Resources
Podcasts, articles, case studies and webinars. Start with Let’s Talk Facilities, or browse the lot.
Let’s Talk Facilities
Aaron Kelly, Ben Young and guests on facility management — HVAC to carpet cleaning. New episodes every few weeks.
Browse everything
Carpet cleaning in aged care: why we’ll train your general cleaner to do the job
Not every aged care facility needs full-scope specialist cleaning. Premrest trains on-site teams instead, staying on for periodic cleans and restoration work.
Placemaking: Creating a Workplace Experience People Actually Want to Come Back To | Lisa Mhaya
Aaron and Ben sit down with Lisa Mhaya from Knight Frank to talk about placemaking, what great tenant experience looks like in practice and what makes people want to come back to the office.
Slip testing on a national scale: why the test itself is the easy part
A pendulum test takes fifteen minutes and tells you where the gaps are. Closing them is the part that stalls, especially across a national portfolio. Here's what a test-and-rectify program looks like.
Inside the World's First Purpose-Built Pride Centre with Tyler Beck
Aaron takes a tour of the Victorian Pride Centre with Tyler Beck, Venue and Facilities Manager, to see how thoughtful design and community consultation shape the way this building operates.
Give the value first: the business principle we’ve built Premrest on
Facility managers remember who showed up and helped before anyone asked them to. Most businesses just don't give it long enough to see it happen.
HVAC Maintenance Explained for Facility Managers | Juan Castro on Let's Talk Facilities
Aaron and Ben sit down with Juan Castro from Beaver Williams to talk about HVAC maintenance and what facility managers can do to keep their building's mechanical services running smoothly.
Rob Broadhead on Let's Talk Facilities: Almost Anyone Can Call Themselves a Fire Expert
Aaron and Ben sit down with Rob Broadhead, Director of 2020 Fire Protection, to talk about fire compliance and what facility managers can do to keep their buildings safe.
Reasoning from facts: the kind of thinking that solves jobs nobody has a playbook for
Most jobs have a playbook. The interesting ones don't. Here's how reasoning from facts instead of assumptions produces better outcomes on the jobs nobody has a template for.
Is Your Building's Air Quality Making Staff Sick? | Lidia Morawska on Let's Talk Facilities
Aaron and Nick sit down with Doctor Lidia Morawska to talk about why Australia has no mandated indoor air quality standard, what facility managers should actually be monitoring, and where building aut
Wissam Salama: Your Building Maintenance Could Be Costing You More
Aaron and Ben sit down with Wissam Salama from Guardian Mechanical Services to talk about building optimisation, data-driven maintenance and why most commercial buildings are burning more energy than
Five questions to ask your flooring contractor before you sign
A multi-floor carpet replacement looks simple on paper. Five questions to ask any contractor before you sign — because the differences only show up when the job is already underway.
Stone floor repair and honing: bringing a tired entry back without ripping it out
Most stone floors written off for replacement just need someone who knows what to do with them. Restoration is typically a fraction of the cost and often indistinguishable from new.
Responding to Emergency: How to Prepare for an Evacuation | David Gilmore on Let's Talk Facilities
Aaron and Nick sit down with David Gilmore from Evac Services to talk about emergency planning, what good preparation looks like and why most buildings are less ready than they think.
The complimentary flooring audit: what it is, why we do it, and why it quietly makes FMs look good
A free flooring audit that gives FMs the data, photos, and lifecycle costs they need to make the business case for replacement. No strings, no obligation, just a useful report.
The FM and Contractor Relationship Done Right | Jimmy House & Jake Bray
Aaron and Ben sit down with Jimmy and Jake from Prime Maintenance Projects to talk about contractor relationships, compliance blind spots and what peace of mind actually looks like in FM.
Kristy Keech: Can an FM Be Held Personally Liable? The Answer Is Yes, But...
Aaron and Nick sit down with Kristy Keech to talk about FM compliance, personal liability, the gap between ticking boxes and actually completing the process, and what great FMs do differently.
BMS Contractors Are Being Left Out of Early Decision-Making | Adrian Michaels
Aaron and Tim sit down with Adrian Michaels to talk about Building Management Systems — what they are actually capable of, why they get overlooked and where AI and analytics are taking them next.
