Howdy Readers 👋
In this newsletter, you'll find:
Double the checklists, plus a bonus industry rant!
Three posts in one week—lucky you, don’t miss out!
📰 Our latest blog posts:
Post 1: C5 Checklist - Build A Better House Slab: Your Pre-Pour Slab Inspection Guide
They say a house is only as strong as its foundation—and they’re right! This week, we’re diving into the C5 Pre-Pour Slab Inspection Checklist, a must-read for anyone prepping for a concrete pour.
Think of it as your recipe for the perfect slab cake: follow the steps correctly, and you’ll avoid costly cracks, misaligned frames, or moisture issues later on. Get it right the first time, and you’ll have your cake—and build on it too (well, sort of).
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- How to double-check site prep, plumbing, and termite barriers before the big pour.
- Why small details like formwork dimensions and damp-proof membranes matter.
- General compliance and tips to ensuring your slab meets Australian Standards (hello, AS2870!).
Post 2: C6 Checklist - Ready to Build Smarter? Use Our Post-Pour Slab Inspection Guide!
Your home’s foundation is literally the groundwork for everything that follows—so why not get it right?
This week, we’ve posted our Post-Pour Slab Inspection Checklist: a no-nonsense guide to checking your freshly poured concrete slab after it's been poured. Inspect to ensure its level, durable, and up to code. From spotting surface finishes, curing and general good building practice inspection items, be prepared to move on to frame stage with confidence.
We’ll also cover:
- Why curing methods are important for slab longevity.
- Tips to identify and fix cracks before they escalate.
- How to stay compliant with erosion and sediment control regulations.
- Industry resources for you to learn more about what "normal" is and how to manage diferent outcomes. Check out all our concrete resources in our members area. Signup for free and read as many concrete data sheets as you like all in one location.
Post 3: The Rant, By Ant - Beyond Compliance: Building Homes That Truly Matter
Are Australian builders doing enough to prioritise safety and health in the homes they create? This week, we’re taking a hard look at accountability in the construction industry.
Building a new home is not just about ticking boxes on compliance—
it’s about building homes that genuinely protect and enhance the lives of those who live in them.
In this article, we call for a much-needed shift from superficial practices to a real focus on occupant well-being. It’s time to expect more from builders and champion what truly matters: health, durability, and (dare we say it?) integrity.
On with the news from this week 😄
🚀 The latest residential construction news from new sources around Australia for the news week ending 12-12-2024
If you're new to Constructor, a warm welcome to you! 👋 You've come to the right place to learn all about residential construction and quality management.
Let's get started, shall we?
Before we forget, if someone forward you this newsletter, don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss out!
💾 Software of the Week - Smartsuite
If you’re trying to streamline your workflows or finally get on top of all the things, let us introduce you to SmartSuite. This powerhouse is your ultimate tool for organising tasks, managing projects, and automating repetitive chores—without breaking the bank. Oh, and it plays nicely on everything: iOS, Android, iPad, and, of course, your trusty web browser.
Think of it as your go-to Swiss Army knife for organisation—but digital, sleeker, and way more affordable than that other Suite we won’t name (hint: starts with “Smart,” ends with “sheet”).
What is it? SmartSuite is an extensible work management platform that combines project tracking, database tools, and collaboration features in one sleek package. Whether you're a solopreneur or part of a team, it’s got all the bells and whistles you need to organise your world and keep it running smoothly.
What’s in it for you? Let’s start with its cross-platform apps, so you can manage your work wherever you are. Got a tablet? It’s covered. Need to update on the go? The mobile apps are as user-friendly as the web version. And did we mention the price? Unlike a certain other Smart-whatever-Suite, SmartSuite keeps things affordable while still packing a punch.
Why we like it: Beyond the apps, we’re fans of the flexibility. You can customise it to match your workflows, whether that’s automating approvals or just keeping track of who’s doing what (and when). The linked record feature is super handy to create relational databases.
