You're about to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into building or renovating your home—but how much do you really know about the builder you're hiring?
While most Australians compare quotes, browse reviews, and check licences, few dig deeper into the warning signs that could reveal financial instability, recurring disputes, or other hidden risks before signing a contract.
In this episode, we sit down with Angus Luffman, founder of Trust Signal and one of Australia's pioneers in credit reporting, to explore why builder due diligence has become more important than ever. Angus explains how information already sitting in tribunal records, company histories, insolvency data, licensing registers, and insurance eligibility can paint a much clearer picture of a builder's track record—if you know where to look.
Together, we unpack why builder collapses are rarely as sudden as they appear, the red flags homeowners and investors often overlook, and why construction remains one of Australia's highest-risk industries. We also discuss the emotional side of building, why consumers tend to skip proper due diligence, and the practical questions everyone should ask before committing to one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.
Whether you're building your dream home, renovating, or investing in your next property project, this conversation will help you approach the process with greater confidence, ask better questions, and avoid costly mistakes before construction even begins.
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
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See you on the inside,
Veronica & Chris