Managing Every Era of Building at University of Melbourne with Andrew Moore
Aaron and Ben take the podcast on its first ever site tour, walking the University of Melbourne campus with Andrew Moore to talk about managing 15 buildings spanning over 120 years of history.
If Sydney Opera House Can Get a Green Rating, Yours Can Too | Davina Rooney
Aaron and Tim sit down with Davina Rooney, CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia, to talk about sustainability at scale, fit-out waste and what existing buildings can actually achieve.
Your Solar Panels Are Probably Off Right Now and You Don't Know It | Daniel Lazarus
Aaron and Tim sit down with Daniel Lazarus, CEO of Industrias Services Group, to talk about why commercial solar is the most neglected asset in facilities management and what FMs can do about it.
The IoT Sensor That Saved Hundreds of Thousands of Litres | Bob Sharon
Aaron and Ben sit down with Bob Sharon from Blue IoT to talk about IoT sensors, indoor air quality, water leak detection and what smarter building data actually looks like for facility managers.
How Mentorship and Sponsorship Are Changing Careers in FM | Jodi Whelan
Aaron and Ben sit down with Jodi Whelan to talk about mentorship versus sponsorship, career scaffolding, women in FM and what leadership actually looks like in practice.
Drone Inspections Are Giving FMs 100% Coverage for the First Time | Jamie Green
Aaron and Nick sit down with Jamie Green from Green Sky Group to talk about how drone technology is changing the way facility managers inspect, manage and take ownership of their assets.
Inside One of Australia's Most Unique FM Portfolios | Janene Hansford
Aaron and Ben sit down with Janene Hansford to talk about managing one of Australia's most unusual FM portfolios, what a long career in the industry teaches you, and why curiosity matters.
Leadership Isn't Just the Team You Hire | Kristy Megaw
Aaron and Ben sit down with Kristy Megaw to talk about women in facilities management, leading at scale, and why the industry is more exciting than it lets on.
Two industries, one floor: why Premrest looks a bit different from the rest
One provider for cleaning, flooring, slip testing, flood restoration and stone repair. One provider for cleaning, flooring, slip testing, flood restoration and stone repair
Restoring heritage carpets at Kooyong: a thoughtful clean for a floor in its final years
A heritage carpet. A replacement already planned. One rule: don't make things worse. Here's how a bespoke cleaning formula kept a historic venue looking its best without risking the timeline
Yes, Premrest can handle a full building flooring replacement
The team that's been looking after your floors for years can also replace all of them. Full building flooring refurbishments, properly staged and delivered — this is what we're built for.
Why three of Australia's big four banks trust Premrest with their floors
Thousands of customers walk through bank branches every week. The floor greets every single one. Here is what it takes to keep it looking right at national scale.
Commercial flood restoration, done properly: what actually matters when water hits your floors
A burst pipe at 11pm in a 200-site retail network is one of those problems that sounds small until you're the one getting the call.
How a Flooring Company Became FM Advocate of the Year
We won the FM Industry Advocate of the Year Award — and we're just getting started. Aaron, Ben, and Tim reflect on what earned the recognition and what we're building next for facility managers.
From Cost Center to Strategic Asset: The Evolution of Facility Management
Modern facility management is shifting from a "cost centre" to a strategic asset. By mastering data and stakeholder management, the industry can elevate its value and move beyond reactive maintenance.
Drawing the Line Between FM and Asset Management with Ujwal Lakra
Aaron Kelly and Nick Grace sit down with Ujwal Lakra to break down the real differences between facility management and asset management, and how each role drives value in the built environment.
5 Key Considerations for Your Year-End Carpet Cleaning
Our GM of Cleaning Aaron Kelly shares five key carpet cleaning considerations for facility managers,covering moisture, mould, and maintenance to extend carpet life and reduce long-term costs.
A Better Way to Build with Dave Moolman
Dave Moolman of Shaw Contract shares how sustainability is driven by purpose, personal stories, and a commitment to build better, more responsible manufacturing for future generations.