We also like that a Solution (project) has tabs within it, meaning, you can have everything to do with the project in one location, easy access and makes sense to staff who may be not so computer literate (they don't have to search to find things).
The signature field is a standout compared with Smartsheet, meaning, users can submit forms and sign acknowledgements (very handy to have). Smartdocs are great, you can have an entire essay attached to a single task. The Document Designer and automations mean you can create standard templates then automate information transfer, including sending documents to outside users based on table information. This is much easier to use and do than Smartsheet which would require you to have an enterprise account and additional addons to achieve the same functionality.
Finally, knowing you’re not stuck paying premium prices while other platforms (cough, SmartSheet) keep raising theirs? Priceless.
By the way, with another price hike looming for its competitors in January 2025, there’s no better time to make the switch. SmartSuite is affordable, accessible, and powerful.
Try it out today—and let us know if it saves your sanity!
🔥 News
What else is happening in the construction sector?
All the links we provide have been cleaned of news tracking codes. We use a browser extension called ClearURLS - its great for sharing links without all the tracking BS.
Kevin R.
Firefox extension and Chrome Extension - search chrome store for ClearURLs
We've highlighted our favourite news articles for the week by marking with a 👉️ and this formatting.
The theme for this weeks news articles from various sources is:
"Australia's Housing Crisis: Complexity, Controversies, and Calls for Reform"
This week’s housing news paints a familiar, frustrating picture. Australia’s housing crisis is like a tangled ball of yarn—complex, controversial, and full of threads that need untangling. From rising costs and builder shortages to policy debates and calls for reform, everyone seems to agree there’s a problem, but no one can settle on a solution.
The affordability issue isn’t getting any better, with home prices and rents still climbing out of reach for many Australians. Meanwhile, builders are struggling to keep up due to insolvencies, delays, and squeezed margins, leaving even approved projects sitting idle. The government is trying to help, with initiatives like Build-to-Rent and social housing investments, but critics argue these efforts are too little, too late, and sometimes downright inefficient.
On the bright side, there’s talk of innovation—things like modular housing and climate-defensive homes could change the game. But for now, it’s mostly talk. The balance between speed, quality, and sustainability is still a big question mark, and trust in the system is low.
Overall, the housing crisis feels like a broken record: lots of ideas, plenty of blame, but not enough action to bring meaningful change.
6th December 2024
George Milatos, builder of defective Bellamack houses, loses court appeal, still owes homeowners $2.7 million - LINK
South West builder wins regional home of the year for third time at HIA-CSR Housing Awards - LINK
Change of plans for Gungahlin site as rising costs, builder shortage forces owner's hand - LINK
👉️ New construction watchdog hammers home priorities for Building Commission NSW - LINK
Our comment: Priorities and plans are all well and good, but what homeowners really need is action and enforcement to ensure better-built homes. Don’t just talk the talk—walk the walk! Right now, enforcement is a joke, hopelessly underfunded, while clueless builders (who couldn’t tell their backside from their elbow) are cashing in on the blind trust of homeowners. Time to fix this mess!
Building Work Value Rises: September 2024 Quarter - LINK
👉️ Master Builders Australia survey: Housing crisis getting worse - LINK
Our comment: Let’s just say our opinion of the Building Industry Groups (political lobbyists) isn’t exactly glowing. In our view, they’re not directly responsible for dodgy building work—but they sure do enable it by slapping their shiny brand on builders who tout themselves as "professionals" simply because they paid for a membership. Spoiler alert: many of them are anything but professional.
Instead of hoarding membership fees and lobbying like it’s an Olympic sport, why not step up? Start holding your members accountable. Check that they actually know their trade. Enforce meaningful membership requirements—make sure they’ve attended supplier or RTO training, and that they can demonstrate actual project, construction, or quality management principles in action.
Here’s a wild idea: why not ensure your builders really are masters? Not just posers with a hammer and zero sh*ts to give!
👉️ Who wants to make housing affordable in Australia? - LINK
Article excerpt: Bowes explains, “When people are spending a lot of money on their mortgage, they’re not spending money on other things that can stimulate demand in the economy.”
