At NAC Drafting & Design, we help you bring your renovation or new home ideas to life through practical, professional drafting. From concept sketches to council-ready plans, you’ll have support every step of the way. We’ll work with you to create detailed plans that fit your home, lifestyle, and budget. Our focus is on practical design solutions for families. Book a free consultation today and start planning your dream home.1. Initial client meeting & project brief

• Meet the client to confirm project goals: new home, renovation, granny flat, investment, budget, timeline and priorities.
• Record site address, property title details, and client expectations.
• Deliverable: Project brief (scope, must-haves, budget range, contact details).

2. Gather site information & documentation

• Obtain Certificate of Title (including plan of subdivision), current council rates notice, and any existing building approvals or plans.
• Order or request an engineering/contour survey from a licensed surveyor:
  • Boundary locations, fences, levels, spot heights, trees, retaining walls, existing structures, easements and survey marks.
• Check any existing approvals, covenants, restrictive instruments or heritage listings on title.
• Deliverable: Site information pack (title, survey, photos, notes).

3. Research planning & zoning controls

• Identify zoning and applicable controls from the local council planning instruments (e.g., LEP, DCP, local planning controls).
• Check permitted uses, maximum site coverage, building heights, setbacks, lot size rules, parking requirements and any specific overlays (heritage, coastal, flooding, bushfire).
• Note whether the project requires DA (Development Application) or CDC (Complying Development Certificate).
• Deliverable: Planning constraints summary (zoning, relevant clauses, likely approval pathway).

4. Underground services & site hazards investigation

• Request a Dial Before You Dig information pack / utility locations to identify existing underground services (water, sewer, stormwater, gas, power, communications).
• Engage / request:
  • Sewer and sewer connection point information from the water authority.
  • Power authority for transformer / pole locations and capacity constraints.
• Check for other underground issues: contaminated land history, previous industrial use, landfill, high groundwater, acid sulfate soils.
• Consider preliminary geo/environmental desktop checks or past site use records.
• Deliverable: Underground services & site hazards report (map + notes).

5. Geotechnical & site investigation (if required)

• Engage a geotechnical engineer for boreholes / soil testing where required (new builds, slopes, poor soils, retaining walls).
• Request a soil report that covers: bearing capacity, footing recommendations, groundwater, site classifications (for BCA).
• Deliverable: Geotechnical report (recommendations for foundations, retaining design, drainage).

6. Site analysis & concept development

• Analyse survey, zoning, services, slope, sun path, prevailing winds, views and neighbourhood context.
• Develop initial concept options (sketch plans, massing, footprint options) focusing on client brief and constraints.
• Review likely approval pathway and any design considerations tied to planning rules.
• Present concepts to client, collect feedback and refine.
• Deliverable: Concept sketches / floor plan options + site plan concept.

7. Consultant coordination (as needed)

• Identify and engage required consultants early:
  • Structural engineer (foundations, framing, retaining walls).
  • Civil / stormwater engineer (site drainage, stormwater detention if needed).
  • Bushfire assessor (BAL) if in bushfire prone area.
  • Flood engineer if in a flood overlay.
  • Energy consultant / BASIX (NSW) or equivalent for sustainability compliance.
  • Surveyor (setout and pegging prior to construction if required).
  • Environmental / contamination specialist if flagged.
• Coordinate scopes so their inputs feed into working drawings.
• Deliverable: Consultant engagement list & brief; insurer/compliance checks.

8. Design development & documentation

• Prepare developed floor plans, elevations, sections and site plan incorporating consultant inputs.
• Integrate services, access, sustainability measures and materials palette.
• Prepare documentation for council lodgement or CDC: site plan, floor plans, elevations, shadow diagrams, BASIX/energy reports, and any specialist reports.
• Deliverable: DA or CDC documentation package (drawings + reports checklist).

9. Lodgement & council / certifier liaison

• Lodge application (DA or CDC) with local council or a private certifier.
• Respond to requests for information (RFI) promptly; coordinate consultant responses when required.
• Track approval conditions and required modifications.
• Deliverable: Approved DA / CDC or issued Complying Development Certificate with conditions.

10. Construction documentation & tendering

• Prepare full working/construction drawings and specifications for builders:
  • Detailed plans, sections, structural notes, schedules, joinery layouts, finishes, window/door schedules, electrical/lighting plan.
• Compile a Bill of Quantities or scope for builder pricing if the client wants competitive quotes.
• Assist with builder enquiries and issue addenda as required.
• Deliverable: Construction drawing set and specification pack ready for tender or construction.

11. Certification & pre-start checks

• Coordinate with building surveyor / certifier to ensure compliance with BCA/NCC and local conditions.
• Arrange for certifier sign-offs, engineering sign-offs and any utilities approvals (sewer connections, stormwater).
• Deliverable: Certifier approvals and compliance documentation.

12. Construction support & site review

• Provide clarification drawings and respond to builder requests for information (RFIs).
• Optional site visits or stage inspections (to verify compliance with drawings and liaise with builder).
• Process minor design changes as variations if required.
• Deliverable: Issued clarifications, site visit reports (if engaged).

13. Practical completion & handover

• Final inspections and liaise with certifier for occupancy certificate (if applicable).
• Provide as-built drawings and O&M manuals where relevant.
• Collect client feedback and discuss future maintenance / upgrades.
• Deliverable: As-built drawings, project closeout pack, client handover.

Practical checklist for each stage

• Title & plan of subdivision ✔
• Recent site survey with levels & easements ✔
• Dial Before You Dig / utility plans ✔
• Geotech report (if required) ✔
• List of required consultants & quotes ✔
• Planning constraints summary (zoning, overlays) ✔
• Concept plan options and client sign-off ✔
• DA/CDC package + consultant reports ✔
• Construction drawings + specifications ✔
• Builder quotations & RFI log ✔
• As-built drawings & handover pack ✔

Typical deliverables by stage (short)

1. Project brief
2. Site information pack (survey + title)
3. Planning constraints summary
4. Concept sketches/options
5. DA/CDC documentation package
6. Working/construction drawings & specs
7. Consultant reports (structural, geotech, BASIX etc.)
8. As-built drawings & handover documents

Who to engage and when

• Surveyor: immediately after client sign-up.
• Geotech engineer: before final foundations design (early if site is steep or unknown).
• Structural engineer: once concept is finalised / before construction documents.
• Civil/stormwater engineer: during design stage for drainage solutions.
• Bushfire/flood/contamination specialists: if overlays/risks appear in planning research.
• Building certifier: early advice can speed approval—engage prior to lodgement if possible.

Key underground checks (practical actions)

Groundwater table / acid sulfate soils — from geotech if suspect.

Dial Before You Dig (utility locations) — mark on plan.

Sewer & connection points — location and available capacity.

Gas mains / high-pressure services — set minimum clearances.

Power supply & transformer capacity — may affect meter location or upgrades.

Telecoms / NBN — pits, lead-ins and tie-in points.

Septic tank / absorption trenches or easements — if off-grid.

Contamination history — old uses, petrol stations, industrial sites.