Guides to designing and approving a project in Sydney

Straight answers to the questions we field most often, from what a DA actually requires to where a design brief usually goes wrong.

Second storey addition · 7 min read

Second Storey Addition in Sydney: Design, Approval and What Affects the Cost

Planning a second storey addition in Sydney? How the design and approval process works, what drives the cost, and what to check before you start.

Granny Flat Design in NSW: Who Designs It, Who Approves It and Who Builds It

Granny flat design in NSW explained. The size and lot rules, who designs, who approves and who builds, and what affects secondary dwelling design cost.

Dual Occupancy Design in Sydney: What Your Block Needs and What a Designer Does

Dual occupancy design in Sydney starts with the block. What your lot needs, how approval works, what affects the cost and what a designer handles.

DA vs CDC in NSW: Which Approval Pathway Fits Your Renovation?

DA vs CDC in NSW explained. How each approval pathway works, how long each takes, what CDC drawings need to show and which one suits your project.

Construction Documentation Services: What Is in a Set of Construction Drawings

Construction documentation services explained. What a full set of construction drawings contains, how it differs from DA drawings and why it matters.

Architect vs Draftsman vs Building Designer in NSW: Who Do You Actually Need?

Architect vs draftsman vs building designer in NSW. What each one is legally, what each does, and how to choose for architectural drafting in Sydney.

Architect Fees in Sydney: Fixed Fee vs Percentage and What You Are Paying For

How architect fees in Sydney work. Fixed fee, percentage and hourly compared, what each stage covers, what is excluded and how to compare proposals.

Alterations and Additions Architect in Sydney: How to Plan a Renovation That Gets Approved

What an alterations and additions architect in Sydney does, in order: reading the house, testing the planning controls, design, approval and drawings.

Choosing an Architect on the Northern Beaches: What to Ask Before You Commit

How to pick an architect for a Northern Beaches home: DA vs CDC, bushfire and coastal constraints, fee stages, timelines and the questions worth asking first.

Choosing an Architect in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs: What to Ask Before You Commit

How to pick an architect for a home in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs: heritage rules, DA vs CDC, what fees cover, realistic timelines and the questions to ask first.