Coalition commits 30% of housing infrastructure spend to regions - LINK
The First Home Guarantee has been quietly helping thousands get into the market - LINK
Australians set to punish politicians who don’t deliver on housing - LINK
👉️ Urban planning policy will fall short without real action - LINK
Article excerpt: Professor Nicky Morrison – director of the Urban Transformations Research Centre at Western Sydney University – told GN: “Without clear funding mechanisms, timelines, and accountability, it risks being seen as aspirational rather than substantive.” & Key to achieving the first theme is housing affordability, say the document’s authors. “An adequate supply of housing that is affordable, suitable, connected and well located is a priority.”
Homeowners struggle as rate relief remains elusive - LINK
‘Magical Thinking’ in Inner West Council Housing Planning Changes - LINK
Extension sought for Burswood twin tower apartment development - LINK
👉️ Construction delays dampen strong Gold Coast apartment market - LINK
Article excerpt: these figures don't reveal what developers on the Gold Coast are experiencing, as many find themselves in a peculiar position where large construction projects are ready to go, but there is nobody to build them. & These increased costs are squeezing margins and making some planned developments no longer feasible.
Our comment: Trades are earning more than surgeons, yet we’re still short on skilled workers. Meanwhile, we’re trying to build more homes, without enough people to do the job, and squeezing margins so tightly that new developments barely make financial sense. Yep, we’ve totally got this housing supply crisis under control... by the short and curlies, as they say. Brilliant strategy, really.
Experts in making renovations look top notch - LINK
Article excerpt: Owners of newly-constructed homes shouldn’t delay if they’re concerned about defects in the building, as time limitations apply to making claims against the builders.
7th December
Embattled builder Nicheliving to pay down debts by selling luxury land - LINK
‘Desperately needed’ rental homes hit the market as BTR delivers the goods - LINK
Communique: Meeting of federal, state and territory Skills Ministers - LINK
Government spending keeping Australia economy afloat as private investment remains weak: Deloitte Access Economics - LINK
Article excerpt: "The economy continues to lean heavily on public sector spending and population growth while grappling with stagnant productivity. Without a shift in this growth mix, achieving stronger and more sustainable economic growth will remain elusive."
👉️ Bad news for Perth home buyers - LINK
Australian housing market slows as interest rate cuts loom - LINK
Houses are too expensive to buy, but that’s not the problem - LINK
Our comment: What an absolute load of nonsense. The entire premise of this article boils down to: "House prices are crazy? Oh well, just deal with it." Really? That’s your grand advice? Stick your head in the sand, pretend the underlying market issues don’t exist, and just roll with the punches like a good little homeowner. Ignore the fundamentals driving this madness, don’t ask questions, and just vibe your way through the housing crisis. Brilliant. Absolutely groundbreaking journalism.
Housing affordability at ‘historic low’: REIA - LINK
Worst housing affordability in almost three decades - LINK
NSW Government speeds up rezoning process for 23,000 new homes - LINK
👉️ Builder CEO: There is one solution to the housing crisis - LINK
Affordable housing scheme unveiled by Sydney firm - LINK
8th December 2024
‘Unprecedented’ mass migration contributing to housing demand - LINK
Kimberley leaders sceptical of WA government, opposition housing focus amid chronic overcrowding - LINK
Victorian government urged to set minimum 10,000 social home target for first 10 activity centres -LINK
Sustainable cardboard homes may provide emergency shelter after flood, bushfire disasters - LINK
Fifty rental homes to be built by 2026 for flood-affected residents - LINK
9th December 2024
‘Like gold’: Allan government urged to set affordable housing targets - LINK
Meriton boss on how to solve Australia’s housing crisis: ‘The higher we build, the better’ - LINK
Australia’s Housing Crisis: Why 7 in 10 Say It’s Worse Than Ever - LINK
Report finds housing stress triggering homelessness rise - LINK
Rough sleeping in NSW surges amidst housing crisis - LINK
Green light for Uniting’s Shellharbour housing - LINK
Bunbury homes with 'inadequate' roofs hit worst by wild weather, study finds - LINK
Article excerpt: ""I don't think any of us intentionally would tie a roof down incorrectly but having a second eye over or an inspection at a key point would definitely help," he said.