Building a Circular Future with Paul Rosenberg Vella
Paul Vella of Revert Group shares how circular practices in construction turn waste into value, and why facility managers play a key role in building a sustainable, resource-conscious future.
Designing Workplace Strategy with Dr. Agustin Chevez
Dr. Agustin Chevez shares how facility managers can shape workplace strategy—bridging design and operations to create spaces that balance purpose, performance, and people.
Facilities with Purpose | A Conversation with Paul Sor
Aaron Kelly and Sammy Gilham talk with Paul Sor on how empathy, ethics, and people-centered leadership create lasting impact in facilities and the communities they serve.
Growing in FM with Arbab Shah
Arbab Shah joins Aaron Kelly and Nick Grace to share the real lessons that shape new facility managers, from early challenges to the skills that build confidence and growth in the industry.
How carpets shape tenant perception
In property management, little details can have big consequences. One of the fastest ways to sour a tenant relationship is something far more visible: a dirty lobby.
Protecting People in Emergencies: Lessons from Gaurav Bhalla
Gaurav Bhalla shares how human behavior shapes emergency response and why training, drills, and tenant management are vital lessons for facility managers to protect people in an emergency.
Protecting carpet lifespan through warranty care
Proper carpet care protects your warranty and extends its lifespan. Choose a cleaning provider who follows manufacturer-approved methods to safeguard your investment and avoid costly replacements.
Sustainability That Pays Off | Lauren Hammilton
In this episode of Let’s Talk Facilities, Aaron Kelly and Nicholas Grace talk with Lauren Hamilton of Smart Commercial Solar about how clean energy is shaping the future of business.
Sustainability in flooring: a team effort
The flooring industry can only achieve true sustainability when manufacturers, suppliers, and specialists work together to design, recover, and repurpose materials in a circular system.
Values-Driven Facilities Management with Mark O’Connell
Mark O’Connell of St Vincent de Paul shares how values-driven facilities management creates real impact, from housing to retail, and why FM is mission-critical in every sector.
SPECIAL: Real Sustainability with Aidan Mullan
Aidan Mullan joins Let’s Talk Facilities to discuss emissions reduction, circular economy, and what sustainability means for facility managers today.
Leadership in Action: How FMs Can Shape the Future | with Leah Ong
In this episode of Let’s Talk Facilities, Aaron Kelly and Nicholas Grace sit down with Leah Ong to explore how facilities managers can lead with impact.
Facility Management is Changing | FM’s Role Today with Duncan Waddell
In this latest episode of Let’s Talk Facilities, Aaron Kelly and Ben Young are joined by Duncan Waddell, an esteemed leader in facility management, to discuss the evolving role of facility management.
Clean Air: Shining a Light on Indoor Air Quality with Zac Gilder
In this episode of Let’s Talk Facilities, Ben Young and Aaron Kelly welcome Zac Gilder of Steril-Aire to explore the real-world impact of UVC light on indoor air quality and HVAC performance.
Wick back: Stains that come back to haunt you
Restoration cleans are an essential first step to bring carpets back to life. But when hidden stains start to wick back days later, understanding why it happens and how to fix it is key.
Simplifying workplace safety with Sue Bottrell
In our eighth episode of Let’s Talk Facilities, Aaron Kelly and Sammy Gilham chat with Sue Bottrell from ContractorSAFE about simplifying safety and clarifying responsibilities.
The truth about floor maintenance in dental practices
Featuring on the Julie Parker Practice Success podcast, Aaron Kelly shares about all things floor care and maintenance in a dental practice setting.
Leading with impact: People and expectations in facility management
In the twelfth episode of Let’s Talk Facilities, Aaron Kelly and Sammy Gilham are joined by Jennifer Longstaff, a dynamic FM leader, to explore what it takes to lead with impact.
Charles Hammersla on facility management, integrity, and community impact
In the eleventh episode of Let's Talk Facilities, Aaron Kelly sits down with Charles Hammersla, a seasoned facility leader, to discuss the evolving role of FM's.
Accurate data, smarter decisions: Leanne Cluley unpacks asset auditing
In our tenth episode, Aaron Kelly and Sammy Gilham sit down with Leanne Cluley, Founder & CEO of Reduxo, to unpack the power of physical asset auditing and why accurate data is key.
