There are two main ways to go about this in NSW:  Via your local council (known as a DA)  or via a private certifier (known as a Complying Development Application).  In all cases, we explore the relevant planning instruments and develop with you a design that balances your needs with mandated planning requirements.

Let us create storey board presentations of your home’s proposed addition/extension, with full 3d renderings and floor plans for buyers to better consider the potential of your home.  A great way to maximise the value of your home.

“Can we open up that wall to create an open living area”? “Where we would put the stairs”? “Can we demolish that old chimney”? Consider asking us for a design consultation before you buy your next home. We’ll assess the surface elements for structural possibilities and design potential and help you answer questions that may prove critical to your ultimate decision.

Site assessment and survey

We start with a meeting to learn about your lifestyle, assess your design needs and find out what the vision is for your home. We also arrange a building survey if needed.

Concept design  

Then we work to design the concept that will best fulfil your practical needs, and bring out the best in your living space.

Pre-DA at council or consultation by Certifier

We take the concept plans to council (in the case of D.A.) or show it to a private certifier (in the case of a Complying Development Certificate) to obtain planning feedback on any issues that might arise during the approvals process.

Prepare plans for submission   

Once the plans have been vetted and tweaked, we are ready to detail and finalise the layouts.

Submit application

If we lodge the plans at council as a Development Application, fees are paid, procedures are implemented, neighbours are notified and the plans are ultimately determined by council. The process usually takes around 8 to 12 weeks, depending upon your zoning and the type of DA lodged.

Alternatively, if we apply for a Complying Development Certificate via a Private Certifier, this means the plans are deemed to be “complying” strictly with codes set down by NSW Dept of Planning & Environment and so the approvals process takes just 10 days.

Construction Certificate

Once approval is granted, you can apply for your Construction Certificate and in some cases we can submit an application for the CC at the same time as we apply for development consent.  As soon as the Construction Certificate is issued, you can start building.