Our comment: Exactly. This is a three-part problem, plain and simple.
First, we have builders and contractors who either aren’t up to speed or haven’t bothered to read the standards relevant to their trade. Second, there’s the glaring absence of quality management systems and processes to ensure compliance and on-site quality assurance. Third, there’s no third-party inspection to catch anything that might have been missed—whether by accident or plain ignorance.
A three-part solution is staring us in the face: implement these systems, add yearly audits, and require ongoing work on project and construction management systems as a condition of maintaining a license. It’s not rocket science. Anything less is just wishful thinking—hoping that people will magically do better out of the goodness of their hearts. Spoiler alert: if they wanted to improve, could have improved, or cared to improve, they’d have done it already. We wouldn’t be drowning in quality issues right now.
Regional WA prices still rising in face of fewer eastern states investors - LINK
10th December 2024
Major iron ore, coal mining warning that could ruin Australia: 'Foolish' - LINK
Our comment: Exactly! Gas royalties should absolutely be funding social and affordable housing in Australia. Look at Qatar—they're raking it in, while we practically give our resources away for free. It's outrageous. Time to end this madness and start investing in our own people. Change this foolishness now!
Read more about this in our post
Survey reveals housing affordability and access a top priority for urban leaders - LINK
Borrowers may have to compromise amid housing challenges - LINK
Housing Stress Fuels Homelessness Surge, Report Finds - LINK
Homelessness much worse than before COVID leaves agencies battling a perfect storm - LINK
👉️ 27pc more: Albo’s new housing move ‘too pricey - LINK
Our comment: Build-to-Rent (BTR) is like slapping a band-aid on a gaping wound—it might stop the bleeding temporarily, but it’s no cure for the deep-rooted issues. Over time, BTR will cost way more than homeownership, and guess what? You still won’t own the underlying asset. Think of it like a smartphone app subscription: you sign up for 12 months, realise it’s not great, but still have to pay. Add in early termination fees, relocation fees, service disconnect and reconnect fees, plus the "finding a new tenant" fees—and let’s not forget fees on the fees. It’s a never-ending money pit dressed up as a solution.
Burnside: Resort-style pad could set new house price record for suburb in Melbourne’s northwest - LINK
👉️ Modular housing help given to Thursday Island community as Coast builder delivers biggest project in 50 years - LINK
Our comment: Can we please retire timber paling fences already? Seriously, we’re drowning in plastic—an indestructible material that outlives everything, including common sense—and yet we’re still building fences out of timber, which rots, gets munched on by insects, soaks up water, and breaks at the first sign of trouble. Why not turn this environmental villain into something useful? Let’s start making fences out of plastic and finally put this forever product to good use. It shouldn’t exist, but since it does, we might as well make it work for us.
👉️ 'Soul destroying': Family home turns to rubble after dream renovation project - LINK
Article excerpt: "The Master Builders' Association told us Benitez relinquished his membership in July, but said there is an obligation for builders to fix problems such as this which arise during construction."
Our comment: Labels don’t make someone a professional—they’re just shiny bits of marketing designed to make you think they are. It’s all about spinning a story so you can convince yourself to believe it. But here’s the truth: don’t trust labels. Trust facts, data, and actual results. Stories are nice, but they won’t build your house.
Resolve Finance boosts builder and developer ties with key appointments - LINK
👉️ Rules Eased for More Diverse, Affordable Homes - LINK
Our comment: Is the small lot code shrinking even further? At this rate, we might as well call it the "lunchbox block code." Soon, your backyard will be big enough to park a deck chair while your dog sits on your legs staring at you weirdly—if you're lucky!
