Building Design FAQs

A planning permit relates to how land can be used or developed, while a building permit confirms that proposed construction complies with applicable building regulations. Depending on your Melbourne property and project scope, you may need a planning permit, a building permit, both, or in some cases neither.

Whether you need a planning permit depends on your property's zoning, overlays, proposed development and local planning requirements. A site assessment can identify the controls affecting your property and determine whether planning approval is required before design work progresses.

A building permit is commonly required for new homes, extensions, structural alterations and many other building works. The requirements depend on the type and scope of the project, so they should be confirmed with the relevant building professional or building surveyor.

Yes, narrow blocks can often accommodate well-designed homes when the site is carefully planned. The design needs to consider setbacks, private open space, vehicle access, overlooking, daylight, orientation and other applicable planning requirements. See our guide on designing a home on a narrow block for strategies that make the most of a tight site.

Potentially. Whether your property can accommodate a second dwelling depends on factors such as lot size, zoning, overlays, setbacks, access, private open space and existing site conditions. Our residential building design team can assess the development potential of your block.

Dual occupancy may be possible if your property can satisfy the applicable planning and design requirements. Important considerations include site dimensions, setbacks, vehicle access, private open space, overlooking, neighbourhood character and other relevant planning controls.

Potentially. Converting a property into a rooming house may involve planning, building and other regulatory requirements. The existing building, proposed occupancy and applicable planning controls should be assessed before proceeding.

A rooming house provides accommodation where residents rent rooms and may share facilities such as kitchens, bathrooms or common areas. Specific regulatory requirements can apply depending on the property's use, occupancy and configuration.

Whether a planning permit is required depends on the property, proposed use and applicable Victorian planning controls. It is important to confirm the requirements for the individual site rather than assuming the use is automatically permitted.

Building approval may be required where building work, a change of building classification or other regulated changes are involved. The specific requirements should be confirmed based on the existing property and proposed rooming house use.

A building permit may be required depending on the scope of the shop fit-out. Structural changes, alterations to essential safety measures, accessibility requirements, changes in building classification and other building work can affect whether approval is needed. Read more in our commercial building design insights.

A planning permit may be required if the project involves a change of use, external alterations, signage or other works controlled by the local planning scheme. A straightforward internal fit-out may have different requirements, so the site and proposed use should be checked first.

Potentially, but changing a residential property to commercial use can trigger planning and building requirements. Zoning, overlays, parking, access, amenity and the proposed business use should be assessed before preparing detailed plans - our commercial building design team can help with this assessment.

Not every renovation or new home requires a planning permit. Requirements depend on the property's zoning, overlays and the type and scale of the proposed development. Checking these controls early can prevent unnecessary design changes and approval delays later - see our tips on getting a planning permit approved faster.

The timeframe varies depending on the project's complexity, planning requirements, consultant input and council assessment. Straightforward projects may progress relatively quickly, while developments requiring planning approval, design revisions or additional reports can take several months or longer.

Yes. Existing plans, sketches and ideas can provide a useful starting point for a building designer. They will generally review and develop the information further to ensure the proposed design addresses current site conditions, planning controls and applicable building requirements.

The right option depends on your existing home's condition, planning constraints, project goals, budget and desired outcome. A feasibility assessment can compare renovation and rebuilding options before you commit to detailed design or construction. Our custom home design checklist can also help you weigh up what matters most.

Building designer fees vary depending on the size and complexity of the project, the level of design required and the scope of documentation and approval assistance. Defining your project requirements first allows a building designer to provide a more accurate fee proposal.

Look for relevant project experience, a strong portfolio, clear communication and an understanding of Melbourne's planning and building requirements. You should also check exactly what services are included, from initial concept design through to documentation and approvals. Reading client testimonials can also give you a sense of what it's like to work with a studio.

Yes, depending on their scope of services. A building designer can prepare drawings and documentation required for planning applications and coordinate with relevant consultants to help guide the project through the approval process. It often starts with the essential steps of an architectural site analysis.

Start with your project goals, approximate budget, preferred spaces, design ideas and any existing property documents you have. You do not need to have everything resolved before your first meeting, as site constraints and approval requirements can be investigated during the early design stages.