As Featured In
Who Is
The Association of Professional Builders
We believe that residential home builders deserve to be earning more money for the service they are providing. And we also believe that consumers deserve a far better service than they are currently getting. But here’s the thing… You can’t deliver world-class service on tiny margins, or without having the proper systems in place.
The two go hand-in-hand… So in order to increase your margins, you need to provide a better client experience, and to do that you need to systemise your building company.
And that’s what we provide at the Association of Professional Builders… Systems that generate more leads, more contracts and higher margins while improving the client experience.
Trusted by Hundreds of Builders Worldwide
Featured
Press
Co-Founder Of Australian’s Leading Business Coaching Company For Professional Builders Secures Spot In 40 Under 40 List
Featured in She Society
Sky Kolade has cemented herself as an authority in the building industry and her latest achievement is yet another contribution to the 29-year-old’s business success.
How to reduce your risk when seeking out a builder or protecting a construction project
Featured in ABC Sunshine Coast
The liquidation of two major builders has prompted questions of what savvy customers can do — if anything — to avoid unwittingly signing a contract with a construction company in danger of collapse.
‘Running on vapour’: Stalled WA homes mean more builders on the edge
Featured in Sydney Morning Herald
Tens of thousands of people across Australia took advantage of the pandemic stimulus on offer from both the state and federal governments. That stimulus is now blamed for overheating the construction sector.
Why so many building companies are going broke across Australia - and how you can protect yourself from a half-finished house
Featured in Daily Mail Australia
As construction firms continue to fall like dominoes there are stronger calls for more financial transparency in the industry to protect people from being left in the lurch with half-finished houses.
2023 State Of Residential Construction Industry (SORCI) Report Reveals Trends
2023 State Of Residential Construction Industry Report reveals industry insights and benchmarks in operations, marketing, sales and financials from more than 1,000 surveyed builders across the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Panic rising as major home builders go bust despite a construction boom and soaring house prices
Featured in RealEstate.com.au
Home builders Must Adapt to the Market’s Unprecedented Demands
Featured in Builder & Developer.
While builders have seen record increases in revenue and net profit with homeowners seeking to improve their living environments because of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 predictions for the residential home building industry aren’t quite as positive.
Crucial Steps To Keep The Best Prospects Away From Your Competiton
Featured in Forbes.
Many homebuilder sales team members have experienced that moment when receiving a brand new lead or inquiry from a prospect that ticked all the boxes. You felt that rush of excitement because this was exactly the type of client you are looking for. – Russ.
15 Important Things To Consider When Building A Referral Marketing System
Featured in Forbes.
“The most important aspect of any referral program is how easy the system is for people to use it in order to refer others. It must be easy to understand the benefits for both parties in the relationship, the referrer and the prospect, as well as being easy to make the introduction with minimal effort.” – Russ.
APB accepted into Forbes Business Development Council
Featured in Forbes.
Forbes Business Development Council Is an Invitation-Only Community for Senior-Level Sales and Business Development Executives.
Russ Stephens, co-founder of APB, was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience.
APB records 90% growth from 2020-21
Featured in Build Australia.
Since launching in 2014 with only two full-time staff, APB has expanded into New Zealand, Canada and the United States and now boasts 20 employees, with 483 members worldwide turning over $1 billion AUD revenue in residential projects.
Association of Professional Builders Launches Book of “Professional Builders Secrets”
Featured in Real Estate Rama and World Construction Today.
Best Seller Publishing announces the release of “Professional Builders Secrets: How Custom Home Builders Can Sign More Contracts at Higher Margins While Delivering a Better Client Experience” by the Association of Professional Builders (APB) co-founders Russ Stephens and Sky Stephens.
‘It will be biblical’. The construction industry is bracing for failed businesses and half-finished homes after the boom
Featured in Business Insider.
“It is a perfect storm,” Russ Stephens told Business Insider Australia. “Excess demand is creating shortages that are destroying any net profit builders were expecting to make.”
SUPPORT FOR CONSTRUCTION BUSINESSES IN FINANCIAL STRESS
Featured in Build Australia.
