u/SCE_Corp_Australia

Builder here, what do homeowners misunderstand most about construction costs?

What’s the biggest renovation mistake you’ve seen?

Should builders charge for quotations?

How much time and money are businesses wasting preparing quotes that never had a realistic chance of winning?

Why are small builders disappearing?

- Increasing insurance costs

- Licensing requirements

- Margins

- Compliance

- Payment delays

Why do government projects cost so much? Is it inefficiency, overdesign, excessive consultants or procurement processes?

Why do government projects cost so much? Is it inefficiency, overdesign, excessive consultants or procurement processes?

Do we spend more time building or managing paperwork?

If you analysed your working week, what portion would actually be construction work versus paperwork, compliance, WHS, reporting, emails and meetings?

Has technology truly made construction easier?
With estimating software, AI, drones, BIM, project management apps, and digital inspections becoming common, do you believe technology has genuinely enhanced productivity, or has it just added more administration?

Has technology truly made construction easier?
With estimating software, AI, drones, BIM, project management apps, and digital inspections becoming common, do you believe technology has genuinely enhanced productivity, or has it just added more administration?

Has technology truly made construction easier?
With estimating software, AI, drones, BIM, project management apps, and digital inspections becoming common, do you believe technology has genuinely enhanced productivity, or has it just added more administration?

Are customers becoming more unrealistic?

Has anyone noticed customers expecting the best quality despite the fact we are dealing with budgets from a few years ago? How do you manage those expectations without missing out on the project?

Are customers becoming more unrealistic?

Has anyone noticed customers expecting the best quality despite the fact we are dealing with budgets from a few years ago? How do you manage those expectations without missing out on the project?

What's the most difficult part of running a construction business that outsiders don't realise?
Most people’s understanding of construction is just building things. In fact, a fair chunk of our time is spent on paperwork, compliance, chasing payments, managing subcontractors, insurance, and dealing with regulations. What takes up most of your time?

What's the most difficult part of running a construction business that outsiders don't realise?
Most people’s understanding of construction is just building things. In fact, a fair chunk of our time is spent on paperwork, compliance, chasing payments, managing subcontractors, insurance, and dealing with regulations. What takes up most of your time?

This is just a general observation about the construction industry. My intention isn't to offend anyone; I'm simply hoping to encourage some positive change.

Let me use an example. If you visit a GP and receive a diagnosis, then decide to see another GP for a second opinion, you'll rarely hear the second doctor criticise the first or say they made a mistake. More often than not, their attitude is, "They've done the best they could based on the information they had. I'll just run a few more tests to confirm the diagnosis."

In other words, they show respect for another professional in their field.

Unfortunately, I can't say the same about the construction industry. Too often, we hear contractors talking about how poorly the previous contractor performed and how much better they are. While there are certainly cases of poor workmanship, I believe we've developed a culture of putting others down instead of focusing on solving the problem.

I think our industry would benefit from being a little more united. We can still hold each other accountable and maintain high standards without constantly criticising one another. A little more professionalism and mutual respect would go a long way in improving the reputation of our industry as a whole.