This Should Be Mandatory for Every Builder

Most builders will never admit it...

But ask them privately, and they’ll tell you the same thing.

Running a building company is nothing like being on the tools. And the real challenge? No one prepares you for that part.

“Young builders come out as carpenters thinking they can run a business… which is what I did thirty years ago,” Phil told us from Northwest Tasmania.

He’s been in the game for decades. Long enough to see how the industry’s changed. Long enough to know what’s missing.

And now, he’s on a mission.

“This shouldn’t be voluntary.”

Phil’s no rookie. He’s been through boom times and busts. Lost money. Regained it. Built again. But when he discovered structured business coaching, something clicked.

“If I had this coaching at the start, or access to coaching like this, my path would be very different. Absolutely, 100% very different.”

The objection some builders raise is familiar: “I don’t have time for training” or “That’s for people just starting out.”

But Phil sees it another way.

“We’ve been told that coaching is an impossible task. But I believe business coaching should be part of the syllabus. Mandatory. Not by interest only.”

When Compliance Gets It Wrong

Most builders see compliance training as a box-ticking exercise. Waterproofing. Framing. Technical compliance.

But here’s the kicker:

“The CPD place told me business management isn’t relevant. I said, ‘How can a builder be licensed if they can’t run a business?’”

Phil’s frustration is clear. And he’s right.

Licensing should never reward technical know-how without business acumen. The industry isn’t just about building houses anymore, it’s about building sustainable companies.

From Fear to Financial Clarity

Before coaching, Phil didn’t even understand the difference between markup and margin.

“I used to charge 10% on all our jobs… didn’t realise I was losing money.”

Now?

“We meet with our accountant regularly. We understand WIP, job costing, fixed vs. variable costs. That alone changed my mindset from fear to clarity.”

That clarity transformed the business.

They’re quoting better. Targeting bigger jobs. And planning with confidence.

“We now calculate revenue based on our actual cost structure. We’re not undercharging anymore.”

A Legacy Worth Passing On

It’s not just about fixing today’s problems. It’s about setting up the next generation.

Phil’s son is stepping into the business. But unlike his father, he won’t be learning by making the same costly mistakes.

“He’ll start at a stronger base than I ever did. With systems, marketing, and less risk.”

It’s a different kind of legacy.

One built with confidence. Not chaos.

“This has given me confidence I’ve never had before. Coaching has been the missing piece.”

Phil’s story isn’t rare. It’s just rarely told.

Business training shouldn’t be optional. It should be expected.

Because the risk of not knowing how to run a building company isn’t just lost margin, it’s lost sleep, lost time, and lost years.

And as Phil said…

“We’ve got to find a way to make this mandatory.”

Want to Experience What Phil Did?

If you’re serious about future-proofing your business, protecting your profit, and restoring your confidence… then coaching may be the next step.

Not when you’ve hit breaking point.