Expert Home Design & Drafting Services Sydney
DA Approvals | BDAA Certified Drafter

It depends on your council, your block size, and what you’re building. Most granny flats and straightforward extensions qualify for CDC, which is faster and skips the council queue entirely. We assess this for free in your first consultation so you’re never guessing.

How long does the approval process take?
CDC approvals typically take 10 to 20 business days. DA approvals vary by council but usually run 40 to 90 days. We tell you upfront what to expect for your specific council and project so there are no surprises.

How much does it cost to get started?
Every project is quoted individually based on scope, council area, and complexity. We provide a clear fixed-fee quote before any work begins. No hidden costs, no moving targets.

Everything from your initial concept drawings through to lodging your DA or CDC application. We prepare all required documentation, coordinate with certifiers where needed, and keep you updated at every stage. You don’t need to chase council or guess what comes next.

Do I need to already have a builder?
No. Most clients come to us before they’ve chosen a builder. Our drawings and approvals give you something concrete to take to builders for accurate quotes, which actually saves you money in the long run.

What if my council rejects the application?
In over 30 years we’ve developed a strong understanding of what each Sydney council will and won’t approve. We design to comply from the start, which significantly reduces the chance of rejection. If issues do arise, we handle the response and resubmission.

Sam George personally oversees every project. He has a Bachelor of Architecture Engineering and has been working with Sydney councils since 1993. You won’t be handed off to a junior drafter.

Do you work across all Sydney councils?
Yes. We work across all Sydney metro councils including Sutherland Shire, Georges River, Canterbury-Bankstown, Inner West, Northern Beaches, and more. Council-specific knowledge is built into how we design.

Can I see examples of your previous work?
Yes. We’re happy to share relevant project examples during your consultation, matched to your project type and council area.

Online services can produce drawings, but drawings alone don’t get approvals. What takes time and expertise is knowing how to design within your specific council’s requirements, your block’s constraints, and NSW building codes. A cheap set of plans that gets rejected ends up costing you more in delays, amendments, and resubmissions than a compliant set done right the first time.
Is a fixed-fee quote really fixed?
Yes. Once we assess your project and provide a quote, that price holds. The only time costs change is if the project scope changes, and we flag that with you before proceeding. You’ll never open an invoice and find unexpected charges.

Yes. Heritage and conservation overlays require careful design that respects the existing character of the property while still meeting your needs. We have experience working within these constraints and know which councils require additional heritage statements or impact assessments as part of the application.

My block is narrow or irregular shaped. Can you still help?
Absolutely. Narrow, sloped, corner, and oddly shaped blocks are some of the most interesting projects we work on. Good design is about making the most of what you have, and we’ve solved tricky block challenges across Sydney for over 30 years.

You’ll have direct access to Sam throughout your project. We don’t route you through a call centre or a junior team member. Most clients communicate by phone and email, and we provide progress updates at each key stage so you always know where things stand.