Get It Right with Undercover Architect

Amelia Lee, Undercover Architect
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Jul 21, 2025 • 32min

How to Avoid the Drama in Your Renovation or New Build

Discover how the Drama Triangle can impact communication in your renovation projects. Uncover the roles of Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer that can lead to stress and misunderstandings. Learn about the Empowerment Dynamic, which offers a clearer path to handling conflicts with confidence. Explore the PAC model and how personal history shapes interactions. Gain insights on how to transition from drama roles to becoming a Creator, Challenger, or Coach, empowering you to reclaim control over your project journey.
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Jul 14, 2025 • 37min

Project Mistakes You’re Making (Without Even Realising It): My Top 5

Home renovation pitfalls can be surprisingly subtle. Many homeowners underestimate the challenges, leading to confusion and frustration. Not asking critical questions can derail a project, while trying to be an expert often leads to micromanagement. Understanding your role as a collaborator is crucial. Budgeting should be seen as a strategy, not just numbers, to prevent costly mistakes. Finally, seeking help early can alleviate stress and improve outcomes. Tune in to learn how to navigate these challenges with clarity!
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Jul 7, 2025 • 46min

When Sustainability Meets Real Life: The Perfect Home, with Shauna

Discover how Shauna navigated her home-building journey with a long-term vision, balancing budget and sustainability. She shares her choice of a design-build approach to manage complexities and enhance communication. From smart site planning for a sloped, bushfire-risk area to implementing Green Star targets, her decisions focused on efficiency and livability. Hear about her practical choices that improved daily life, and the confidence she gained in advocating for her needs during construction. Celebrate the joys and surprises of her newly finished home.
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Jun 30, 2025 • 44min

Balancing Budget, Sustainability and Family Needs in a New Build, with Shauna

Join a conversation with Shauna, a sustainability practitioner, on her journey building a family home with sustainability in mind. She shares insights on balancing budget and family needs while tackling challenges like purchasing a derelict house and managing the project as a single parent. Discover how she crafted a clear design brief to guide her decisions and prioritized pragmatic sustainability solutions. The focus is on making intentional choices over striving for perfection, ensuring long-term livability and eco-friendliness.
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Jun 23, 2025 • 34min

How to Manage Project Costs Without the PAC Process

Discover effective strategies for managing project costs without the PAC Process. Learn how to leverage quantity surveyors for accurate budgeting and understand the importance of designer-builder relationships for better cost feedback. Explore the benefits of Early Contractor Involvement and negotiate tendering for value management. Amelia addresses common homeowner fears about early builder engagement and explains how to achieve reliable costing and a seamless construction process. Gain insights to minimize risks and avoid heartbreak in your building project.
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Jun 16, 2025 • 36min

Top Questions About Home Building and Renovating

Hello! This is Episode 361, and in it, I’m answering the questions I didn’t get to during our recent live webinars. I hope these answers are interesting to hear, and perhaps help you feel more equipped and confident in navigating your own project. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/361.] Whenever I host a live session, I’m always blown away by the type and curiosity of the questions that come through. They show me just how thoughtful, considered, and committed you are when it comes to getting your home right - and how much you’re navigating behind the scenes as you do it. Sometimes, though, we run out of time before I can respond to everything. So in this episode, I’m circling back to answer the questions I didn’t get to live, but that I know many of you are wondering about too. We’re covering a whole range of topics: from how to know if you’re adding value to your property, to managing issues with tradies, planning your kitchen design, dealing with appliances purchased too early, and getting your builder on board during pre-construction. So whether you’re choosing materials, talking to trades, or just starting to explore what your project could look like, I know there’ll be something here that helps you feel more informed and in control. Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, plus information on the resources we discuss, you can do that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/361. Now, let’s dive in! SHOW NOTES: If you’re struggling with understanding the overall steps for your project, what you should be focussing on and when, or how to best invest your efforts, energy and money to get a great outcome in your future home, I’ve created something super helpful for you. Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.  Plus, I’ll share with you what to focus on and when, so you know you’re getting everything in order for a successful project and beautiful home. And you’ll get access to some great bonuses as well. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/361 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jun 9, 2025 • 37min

Getting the Best Build Experience, with Builder, Anthony Hickey, Two Tone Construction

Join Anthony Hickey, Director of Two-Tone Construction, a Melbourne boutique builder, as he shares insights on ensuring a smooth building experience. He emphasizes the importance of effective communication and regular site meetings for better collaboration. Educated homeowners, he argues, often make projects smoother. Anthony also discusses the necessity of early builder involvement for accurate budgeting and how to select the right builder. He highlights the value of professionalism and continuous learning in the construction industry.
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Jun 2, 2025 • 44min

Getting it Right in Your Renovation, with Builder, Anthony Hickey, Two Tone Construction

Hello! This is Episode 359, and I’m super excited to bring this conversation to you. For some time on the podcast, we’ve been hearing the stories of HOME Method members in all different parts of their projects. Some right at the beginning, some mid-way through and keeping us updated over their project timeline, and some who have moved into their finished newly built or renovated home. I’ve been getting so much great feedback from you about these episodes. About how much you’re loving these stories, as well as the people and homes in them, and how helpful they are for understanding more about your own project as well. However, we’ve only been hearing from the homeowner's side. And so, in this episode, I want to introduce you to Anthony Hickey, the Director and Builder in Melbourne-based building business, Two Tone Construction. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/359] Anthony recently finished a renovation for HOME Method members, Tanya and Paul. And this is a great opportunity to hear about how he found it to work with educated and informed homeowners, and how it impacted his work and the renovation project overall. I regularly get messages from homeowners who are nervous to upskill themselves further in their project, concerned they’ll frustrate their professional team, or their designer, architect or builder will find it difficult and annoying to work with a client who is wanting to know more, be better prepared and informed as a collaborator in their own project. If that’s what you’re worried about, or you’re simply curious about the role you can play in your project, and how your team may potentially receive that, then this episode will be fantastic for you. And if you’re keen to understand what a builder thinks makes a great project and a great client, and their suggestions for how to ensure your project goes well, stay tuned. Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find all of that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/359. Now, let’s dive in! LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/359 My free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability for you, and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home - whatever your dreams, your location or your budget. Access your copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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May 26, 2025 • 24min

Why People Join HOME Method: In Their Words

Homeowners share their personal journeys and concerns as they navigate new builds and renovations. Many feel overwhelmed and uncertain, fearing costly mistakes. The podcast highlights the importance of learning from past experiences and building confidence through knowledge. Listeners discover common fears, like choosing the wrong team or floor plan, but are reassured that nerves signify the importance of their project. Exciting hopes for functional and sustainable homes emerge, with an emphasis on the value of community support and guidance throughout the process.
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Apr 7, 2025 • 38min

Perfection vs Reality: How to Navigate Your New Build Confidently, with Ellen

Dive into a conversation about navigating the complexities of building a new home. Explore the idea that perfection is an illusion, emphasizing the importance of focusing on achievable outcomes. Ellen shares her experiences managing expectations and the emotional challenges of a custom build. Discover practical tips on trade-offs between aesthetics and performance, alongside insights on planning interiors and selecting materials. Lastly, learn about the joy of transitioning into a new space and the importance of savoring these changes.

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