Building design FAQs

We design custom new homes, renovations and extensions across Canberra and surrounding NSW. This includes knockdown rebuilds, acreage homes and changes that help an existing house work better for the people living in it. Tell us what you're considering and we can discuss the design work your project needs.

No. A list of what you need, what isn't working in your current home and a few inspiration images is a useful starting point. We can help you turn those ideas into a clearer brief, considering your site, priorities and intended building budget.

We're based in Canberra and work throughout the ACT and surrounding NSW, including Googong, Queanbeyan, Bungendore, Murrumbateman, Sutton and Yass. If your property is further afield, send us the location and a short description of your project so we can discuss whether we can help.

Yes. You'll work directly with Danny Young, founder of New Age Design Services. You'll be able to discuss your ideas, review the plans and ask questions as the design develops, with continuity from the initial brief through to the drawing stages.

Design fees depend on the size, complexity and scope of your project. After discussing your brief, we'll provide a fixed-fee proposal setting out the design and documentation included. This gives you a clear basis for deciding whether to proceed. Send us your property address and a short project outline to get started.

Alongside design fees and building costs, your project may need a survey, engineering, soil testing, energy assessment, specialist reports and approval or certifier fees. The requirements vary by site and proposal. We'll discuss likely inputs, and your fee proposal will identify what is included in our scope.

Timing depends on the complexity of the design, the information available, your feedback and the approval pathway. Consultant reports and authority assessment can also affect the program. We'll discuss current availability and an indicative design schedule when preparing your proposal, then keep you informed as the project progresses.

The concept stage develops the layout and overall appearance of your home. Floor plans and 3D perspectives help you understand the spaces, proportions and exterior before moving into detailed working drawings. We review the concept with you and refine it against the agreed brief.

Yes. Reviewing and refining the design is part of the concept stage. It's the best time to resolve the layout and appearance before detailed documentation begins. Changes are managed within the agreed scope; if your brief changes substantially or you request changes after the design is finalised, we'll discuss any effect on fees and timing before proceeding.

Your intended building budget is an important part of the brief. We consider the size, form and complexity of the design with that budget in mind, and encourage builder feedback as the concept develops. Construction pricing comes from builders, so early cost feedback helps guide decisions before you commit to detailed drawings.

Yes. Orientation, sunlight, shading, glazing and the arrangement of living spaces are considered as the design develops. We also incorporate the energy-assessment requirements relevant to your project, including NatHERS or BASIX documentation where applicable. The aim is a comfortable home with sensible responses to its site and climate.

Not every ACT project requires a development application (DA). Some proposals are exempt if they meet the relevant criteria. Development approval and building approval are separate, so being exempt from a DA doesn't automatically remove the need for building approval. The pathway needs to be checked against your particular site and design.

Some NSW homes, alterations and additions may be eligible for a complying development certificate (CDC). Eligibility depends on the land, proposal and applicable standards. If the project isn't eligible, a development application may be required. We can help explore the appropriate pathway with your certifier or council before the design progresses too far.

Yes. Once the concept is finalised, we prepare the working drawings included in your agreed scope, such as plans, elevations, sections and construction details. We can also assist with the design documentation needed for the relevant approval process and liaise with your builder, certifier and other consultants.

Often, yes. Accurate site information is important, and the project may also need input from a structural engineer, energy assessor or other specialists. Requirements depend on the site and the proposed work. We can discuss the likely information needed early so it can be organised at the right stage.

You can start with or without a builder. If you already have one in mind, their input can be valuable during design, particularly for construction methods and cost feedback. If you haven't chosen one, concept plans can help you have more informed discussions with potential builders.

Yes. Concept plans can help builders provide preliminary cost guidance. Detailed working drawings and a clear specification give them more information for a fuller quotation. Comparing quotes is easier when each builder prices the same drawings, inclusions and assumptions.

We're available to answer questions and clarify the design documentation during approval and construction. If additional information or a change is needed, we'll discuss what is required and how it fits within the agreed scope. This helps keep communication clear between you, your builder and your certifier.