You have the plans.
We build the home.

Plans help us understand your layout, dimensions and how new work connects with your existing home. That makes our conversation about construction and budget more useful. More complete drawings and specifications allow a more detailed quote with fewer assumptions. Plans ready or being prepared are a good starting point; you don’t need every approval finalised before speaking with us.

Bring your property address, a brief of what you want to change, photos of your home and a few inspiration images. Share your approximate construction budget and preferred timing, plus any existing drawings or surveys.

Ask what their service includes: concept design, detailed drawings, consultant coordination and preparing or lodging applications. Confirm the fees, likely stages and what you’ll need to arrange separately. Agree on a design scope that works with your budget before progressing.

If your project changes the structure—such as removing a supporting wall, adding another storey, or changing foundations—it may need structural engineering. Ask your designer and certifier to confirm what is required for your proposed work.

An engineer can assess the structure and prepare the calculations, drawings and specifications needed for the structural work. Ask whether a site inspection, soil testing or other specialist input is needed, and what is included in their fee. You don’t need to diagnose the structure yourself.

Your property and proposed work determine the approval pathway. Ask your designer to help confirm it with council or a registered certifier, including any site constraints such as flooding, bushfire or heritage.

• Exempt development: some minor work needs no planning or construction approval, provided it meets the relevant standards.
• Complying Development Certificate (CDC): combines planning and construction approval for eligible projects that meet specific standards.
• Development Application (DA): council assesses your proposal. For building work, a construction certificate is then needed before construction starts.

Ask for a document checklist. Depending on the project, it may include a survey, design drawings, engineering, energy-efficiency documentation such as BASIX, and specialist reports. Confirm who prepares and lodges each item, and allow for consultant and application fees.

For the official requirements, see NSW building approvals and the NSW Planning Portal.

Talk to us once your plans are ready or being prepared. Send your current drawings, project address, scope, approximate budget, preferred timing and the status of any approvals. Include engineering and approval documents you already have.

Concept drawings are a starting point for a conversation; a detailed building quote may need more complete drawings, specifications and selections. We’ll discuss what is needed for your project. You don’t need every approval finalised before speaking with us.

Before approved building work starts, the required construction approval must be in place and a principal certifier appointed. The certifier carries out the required inspections and assesses the occupation certificate at completion. Choosing and appointing the certifier is your responsibility.