We work with homeowners, builders, developers – anyone who needs designs created from scratch, help refining a conceptual design, and/or professional, construction-ready plans drawn up.

If you are ready to get the ball rolling on your project, the first step is easy - contact us! You can do so via our website contact form, direct email -admin@strathpinedesign.com.au, or call us on 07 3881 2033. We can discuss your specific needs and then put together a quote.

Some of the most important things to think about or make decisions on before meeting with us to discuss your project include: your personal likes/dislikes; your budget limitations/expectations; the specifics of your project - project site/location, size, layout, functionality, aesthetic appeal; and the overall goal/aims of the project to ensure you and your family are satisfied with the end result!

Yes, we are licenced medium-rise building designers. This allows us to work on a vast array of residential and commercial projects of all sizes -from small decks and carports, patios, additions, and new homes, through to large-scale commercial and industrial developments, including office and retail spaces, childcare or medical centres, and townhouse complexes.

Of course! This is where you are rewarded and reassured by engaging the services of an experienced building designer like us! Australia-wide, the new home market is dominated by mass produced "off the shelf" project homes that aren’t suitable for sloping sites, nor are they designed to suit the other unique site or climatic challenges that can arise. We are skilled in finding the perfect solution for any building site or design problem!

We customise our fees to suit a wide variety of clients and projects, and provide quotes on a job-by-job basis. The old saying time is money rings true. So if you’ve put in the hard work designing your own new home (and the design is at a standard that is workable in terms of the drafting and construction phases) then we are more than happy to provide expert advice and guidance on your design, and draft the plans. Easy!

It's a question we get asked all the time and there's not always a straightforward answer!

Before starting work on most buildings and structures, a building permit, also known as a 'building approval', 'development approval' and 'building certification' may be required.

For more helpful info on what requires a building approval, check out City of Moreton Bay's website;  Brisbane City Council's website; or contact us!

Yes we do! The council approval and certification process can be handled by us, on your behalf. This saves you the time and stress of navigating the unfamiliar (and what can seem complex) process yourself. This is an optional service so you can oversee this part yourself if you prefer!

It is official permission from your local council to use land or carry out specific building and operational work, concerned with how a project fits the area. It focuses on land use, location, and environmental impact (granted by the local council).

It is the formal legal permission required in Queensland before construction can begin on most types of building work. It focuses specifically on how a structure is designed and constructed. A BA ensures that your project complies with safe building laws, including the National Construction Code (NCC) and the Queensland Development Code (QDC). This service is often provided by a Private Building Certifier, registered with QBCC or, in some remote regional areas, the local council still employs building inspectors to undertake this role. 

It’s a formal approval from a local council in Queensland to build a structure that doesn’t meet standard property boundary and design regulations set out in a local council’s planning scheme or the state’s development code. For example, you’ll usually need a site relaxation if you plan to build a home/deck/shed too close to a side/rear boundary, a carport/garage too close to the road boundary, or a building that is higher or larger than usual limits allow.

Our initial consultation, discussing your project brief and specific needs, is usually conducted via phone or email, and is obligation-free and free of charge. After our initial consultation, we will put together a quote that is tailored to your project requirements and you can decide if you wish to proceed!

No two projects are the same, so we prepare tailored packages unique to you and your specific job requirements. Contact us for an obligation-free quote!

Our process of establishing the project requirements for your job includes providing thorough estimates for each step of the project. Whilst we can’t guarantee fixed price quotes for all jobs before having completed plans, we do provide our best estimate of fees based on the job specifics and previous similar projects we've worked on.

Timing will depend on the specifics of the project involved, for eg. the type and size of the job. It will also depend on our current workload and that of the relevant specialists that may need to be involved. We always strive to complete a job as efficiently and quickly as possible, and to communicate the expected timeframe to our clients during the quoting stage.

Located on the northside of Brisbane, we primarily service Brisbane City and the inner northern suburbs all the way up to the Sunshine Coast. With advancements in technology though, we’re sometimes able to assist with preparing plans for projects in other parts of Queensland. 

Existing house plans are not always necessary for us to produce new plans. They can be helpful in determining construction methods more accurately, however, saving us time and sometimes resulting in a discount for you!  

Our drawings are provided to you in PDF format initially, until payment has been made in full for the work completed. Once this has been received DWG files can be provided.

Builders are unlikely to provide quotes until they have plans and engineering to draft a contract, but they may offer a construction estimate based on preliminary plans. 

We have a number of builders that we know and trust after years of working together! We are happy to offer recommendations and only suggest builders we would be happy to use ourselves!

Yes! We provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ service that allows you to communicate directly with us and not have to worry about contacting multiple additional consultants. Let us make the process simple and stress-free for you!

Yes you will! We have various team members who may work on your project at times, however, you will have either Peter or Adrian assigned as your lead building designer and main point of contact from start to finish.

There are plenty of design and drafting companies out there to choose from but we are proud of the fact that we have so much experience (40+ years) and local knowledge behind us. We also have dedicated staff, some who have worked here for over 20 years now! We think these things, combined with our one-stop-shop approach and aim of making the process a simple and enjoyable one for our clients, make us the best people to help with your project!

We sure do! Please see our gallery page on our website to get an idea of the type and scale of residential and commercial projects we have worked on and can help with!

There’s no obligation to complete the process; we would only ever request payments for services provided. 

Both Architects and Building Designers can prepare designs and construction plans for residential and commercial projects. The primary differences between the two are their licensing/registration, formal qualifications, and fees.

A registered Architect holds a five-year degree and is registered with the Board of Architects of Queensland.

As Building Designers, we hold a TAFE diploma and require a Queensland Building and Construction Commission licence.

For the majority of residential and commercial projects in Queensland, we have the necessary qualifications, skills, experience and registration required, and we are typically more affordable.

Yes there is! A Draftsman focuses on the technical drawings and documentation for a project. They often work under the direction of a Designer, Builder, Architect, or Engineer. A properly licensed Building Designer’s role is often more consultative and creative. They can offer design ideas and solutions regarding the aesthetics, layout, site orientation, functionality, materials, lighting, ventilation, and flow of a project.

In Queensland, dual occupancy refers to two primary, independent residences of equal/similar scale on the one lot. The size will depend on local council zoning and building regulations. They have the potential to be subdivided and sold separately  in the future. A secondary dwelling on the other hand, includes a primary home with a smaller, subsidiary dwelling. There are usually strict council size limits (often 45m² - 100m²) and they cannot be subdivided or sold separate from the main home.