2020 was a year unlike any other for the Australian construction industry. Demand for building services skyrocketed as the Australian Government rolled out the HomeBuilder program to protect jobs and help fill the gap in construction activity that was expected in the second half of 2020.
Tradie shortage leaves renovators waiting up to two years
Featured in The Australian Financial Review.
Homeowners planning to renovate may have to wait until next year to get their projects started and risk paying a premium, as the shortage of skilled tradies looks set to worsen amid surging demand for renovations and new detached homes.
Association of Professional Builders expands international operations with Canadian acquisition
Featured in Build Australia.
Leading business coaching service for residential home builders the Association of Professional Builders (APB) today announced the acquisition of Best Contractor Coach, a Canada-based coaching company focused on builders.
Building Industry Could Face Wave Of Company Collapses
Featured in The Australian, Courier Mail, The Cairns Post, Townsville Bulletin, The Mercury, Gold Coast Bulletin, The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun and The Advertiser.
Residential construction companies, buoyed by government assistance in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, will face severe cash flow problems once the schemes are wound back, potentially sparking a record number of company collapses.
Builders Have Never Been Busier Despite Covid-19
Featured in Build Australia, Courier Mail & Gold Coast Bulletin.
2020 is shaping up to be a record year for custom home builders across Australia despite the COVID-19 pandemic, with some forecasting a five-fold increase in net profit for quarter four.
Featured
PODCASTS
The Builder Nuggets podcast
“I think culture is often an afterthought. When you’re buidling a company you’re not immediately thinking about the culture you want to set in your building company. The best building companies do not think about their culture when it’s too late.” – Sky Kolade.
You can also listen on
The building code podcast
“What we found is that 65% of residential building companies are now using dedicated project management software. Now, to put that into context, that figure stood at 34%, just 12 months prior – that is a staggering swing.” – Russ Stephens.
You can also listen on
The Builder Nuggets podcast
“We’ve been able to prove with hard facts that the builders that spend more with their marketing, not only have higher gross margins, but even after fixed expenses are taken into account, they have higher net margins.” – Russ Stephens.
You can also listen on
Construction Record Podcast
“Digital technology has impacted residential building and now any contractor also has to become their own marketer and social media manager if they hope to survive.” – Russ Stephens.
You can also listen on
LEADERS EDGE 360 PODCAST
Russ recently joined Randy Goruk on the Leaders Edge 360 podcast to share tips for building company owners on growing their business.
“In the residential world, these guys are typically learning off the top of their head. They’ve been taught all of the skills they need to build, they’re excellent at what they do, but they’ve never been taught the business skills.” – Russ Stephens.
You can also listen on
THE BUILDING CODE BY BUILDERTREND
Russ joined Zach and Charley on “The Building Code” to discuss how builders can remain competitive in a turbulent construction environment.
“Cash is nice, but in all honesty, if you’re running a new home building company, if you look after the profit, the cash will look after itself. New home building companies that are well organized and that are running properly will always generate excess cash.” – Russ Stephens
You can also listen on
entre-architect podcast
Sky joined Mark LePage on the EntreArchitect to discuss building a better business as an entrepreneur.
“Building company owners need to systemise their business so they can scale profitably and turn their businesses into desirable building companies that possess real value and can be sold as an asset.” – Sky Stephens
You can also listen on
THE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PODCAST
Russ recently joined Josh Patrick from The Sustainable Business podcast to uncover the secrets of successful construction companies.
“The sales process actually starts with the marketing process. And the reason that’s so important is so that you can attract the right clients towards you, the people that are going to be your ideal avatar, but also to set the expectations as well as you go through the sales process because, if you can imagine, when your sales process is six to nine months long, you don’t want people to be dropping out of that funnel because that is a lot of time that you’ve invested.” – Russ Stephens
You can also listen on
The Other Side of Potential Podcast
Russ and Sky joined Sharon Spano on The Other Side of Potential podcast to discuss differences between the building industry in Australia vs. the United States, supply chain issues in the current housing market, preparing for potential future downturns and heaps more.
