👷♂️ I’m Josh, a fully licensed builder, the director of a multi-million dollar building company, and the creator of The Designer Builder. My journey began in 2015 when an old friend introduced me to property development. With their guidance and support, I completed my first project and quickly fell in love with development and construction.
After a few years of working on various projects, I realised that I could do what the builders were doing on my developments—and make more money doing it (as traditional builders love wasting money). That’s when I decided to study for my builder’s licence, which I earned in 2019.
By early 2020, I launched my own building company.
🏡 From the beginning I was determined to set my business apart. I knew that to be competitive, I had to do more than just good work—I needed to present myself as a professional from the start.
Every decision I made was extremely calculated. I invested heavily in creating the best website, top notch quotes, invoices, fee proposals and capability statements. I knew that if I could increase my quote closure rate from ~20% to ~70%, I’d reach my goals four times faster.
These weren’t just afterthoughts, they were essential tools that allowed me to win trust and land projects from day 1.
🙌🏽 By the end of my first year, all those calculations and preparations (creating high quality content, quoting systems and my famous capability statements) started to pay off.
When my accountant and I looked at the numbers, we had grossed $1.5 million and netted almost $500k! And this was just my first year in business (10 months exactly)!
I realised I’d made more working a casual 30 hours a week than most people do in 5 years!
🔥 My business wasn’t an overnight success, and it definitely wasn’t luck. I’ve started 10+ businesses since I left school and most of them failed. I’ve spent 15 years learning how to build and grow a business, which has been a journey full of lessons, lots of losses and a little wisdom.
That’s what led me to create The Designer Builder. I’m here to share the templates, advice, and guidance that worked for me. My goal is to help and inspire you, whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your business as quickly as I did.
👇🏼 Let’s make it happen together! 👇🏼
If you've made it this far, congratulations! You're well on your way to levelling up your documentation and business presence.
Now, I’m sure you’re thinking... this all sounds great, but where do I start? I'm motivated, full of energy, and ready to take my business to the next level. What’s the next step?
I could write an entire book on this, but I’ll assume you’ve already set up an Instagram and Facebook, created some (average) content, and have a bit of engagement. You're getting quotes, clients are calling, but you’re wondering—what separates you from the 'big guys' in the industry? Why can they charge $50k for a bathroom renovation, while you're stuck at $25k for the same work?
Well... let's set aside their 10 years of experience for a moment (you can't rush that, it comes with time), but you can certainly fast track some parts of it. Here are the exact templates I still use today and how I use them -
Step 1: Booking the Quote
When a client reaches out, I ask them to schedule a time using my Calendly link, which syncs directly with my Google Calendar.
Step 2: The Meeting
I show up on time to every appointment and introduce myself: “Hello, I’m Josh from The Designer Builder, great to meet you.” After a bit of small talk, I like to cut to the chase: “So, I hear you’re looking to renovate your bathroom?” At this point, they’ll usually take you to the space.
Confidence is key here. It’s not easy, but you need to project confidence with potential clients. Act like you've done this a hundred times, and let them feel that assurance from you.
Step 3: Listening
Listen carefully to what the client wants, jotting down notes on your iPad as they talk. This shows you're engaged and paying attention to the details that matter to them. Once they've finished I usually say “No worries, all sounds good. I’ll just need a few minutes to measure the room.” This is your moment to hand them your professionally printed Company Profile Booklet. I print mine through VistaPrint for around $3 each, and they’re worth every cent. These documents build trust and give clients confidence in your professionalism.
Step 4: Wrapping Up
After measuring and taking a few photos, let the client know you’ll send the quote in 24-48 hours. This timeline is important, if you deliver it in under 24 hours you will come across as desperate and if you take more than 48 hours you risk your client forgetting you, and also being like every other tradesmen that over promises and under delivers!
Step 5: Creating the Quote
I use my Project Tracker to log all back end costs and decide how much profit I want from the job, which is usually 30%. This one spreadsheet tracks expected costs, actual costs, timelines, material orders, and client selections. Once everything’s in, I transfer the total dollar figure into a Xero quote.
Step 6: Finalising the Quote in Xero
Although setting up Xero can take some time (I recommend letting your accountant handle it), it’s hands down the best platform for tracking your business financials. I write the quote, export it as a PDF, and thanks to my Fee Proposals templates, I can generate a stunning quote with all my additional information that sets me apart from the competition.
This process has been key for me when quoting projects under $500k, and I’m confident that following it will help you lock in more work. In a competitive market it’s essential to sell yourself and your company as the perfect fit.
If you’re ready to take the next step, check out our discounted bundles to get all three documents, or just start with one and see the feedback you get from friends and potential clients.
- Josh