Design Science follows a structured, proven building design process that takes your project from initial idea to construction-ready plans. As a dual-licensed QBCC Builder and Building Designer, David Steadman brings construction knowledge into every design decision — so the plans you receive are not just architecturally sound, but buildable, priceable, and compliant from the start.
Every project follows the same seven steps. No surprises, no scope creep, and clear communication at every stage. Here is exactly what to expect when you work with us.
Watch: Our 7-step design process in 75 seconds
Every project begins with a paid consultation — $280, credited in full to your design fee if you proceed. This is not a sales pitch. It is a professional assessment of your project by a licensed builder and building designer.
During the consultation, I meet you at your site (or at our office for new builds without an existing structure), review your brief, discuss your budget and timeline, and assess the site constraints that will shape your design. You bring your wish list, budget range, site details or survey if you have one, and any inspiration images.
What you get in return is an honest, construction-informed assessment of feasibility. As a licensed builder, I can tell you on the spot whether your budget matches your vision — and if it does not, where the realistic adjustments are. Most clients tell me this single conversation saved them months of going down the wrong path.
Duration: approximately 1–2 hours. Book your consultation here.
Once we proceed, the first technical step is understanding your site in detail. For renovations, this means a thorough inspection of the existing building — measurements, structural assessment, services locations, and identifying any issues that need to be addressed in the design. Where greater accuracy is needed, we use 3D laser scanning through Design Science Spatial to capture the existing building with millimetre precision.
For new builds, we review the survey plan, contours, easements, and orientation. Every site has characteristics that will shape the design — prevailing breezes, solar access, neighbouring buildings, vehicle access, and drainage patterns.
We also conduct council research at this stage: checking the Gold Coast City Council planning scheme for applicable overlays (flood, bushfire, character, coastal), setback requirements, site coverage limits, and any other planning controls that will affect what we can design. This research prevents surprises later in the process.
Typically completed within one week of the initial consultation.
This is where your project starts to take shape. Using the site assessment data and your brief, we develop initial design concepts in Revit — our 3D digital modelling software. You receive preliminary floor plans and basic 3D views showing how the spaces relate to each other and the site.
For custom home designs, we typically explore two to three layout options so you can compare approaches. For renovations, the concept focuses on how the new work integrates with the existing structure.
This is a collaborative stage. Your feedback shapes the design — we refine and adjust until the concept feels right. The advantage of working in 3D from day one is that spatial relationships are visible immediately. You can see whether that open-plan living area actually works with the kitchen layout, or whether the master bedroom gets the morning light you wanted.
Once you approve the concept direction, we develop it into a detailed design. The full 3D digital model is built — every wall, window, door, roof line, and structural element is modelled to scale. You can do virtual walkthroughs of your home before a single nail is driven.
At this stage we produce detailed floor plans, elevations, and sections. Material selections and specifications begin — roofing, cladding, windows, flooring, fixtures. The 3D model generates an accurate bill of quantities, which means we can give you realistic cost estimates based on actual materials and dimensions, not rough allowances.
This is where the “built digitally first” approach pays for itself. Design issues that would normally be discovered during construction — clashes between structural and services, insufficient clearances, impractical material combinations — are identified and resolved in the digital model. Our Southport renovation project is a good example of how thorough 3D modelling translates into a smooth build with minimal variations.
This is where the Licensed Builder experience matters most. Construction documentation is the set of plans, specifications, and schedules that builders use to price and build your project. The quality of this documentation directly determines the accuracy of your builder quotes and the number of variations during construction.
Our construction documentation includes full working drawings — structural layouts, electrical and plumbing service locations, joinery details, window and door schedules, material specifications, and construction notes. Where required, we coordinate with structural engineers, energy assessors (NatHERS), and other consultants.
Most designers hand over plans that builders have to interpret. Ours are construction-ready because they are drawn by someone who has actually built houses. Builders who receive our documentation consistently tell us the level of detail makes quoting straightforward — and that translates directly into more accurate fixed-price quotes for you.
With construction documentation complete, we prepare and lodge all required approvals. On the Gold Coast, this typically means one or both of the following:
Design Science handles the entire approval process — preparing the application, coordinating with the certifier or council, and responding to any information requests. You do not need to manage this yourself. For a detailed explanation of the approval process, read our Gold Coast council approval guide.
Design Science does not disappear after your plans are approved. We remain available throughout the construction phase to support both you and your builder.
This includes reviewing builder quotes against the bill of quantities to ensure you are comparing like for like, responding to builder queries about plan details or specifications, handling design variations if site conditions require changes, and conducting site inspections where needed to verify the build matches the approved design.
We can also assist with builder selection — helping you send documentation to multiple builders and evaluate their quotes objectively. Having detailed construction documentation means every builder is quoting on the same scope, which makes comparison straightforward and gives you genuine competitive pricing.
The difference between Design Science and most other building designers comes down to one thing: construction knowledge built into every step of the process.
Because David Steadman holds both a QBCC Builder licence and a Building Designer licence, design decisions are tested against construction reality in real time. Material choices are evaluated for buildability and cost, not just appearance. Structural solutions are practical, not theoretical. And the documentation that comes out of this process is detailed enough for builders to give you a genuine fixed price — not a rough estimate that turns into expensive variations.
Every project is 3D digitally modelled, which means you see exactly what you are getting before construction begins. The model generates accurate quantities, identifies design conflicts before they become site problems, and gives you virtual walkthroughs that bring the design to life.
Design fees are quoted upfront so you know the cost before you commit. Read more about David Steadman’s background and how 30-plus years of construction and design experience translates into better outcomes for your project.
Typically 8–16 weeks from initial consultation to approved construction plans, depending on project complexity and council requirements. Simple renovations sit at the shorter end; complex new builds or projects requiring Development Approval take longer. We provide a realistic timeline estimate at the consultation stage.
Design fees typically range from 4–7% of construction cost, starting from $3,000 for smaller projects. The fee depends on project scope, complexity, and the level of documentation required. For a detailed breakdown, read our building designer cost guide.
Most renovations involving structural changes, extensions, or changes to the building footprint require at least a Building Approval. Whether you also need a Development Approval depends on the scope and your property’s planning overlays. We assess approval requirements during the initial consultation. Read our council approval guide for more detail.
Both can design residential projects, but the approach and fee structure differ. Building designers typically charge lower fees and focus on practical, construction-ready documentation. Architects complete a five-year university degree and are better suited to large-scale or architecturally complex projects. At Design Science, the added advantage is David’s builder licence — construction knowledge that most architects and building designers lack. Read our full comparison.
Yes — and this is where the Licensed Builder experience is most valuable. I provide realistic cost advice from the very first consultation, and the 3D digital model generates an accurate bill of quantities that lets us track costs against your budget throughout the design process. Most budget blowouts happen because the designer did not understand construction costs. That is not a problem you will have with Design Science.
Your wish list (what you want to achieve), your budget range (even a rough one helps), site details or a survey plan if you have one, and any inspiration images or examples of homes you like. If you are renovating, photos of the existing home are useful. The more information you bring, the more useful the consultation will be.
Every great project begins with a conversation. The initial consultation is $280 and includes a thorough assessment of your project scope, site constraints, and budget realities. If you proceed to design, the consultation fee is credited in full to your project.
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QBCC Licensed Builder & Building Designer — Licence #15277902
Fully insured • Personalised consultation • Transparent pricing
Transparent pricing with no hidden costs. Every project includes full 3D digital modelling, detailed construction documentation, and a complete bill of quantities.
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