Where to start in building or renovating a house?

What do I need to know? Who do I talk to first? Do I need a building designer, architect, builder, surveyor or talk to the council? And what’s the right order to do everything in?

All good questions!

If you’re in the early stages of planning to build a new house, renovate or extend your existing home, it can be difficult to know where to start. At Designful, we understand the excitement and challenges that come with it. There’s the block of land, your budget, council requirements, builders, consultants, design decisions and approvals to think about. But you don’t need to figure all that out on your own.

Book a Discovery Call

Our Free 30-minute Discovery Call gives you a chance to tell us a little about your project and what you’re unsure about. We can talk through some of your early questions and help you understand what your next step is likely to be. It’s also a chance to get to know us, how we can help you achieve your goals and see if Designful feels like the right team for you.

If your project is in Southern Tasmania or mainland Australia, book a chat with Jane.

If you’re planning to build or renovate in Northern Tasmania, book a chat with Rosie.

 

Next steps when building or renovating a house

There are a few different ways we can help you move your project forward, depending on where you’re at and what you need help with. For most people, these are the most common next steps:

Online consultation / workshop (75 min)

This option is perfect if you have specific project questions. Speak to Jane or Rosie who will listen to your unique problems or ideas and provide initial feedback and advice. This service is ideal if you need an outline of a path forward, are unsure if your project is possible or would like information on approvals, potential costs or how the whole building or renovating process works. You will get the most out of this session if you provide us with project address, a floor plan and or property photos. 

*Fee applicable 330 inc GST

Book an Online Consultation.

Site Consultation (1.5 hours + Follow-up)

This option is ideal if you already have a block of land or existing property. Our site consultants will answer your big questions. This consultation will provide you with initial high level advice on the possibilities, options, challenges, approvals and services required. It also includes feedback on how to get your brief aligned with your budget. We provide you with your property report, a follow up action plan, next steps and our Values-led Briefing Guide.

*Fee applicable $900 inc GST + travel if your site is more than 20 min from Hobart or Launceston CBD, charged at $110/hr.

Book a Site Consultation North or South.

Home Improvement Package

If you’d like to improve your home within its existing floor plan, this package helps you explore options and work out where to put your money. We’ll look at how you use your home, what could work better and how to improve its comfort and energy efficiency. You’ll come away with initial design ideas, an estimate of likely costs and a clear plan for what to do next, including any approvals you may need.

What’s included:

  • A site visit to discuss your needs and look around your home
  • Written feedback by email
  • Initial sketch designs to show possible changes
  • An estimate of likely building costs
  • Advice on improving energy efficiency
  • An action plan outlining your next steps
  • A 30-minute follow-up on Google Meet to talk through your questions

*Fee applicable $2,500, incl. Site Consultation.

To book a Home Improvement Package, please book a Site Consultation (see link above) first and let us know that you’d like to book the full package. The Site Consultation is the first step and is included in the package fee.

Project Feasibility Package

Planning a new home, extension or more involved reno? This package helps you understand how your ideas fit with your property and budget before you spend thousands of dollars on designs and approvals. We’ll explore priorities, assess the opportunities and challenges of your site, and develop an initial design direction. You’ll come away with a clearer picture of likely costs, required approvals and the steps involved, so you can make an informed decision about how to proceed.

What’s included:

  • A site visit to discuss your ideas and assess your property
  • Feedback on what’s possible and what needs further consideration
  • Site reporting and analysis
  • Initial sketch designs to explore your options
  • An estimate of likely building costs
  • A project plan covering relevant rules and regulations, required approvals and consultants, estimated costs before building starts, and likely timeframes
  • Advice on energy efficiency
  • Moodboards with examples of buildings, materials and design ideas to help establish your projects direction
  • A 30-minute follow-up on Google Meet to talk through your questions

*Fee applicable $4,500 – $7,500, incl. Site Consultation

To book a project Feasibility Package, please book a Site Consultation (see link above) first and let us know that you’d like to book the full package. The Site Consultation is the first step and is included in the package fee.

Support for planning your house build or renovation

You may like to read: Our Resource Collection + FAQs

In our line of work we have noticed that there is a lack of clear information on where to start in these early stages of planning your home. At Designful we want everyone to feel empowered when planning their home. Information is key to making informed decisions about your future, thus the ‘Where Do I Start?’ Resource Collection came into being. This Resource Collection is for anyone considering building, renovating or even just dreaming of their future home. 

And there’s a lot packed into it. The guide covers mindful planning, sustainable building, due diligence, finance and loans, the different stages of a build, owner-building, the design and approval process, materials and plenty more. It’s an extensive resource designed to help you understand the bigger picture before you go too far down the track. And it’s completely free! Download it here.

You may also find our FAQs helpful.

Ready to talk about your project?

If you’re planning to build, renovate or extend and you’re not quite sure what the best next step is, we’d be very happy to have a chat. You don’t need to have everything figured out before getting in touch. Tell us a little bit about your project and where you’re at, and we can help you work out what makes sense from here.

Book a Free 30-minute Discovery Call and let’s talk it through

“Brilliant design work! Thank you Jane, and a great team to work with. We are very happy with the results and now have more space than we could imagine, fantastic use of space and light, and love the functionality for us, pets and our wider community. We are so pleased and would recommend Designful Studio anytime. Their commitment to low waste, sustainable building stands out.”

Extension in Kingston, TAS.

Let’s work together

enquiries@designful.com.au
135A New Town Road, New Town, 7008

IN THE MEANTIME

While you’re waiting for us to return your call or email, it helps if you understand our working process. Have a read of how we work to find out about the kinds of things you can think about, to help make your Designful project a success.

Or if you want to keep updated on what we are up to and thinking about, sign up to our monthly e-Newsletter.

Please read our acknowledgement of country here.