Design Feasibility

Explore ideas and costs before diving in

New Farm House

Not sure what to build? Worried about the cost? Wondering if your house has ‘good bones’? Our Design Feasibility service is a fixed-fee, low-commitment way to explore what’s possible without locking yourself into a full architectural service. Think of it as dipping your toe into the process. It’s ideal for people who are curious, cautious or just need more clarity before making big decisions.

Why it’s useful

Traditionally, working with an architect means committing upfront to an unknown scope, fee and process. That can feel risky when you’re starting out. Design Feasibility is a practical, insightful first step – one we believe more people should have access to.

Our Design Feasibility gives you the chance to understand your site and its opportunities, see how far your budget might go, and compare minimum versus maximum design approaches, balancing your needs, wants and budget. It’s also an opportunity to learn how we work, without long-term obligation, and to develop a strong conceptional framework for the project and integrated cost analysis from which to plan and proceed with confidence.

What’s included

We’ll explore your site, your needs and your potential design directions through a series of clear, guided steps:

  1. Site Visit: We’ll visit your home, measure existing conditions and assess site opportunities (or review sites for new builds).

  2. Home Workshop: A two-to-three-hour discovery session to understand how you live and what matters most.

  3. Return Brief: A written summary capturing your vision, priorities, budget and timing.

  4. Design Options: We’ll present two distinct floor plan concepts:

    • A minimum option that considers how the biggest issues can be solved for the smallest amount of work on site and cost.

    • A maximum option that explores the full potential of the site and your brief.

  5. Cost Estimate: We’ll organise a third-party preliminary cost estimate for your preferred design (consultant fee applies).

You’ll walk away with basic floor plans, insights and early costing to help you make informed decisions about scope, timing, investment and next steps.

Contact us to provide a fixed quote for this service. For most projects, the fee will range from $10k – $20k, depending on size and complexity.

Who it’s best for

We recommend our Design Feasibility service for anyone considering a home renovation or build. We believe it’s particularly valuable if you’re:

  • Unsure about whether to renovate or build new

  • Needing clarity on cost and value before committing to design fees

  • Evaluating the potential (and cost) of your project

  • Wanting to learn more about working with an architect and the architectural process

Modern kitchen with white countertops, wooden cabinets, a sink with a faucet, and a large window letting in natural light.
A minimalist bedroom with a wooden bed, dark green sheet, gray pillows, a built-in window with a roller shade, and a small wooden nightstand with a potted plant.

Stradbroke House, a holiday home that celebrates the nostalgia of camping.

  • Fiona

    “And whilst there was some sadness about letting go of some of the very,very cool things that were part of that design, what it actually resulted in was a more clever solution to quite a lot of the things we were trying to achieve in the brief.”

Explore our other services

  • Site Visit

    A first meeting to understand your project’s opportunities and potential.

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  • Home Workshop

    The most important conversation you'll have about your home.

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  • Full Architectural Service

    Every step from first ideas to final handover.

    →

  • Interior Design

    Reimagine your interiors for how you want to live and feel.

    →
Tim Bennetton Architects residential project — a modern white home surrounded by native Australian bush and eucalyptus trees.

Explore ideas and possibilities

Interested in this service? Get in touch today to find out more about our Design Feasibility service.

Contact us