sketch design

stage 0 - feasibility + sketch design

see clear design options, understand cost direction, and decide what’s next.

Fixed fee. Clear next steps. No obligation to continue.

sketch Design exists to remove confusion, helping you see clear options, understand trade-offs, and make confident decisions at the right time.

Sketch Design exists to remove early confusion, helping you see clear options, understand trade-offs, and make confident decisions at the right time.

You’ll see real options, compare them side by side, and gain clarity around design direction and budget range, so you can decide how to proceed.

you’ll be guided through the next step to book, pay, or ask a question – no obligation to proceed beyond stage 0.

who sketch design is for

sketch Design is ideal if you:

Have a site, ready to explore design options
Are considering a renovation or addition
Want to test layouts to understand needs versus wants and what’s possible
Need early guidance on how design decisions influence cost
Need a clear design direction to align decision-makers before moving forward

Not ready to explore design yet?

Project Possibilities is the other Stage 0 pathway, focused on site and planning feasibility to help you decide your next step.

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what you get

Stage 0 is designed to explore options visually, test direction, and establish early cost understanding before moving into detailed design.

Review of site conditions and constraints as required for design
Initial design brief development, including a needs vs wants framework
Site measure for renovations and existing buildings
Two sketch design options (floor plans only), each with indicative cost ranges
Collaborative review to confirm a preferred design direction
Pre-Build Feasibility for the selected option, outlining estimated costs for:
- design and consultant fees
- relevant authority and approval fees
- site services and site works costs
- build or renovation cost range

Sketch Design focuses on layout, form, and early decision-making, using floor plan layouts as the primary design tool. External elevations, 3D views, and detailed documentation are completed in later stages.

needs vs wants — how sketch design works

Needs are the minimum requirements your project must meet to function well, layout, rooms, connections, and essential spaces.

Wants are aspirational additions, features you’d like to include if budget allows, such as a gym, additional rooms, or higher-end elements.

As part of Sketch Design, we use this framework to create two sketch design options:

Option 1 — Needs-led
Focused on your core requirements, incorporating selected wants where possible to remain more budget-conscious.
Option 2 — Wants-led
Explores your broader wish list, helping you understand how aspirational choices affect layout, size, and cost.

Seeing both options side by side helps visualise trade-offs and establish realistic cost ranges before committing further.

builder collaboration

Sketch Design is a collaborative Stage 0 service that brings design and construction thinking together early. Early builder involvement helps test design decisions against real-world construction considerations, improving feasibility, buildability, and early cost alignment before committing further.

If a builder is already involved, their participation is welcomed during this stage to inform cost understanding and feasibility as the design direction develops.

If no builder has been selected yet, we can assist with identifying suitable builders and facilitating early conversations to support feasibility and next-step planning. This support is optional and discussed during the process.

what this helps you achieve

By the end of Sketch Design (Stage 0), you’ll have:

Clear visual options tested through a needs vs wants framework
Early collaboration between designer and builder to improve buildability and cost alignment
A clear understanding of how layout, size, and form influence cost
Alignment between your brief and your budget
A defined design direction to move forward with, whether that’s selecting, refining, or combining ideas
A Pre-Build Feasibility showing indicative total project costs
Confidence in what the most appropriate next step should be

For some clients, the outcome is confirming that a particular option — or even the project itself — isn’t the right fit. That clarity is still a successful result, as it avoids committing time, money, or energy to the wrong path.

Next steps

These steps outline what happens once you decide to proceed with sketch design.

Start online

Book and pay securely online to begin Sketch Design. or organise a short discovery call to talk through next steps.

We get in touch

We’ll contact you to confirm details and organise a site visit at a suitable time.

Site visit & brief exploration

We attend the site with you (or you can join virtually), explore your brief using a needs vs wants framework, and complete site measures where required.

Sketch development

Two sketch design options are prepared, each with indicative cost ranges to support comparison along with initial planning investigations.

Review & direction setting

Options are reviewed together and a preferred direction is identified.

Final sketch & pre-build feasibility

A refined sketch design is completed, followed by a Pre-Build Feasibility outlining total estimated project costs and next steps.

Pricing

Sketch Design is offered as a fixed-fee Stage 0 service, with pricing based on the total floor area of the proposed works. This applies whether the project is a new build, renovation, or addition.

Sketch Design pricing (incl. GST)

Up to 120 m² — $4,915
120–200 m² — $6,380
200–300 m² — $7,260
300 m²+ — $9,900

Pricing applies to sites within 90 minutes of our office locations. The final pricing tier is confirmed during booking, with any future design or documentation stages quoted separately.

Availability is limited to ensure each project receives appropriate time and attention.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to complete Project Possibilities before Sketch Design?

No. Both are Stage 0 services suited to different starting points. Project Possibilities is for pre-purchase or very early feasibility, while Sketch Design is typically the right starting point once you have a site and are ready to explore design options.

Does Sketch Design include planning considerations?

Sketch Design includes early planning considerations to inform layout and feasibility. Planning requirements can evolve, and additional constraints may emerge as the project progresses. Formal documentation and approvals are completed in later stages.

Does Sketch Design include detailed drawings or approvals?

No. Sketch Design focuses on early layout exploration and direction-setting only.
Detailed documentation, elevations, 3D views, and consultant coordination are completed in subsequent stages once a clear direction is established.

Is Sketch Design suitable for renovations?

Yes. Sketch Design is particularly valuable for renovations and additions, where testing layout options early helps clarify priorities, constraints, and cost implications before committing further.

What if the project size or scope changes during Sketch Design?

Sketch Design pricing is based on the project size selected at booking, which is used to allocate scope and resources for this stage.

If the project grows beyond the selected size range, pricing will be adjusted and discussed with you before proceeding. Additional changes beyond the included scope can be accommodated and billed at an hourly rate, with approval before proceeding.

What clients say

“Seeing two layout options side by side helped us understand what was actually possible and how different choices affected cost. We had so many ideas for our renovation, and this process helped us narrow things down and find a clear direction without feeling pressured to make a full commitment to design.”

Renovation project

“We weren’t sure what direction to take and didn’t want to commit too early. Seeing the options laid out helped us understand what was achievable and make a clear decision before moving further into design.”

Residential project

“We had never designed or built before and honestly didn’t know what the process looked like. This gave us the confidence to choose a path forward knowing we’d properly explored our options. Even before committing to further design, we had a solid understanding of what was achievable.”

First-time design client

Ready to explore your options?