Our Frequently Asked Questions
To Help You Find the Answers You’re Looking For
There is not much difference between Architects and Building Designers. Both can design plans for your building project, whether it is commercial or residential.
A Building Designer is a professional trained at producing scaled plans that meet the local council’s guidelines. They also have a wealth of knowledge on construction details and Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. For projects over 3 stories high you are legally required to have the building signed off by a Registered Architect.
This depends on a few factors including the project size or what services you need.
We would encourage you to contact us to arrange a consultation and we can quote the job for you.
It will depend on the project, but additional consultants you may need would include:
- Structural engineer
- Hydraulic engineer
- Surveyor
- Bushfire consultant
- Landscape architect
- Acoustic consultant
We would be happy to recommend someone suitable if you need any of these.
You can go to a builder first. They often have a drafting company they work with and the cost of design and drafting are usually included in their fees, which is seen as a cost-effective way of doing it.
However, the only caution we would express is that if there is for some unfortunate reason a falling out, your plans would stay with the builder and you would not be able to use them.
If you go through a building designer, you can choose to tender the plans out to a number of builders where you can compare prices.
You can potentially save money becoming an owner builder if you have loads of patience. To start with you would need to apply and complete a short course before being issued with an Owner Builder License number. You will also need to organise all the tradespeople when you are ready to start which can also be time intensive.
At least when you hire a builder it is a fixed cost and you don’t need to worry about the building process or hiring the tradespeople. It is all done for you.
We know the design process can seem overwhelming and confusing. That’s why we’ve broken it down into five steps to simplify it.
Step 1 – Initial Consultation
At this stage, we have a chat with you about what you want to do, answer any questions you may have, give you advice and then give you a complimentary quote and assessment.
Step 2 – Site visit
This is where we will visit your existing site/property and measure up if it’s a renovation. If you are building from scratch all we need is a survey plan from a surveyor.
Step 3 – Preliminary Design
Our team will create the initial design for your project.
Step 4 – Design Development
You get to review the design and we make changes based on your feedback/comments.
Step 5 – Approval
When you are happy with the design, we will put the finishing touches on it ready to lodge with your local council or certifier for approval.
BASIX or Building Sustainability Index, is a planning initiative of the New South Wales Government that requires all new dwellings to be designed and built to comply with set water consumption targets and sets minimum performance levels for the thermal comfort of the dwelling. This in turn delivers both savings and improved comfort for occupants of the home and a valuable contribution to the sustainable future of our communities. It identifies the sustainability features required to be incorporated in the building design which may include recycled water, rainwater tanks, AAA-rated showerheads and taps, native landscaping, gas, heat pump or solar water heaters, air conditioning, roof eaves/awnings and wall/ceiling insulation.
All new development associated with new residential buildings require a BASIX certificate, including:
- Single dwellings
- Dual occupancy dwellings
- Villas
- Townhouses
- Unit & Multi unit developments
- Alterations & additions greater or equal to $50,000
- Swimming pools and/or outdoor spas with a water capacity greater or equal to 40,000 Litres
- Granny Flats
- Boarding Houses, Backpackers and Lodging houses