Government partnerships delivering homes - LINK
The often overlooked selling point in homes built after 2010 - LINK
11th December 2024
👉️ New study shows building code reform is crucial to cutting power bills - LINK
Our comment: You don’t need a fancy study to figure this one out. Just take a look at the building envelope and thermal mass—it’s obvious houses are little more than energy sieves. It’s like trying to heat a tent in the middle of winter—good luck with that!
Anthony Painter
‘Stop slamming the brakes’ the National Construction Code is working, says CoreLogic - LINK
Our comment: My guess? Lobby groups are dragging their feet until it suits them to move forward. Oh, sorry—did I say "lobby groups"? I meant "industry groups." Same thing, really. They look out for number one (themselves), then their members—because if they get what they want and look good doing it, they’ll attract more members and keep their cash flow (and lights) steady. Self-interest 101.
Hundreds more homes for West Dapto after rezoning - LINK
👉️ Smaller, better, smarter, stronger: Designing a climate-defensive home - LINK
Our comment: Absolutely! The definition of "home" needs to evolve. What worked in the past no longer fits today’s needs or environment. We have better knowledge, materials, and techniques—so why aren’t we using them? Housing should adapt to suit our lifestyles, not cling to outdated models that clearly don’t work.
Developers, take note: ditch the sardine-can estates with tiny blocks and narrow roads. Start fostering communities, not walled-off boxes with postage-stamp yards. Green spaces, trees, and community gardens aren’t just nice to have—they actively improve mental well-being. It’s not all about yield and shareholder returns. A happy, well-designed estate will be far more desirable than a high-crime, poorly thought-out rat hole.
But here’s the kicker: developers don’t seem to care. Once the final stage is sold, they’re off to the next project, leaving the community to deal with the fallout. How about a little foresight for a change?
Sydney’s St Ives set for luxury transformation with Ellis Residences - LINK
The Sydney housing reform set to be scaled back - LINK
Investa and Oxford top out its largest BTR project - LINK
👉️ Industry backs focus on productivity as housing target shortfall endures - LINK
Our comment: So, let me get this straight: to boost productivity, we need to strip back regulation so builders can bash out houses faster? Sure, that might work—if you don’t mind cutting corners. But what exactly are we removing here? Because if it’s oversight or anything related to quality, we’re in for trouble. Builders already struggle to follow standards and the NCC on a good day. Remove what little accountability there is, and you’re basically inviting chaos.
👉️ Brighten launches flexible vacant land loan - LINK
Tri Pointe Homes' SWOT analysis: homebuilder's stock shifts gears - LINK
12th December 2024
👉️ Nicheliving directors save failed company from liquidation - LINK
Our comment: totally doesn't make sense - seems like a Phoenix is about to Rise Again!
BGC inks deal to sell off its cement division - LINK
Slab to lock-up in four days: Are quick-build homes the way of Perth’s future? - LINK
Survey shows low building expectation amid rising challenges for property industry - LINK
More well-located homes for St Leonards - LINK
Planning tick for bigger complex of ‘affordable’ units in affluent Perth suburb - LINK
‘Most important challenge’: What’s next for the Albanese government’s housing agenda? - LINK
👉️ Australian housing market 2024: Resilient but slowing - LINK
👉️ Fixing Australia’s housing crisis with Alan Kohler - LINK
Greens launch legislation to enshrine housing as a human right - LINK
Survey shows low building expectation amid rising challenges for property industry - LINK
Home sales up 8% year-on-year - LINK
👉️ Housing Investment Fund blowouts cost 1600 homes for Queenslanders - LINK
Our comment: Buying existing homes at top-of-market prices? That’s hardly a savvy use of taxpayer money. Why not put those funds to better use by building new homes and developing crown land? It’s a no-brainer—more homes, better planning, and less financial waste.
Australians back lower immigration to solve housing crisis - LINK
Requests from you
If you have any requests on areas you would like me to explain, feel free to let me know and ill do my best to respond in kind.
