Ep 17. Why Your Build Hasn’t Started Yet: Consultant Delays & Costs Explained

If you feel like your project is stuck before it even begins, you are not imagining it. In this episode, the Builders Beyond Borders team breaks down the consultant stage and why it can take weeks, months, or even years before construction starts.

We explain who consultants are, what they actually do, and why the approvals process often takes longer than the build itself. From councils and certifiers to engineers, soil testing, wastewater, and planning overlays, the pre construction phase has more moving parts than most homeowners expect.

You will also hear real examples of how delays happen, why timelines are hard to guarantee, and how consultant fees can quickly add up. If you are planning a renovation, extension, new build, or development, this episode will help you set realistic expectations and avoid costly surprises.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Who “consultants” are and why you need them before building starts
Why approvals can take longer than the actual build
Why councils and certifiers rarely give clear timeframes
How engineering and compliance back and forth causes delays
What can make costs skyrocket fast, including soil testing and wastewater design
Why custom projects cost more upfront than volume builder designs
How planning permits, conditions, and overlays can add months or years
Why talking to a builder early can save time, money, and stress


Key Timestamps

00:50 What consultants actually do before your build starts
01:50 Why planning often takes longer than construction
03:05 Council delays and why start dates are impossible to promise
03:59 How overloaded consultants slow the entire process
05:53 Realistic timelines for plans, councils, and approvals
07:09 Why consultant fees add up so quickly
11:26 How red tape, overlays, and permits extend timelines
18:40 Why speaking to a builder early saves time and money

Listen on
Spotify// https://open.spotify.com/show/0eGpiuF...
Apple Podcast// https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Youtube//    / @buildersbeyondborderspodcast  

Follow us on
Facebook//   / buildersbeyondborderspodcast  
Instagram//   / buildersbeyondborderspodcast_  

Looking for a builder?

Perway Construction Services in Western Australia - https://www.perway.com.au
DJH Builders in Tasmania - https://djhbuilders.com.au
New Realm Homes in Victoria - https://newrealmhomes.com.au
Independent Building Solutions in Canberra - www.ibscanberra.com.au
Matt Auld Builder in Victoria - https://mabuilder.com.au