Find a Local Development Approval Architects Near You

How Can Architects Help with Development Approvals?

• Better Understanding Of Approval: Development Approval Architects can help make this process much smoother. These professionals understand the legal requirements affecting the local council, town planning, and state or federal necessities such as the energy codes and conservation of heritage buildings.


• Local Council Regulations: They know local council laws. They prepare development approval documents in compliance with the law. This results in the approval of a project.


• Town Planning Issues: The town planning process comes with challenges of many types of approvals. Factors like zoning regulation, land use regulation, and various effects on the community may pose a challenge to approval. These nuances are well-known to architects who focus on obtaining development approvals.


• State and Federal Requirements: Energy efficiency and work with heritage buildings are often issues at the state and federal levels. Development Approval Architects can deal with these requirements easily. You can hire those who have worked previously on heritage and conservation projects.


• Documentation: Another common problem is the availability and submission of relevant forms and paperwork. Development Approval Architects can prepare and produce specific drawings and documents including street or property impact which are common for approval.


• Changes And Updates: They can help with changes that lead to easy project approval. These changes can then be deliberated with the clients by the architects to meet both the council regulations and the client’s expectations.

Post your work to hire qualified, licensed, registered, and insured architects to work on your project. Ensure that the architect has a good network with the council and other authorities to ensure proper understanding and meeting of the set standards.

Questions to Ask a Development Approval Architect

• Do you have a license, registration, and insurance for your business?


• Can you give me a written quote?


• What ongoing programmes do you have?


• Can I get some samples of your previous work?


• Who will oversee the work?


• What deposit is required?


• Are there any terms for progress payments?


• What is the duration of the project?


• When can you start?


• Who cleans up the site once the construction is complete?

How Much Does A Development Approval Architect Cost?

The cost of hiring a development approval architect depends on the type and size of the project. The fees that architects charge are a percentage of the cost of the building. It depends on the percentage scale suggested by the Australian Institute of Architects. Although not mandatory, this scale is an approximate benchmark for architectural fee calculation.

Factors Affecting Costs:

• Project Complexity: This means that the fees that an architect will charge depend on the difficulty of the project. Projects of higher complexity or those larger in scale may be more costly than others.


• Level of Involvement: Those involved starting from the design phase to the construction phase may be paid relatively higher fees.


• Type of Project: The type of construction, especially the custom home design or the project home type, also affects the cost.

Breakdown of Costs:

• Schematic Design: Usually ranges from 10-15% of the total expense.


• Developed Sketch Plans: Another 15% for planning permits.


• Construction Documentation: The building permits take approximately 40% of the total cost.


• Pricing Negotiation: About 2.5% for negotiating works pricing.


• Construction Guidance: The remaining 27.5% is for supervision during construction.

When dealing with architects, it is critically important to explain in detail what needs to be done to avoid extra costs not reflected in the quote. You can get accurate quotes from architects by sharing the proper development approval details.