You’re thinking about renovating or building an entirely new home, but you may not be quite sure what is involved. We’re here to help. Below is a quick overview of the steps involved from selecting your designer to having your plans approved and ready for the builder to start building. If you have any questions or would like a more details feel free to contact us. We're always happy to have a chat, or you can simply ask us to email through a more detailed version of the below.
FIRST MEETING with potential designer
- decide if you can work together.
PROPOSAL/DESIGNER ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT
- written document provided to you that contains a brief outlining the extent of the design work to be undertaken, a fee proposal outlining the payment required for the work, and the staging of those payments;
- outlines the legal boundaries and processes that apply to the project and is a legally binding document;
- if you wish to proceed, sign the AGREEMENT and return it to the designer. They will then issue an invoice for the first payment of fees. Work will proceed once this payment is received (depending on time frame discussed).
- outlines the legal boundaries and processes that apply to the project and is a legally binding document;
- if you wish to proceed, sign the AGREEMENT and return it to the designer. They will then issue an invoice for the first payment of fees. Work will proceed once this payment is received (depending on time frame discussed).
PRE-DESIGN
assessment of:
- legislative requirements specific to your site;
- site constraints;
- any other relevant information that will assist in determining what is possible.
- detailed measurements will be taken of existing structures;
- request survey if needed;
- determine which other consultants will be required and request quotes if needed for initial design phase;
- 3d model created from measurements and survey information;
- at the end of this phase you will be provided with floor plan/s and elevations of your existing dwelling.
- legislative requirements specific to your site;
- site constraints;
- any other relevant information that will assist in determining what is possible.
- detailed measurements will be taken of existing structures;
- request survey if needed;
- determine which other consultants will be required and request quotes if needed for initial design phase;
- 3d model created from measurements and survey information;
- at the end of this phase you will be provided with floor plan/s and elevations of your existing dwelling.
INITIAL DESIGN
- using the 3d model and information from the brief, the designer will develop a basic design that will convey the arrangement of space and the 3d form;
- you will be provided with floor plan/s, elevations, section, 3d images and a 3d walk through model;
- your feedback on the initial design will be incorporated into the design by the designer, who will adjust it where needed.
- the drawings may be sent to a builder (if one has been selected) for a rough cost estimate to ensure the design is on budget.
- you will be provided with floor plan/s, elevations, section, 3d images and a 3d walk through model;
- your feedback on the initial design will be incorporated into the design by the designer, who will adjust it where needed.
- the drawings may be sent to a builder (if one has been selected) for a rough cost estimate to ensure the design is on budget.
DEVELOPED DESIGN
- fine tuning of the agreed upon design;
- materials decisions made;
- cabinetry design (if included in the brief);
- you will be provided with floor plan/s, elevations, section/s, 3d images and a 3d walk through model;
- provide feedback to designer who will adjust the design where needed.
- materials decisions made;
- cabinetry design (if included in the brief);
- you will be provided with floor plan/s, elevations, section/s, 3d images and a 3d walk through model;
- provide feedback to designer who will adjust the design where needed.
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION
- It is not anticipated that there would be changes to the design at this stage as these will have been addressed in the Initial and Developed Design phases;
- construction details and notes are incorporated into the drawings;
- you will be provided with floor plan/s, elevations and a section/s;
- reply to the designer with your approval or otherwise:
- final drawings sent to builders for quoting.
- construction details and notes are incorporated into the drawings;
- you will be provided with floor plan/s, elevations and a section/s;
- reply to the designer with your approval or otherwise:
- final drawings sent to builders for quoting.
REPORTS AND FORM FILLING
All reports and forms will be completed at this stage. As a general rule, other than forms requiring your signature, they will not be sent to you for approval as they tend to be statements of facts. All documentation submitted for the application will be provided to you as a bundle when submission takes place.
DA SUBMISSION
- all documentation is gathered, converted to the required format and submitted electronically - generally via the NSW Planning Portal.
REVIEW OF CONDITIONS
- documentation from council or private certifier is reviewed and acted upon.
- quotes requested from engineers then drawings sent to selected engineer for any documentation requiring engineering input.
- quotes requested from engineers then drawings sent to selected engineer for any documentation requiring engineering input.
CONSTRUCTION CERTIFICATE
Once DA approval has been granted, a construction certificate will be applied for - from either council or a private certifier. This is absolutely necessary before any work can commence on site.
- construction documentation may occur after DA approval if there is some question over whether approval will be granted.
- all documentation is gathered, converted to the required format and submitted electronically - generally via the NSW Planning Portal.
- construction documentation may occur after DA approval if there is some question over whether approval will be granted.
- all documentation is gathered, converted to the required format and submitted electronically - generally via the NSW Planning Portal.
COMPLYING DEVELOPMENT
A Complying Development Application combines 'Construction Documentation', 'Reports and Form Filling', 'DA Submission' and 'Review of Conditions' into one.
- it is, generally speaking, a much quicker process.
- fewer reports are required.
- there is only one application fee (rather than the DA fee to council and the CC fee to either council or a private certifier).
- there are a strict set of requirements that must be adhered to. Unlike a DA, there is no wiggle room!
- it is, generally speaking, a much quicker process.
- fewer reports are required.
- there is only one application fee (rather than the DA fee to council and the CC fee to either council or a private certifier).
- there are a strict set of requirements that must be adhered to. Unlike a DA, there is no wiggle room!