At Etch Design we create thoughtfully planned residential homes and renovations that blend relaxed modern Australian style with smart, functional layouts - from initial concept sketches and personalised design development through to comprehensive construction documentation and council approvals. Our services include custom home design, renovation and extension plans, space-planning and 3D visualisations, all tailored to suit your lifestyle, site and budget. We partner closely with homeowners, builders and consultants to ensure buildability, energy-efficient solutions and attention to detail.

Because every home and brief is unique, we don’t offer fixed prices. Our fees are tailored to the scope, complexity and scale of each job. Factors such as site constraints, existing documentation, development scale, council requirements and your design preferences all influence cost.

To give you a clear idea up front, we:

• discuss your goals and budget in an initial discovery meeting,

• provide a transparent fee proposal based on the agreed scope,

• outline what’s included (documentation, revisions and council submissions where applicable),

• and confirm any additional expenses (consultants, engineering, specialist reports or submission fees).

If you’d like an indicative range for a project of similar scale, tell us a few details about your property and goals and we’ll prepare a tailored fee proposal.

Essential consultants

• Structural engineer — required for any new build, major renovation or significant structural alteration to ensure foundations, beams, lintels and load paths are safe and compliant.

• Energy assessor ( NatHERS or equivalent) — required in all submissions to demonstrate compliance with energy, water and thermal comfort targets.

• Surveyor — site survey for accurate levels, boundaries, easements and existing structures; essential for siting the design and for council approvals.

• Geotechnical engineer/soil report — informs footing and foundation design where soil conditions or slope require it.

• Certifier — ensures all plans are compliant with relevant policies, codes and standards. Certification also expedites the BA submission timeframe.

Conditional consultants

• Landscape designer — for detailed planting plans, external hardscape and outdoor amenity where the landscape is integral to the design.

• Acoustic consultant — for projects near roads, airports, commercial uses or where specific acoustic standards are required.

• Bushfire consultant (BAL assessor) — for properties in bushfire-prone areas to determine BAL ratings and mitigation measures.

• Town planning consultant — useful for complex planning issues, rezoning, variances or developments with discretionary consent requirements.

• Heritage consultant — when working with or adjacent to heritage-listed items to prepare conservation reports and heritage impact statements..

If you’re unsure which consultants your project needs, we can review your site and scope and recommend the right team to support your architectural drawings and council approvals.