Bob Foletta - Interface Australia
In our second episode, hosts Aaron Kelly and Colin Saddington interview Bob Foletta from Interface Australia, a seasoned expert who's about to retire after a remarkable career.
Building digital estates: Jade Germantis on data-driven facilities
In our ninth episode, Ben Young and Aaron Kelly sit down with Jade Germantis, Program Director of Digital Estate at The University of Melbourne, to explore the world of digital estates.
Let's Talk Facilities: Introduction
In our very first episode, hosts Colin Saddington, Aaron Kelly, and Sammy Gilham from the Premrest team pull back the curtain on what this podcast is all about.
Natural stone in facilities
In our fourth episode, we chat with Mark Elliott about natural stone in commercial spaces, covering honing, sealing, and maintenance to help facility managers protect high-traffic stone surfaces.
Proactive or reactive? Facility management unpacked
In our fifth episode, Aaron, Ben and Sammy unpack all things facility management, and what it means to stay ahead to avoid trouble, or tackling issues as they arise.
Rising in facilities: Louise Rowe on recruitment and career growth
In our seventh episode of Let's Talk Facilities, hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Young sit down with Louise Rowe from Pinpoint Property Recruitment.
Sustainable flooring
In our third episode, Ben Young chats with Tim Bradbury about his journey from architecture to build-to-rent management and commercial flooring, highlighting sustainable design's impact.
Unlocking the future of facility management with Nicholas Burt
In our sixth episode of Let's Talk Facilities, hosts Aaron Kelly and Sammy Gilham sit down with Nicholas Burt, CEO of the Facilities Management Association (FMA).
Carpet cleaning in a call centre that never switches off
Quiet, non-disruptive floor care amid the chaos of a 24/7 operation - without missing a single call.
The wild west of commercial carpet cleaning
Discover the world of commercial carpet cleaning in our recent webinar, tailored for facility managers.
How one switch helped propel ANZ towards its bold sustainability goals
Ditching hot water ‘steam cleaning’ for low moisture encapsulation, ANZ is surpassing its sustainability goals while keeping carpets cleaner, better, and fresher for longer.
Slipping past hazards: A granite safety transformation
How we restored 80 Collins Street's granite flooring with 'out of the box' slip safety solutions.
SynSisal cleaned right: A national service provider's cleaning blueprint
How Manufacturers & Distributors, like Gibbon Architectural, lean on Premrest to ensure lasting end-user experience nationwide.
Reviving misfit cream carpets in a prestigious law firm
How we revived and brought the 'wow' back to light, plush, high pile carpets at an iconic Melbourne firm.
Floors without flaws: From ageing halls to contemporary buildings
Managing multi-site facilities means navigating the unique demands of different flooring. The right cleaning approach preserves longevity, maintains aesthetics, and prevents costly damage.
Closing the loop on flooring sustainability
Waste is a serious problem in flooring. But if we evolve our installation approach, we can promote a circular economy and give waste a second chance at life - not landfill.
The art of juggling multi-site facility management
Juggling floor care across multiple facilities is complex. Streamlining contracts simplifies processes, ensures consistency, and frees you to focus on bigger priorities - not cleaning hassles.
JLL’s partnership with Premrest: Consolidating floor maintenance nationwide
Our partnership with JLL streamlines their floor maintenance - ensuring cost control, consistency, and sustainability through a structured, scalable approach across their portfolio.
The frequency sweet spot
Keeping carpets clean isn’t about waiting until they’re dirty - it’s about regular upkeep. Choosing the right frequency is key to preventing buildup, extending lifespan, and keeping floors fresh.
A breath of fresh air starts with your floors
Floors are more than decor - they’re the unsung heroes of air quality, trapping dust and allergens to create cleaner, healthier spaces that inspire and impress.
The carpet cleaning showdown
A deep dive into the three main commercial carpet cleaning methodologies; hot water extraction, dry compound cleaning and low moisture encapsulation.
Take the street out of the office
Office floors face constant exposure to dirt and grime from the streets. A targeted cleaning program is essential to protect carpets, ensuring they remain clean, durable, and inviting.