In this episode of The Build Up, Dan chats with Mark Morris, Marketing Manager at Thomas Dudley, recorded live at The Installer Show.

Mark shares how the 110-year-old British brand continues to stay relevant through loyalty-building with plumbers, standout product innovation, and bold marketing moves — including sending their Quantum siphon into space.

They also talk agency relationships, the power of a great brief, and how Thomas Dudley uses social media and reputation to connect with merchants and end users alike.

Whether you’re in-house or agency-side, this one’s full of takeaways for anyone working in construction marketing.

In this episode of The Build Up, Dan speaks with Scott Jones, founder of Stair Guys, about how he's using artificial intelligence to radically transform his construction business. With a team of just three people, Scott has managed to generate over 6,000 website visitors a month, attract 20–30 qualified leads each week, and replace the equivalent workload of more than three staff members using AI tools that cost under £500 a month.

What’s most surprising is that Stair Guys doesn't manufacture staircases—yet they rank among the top four staircase companies in the UK thanks entirely to AI-driven SEO and content strategies. Scott walks us through his complete AI toolkit, from creating blog content that genuinely ranks, to producing customer quotes and 3D renders in under a minute.

This conversation is essential for business owners, tradespeople, and marketers working in traditional sectors who want to grow without continually expanding their team. Scott shares his perspective that AI is the great leveller for small businesses, along with a refreshingly honest take on the learning curve, the mindset shift from chasing revenue to buying back time, and the privacy challenges that come with adopting AI tools.

From automating compliance documentation and building case studies from Zoom transcripts to training AI for tone of voice and quality control, this discussion shows how even a tiny team can compete with industry giants when they harness the right tools.

Whether you're excited about AI or deeply sceptical, this episode offers practical, down-to-earth insights into how AI is already revolutionising traditional industries like construction.

In this episode of The Build Up — the go-to podcast for marketing professionals in the construction industry — host Dan (Creative Director at dissident creative agency) welcomes Lee Wilcox, co-founder of On The Tools, for an unfiltered, inspiring conversation.

On The Tools has grown into one of the most influential platforms in the UK trades scene, with millions of followers across social media, a dynamic media arm, and deep roots in the construction community. But its success didn’t happen overnight.

Lee shares the full story, from his early career drifting between jobs to the late-night conversation that sparked an idea for a recruitment app. What followed was a series of unexpected pivots: a viral Facebook page, a chaotic merch business run from his mum’s living room, and eventually, a full-blown media company that now helps brands authentically connect with tradespeople.

This episode dives into:

• The origin story of On The Tools
• The power of content and community in construction marketing
• The failures that paved the way for success
• How to build an audience before a product
• Why humour, honesty and relevance win in this industry

Whether you're a marketer, founder, or creative working in the built environment, this conversation is packed with insight, practical lessons, and the kind of candour that’s rare in business podcasts.