ESTABLISHING A DESIGN BRIEF
This is the first step and comprises the putting together of the requirements for the project. This includes spatial requirements, lifestyle considerations, materials preferences etc. We can help you through this but most Clients come along with a fair idea of what they require and want. Scrapbooks, photos and magazines are a great idea to communicate lifestyle and aesthetic considerations. We will advise at this point, options with regard to materials, orientation variables and budgetary parameters in order to proceed. This can usually be achieved within the space of one meeting.

PREPARING A CONCEPT PLAN
The information gathered from the Brief is then processed and turned into a Preliminary Concept Plan. This usually consists of a Floor Plan and one Elevation only so as not to advance too far before the Client has had a chance to look at and approve the Concept. Once we are all headed in the right direction and there has been the necessary feedback, then the Concept is developed further into a full Concept Plan with all elevations revealed, spaces organized and building materials settled on.

WORKING DRAWINGS
These are the technical drawings required to submit to the authorities for the necessary approvals, eg. Councils, CFS, Heritage etc. Usually there is also an Engineering input required for Concrete design and Steelwork design for the more complex structures. We would organize this. The Working Drawings form part of what are called the Contract Documents and are the reference for any Pricing and Contractual negotiations.

DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL
We have a working relationship with most Councils and would handle your Development Approval for you. The exception being for Domestic work where we would not be the Builder (refer to our section on Construction). The reason for this is that the Builder is required to submit a Warranty Insurance Certificate and also roof truss and glazing Certificates as part of the process. Hence your Builder would handle your Development approval on your behalf or would help you do it.