Home / Design & Build
Our core service
Design & Build: idea to keys, managed by one team.
You bring the idea. We bring in and manage your independent designer and consultants, keep the design to your budget, price it from real trade quotes and build it — with one licensed builder accountable from first call to handover.
Free
Discovery call to start
$500
Feasibility Estimate + GST, credited
6
Clear stages, each with a fixed outcome
Stop
at any step before contract
Why design & build
Plans drawn without a price are a gamble.
The usual way — pay a designer, get plans, then ask builders to quote — leaves nobody responsible for the gap between what’s drawn and what you can afford. By the time the quotes come back, you’ve paid for drawings you can’t build.
With design & build, the builder is involved from day one. We set an honest budget first, brief your designer on it, check the design against it as it develops, and review every drawing for buildability before it’s priced. What gets drawn is what you can afford to build.
Budget first
An honest number before you spend on drawings.
Buildability built in
Problems solved on paper, not on site.
Real-quote pricing
Measured quantities and real trade quotes.
One accountable team
We brief and manage every consultant.
Your project in six stages
Every stage has a clear cost, timeframe and outcome.
Until you sign a building contract, you can stop at any point and pay only for work done.
01
Discovery call
Free · no obligationUsually within a week of your enquiry
What happens
You fill in our Project Enquiry form, then we talk by phone or video about your ideas, must-haves, timing and budget.
What you get
An indicative ballpark (not a quote) and an honest answer on whether we’re the right builder for you.
What we need from you
A rough brief, photos, any plans or inspiration, and a budget range you’re comfortable with.
02
Feasibility Estimate
From $500 + GST · credited$900 + GST for major or complex jobs · report within 10 working days
What happens
We visit, measure up and assess access, services, structure and approvals, then walk you through your report.
What you get
A budget range, key site risks, likely approvals and consultants, and a realistic start window.
What we need from you
Site access, any existing plans or reports, and your must-haves and nice-to-haves.
Not for you? Stop here. You keep the report and owe nothing more.
03
Pre-construction proposal & management
From $3,500 + GSTAbout 2 weeks for proposals, 8 for design, 3 for pricing · $1,500 quote fee refunded if you go ahead within 60 days
What happens
We get fee proposals from designers and consultants, recommend who to engage, then brief and coordinate them, cost-check the concept and price it in detail.
What you get
Budget-checked drawings and engineering, and a detailed fixed-price quote with a clear scope, inclusions and allowances. Two rounds of quote revisions included.
What we need from you
Timely feedback on designs and early decisions on key selections — the more you decide now, the fewer allowances.
04
Contract & pre-start
Deposit per contractUsually 2 weeks before your start date
What happens
We go through your contract — scope, price, allowances, programme, payment stages — then lodge home warranty insurance, finalise approvals, book trades and meet you on site.
What you get
Your building contract, home warranty certificate, build programme and client portal login.
What we need from you
The signed contract and deposit, final selections confirmed, and anything that needs moving or protecting.
05
Build
Progress payments by stageTo the programme in your contract
What happens
Our carpenters and licensed trades build to the agreed programme, overseen by our licensed builder, with certifier and consultants coordinated by us.
What you get
A weekly update with photos, and direct chat with us in your client portal. Every change priced and approved by you first.
What we need from you
Decisions on time — we agree a date for each selection up front.
06
Handover & aftercare
Final payment at completionCheck-in before your defects period ends
What happens
We walk through the finished work with you, fix anything on the list, and hand over your keys and paperwork.
What you get
A handover pack with certificates, warranties, product manuals and a care guide — then 12 months of defects cover.
What we need from you
A final walk-through with us, and a list of anything you’d like looked at.
Your investment
What you pay, and when. Published, before we ever meet.
One rule: Feasibility Estimate and detailed quote fees come off your build price if you sign within 60 days. Management fees pay for a service, so they don’t. All fees exclude GST.
Management covers up to 5 consultants and 2 design review rounds. Designers, engineers and certifiers quote you directly — their fees are separate from ours.
What it looks like in real numbers
Build Only
$150k extension
Plans and engineering done
Design & Build
Retaining wall
Under $100k, needs design
Design & Build
$250k renovation
From idea to fixed price
Consultants
The specialists your project may need — managed by us.
Most renovations need two or three. We get fee proposals — usually two or three per discipline — compare them and recommend who to engage. They quote and contract with you directly; we brief and coordinate them.
Designer or architect
Concept, approval and construction drawings
Structural engineer
Footings, beams, wall removals, retaining walls
Building certifier
Building approval and mandatory inspections
Surveyor
Boundaries, contours and set-out
Geotechnical engineer
Soil testing for new footings and slabs
Town planner
Where council approval is needed
Hydraulic & stormwater
Drainage design where council requires it
Energy assessor
Compliance for new or altered living spaces
Design & build questions
Do you design the project?
No — we’re builders. An independent building designer or architect prepares your drawings and sets their own fees. We recommend one, brief them on your budget and manage them for you.
Why might my price change between stages?
Because the detail changes. Selections, finishes and design decisions all move the price. Once you sign, it’s fixed except for approved variations and listed allowances.
What if I decide not to go ahead?
Stop after any stage before the build contract. You keep your Feasibility Estimate and quote, and there are no exit fees. Drawings are supplied under your designer’s terms.
How long until building starts?
Allow about 2 weeks for consultant proposals, 8 weeks for design and 3 for pricing, plus approvals. Your Feasibility Estimate includes a realistic start window.
Can I use my own designer?
Yes. We’ll work with them on budget and buildability — or if your plans are already approved, go straight to Build Only.
Ready when you are.
Book your free discovery call. No cost, no obligation — and if we’re not the right fit, we’ll tell you.