to value experience rather than lose it too early.
A grounded, reflective conversation about resilience, leadership and the realities of the construction industry.
Takeaways:
✅ Leadership during uncertainty and industry downturns
✅ The mental load of senior roles in construction
✅ Why resilience and networks matter in tough markets
✅ Lessons from moving from Tier 1 contractors to a mid-tier builder
✅ The cost of losing experienced professionals too early
Chapters:
06:43  The Complexity of the Construction Industry
11:45  Transitioning to General Management at Henny
16:35  The Evolving Retirement Living Sector
22:20  Advice for Aspiring Leaders in Construction
32:29  Navigating Leadership Pressures
37:59  Reflecting on Stressful Experiences
42:45  Decompressing After Challenges
45:08  Transitioning to New Opportunities
49:24  The Future of the Construction Industry
54:49  Collaboration Across the Industry
59:35  Building Trust and Relationships
Tune in for an honest discussion about resilience, leadership and navigating the realities of construction when the pressure is on.
Hope you enjoy the podcast!
#ConstructionLeadership #BuildingTalksPodcast #ConstructionIndustry #LeadershipInConstruction #Resilience #PropertyDevelopment #ConstructionCareers #BuiltEnvironment #ProjectLeadership #VictoriaConstruction
 The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland.  For an overview of our service, visit:
 
 www.buildingenvirons.com.au
 
 Proud to partner with Housing All Australians (HAA) and The Building and Construction Foundation. Check out their websites and join the movement!
www.housingallaustralians.org.au
https://www.buildingandconstructionfoundation.org.au/
The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast.
Contact The Building Talks Podcast
Follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram
Visit us on our website
Email us at [email protected]