What’s the difference between a draftsperson, building designer and architect?
The roles often overlap, and no one option is automatically right for every project. Generally, a draftsperson focuses on drawings and documentation, while building designers and architects may guide a project from the early ideas through design and approval. Qualifications, licensing, experience, services and fees can vary considerably.
Choose someone whose experience suits your project, whose work you like, and whom you trust and get along with. You’ll spend a fair bit of time working together, and the right relationship can make the entire design process less overwhelming and more enjoyable.
What areas do you work in?
Wakana Design Co is based on the Atherton Tablelands and works across Cairns and the Tablelands, including coastal areas from Port Douglas and Mossman to Mission Beach.
I particularly love working on rural and coastal homes, where the climate, landscape and way of living play a big part in the design. I also consider selected projects further afield when they’re a good fit.
How much does a building designer cost?
As a starting point, allow around 2.5–5% of the estimated construction cost for building design. For a $500,000 build, that’s approximately $12,500–$25,000.
Fees vary depending on the project’s size, complexity, site constraints, approvals and level of documentation required. Renovations and complex sites may fall outside this range. You’ll receive a clear fee proposal before work begins, with consultant and approval costs identified separately.
What are the benefits of a custom-designed home?
A custom home is shaped around your site, climate, lifestyle and priorities rather than asking you to fit your life into a standard plan. It can make better use of views and breezes, improve comfort and flow, reduce wasted space and direct your budget towards what matters most.
Having your plans prepared independently by a building designer also allows you to take them to at least three builders for comparable quotes. You can choose the builder who best suits your project instead of being locked in from the beginning.
Custom doesn’t have to mean bigger or extravagant. It simply means the home has been thoughtfully designed for the people who will live there.
Do I need a site survey?
Most new homes, extensions and projects that change the building footprint or site will need an up-to-date contour and detail survey before design begins. It records the site levels, existing buildings and important features so the design is based on accurate information.
A boundary identification survey may also be needed if the proposed work is close to a boundary or its location is uncertain. Internal renovations may not require a survey. I’ll let you know what is needed and can check whether an existing survey is suitable.
Can you help with approvals?
Yes. I’ll help identify the approvals your project is likely to need and prepare the required design drawings and documentation. I can also coordinate with building certifiers, council, town planners and other consultants where required.
Approvals are ultimately issued by the relevant authority, but I’ll guide you through the process and keep you informed along the way.
What is climate-responsive home design?
Climate-responsive design works with the conditions of your site, including the sun, breezes, shade, rainfall and seasonal changes, rather than fighting against them.
In the Cairns climate, this often means thoughtful orientation, good cross-ventilation, generous shade, protected outdoor areas and materials suited to heat, humidity and heavy rain. The result is a more comfortable, practical and energy-efficient home year-round.
What should I know before buying a block of land?
A beautiful block can still be difficult or expensive to build on. Before buying, check the zoning and overlays, easements, access, slope, drainage and flooding, bushfire risk, soil conditions, vegetation, available services and wastewater requirements.
These factors can affect what and where you can build, the approvals required and the overall construction cost. I review them at the beginning of every project and can also assess a potential block before you commit to buying.
Is it better to renovate or rebuild?
It depends on the condition of the existing home, how much needs to change, your budget and what is worth keeping. Renovating can make sense when the structure is sound and the home has character or useful features to retain.
Rebuilding may be more practical when major repairs or structural changes are needed, or when the existing layout and orientation would heavily compromise the result. I can help assess both options before you commit to a direction.
Can you design homes for sloping blocks?
Yes. Sloping blocks can create beautiful homes, but the design needs to respond carefully to the contours, access, drainage, views, structure and construction cost.
Where practical, I look for ways to step the home with the land and reduce unnecessary excavation, retaining and cut and fill. An accurate contour survey and early input from engineers or other consultants may also be required.
What approvals will I need, and can you help?
A new home will need building approval before construction begins. Depending on the property and design, you may also need planning approval, a siting variation, plumbing and drainage approval, on-site wastewater approval or supporting documentation from engineers and other consultants.
I review the site requirements early, identify the likely approvals and coordinate with the relevant certifier, council and consultants throughout the process.