The questions people ask before they build.
Plain English, no jargon, written by a registered NSW Design Practitioner. New answers are added as the questions come in.
DA or CDC? How to tell which approval your Sydney project needs
The plain-English difference between a development application and complying development, and how to tell which one applies to your property.
Unauthorised worksUnapproved work: what a Building Information Certificate actually does
If your house has work that was never approved, a Building Information Certificate is usually the way to fix it. Here is what it does, what it does not do, and what council will want to see.
Group homes & SDAGroup homes and supported accommodation: what changed in 2025
The NSW housing rules for group homes changed in September 2025. For operators and investors, converting a house is now materially easier — and the design still has to be declared by a registered practitioner.
DuplexesDuplex or dual occupancy on your block: the five things that decide it
Whether your Sydney block can take a duplex comes down to five checks. Here they are, in the order we run them.
Property RehearsalRenovate, extend or rebuild? How to compare the options for your Sydney property
One property, three possible futures. How to compare improving, extending or rebuilding on the same questions before you pay for detailed design.