The Custom Building Process with Duayne Pearce

SEASON SIX, EPISODE NINE | TRANSCRIPT

in this global edition of The Art of Custom, we sit down with Australian custom home builder and podcast host Duayne Pearce, owner of D. Pearce Constructions in Brisbane, Austrailia.

Duayne shares how he’s changing building industry upside through education, collaboration, and his innovative PAC Process, a structured pre-construction system that aligns homeowners, architects, and builders from day one. We compare the U.S. and Australian approaches to custom homebuilding, discuss the future of high-performance design, and uncover lessons every builder and homeowner can apply no matter which side of the world they’re on.

A Better Way to Build Homes

Duayne explains that traditional construction models often set clients up for disappointment. Too many homeowners design dream homes with architects before involving a builder only to discover later that the plans far exceed their budgets.

His PAC Process (Project Alliance Contract) replaces this outdated model with early collaboration. Builder, architect, and client form a single team focused on one goal: creating a home that balances design, performance, and budget. By maintaining cost input throughout design, clients end up with fully priced, buildable drawings before contracts are signed, eliminating costly redesigns and shattered expectations.

Shared Values Across the Globe

Hibbs Homes follows a similar philosophy: early builder involvement, transparent budgeting, and prioritizing needs, wants, and wishes. The discussion reveals striking similarities between the two companies’ client-first approaches, even though they operate on opposite sides of the planet.

Both teams agree that the key to a successful custom build is education and trust to ensure clients understand how each decision impacts cost, performance, and long-term satisfaction.

Building a Team Culture

Duayne emphasizes that success comes from treating clients and design professionals as part of the same team. In his words, "the project is king." By creating a culture of collaboration rather than competition, builders can guide clients toward smarter choices, manage budgets effectively, and keep projects enjoyable from start to finish.

His company now trains other builders through a business-education platform, helping them implement systems that increase profitability, organization, and client satisfaction.

Setting a New Standard for High-Performance Homes

Australia’s building code already incorporates many high-performance standards common in the U.S. custom-building niche, but Duayne’s firm goes even further. He’s certified in Passive House and Healthy Home building, and he believes strongly in educating both his team and clients about the long-term benefits of energy efficiency, air quality, and durability.

Rather than convincing skeptical clients, his marketing attracts those who already value quality and sustainability. By clearly communicating his methods through video and social media, his company naturally finds homeowners who want these elevated, high-performance building standards.

Designing for Climate & Resilience

Because Australia faces intense natural hazards, especially bushfires. Region are assigned BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings that dictate material and construction requirements.

Duayne describes how evolving national codes now include higher expectations for moisture control, mold prevention, and condensation management, similar to what high-performance builders in the U.S. advocate. His company already builds beyond those standards, focusing on airtight construction, moisture management, and durable materials that protect homes for generations.

Client Education & Transparency

Educating homeowners about what’s behind the walls is just as important as the finishes. Chris explains how Hibbs Homes walks clients through insulation, sealing, and mechanical systems during construction. Duayne mirrors that with weekly site meetings where clients review progress, learn why materials were chosen, and gain confidence in the process.

Each project includes a Dream Project Folder: a digital playbook outlining timelines, sample contracts, material standards, and financial guidance. The transparency helps clients know exactly what to expect and builds trust before the first footing is poured.

Communication Boundaries & After-Hours Expectations

One insight Duayne shares with other builders is the importance of setting professional boundaries. Clear business hours and communication channels keep projects organized and reduce stress for both clients and contractors.

He uses internal software to manage bids, selections, and scope documents to reduce late-night “panic emails” and keep every change documented. Hibbs Homes follows a similar practice through its CoConstruct client portal, where homeowners can log ideas, request changes, and track approvals.

Reducing Mid-Build Changes

To minimize costly changes during construction, Duayne encourages homeowners to make early detailed design decisions down to towel-bar placement and outlet locations. His team requires full elevation drawings for every wet area and cabinetry layout before breaking ground.

For clients who struggle to visualize designs, local technology centers offer immersive 3D walkthroughs of custom home plans, allowing them to step inside their future home wearing virtual-reality goggles. Seeing spaces at full scale helps prevent second-guessing later in the build.

Flexibility in Design & Style

D. Pearce Constructions doesn’t limit itself to one architectural style. The company builds everything from classic Queenslanders to contemporary, minimalist residences inspired by modernist architects like Frank Lloyd Wright.

Every home begins with a blank page and a design brief, with cost planning layered in from the start. The firm also tracks completed projects in detailed Project Sheets, documenting scope, finish level, site conditions, and total cost per square meter. These become real-world benchmarks that help new clients visualize what’s possible within their budget.

The Power of Education

As the conversation wraps, Duayne shares his biggest takeaway for anyone preparing to build a custom home: ask questions early and often. No question is too small, and informed clients make better decisions.

He urges homeowners to look beyond glossy finished photos and pay attention to builders who share real process content like job-site videos, framing details, and explanations of material choices. Transparency builds trust long before a contract is signed.

About Duayne Pearce

Duayne Pearce is the owner of D. Pearce Constructions in Brisbane, Australia, and co-founder of Live Life Build, a training company that helps builders create sustainable, profitable businesses. He also hosts the Level Up with Duayne Pearce podcast, where he shares insights to improve standards across the global building industry.

For more information visit www.artofcustompodcast.com or find us on Facebook and LinkedIn as The Art of Custom. Be sure to subscribe to get the latest episodes and please rate and review. The Art of Custom is produced by HugMonster sound with original music by Adam Frick-Verdeen. Thanks for listening.