Awards, Builder Burnout & The Latest Industry Trends

Welcome to this week’s APB Digest! Award applications are now open, we reveal why doing it all could be slowing you down, plus we’ve got the latest residential construction industry insights.

Builder Awards Now Open for Queensland and Western Australia

The APB Builder Awards recognise outstanding performance in the residential construction industry, celebrating builders who achieve remarkable growth, innovation, and leadership. Click the link below to check your eligibility and learn how to apply.

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New Podcast Episodes

Building for Climate Resilience

Wyatt Roberts, SVP of New Construction at Dandelion Energy, explains the transformative impact of geothermal technology in modern home building, discussing its role in creating climate-resilient homes and reducing environmental impact through sustainable heating and cooling solutions.

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Scaling Smart

Taylor and Mandy Shipp from Shiloh Homes open up about the real challenges and triumphs of running a custom home building business, the benefits of embracing unique lots, building timeless designs, and implementing scalable systems that protect their quality and sanity.

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Sponsored by BuildersVA

Drowning in Tasks? The Hidden Cost of Doing Everything Yourself

Here’s the truth: trying to do it all is what’s holding you back. Burnout doesn’t come from building houses, it comes from building a business alone.⁠ It’s time to change that.⁠

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Industry Trends

In Australia, the market remains tight, and it's getting harder to convert interest into contracts. More buyers are pulling out due to tougher bank lending rules. There's a rising demand for green and eco-friendly homes, offering new marketing opportunities. However, ongoing skilled labour shortages are slowing projects.

In New Zealand, dwelling consents dropped below 34,000, down from a peak of 51,000 in March 2022. Auckland is feeling the pressure from rising interest rates, economic strain, and government cutbacks. But the dip is temporary, industry growth is forecast to rebound by 2026. Waikato and Bay of Plenty are expected to lead in new building activity.

In the US, uncertainty continues to stall decision-making. Many builders are winning projects by underbidding, even at a loss, just to keep crews busy. Rising costs and fierce local competition are forcing builders into risky pricing models.

In Canada, tariffs haven't yet caused major price shifts, thanks to strong domestic production. Still, builders in both Canada and the US are reporting delays and cancellations tied to economic anxiety, and material costs are rising, possibly in anticipation of upcoming trade shifts.

Review of the week

"There are training videos on everything related to running a construction company. It's like drinking from a fire hydrant, but we are so grateful to have a clear direction for our business!⁠"