Glenn and Ceilidh (pronounced Kaylee) from Realtree Building & Design took the time out of their busy schedule to help out our community with some insider information.
YBH: "We'll start with you Glenn. Tells us a little about yourself and your role in the business."
Glenn: "I started Realtree in 2008 contracting as a carpenter to various builders. After working with many builders in the industry, I notice a real lack of trade knowledge, so I decided to apply to become a licenced builder in 2018."
"I never wanted to become stagnant in my trade and left behind like so many I've come across. So I've always tried to gain more knowledge and certifications across all timber trades including carpentry, cabinet making, joinery and shop fitting. The past few years I've really been focusing on more of the joinery and custom cabinetry aspects. I've found there is the great skill shortage in these aspects of our trades here in Australia."
YBH: "Glenn you were telling me before about an awesome achievement and honor you had recently, what was that all about?"
Glenn: "I had the great honour of being appointed the first and only Master Joiner in Australia from the London Livery company – The Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers. The honour of being recognised by this group dates back to between 1300-1500's when being known as a Master in your trade was a life time achievement!"
YBH: That's amazing, congratulations! What are you up to these days then?
Glenn: "I have always been involved in architecturally built homes and share a real passion in achieving the best outcomes when it comes to design and construction. So we are involved in some very exciting projects that hopefully we can share with everyone soon"
YBH: "And Ceilidh behind every successful man is a very tired woman. How do your roles in Realtree contribute to your successful projects.
Ceilidh: "I started working with Glenn back in 2016 after a career in office-based construction roles. It was time to get out of the office because I could see the disconnect between the paperwork side of things and how construction actually happens."
"I learned very quickly that for a build to be successful, flexibility is the real key when implementing construction timelines."
"This ensures proper build practices are maintained and thought can be put into the design aspects before it is too late. When timelines are unreasonable, quality and installation procedures get pushed aside."
YBH: "Now you're no stranger to getting your hands dirty and getting on the tools. Why did you decide to take a hands on approach?
Ceilidh: "I've made it my aim to thoroughly understand what constraints each trade will be working within and how I can make their involvement on the job run more smoothly. I've found by having open communication, which is quite rare these days surprisingly with all trades, it really helps the timeline and the budget."
YBH: You've also been getting into another aspect of the business you were saying earlier.
Ceilidh: "Yeah that's correct, I have recently ventured out and gained my diplomas in Building and Construction Management, Business Management and Interior Design. I've really come to enjoy the day to day running of Realtree because it involves so many aspects. No day is boring, and sometimes if I’m lucky I still get to play on the tools."
YBH: "Building sustainably is becoming more and more popular and as consumers are being educated and realising the long-term benefits for themselves and their families. So we wanted to ask you both for your expert advice over the next few weeks."
"1. What elements make up a good ‘future proofed’ home design in your opinion?"
Ceilidh: "Practical and passive solar design is a vital place to start. If your design foundation is good, your build will be good. Often with constraints on standard block sizes, many clients for go passive design principals in favour of cost and ease.
What many fail to see is that small practical spaces with good passive solar design often make homes much more liveable."
Glenn: "Totally agree! It’s great to see the education on practical and passive solar design starting to become easily available to consumers, because when they are implemented well, these features make a big difference. We've found using expert ESD consultants early in the process, implementing the systems and features they recommend doesn’t necessarily have to make an impact on the construction budget but will definitely make a difference to future living costs."
2) "What are the challenges you see for consumers and builders as the industry moves towards zero carbon homes in line with the NCC?"
Glenn: "We have a massive skill shortage. Although it is advertised as a trade shortage, I find skilled trades harder to find than qualified trades. There is a vast difference been qualified and skilled.
"It takes a skilled tradesperson to be able to think outside of the box, especially when it comes to the way construction has been done and how it will be done in the future. With building techniques and products changing on every job, skilled tradespersons need to draw on vast amounts of knowledge to apply practical principles to the project."
Ceilidh: "And it's also the challenge of convincing some of these builders and qualified trades to see the need to become more skilled. Trades and builders can really stand out, develop a niche, and almost never be out of work if they upskill and start to build with the future in mind. The future is coming quick enough and it's unfortunately going to leave some behind if they don't start changing soon."
Glenn: "I think a good way of summing it up is an old saying I heard: 'if you always give what you've always given, you'll only get what you've always got'. The majority of the industry has given people minimum compliance homes that aren't designed for the sites they are put on. The industry needs to change with the times because what they have been doing will not work in the future and it will have real consequences to the people living in those homes."
YBH: "Thanks for your time and insights. We enjoyed talking to you and thanks for introducing yourselves to us. We will be returning to talk with Realtree soon. We have more questions from community about budgets vs expectations, how to help smooth out the design and build process and are going to highlight one of their efficient heating features incorporated in their recent build."