“Unfortunately builders are painted in the media as the perpetrators of the supply chain crisis. Builders are being blamed unnecessarily for the strife that their clients are experiencing, because the clients can’t see the full picture.” – Sky Stephens
You can also listen on
BUILDER FUNNEL RADIO PODCAST
Erik joined Spencer Powell to talk about websites for home builders. Erik introduces several website best practices by showcasing some common mistakes, and explaining how to optimise your website to get found by qualified leads.
“The way you craft your website from the beginning will determine how easily it can be found”. – Erik Cofield
You can also listen on
TRIBE OF LEADERS Podcast
Sky joined Emi Kirschner from The Tribe Of Leaders Podcast to discuss the importance of mindset when growing a business.
“The builders at APB take pride in what they do. They have a growth mindset and they’re always looking for ways to improve.” – Sky Stephens
You can also listen on
BUILD 2MORROW PODCAST
Sky joined Lois Sonstegard from the Build2Morrow Podcast to discuss how implementing the DAD process can help you make efficient use of your time and systemise your business operations.
“You’re not going to get anywhere by telling people they’re doing something wrong. If you’re open to change… here is a proven way you can implement it.” – Sky Stephens.
You can also listen on
Cam Roberts personal brand talk podcast
Sky joined Cam Roberts from the Personal Brand Talk Podcast to discuss Custom Home Builders Growth Strategies.
“When builders come to us they normally have 1 of 4 problems… Either a sales problem: either qualifying and closing the leads they already have. A marketing problem: generating more leads. An operational problem: a lack of systems to make the company more robust and rely less on them. Or, a financials issue: where it is most likely a margin problem and the need to increase their margins to become more profitable.” — Sky Stephens.
You can also listen on
Contractor Growth Network Podcast
Sky joined Logan Shinholser on the Contractor Growth Network podcast to talk about the 100/1 ratio and why you can’t rely on referrals to grow your building company.
“Out of 100 leads that enter your database, 1 of those contacts will enter into a building contract. Whether it takes 6, 12 or even 18 months, we have proven the 100/1 ratio occurs for the hundreds of builders that we work with.” — Sky Stephens.
You can also listen on
The Expert Authority World Podcast
Sky joined Mario Fachini on the Expert Authority Effect podcast to discuss helping builders double the size of their businesses through profitable growth and APB’s plans to transform the building industry.
“The industry is going to start being perceived like medical or law, where builders can expect to be billed for their time and stop producing quotes for free.” — Sky Stephens.
You can also listen on
The Home Service Expert Podcast
Sky joined Tommy Mello of the Home Service Expert Podcast to discuss planning your sales process effectively to accelerate your business growth.
“A fear of asking for the sale always boils down to a fear of rejection. The number one thing that we teach at APB, is when someone says no to your offer, they’re saying no to your offer… not to you.” — Sky Stephens.
You can also listen on
The Home Builder Digital Marketing Podcast
Russ joined Greg and Kevin of the Home Builder Digital Marketing Podcast to discuss attracting high-quality leads throughout 2021 while also preparing and setting up your business for 2022.
“You have two different mindsets – the mindset of get the work, do the work, get paid. And then you’ve got the businesspeople looking beyond this boom that we’re in and understanding that it will be the survival of the fittest in 2022.” — Russ Stephens.
You can also listen on
New Construction Marketing
Sky joins Anya Chrisanthon to discuss the three strike follow up process for construction companies, as well as the importance of maintaining good habits during a boom.
“Ensure you’re not missing out on the people that are interested, but just aren’t gung ho. The people who need a little bit of your sales skills, don’t neglect them. That’s when you need to have all of your processes in place.” – Sky Stephens
You can also listen on
The Site Shed
Russ joined Matt Jones to talk about how builders need to manage their client expectations. They also covered the client onboarding process and how to communicate with your clients effectively.
“It’s all about having the proper communication prerequisites in place. You need to be having regular meetings, you need to have a dedicated point of contact, you need to have scheduled updates so the client always knows where they are.” — Russ Stephens
You can also listen on
Training Unleashed
Sky and Evan Hackel got together to talk about all things business coaching.
