Welcome to the APB Digest! This week, we’re giving you everything you need to set your building company up for a strong start to the new year. From systems and sales to the latest industry trends, this edition is packed with practical tools to help you scale with confidence in 2026 and beyond.
New podcast episodes
Russ Stephens, Co-founder of APB, unpacks the three biggest challenges builders are facing worldwide as they head into 2026, breaks down why a lack of planning continues to hold builders back, and explains how mastering lead generation, profit, and systemisation can completely transform the performance of a building business.
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The Systems Behind Success
Andy Skarda, Head Coach at APB, unpacks the biggest builder wins across the APB community last year. He breaks down the five most consistent trends behind real builder success, sharing why profitability, systems, leadership, and implementation are the true drivers of sustainable growth.
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Managing Relationships
Nicole Scanlan, Partnerships Manager at APB, breaks down what it really takes to build, manage, and sustain strong business relationships over the long term. Drawing on her experience managing over 130 partners globally, Nicole shares practical, repeatable systems for building trust.
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Built To Scale
Discover how to build a steady flow of high-quality enquiries all year round, so you’re never forced to discount or take on the wrong jobs just to keep the pipeline full. This free webinar will help you gain clarity over your numbers, keep cash steady, and stop lying awake wondering if the next job will actually make money.
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Most builders don’t want to come across like some money-hungry salesperson. So they pull back. They let the client lead the conversation, even when it’s going off track. And all of that creates one silent, costly outcome: the client walks away. Not because of the price, but because they didn’t feel confident enough to say yes. Sales Mindset Mastery shows you how to show up steady, clear and confident, so clients feel safe, even in the most high-pressure decisions.
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3 Journeys of Builder & Remodeler Growth
Brought to you by Builder Lead Converter
This webinar brings together three experienced builders and Russ Stephens, Co-Founder of the APB, to unpack the systems and strategic shifts that drive scalable profits. The session goes beyond theory, sharing real numbers, real changes, and real outcomes. If you’re busy but profits aren’t where they should be, this is a practical, insight-packed session worth your time.
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Why Most Builders Miss Out on High-Quality Leads (And What To Do Instead)
The best builders let their content do the heavy lifting. By answering common questions upfront, they attract better-fit clients, filter out tyre-kickers, and stop competing on price. In this guest article for Buildxact, APB Head of Marketing, Will Blunt, explains why many builders end up chasing unqualified, price-driven enquiries - and how the real issue isn’t lead volume, but a lack of trust built before the first call.
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Andy's Insights
Australia:
- Enquiry volumes remain mixed, but lead quality is improving.
- Builders with clear positioning and strong prequalification are winning better projects.
- Leadership capability and internal capacity constraints are limiting growth.
- Takeaway: The gap is no longer marketing - it’s leadership and execution maturity.
New Zealand:
- Market conditions remain conservative, with longer-than-desired client decision cycles.
- Renovation and high-end custom work remain more resilient than volume builds.
- Cashflow pressure and cautious lending environments are affecting client confidence.
- Takeaway: Strong cashflow control and calm leadership are critical in a steady-but-tight market.
United States:
- Business activity is generally picking up across most regions.
- Material and labour pricing has stabilised, improving margin predictability.
- Professional, systemised builders are attracting stronger-fit projects.
- Labour availability is tightening in some regions due to federal immigration crackdowns.
- Takeaway: Stability plus demand favours builders who have leadership, systems, and capacity control.
Canada:
- National economic indicators continue to soften.
- APB builders in coaching are still reporting an uptick in enquiries and activity.
- US tariffs have not yet materially impacted Canadian builders.
- Cautious consumer sentiment is slowing commitment outside the APB ecosystem.
- Takeaway: Coaching discipline continues to insulate builders from broader economic pressure.