Brendan and Hayley Kelly have spent two decades building XP Finishes into one of the Gold Coast's most respected finishing trades — named Trade Business of the Year in 2025 — but as they say themselves, they're only as good as their last job.
In this episode, Az sits down with the husband-and-wife team behind XPHQ, their customer-facing design hub, and their new decorative brand Atelier. We get into why the finishing trade makes or breaks a home, the real cost of cutting corners (what Brendan calls the "FAFO tax"), and the science behind specialty finishes like lime wash and French wash.
It's a straight-talking conversation about quality over speed, respecting trades, and the culture Brendan and Hayley have built with their team. Plus the line that had us nodding: "perception isn't perfection" — why the builder with the perfect Instagram isn't always the one who can pay their bills.
If you're a builder, designer, or homeowner who cares about doing it properly, this one's for you.
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