INTERIOR DESIGN FOR SYDNEY'S NORTHERN BEACHES, MOSMAN AND EASTERN SUBURBS
Q&A
Whether you are planning a kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation or needing a complete home redesign, working with an interior designer might be a new experience. We've outlined the practical details to help you understand what to expect when working together.
IF YOU HAVE OTHER BURNING QUESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL US AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP.
HOW MUCH DOES AN INTERIOR DESIGNER COST?
Every project starts with an initial consultation in your home. This working meeting offers immediate feedback and practical action points. We’ll explore how you use your space, your vision, floor plans, potential structural changes, finishes and inclusions. We’ll also discuss your budget, timeline and how we work, establishing a design direction and the next steps. The consultation fee is $600+gst. Following our meeting, we’ll provide a Scope of Works and an Estimate of Fees tailored to your brief. Every project is different, but as a guide, allow 10–15% of your estimated build cost for design fees, with bathroom design starting at $5,000 and kitchen design at $10,000.
Find out more about our services here.
HOW ARE YOUR FEES STRUCTURED?
Our fees are invoiced upfront at each stage of a project. An estimate of fees is provided for your specific project with a payment being made at the start of the Concept, Design Development and Documentation stages.
Fees for design support services including procurement, site meetings, showroom visits and design management during construction and variations are calculated at an hourly rate and invoiced in advance in 10 or 20 hour blocks.
HOW LONG DOES THE DESIGN PROCESS TAKE FOR A HOME RENOVATION?
Depending on the scope of your project, the design stage will typically vary from 8 weeks for a single room to over 18 weeks for a house. This includes the initial consultation, design concept, design development and documentation as well as sourcing of materials and furnishings. To ensure ample time to achieve the best results, plan for our initial meeting around 3-6 months ahead of construction starting.
DO I NEED A DA FOR MY RENOVATION?
Kitchen or bathroom renovations to an existing house can usually be carried out without a CDC or DA, provided they meet NSW’s exempt development requirements. However, structural alterations, new or enlarged external doors and windows, extensions and changes to the home’s height or footprint will generally require approval.
For outdoor improvements such as carports, decks, BBQ areas, pools and pergolas, there are specific requirements including maximum dimensions and distances from boundaries. If your project does not fall within the strict exempt development criteria, you’ll need a CDC where eligible, or full DA.
Apartment renovations involve additional checks and approvals. Depending on the scope, you may need owners corporation approval, a renovation by-law and planning approval. Structural alterations and external changes will require a DA however kitchen and bathroom renovations that uphold the existing layout are usually exempt from planning approval.
CAN YOU HELP ME FIND A BUILDER FOR MY RENOVATION?
We can recommend builders for projects on the Northern Beaches, Mosman, and the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. But we are also happy to work with your builder of choice. Renovations can be complex and stressful so it's critical that the builder you engage not only delivers an excellent outcome but also fosters a good consultative relationship and open communication with all parties involved.
WHAT IS DESIGN MANAGEMENT, AND WHO MANAGES THE BUILD?
Once a builder is appointed, they are responsible for delivering the project as documented and within the agreed time frame stated in their contract. They project manage and oversee all trades.
We design manage the project, working closely with the trades and builder to ensure the design integrity and quality is upheld, addressing any variations and providing any additional information during construction. We make regular site visits as the project progresses to ensure design expectations are being met and you are being kept across progress at every stage.
WHAT DESIGN DRAWINGS AND DOCUMENTATION DO YOU PROVIDE?
We provide all floor plans and elevations for your kitchen, bathrooms and joinery designs. We also provide lighting and electrical plans. You will receive 3D renders of key areas to help you visualise the space as well as floorplans to show furniture placement.
In addition, we provide detailed specification schedules for all finishes, fixtures, fittings and colours. Our goal is to ensure everything is taken care of, ready to hand over to the trades to get started.
Changes to the building envelope or complex internal structural reworkings would require a building designer, engineer or architect to provide construction drawings and the necessary council permits, which we can assist with.
WHEN SHOULD I ENGAGE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER FOR MY RENOVATION?
Ideally, before your plans are finalised or you seek quotes from builders. The earlier we’re involved, the more opportunity we have to unlock your home’s potential and shape how the spaces work together.
We look at the whole picture - how you live, what needs to change and where thoughtful space planning can make the biggest difference. This establishes the design direction and helps define what your builder needs to price, reducing the likelihood of costly changes once work begins.
You don’t need a resolved brief to get started. Exploring what’s possible is part of what we do. If you'd like to have an initial discussion to see if Designstory is the right fit for you, get in touch here.
HOW SHOULD WE COMMUNICATE?
Scheduled phone calls, meetings and emails allow us to keep a record of all the critical details for your project. We discourage text messaging as it is not a reliable way to keep track of important information.
Our normal hours are Monday-Friday 9am-5:30pm. However we understand that flexibiity is important for our busy clients and can make additional arrangements that work for both parties.
ARE YOU AN INTERIOR DESIGNER IN SYDNEY?
Designstory provides full service interior design for home renovations across Sydney, but more specifically:
NORTHERN BEACHES: Manly, Balgowlah, Balgowlah Heights, Seaforth, Fairlight, Freshwater, North Curl Curl, Collaroy, Newport, Frenchs Forest and Belrose.
MOSMAN & LOWER NORTH SHORE: Mosman, Balmoral, Cremorne, Cremorne Point, Neutral Bay, Clifton Gardens and Northbridge.
SYDNEY'S EASTERN SUBURBS: Woollahra, Paddington, Edgecliff, Queens Park, Centennial Park, Bellevue Hill, Rose Bay, Bondi, Bondi Junction, Bronte, Coogee, Waverley and Randwick.