Talking with Joey Hidalgo about Estimating, Offshoring, and the Power of Starting from Zero
Mon Dec 22 2025
Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text!
Welcome back to The Building Talks Podcast, wrapping up Season 4 with a story that perfectly captures grit, growth, and what’s possible in construction when mindset meets opportunity.
In this finale, I’m joined by Joey Hidalgo, founder of the TMC Academy and host of The Profitable Estimator Podcast. Joey moved from the Philippines to Australia with just $700, sending out 50 resumes a day before breaking into estimating and launching his own Estimating business. He shares how he built his career, the underestimated power of estimators, and why systems and mentorship matter more than ever. We also discuss how offshoring can solve skills shortages when done right and why Australia’s hiring mindset needs a serious rethink.
Takeaways:
✅ Building a career from scratch in a new country
✅ Estimating as a critical (and overlooked) skill
✅ Joey’s WPR framework: Win, Profit, Repeat
✅ The offshoring debate: cheap labour or opportunity bridge?
✅ Fixing the hiring mindset to focus on training, not perfection
Chapters:
05:23 Cultural Representation in Construction
08:20 National Pride and Historical Context
14:14 Career Path and Opportunities in Engineering
17:03 Transitioning to Estimating in Australia
23:54 Innovations in Estimating Processes
29:57 Reflections on Diversity in Construction
39:25 From Estimator to Entrepreneur
42:55 Identifying the Skills Gap in Estimating
45:40 The Challenge of Estimating in Construction
51:39 Building a BPO for Estimators
55:34 The Importance of Fair Compensation
58:22 The SOT Framework for Successful Offshoring
01:01:11 Building Trust and Communication in Remote Teams
01:08:43 Developing Talent in the Construction Industry
01:17:19 Finding the Right Fit: Training vs. Hiring
01:27:43 Perceptions of the Australian Construction Industry
Tune in for an inspiring, no-fluff chat about building a career from scratch, unlocking offshore potential, and why estimating deserves way more respect.
Hope you enjoy the podcast!
#ConstructionCareers #EstimatingMatters #TheBuildingTalksPodcast #TMCacademy #ProfitableEstimator #OffshoringInConstruction #SkilledMigration #MentorshipInConstruction #ConstructionLeadership #DiversityInConstruction
The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland. For an overview of our service, visit:
www.buildingenvirons.com.au
Proud to partner with Housing All Australians (HAA). Check out their website, and join the movement!
www.housingallaustralians.org.au
The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast.
Contact The Building Talks Podcast
Follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram Visit us on our website Email us at info@buildingenvirons.com.au
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Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! Welcome back to The Building Talks Podcast, wrapping up Season 4 with a story that perfectly captures grit, growth, and what’s possible in construction when mindset meets opportunity. In this finale, I’m joined by Joey Hidalgo, founder of the TMC Academy and host of The Profitable Estimator Podcast. Joey moved from the Philippines to Australia with just $700, sending out 50 resumes a day before breaking into estimating and launching his own Estimating business. He shares how he built his career, the underestimated power of estimators, and why systems and mentorship matter more than ever. We also discuss how offshoring can solve skills shortages when done right and why Australia’s hiring mindset needs a serious rethink. Takeaways: ✅ Building a career from scratch in a new country ✅ Estimating as a critical (and overlooked) skill ✅ Joey’s WPR framework: Win, Profit, Repeat ✅ The offshoring debate: cheap labour or opportunity bridge? ✅ Fixing the hiring mindset to focus on training, not perfection Chapters: 05:23 Cultural Representation in Construction 08:20 National Pride and Historical Context 14:14 Career Path and Opportunities in Engineering 17:03 Transitioning to Estimating in Australia 23:54 Innovations in Estimating Processes 29:57 Reflections on Diversity in Construction 39:25 From Estimator to Entrepreneur 42:55 Identifying the Skills Gap in Estimating 45:40 The Challenge of Estimating in Construction 51:39 Building a BPO for Estimators 55:34 The Importance of Fair Compensation 58:22 The SOT Framework for Successful Offshoring 01:01:11 Building Trust and Communication in Remote Teams 01:08:43 Developing Talent in the Construction Industry 01:17:19 Finding the Right Fit: Training vs. Hiring 01:27:43 Perceptions of the Australian Construction Industry Tune in for an inspiring, no-fluff chat about building a career from scratch, unlocking offshore potential, and why estimating deserves way more respect. Hope you enjoy the podcast! #ConstructionCareers #EstimatingMatters #TheBuildingTalksPodcast #TMCacademy #ProfitableEstimator #OffshoringInConstruction #SkilledMigration #MentorshipInConstruction #ConstructionLeadership #DiversityInConstruction The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland. For an overview of our service, visit: www.buildingenvirons.com.au Proud to partner with Housing All Australians (HAA). Check out their website, and join the movement! www.housingallaustralians.org.au The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast. Contact The Building Talks Podcast Follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram Visit us on our website Email us at info@buildingenvirons.com.au