Building Designer & Architectural Drafting FAQs 

The best way to start is by completing our Discuss Your Project form with your project details, site address and any available plans or supporting information.This allows us to review the site online and understand what you are hoping to achieve before we contact you. We will then call you to discuss your brief, likely site constraints and the most suitable next steps.Once we understand the proposed scope, we will provide a clear, obligation-free fee proposal before any design work begins.

That is completely fine. Some clients come to us with detailed ideas, while others are starting with little more than a list of spaces they need. We use your ideas as part of the design brief, then develop the layout, orientation, natural light, functionality, buildability and overall design.

Your ideas and requirements are the starting point. Our role is to listen, understand what you are trying to achieve and then bring more than 30 years of residential design experience to the process. We may suggest different approaches where we believe there is a better solution, but the aim is always to create a home that suits your site, lifestyle and priorities.

No. We can review the property and proposed work and help determine the most appropriate approval pathway. This may involve a Development Application through Council or Complying Development through a private certifier, depending on the site, planning controls and proposed design.

We have experience designing custom homes and extensions for challenging sites, including steep slopes, bushfire-prone land, restricted access, heritage constraints, biodiversity, flooding and mine subsidence.We assess site levels, access, planning controls and environmental constraints early so the design can respond to the property from the outset.Projects such as Mulgoa House, Wheeler Heights House and Merealba House show how we have resolved complex site and approval issues on real residential projects.See more challenging projects we have successfully navigated →

Every project is different, so our fees are based on the project scope, site complexity and level of building design and architectural drafting required.We start with an initial consultation and, where appropriate, a site visit to understand your brief, the site and the level of work involved. From there, we prepare a customised, obligation-free proposal. The scope and cost of each stage clearly set out. Fees are paid progressively as each stage is completed.Our fees are based on the work required, not a percentage of the construction cost. Depending on the agreed scope, this may include concept design, DA or CDC plans, Construction Certificate plans and approval documentation.Third-party consultant, Council and certifier fees are separate from our design fees. Consultant coordination, supporting documents and NSW Planning Portal lodgement can also be included for an additional fixed fee.Contact us to discuss your project and request a personalised fixed-fee proposal.