“The worst kind of training is static training. We’re perpetually growing, times are changing, and consumers are becoming more educated so builders need to adapt their processes.” — Sky Stephens.
You can also listen on
Home Building Hero
Russ was interviewed by Home Building Hero’s host, David Belham, to talk about how builders can improve the building experience for their clients.
“You have to been seen as a leader and an authority. And when you step up and take that role the consumer will be guided by you, because you’re acting in their best interest at the end of the day.” – Russ Stephens
You can also listen on
Building My Legacy
Sky joined Lois Sonstegard to talk about lead generation, supply and demand, the importance of selling on value and much more.
“When you’re so in demand, you’ve got a line out the door. What happens when there’s a line out the door? People want you more. They’re going to sign up and they’re gonna pay the margins that will pay the bottom line.” – Sky Stephens
You can also listen on
sales pop!
Sky joined Mark Golden to talk about the importance of having a structured, repeatable and scalable sales process.
“Without having structure and milestones to get to, you never really know what you’re trying to do in each conversation. You can’t scale up and there’s no consistency.” – Sky Stephens
You can also listen on
the minimalist ceo
Russ joined Nate Lindquist to explore the blueprint for growing a building company.
“Without the right systems, it’s extremely hard for a custom home building company to run profitably.” – Russ Stephens
You can also listen on
play your position
Russ joined Mary Lou Kayser to uncover why offering the lowest price for you products and services can seriously backfire.
“There is this perception that consumers only want the lowest price, then builders find themselves competing on price because that’s how they believe they’ll win a job.” – Russ Stephens
You can also listen on
manage smarter
Sky joined Audrey and Lee from Manage Smarter podcast to discuss the #1 secret that builders can implement to generate more leads and sign more contracts.
“The builders who thrived, the main difference was actually their sales ability. Margins is in your marketing and your sales process. A principal we really drill into our members is economics 101 – supply and demand.” – Sky Stephens
You can also listen on
Featured
Interviews
Sky News
Russ featured live on Sky News to discuss one thing that should be done to ensure enough homes for people is reducing the “amount of red tape”.
“Because there are far too many projects that aren’t moving forward either quickly enough or at all because of the red tape involved,” — Russ Stephens.
The Today Show
Russ featured live on The Today Show to discuss the national construction code coming into effect and how this code will drive prices up.
“With the cost of construction going up, the consumers will ultimately pay that price and have to cover that cost, which we expect to be around 15% by the time these changes are fully rolled out towards the end of the year.” — Russ Stephens.
Nine News
David Taylor, business reporter for ABC Radio, interviewed Russ on the rising cost of custom home builds and renovations.
The story covered a warning that the cost of breaking ground on a new property and home renovations could be about to spike.
“The obvious pick up in work over the past six months is attributed to the extension of the governments home builder grant. It was the icing on the cake because builders were already getting busier. Builders do work on quite skinny margins, they could well be getting to the end of those jobs with little to no net profit left, which is a dangerous situation.” — Russ Stephens
AUZBIZ
Russ featured live on Australian Business News forum, AusBiz to discuss the uptick in available contracts for builders during 2020, and how this trend is set to continue throughout 2021.
“Things we’re looking bleak at the start of the year but around May/June/July we started seeing record levels of consumers going into the design process. That continued to flow through into contract signings in Q3 and Q4 which has resulted in builders being booked out for the entire year of 2021.” — Russ Stephens
EA Interviews
Sky joined Mario Fachini on a live episode to talk about the benefits of content marketing and how you can easily implement it into your business.
“You can only dangle an offer in front of somebody so many times. If you were to deliver content, a few tips, some proof, success stories, design trends, it keeps people warm. Then you repurpose it. Put it into emails, break it up into social captions, do a Facebook Live, a blog post and share it around – you have a lot of longevity there.” — Sky Stephens
Media
Enquiries
AU Media Enquiries
Melinda Healy
Brand Communication Specialist
Elevate Communication
M: 0497 250 083
P: 07 3180 3666
E: Click Here To Email
US Media Enquiries
Will Blunt
Head of Marketing
Association of Professional Builders
US: 832 998 8994
CA: 437 886 2717
E: Click Here To Email