How I Work
How I Work
Design by C’s sustainable building process
Imagine | create | build
Discuss your brief – meet and imagine
You talk, I listen, with my designer's mind on and my builder's brain in gear.
Describe your dream build.
- Give me the big picture then I'll ask a zillion questions to tease out the tiny details
- Tell me how you plan to live, work, play in and share the space
- How will your home, office, retail, or other space look and feel for you and everyone else?
- How will it sit in its surroundings?
- What's your budget?
Great design starts with great conversation.
Dozens of Designed by C's projects kick off with coffee, cake and a sketch pad.
Develop your brief – envisage your build
I prepare a deeply researched project proposal to create your ideal build within your budget and without costing the earth.
Your proposal includes:
- Site survey and analysis results that could influence the design and cost of your build
- Climate considerations, micro and macro that help define passive solar design
- Planning policies and regulations that can impact what's possible
- Preliminary sketches to show you the shape and style of your space
- Recommendations for building materials, fittings, and furniture, so your budget stays front and centre from the start
The proposal lays the groundwork for making the optimal match between what you'd love to build, where you're building and what the regulations say.
The 'Designed by C' difference
I challenge conventional concepts to change 'seems impossible' into 'absolutely doable'.
Accept your proposal and pay 20% of your project fee, and your project is locked into my workflow.
Creating your design – see your build in 3D
You get virtually real views of your build
- 3D images of the exterior and interior elevations show you the exact structure and look of your proposed build.
- 3D plans are so detailed that you can see every feature
3D rendering presents your design in virtual reality. Its clarity and completeness make it easy to alter anything on your plan.
I prepare your drawings for planning approval
I prepare the schematic drawings and dimensioned plans and elevations required to streamline your building application. These drawings show that your design conforms to:
- Local government zoning and building use rules
- Plot ratio, boundary setbacks and height restrictions
- Ingress and egress and parking regulations
- National Construction Code (NCC) and relevant Australian Standards
Get planning approval
I can also:
- Submit drawings and applications on your behalf and field any planning enquiries
- Coordinate and collate the structural and building services information needed to prepare your contract documentation
Contract documentation and tendering
Putting your build to tender can be stressful.
My Tender Package takes the headache out of getting your building permit and at least three builder's quotes.
It contains:
- Architectural plans
- Feature survey
- Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessment
- Energy assessment
- Interior design and specifications documentation
- Civil and structural engineering reports
- Building surveying documentation
- Tender form and builder quote breakdown list
I draw on my long and varied industry experience and excellent negotiating skills to find you the most competitive and competent building quote.
I specialise in:
- Quantifying 'unknown' costs like earthworks to help reduce provisional payments and agree fixed lump sums where possible
- Fixing timelines to suit both parties and negotiating damages payable by the builder if practical completion exceeds the agreed date
Efficient, effortless tendering
In over fifteen years in the industry, I've streamlined tender management and built solid relationships with many of the southwest's most trusted builders.
Project management by request
I protect your interests and your peace of mind from sign up to hand over. I'll act on your behalf to:
- Manage building contract conditions and signing
- Inspect your site regularly, coordinate the build, resolve any issues, and verify progress
- Issue progress payment certificates before each set payment
- Approve all variations and negotiate fair fees
- Issue a practical completion certificate with a detailed defect list
NOTE: The builder must rectify any defects within the defect liability period (usually 12 months) - Verify rectifications at the end of the defect liability period
- Issue final certificate and release bond (if applicable)
Personable, practical, and meticulous
I run smooth, strictly quality controlled projects that respect your design integrity and budget.
“
‘My experience throughout the build was fantastic. Ciaran was totally professional and very personable. It was a delight to work with him on this project.
Ciaran made frequent and very thorough site visits. Flaws were quickly picked up and rectified without hesitation.’
Maryanne – contented renovated homeowner
1. Discuss your brief – meet and imagine
You talk, I listen, with my designer’s mind on and my builder’s brain in gear.
