This week I wrote an article on why you must get your building contract reviewed prior to signing. It started like Please Please Please don't sign without getting it checked over. What I meant is DONT SIGN. Even if you have the best builder in the world. Well that's probably more the point. IF you want to build a great relationship and enhance the experience of your build project. Then it's a must to have all details known and expressed as much as you can. Knowing where you stand is a powerful place to be. The lurking devil in the detail is real when detail is lacking in upfront contract. Instead of being in a rush to sign and get on with the build. Be in a rush to get your contract reviewed. 2 hours now could save 2000 hours in rework, delays, arguments and cost blowouts. You're builder might be awesome and detailed but there's a high chance they don't have the same expectations on your project. Meet them where they are at and the difference in your building experience will be noticeable from the start. Who can review your contract? Property Lawyers, Project Managers, Building Designers, Building Inspectors and in some cases other trusted ex-builders. Just do it.

I love working in the efficiency space. It's really encouraging for anyone running projects that make a difference to living with passive heat and cooling. The incentives are there for the taking in some states in Australia. So why budget for these efficiencies? It depends on whether it is your home or a project for flipping. If the end game of your project is to sell, you need to invest in visible efficiency measures. If it is to own, the best bang for buck upgrades are invisible.

I'm planning 5 renovations this year. So that's up on 2025. Last year I coached and renovated a dozen properties and its time to crank that up a notch. I'll be in on 5 and then coaching another 15 renovators on how to carry out their own renovation successfully. What's your dream and vision for 2026.

Completing your project with a soft handover. I was recently compelled to explore the concepts of a soft handover to our clients. We educate on the promise of responsible project management. So why don't we do soft landings? i.e. Here's a simple way to think about it Instead of: “Design → build → hand over → walk away” Soft Landings encourages: “Design with outcomes → build → hand over with support → stay, observe, adjust → learn for the next project.” For anyone involved in buildings – clients, designers, contractors, facility managers – this kind of extended, outcome‑focused process can be a key step towards buildings that truly perform as intended. what are your thoughts?

This group is for serial renovators who want to run their construction projects with ease. Over the next few weeks our focus is to show you behind the scenes of what it takes to run a professional project management business and how you can run your own project with these secret tools too.