The Elephant in the Room
The property podcast for the thinking person.

Episodes

Episode 444: What Your Builder's Credit History Can Tell Yo

Building or renovating a home is one of the biggest financial commitments most Australians will ever make. 

Yet when it comes time to hire a builder, many people rely on online reviews, recommendations, or a simple licence check—without fully understanding what to check before hiring a builder. From company records and tribunal histories to financial stability, there are warning signs that can help homeowners make more informed decisions before signing a contract.

In this episode, Angus Luffman, Founder and CEO of Trust Signal, explores why builder due diligence should be a standard part of every building project. Drawing on decades of experience in credit reporting and risk intelligence, Angus explains how to check if a builder is registered, how to check if a builder is trustworthy, and why looking beyond a builder's marketing or reputation can reveal important insights. Whether you're building your dream home or planning your next investment, understanding the right questions to ask can help you avoid costly mistakes.

Angus also unpacks the warning signs that consumers often overlook, including tribunal records, company histories, insurance eligibility, director backgrounds, and insolvency risks. He explains why Australia's construction industry remains particularly vulnerable to financial pressure, and how construction due diligence can reduce uncertainty before work even begins. The conversation also explores property development risks and construction risk for investors, highlighting why thorough research is just as important as choosing the right property or location.

Whether you're building, renovating, or investing, this episode offers practical strategies for protecting yourself when building and making more confident decisions throughout the construction process. If you're wondering what to check before hiring a builder or looking for better ways to manage risk, this conversation will help you understand why due diligence is one of the most important investments you can make before you sign the contract.

Episode Highlights

02:03 – Why Builder Due Diligence Matters More Than Ever

05:37 – What Tribunal Records Can Reveal About a Builder

07:21 – Can You Predict a Builder Collapse?

09:27 – Phoenixing: The Warning Signs to Watch For

19:41 – Could Banks Help Prevent Builder Collapses?

21:27 – Renovating? The Insurance Mistakes to Avoid

24:42 – The Builder Red Flags Most People Miss

25:28 – The Insurance and Supplier Checks That Matter

28:35 – How to Read a Builder Due Diligence Report

33:11 – Why You Should Check Your Own Credit File

34:38 – Should Banks Check Builder Risk Too?

39:50 – Why the Cheapest Builder Can Cost You More

42:02 – Can More Regulation Fix the Building Industry?

45:34 – Builder Due Diligence in Plain English

About the Guest

Angus Luffman is the Founder and CEO of Trust Signal, a technology company helping Australians make more informed decisions before hiring a builder. With a career spanning more than two decades in data, credit reporting, and risk intelligence, Angus played a pivotal role in introducing Australia's first consumer credit score and has long been at the forefront of improving transparency through data.

Today, Angus applies that expertise to the construction industry, bringing together information from builder licences, tribunal records, insolvency histories, insurance eligibility, and company data to help homeowners, investors, and industry professionals better understand builder risk before signing a contract. His mission is simple: empower consumers with the information they need to ask better questions, reduce uncertainty, and make smarter building decisions.

Connect with Angus

Resources:

Visit our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au

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Chris Bates