Describe your dream build.
- Give me the big picture then I’ll ask a zillion questions to tease out the tiny details
- Tell me how you plan to live, work, play in and share the space
- How will your home, office, retail, or other space look and feel for you and everyone else?
- How will it sit in its surroundings?
- What’s your budget?
Great design starts with great conversation.
Dozens of Designed by C’s projects kick off with coffee, cake and a sketch pad.
2. Develop your brief – envisage your build
I prepare a deeply researched project proposal to create your ideal build within your budget and without costing the earth.
Your proposal includes:
- Site survey and analysis results that could influence the design and cost of your build
- Climate considerations, micro and macro that help define passive solar design
- Planning policies and regulations that can impact what’s possible
- Preliminary sketches to show you the shape and style of your space
- Recommendations for building materials, fittings, and furniture, so your budget stays front and centre from the start
The proposal lays the groundwork for making the optimal match between what you’d love to build, where you’re building and what the regulations say.
The ‘Designed by C’ difference
I challenge conventional concepts to change ‘seems impossible’ into ‘absolutely doable’.
Accept your proposal and pay 20% of your project fee, and your project is locked into my workflow.
3. Creating your design – see your build in 3D
You get virtually real views of your build
- 3D images of the exterior and interior elevations show you the exact structure and look of your proposed build.
- 3D plans are so detailed that you can see every feature
3D rendering presents your design in virtual reality. Its clarity and completeness make it easy to alter anything on your plan.
I prepare your drawings for planning approval
I prepare the schematic drawings and dimensioned plans and elevations required to streamline your building application. These drawings show that your design conforms to:
- Local government zoning and building use rules
- Plot ratio, boundary setbacks and height restrictions
- Ingress and egress and parking regulations
- National Construction Code (NCC) and relevant Australian Standards
Get planning approval
I can also:
- Submit drawings and applications on your behalf and field any planning enquiries
- Coordinate and collate the structural and building services information needed to prepare your contract documentation
4. Contract documentation and tendering
Putting your build to tender can be stressful.
My Tender Package takes the headache out of getting your building permit and at least three builder’s quotes.
It contains:
- Architectural plans
- Feature survey
- Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessment
- Energy assessment
- Interior design and specifications documentation
- Civil and structural engineering reports
- Building surveying documentation
- Tender form and builder quote breakdown list
I draw on my long and varied industry experience and excellent negotiating skills to find you the most competitive and competent building quote.
I specialise in:
- Quantifying ‘unknown’ costs like earthworks to help reduce provisional payments and agree fixed lump sums where possible
- Fixing timelines to suit both parties and negotiating damages payable by the builder if practical completion exceeds the agreed date
Efficient, effortless tendering
In over fifteen years in the industry, I’ve streamlined tender management and built solid relationships with many of the southwest’s most trusted builders.
5.Project management by request
I protect your interests and your peace of mind from sign up to hand over. I’ll act on your behalf to:
- Manage building contract conditions and signing
- Inspect your site regularly, coordinate the build, resolve any issues, and verify progress
- Issue progress payment certificates before each set payment
- Approve all variations and negotiate fair fees
- Issue a practical completion certificate with a detailed defect list
NOTE: The builder must rectify any defects within the defect liability period (usually 12 months) - Verify rectifications at the end of the defect liability period
- Issue final certificate and release bond (if applicable)
Personable, practical, and meticulous
I run smooth, strictly quality controlled projects that respect your design integrity and budget.
“
‘My experience throughout the build was fantastic. Ciaran was totally professional and very personable. It was a delight to work with him on this project.
Ciaran made frequent and very thorough site visits. Flaws were quickly picked up and rectified without hesitation.’
Maryanne – contented renovated homeowner
Superb, sustainable building design
Impeccable project management
Want this for your home or commercial build?
A solar passive design and project management service for people who want to live lightly and do the planet a favour.
