Custom Home Design & Approval Support Services
We guide residential projects from early site review and concept design through DA, CDC and Construction Certificate documentation, consultant coordination and NSW Planning Portal lodgement.
Services include:
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Site and planning review
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Concept design
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DA, CDC and Construction Certificate documentation
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Consultant coordination
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NSW Planning Portal management
What We Bring to Every Project
Experienced residential design:
More than 30 years working across custom homes, renovations, acreage properties, heritage projects and development sites.
Clear approval pathway advice:
Early review of planning controls, site constraints, DA and CDC options, consultant requirements and documentation needs.
Coordinated architectural drafting:
Detailed drawings prepared for council, private certifiers, consultants and builders.
Practical design decisions:
Consideration of buildability, construction requirements, natural light, privacy, orientation and long-term liveability.
Explore Our Building Design Services
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DA, CDC & Construction Documentation
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Architectural Drafting
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Consultant Coordination
DA, CDC & Construction Certificate Documentation
Site Review & Planning Advice
Before design begins, we review the site, zoning, planning controls and key constraints. This helps identify what may be achievable, the likely approval pathway and any consultant reports that may be required.
Concept Design & Approval Pathway
We develop the floor plan and architectural direction around your brief, site, budget and planning requirements. We also assess whether a Development Application or Complying Development Certificate may be the more suitable pathway.
DA & CDC Documentation
We prepare the architectural drawings and coordinate consultant information for council or private certifier assessment. NSW Planning Portal lodgement and council liaison are managed within the agreed project scope.
Construction Certificate Drawings
For DA projects, once development consent is issued, we prepare the detailed drawings required for the Construction Certificate. We coordinate the information needed by the certifier, consultants and builder before construction begins.
BASIX, NatHERS & Sustainable Design
We consider BASIX, NatHERS and sustainable design principles from the early design stages. This includes orientation, natural light, ventilation, glazing, thermal performance and residential energy efficiency.
Residential Building Design Services
Sustainable Home Design
Passive solar design, orientation, natural ventilation, glazing and thermal performance considered early to improve comfort and energy efficiency.
Custom Home Design
Site-specific custom homes designed around your lifestyle, orientation, views, privacy, site conditions and long-term liveability.
Acreage & Rural Home Design
Acreage homes planned around access, orientation, drainage, bushfire exposure, services and the surrounding landscape.
Home Extensions & Renovations
Rear additions, first-floor additions and internal alterations designed to improve functionality, natural light and indoor-outdoor living.
Heritage Extensions & Renovations
Contemporary additions designed to respect the original home’s character, proportions and streetscape. A qualified heritage consultant is engaged on every heritage project.
Bushfire & BAL Design
Residential design for bushfire-prone land, including BAL-29, BAL-40 and BAL-FZ sites, integrating planning, construction and architectural requirements.
Knockdown Rebuild Design
New homes designed for established properties, including narrow, sloping and constrained sites with complex planning controls.
Duplex & Dual Occupancy Design
Efficient residential layouts that respond to zoning, frontage, parking, privacy, private open space and neighbourhood character.
Project Support, Consultants & Interior Detailing
Consultant & Approval Coordination
We coordinate required external consultants and manage communication with councils, private certifiers and the NSW Planning Portal where included in the project scope.
Interior Detailing & Schedules
Detailed drawings and schedules can be prepared for kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, joinery, finishes and fixtures where included in the project scope.
3D Architectural Visualisation
3D modelling and visualisation help communicate the proposed form, materials, natural light and overall appearance before the design is finalised.
Fixed-Fee Proposals
Fees are based on the project scope, site complexity and documentation required. Our design fees are fixed by stage rather than calculated as a percentage of the construction cost.
Project Highlights
Mulgoa House
Award-Winning Flame Zone acreage home design
A custom acreage home designed for a steep 25-acre site with bushfire Flame Zone requirements and site-sensitive residential design considerations.
Dilkera House Proposal
3D architectural visualisation
A 3D residential design visualisation prepared to help communicate the form, materials, light and overall appearance of the proposed home before construction.
Common Building Design Service Questions
Do I need a building designer or an architect for a residential project in NSW?
For many low-rise residential projects in NSW, a qualified building designer can prepare the residential design and documentation required for custom homes, extensions, renovations, duplexes, dual occupancies, knockdown rebuilds and similar projects. The right consultant depends on the project type, site constraints and approval pathway.
Do you prepare DA, CDC and Construction Certificate documentation?
Yes. We prepare residential building design, architectural drafting, DA documentation, CDC documentation and Construction Certificate drawings. The correct approval pathway depends on the site, zoning, planning controls, building design and project scope.
What residential projects do you design?
Our work includes custom homes, extensions, renovations, heritage additions, duplexes, dual occupancies, knockdown rebuilds, acreage homes, secondary dwellings, rural outbuildings, bushfire-prone homes and interior detailing.
Ready to get your project off the ground?
Whether you are planning a custom new home, a complex renovation, or a duplex development, the first step to a successful build is expert design. We take the complexity out of the process, ensuring your project is compliant, buildable, and tailored to your specific goals. If you want to discuss your ideas with a BDAA-accredited designer, let’s talk about your project requirements.