Design Process

At Altitude Design & Construction, we specialise in large-scale renovations that completely transform existing homes. Whether you’re modernising a dated layout, extending for more space, or reconfiguring your home to better suit your lifestyle, our proven five-stage design process ensures a smooth and transparent journey from concept to construction.

Whole-home renovations require careful planning, clear communication, and a deep understanding of how to blend new ideas with existing structures. Our experienced team works closely with you at every stage — ensuring your vision is brought to life with creativity, practicality, and attention to detail.

Below, we outline our comprehensive five-stage renovation design process, tailored specifically for major residential renovations.

Stage 1: Concept Design + Price Estimate

The first step in our process is all about understanding your goals, exploring design ideas, and aligning your vision with your budget. During the Concept Design stage, we work with you to create a high-level layout of your renovated home — considering flow, functionality, and the potential of your existing structure.

What sets this stage apart is that we include a preliminary price estimate alongside the concept plans. This gives you a realistic understanding of what your renovation could cost before progressing any further.

Too often, we see homeowners invest in fully detailed designs, only to discover later that the project exceeds their budget. Our approach avoids that pitfall by ensuring early alignment between your design aspirations and financial expectations — saving time, money, and frustration down the track.

Stage 2: Final Design + Complete Plans

Once the concept design is approved and aligned with your budget, we move into the Final Design stage. Here, your renovation plans are developed in full detail — transforming initial ideas into a comprehensive set of working drawings.

This stage includes precise floor plans, elevations, sections, and any necessary structural modifications. We also refine the layout to suit your lifestyle, enhance functionality, and maximise the potential of your home. All key design decisions are locked in, ensuring everything is ready for the next phase of documentation and approvals.

By the end of this stage, you’ll have a complete and build-ready design package that clearly outlines the scope of your renovation — providing clarity for both the approvals process and construction team.

Stage 3:Interior & Exterior Design Schedule

With the final plans in place, Stage 3 focuses on the finer details that bring your renovation to life — from finishes and fixtures to colours and materials. We work with you to create a full interior and exterior design schedule that covers every element of your home, including flooring, cabinetry, lighting, tapware, cladding, paint colours, and more.

This stage ensures that every design decision is made, documented, and approved before construction begins. It not only allows you to visualise the final outcome but also gives us the information needed to provide a detailed and accurate final price estimate.

By having all selections finalised ahead of time, we streamline the construction process, minimise delays, and reduce the risk of last-minute changes. Everything is organised to the tee — setting your renovation up for a smooth, efficient build from day one.

Stage 4: Council Approvals & Documentation

Navigating council approvals can be one of the most complex and time-consuming parts of any major renovation — but with Altitude Design & Construction, you’re in capable hands. In Stage 4, we take care of all required documentation, applications, and submissions needed to gain approval for your renovation.

From development applications (DA) or complying development certificates (CDC), to engineering reports, BASIX, and other compliance requirements, we manage the entire process on your behalf. Our extensive experience working with local councils means we understand what’s needed and how to avoid common delays or setbacks.

We know this part of the journey can feel overwhelming, which is why our goal is to make it as stress-free as possible — keeping you informed while handling the paperwork, coordination, and communication required to get your project over the line and ready for construction.

Stage 5: Quote & Construction Contract

With all designs finalised and approvals in place, Stage 5 is where we prepare your detailed construction quote and contract. Using the complete design plans and schedules, we provide a fixed-price quote that outlines the full scope of work — no guesswork, no hidden surprises.

Once you're happy with the quote, we prepare the construction contract, clearly detailing timelines, inclusions, and payment milestones. This contract gives you peace of mind, knowing exactly what to expect throughout the build.