Looking for a building designer on the Gold Coast? Design Science is led by David Steadman — one of less than 1% of professionals nationally who holds both a QBCC Builder’s licence and a QBCC Building Designer’s licence. That dual qualification means your plans aren’t just drawn — they’re designed by someone who has actually built homes.
With over 30 years in the construction industry — from the tools to running the practice — I bring a perspective that most designers simply don’t have. I service the entire Gold Coast, from Coomera to Coolangatta, beachfront to hinterland. For a full overview of our practice, see the Design Science homepage.
A building designer on the Gold Coast prepares the design and documentation needed to turn a home idea into drawings that builders, engineers, certifiers and approval professionals can work from. Design Science is different because David Steadman holds both a QBCC Builder’s licence and a QBCC Building Designer’s licence, so the design is informed by how the project may actually be built and priced. We are design-first and build-optional: selected projects may move into construction through Design Science where both the project and client are the right fit, and clients are free to take the documentation to another builder. We prepare design documentation, but we do not issue approvals or act as council or your building certifier.
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Serious Gold Coast projects need more than concept drawings before a builder can price them properly. Design Science prepares detailed building design documentation so builders, consultants and approval professionals can understand the scope, constraints and construction intent before pricing or construction decisions are made.
If you are planning a custom home, major renovation, extension or knockdown rebuild, read our guide to builder-ready documentation before enquiring.
The Gold Coast has dozens of draftsmen and building designers. What it doesn’t have many of is designers who’ve actually built the things they draw.
When I design your home, I’m thinking about how a builder will interpret these plans on site. I’m thinking about whether the steelwork can be delivered, whether the fall on that slab is going to cause problems, and whether the specification matches what’s actually available from suppliers. That’s what construction-informed design means — and it’s the difference between plans that look good on screen and plans that work on site.
Construction-ready documentation: Your builder receives plans detailed enough to price accurately — no padding allowances for missing information, no ambiguity that leads to variations.
3D digital modelling: Every project is built digitally first. You walk through your home before a single footing is poured. Changes are cheap at this stage — they’re expensive once concrete is in the ground.
Cost-conscious design: Because I’ve built homes, I know what things cost. I’ll tell you when a design decision will blow the budget, and I’ll show you alternatives that achieve the same outcome for less.
If you want to understand the difference in more detail, read our comparison of building designers versus draftsmen.
Design Science provides building design services across the entire Gold Coast local government area:
Northern Gold Coast: Coomera, Pimpama, Ormeau, Upper Coomera, Oxenford, Helensvale, Hope Island, Jacobs Well, Steiglitz
Central Gold Coast: Southport, Bundall, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Nerang, Carrara, Robina, Mudgeeraba, Merrimac, Mermaid Waters, Varsity Lakes
Southern Gold Coast: Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach, Currumbin, Tugun, Coolangatta, Elanora, Kirra, Bilinga, Tallebudgera
Gold Coast Hinterland: Tamborine Mountain, Canungra, Springbrook, Advancetown, Bonogin, Tallebudgera Valley, Austinville
Wherever you are on the Gold Coast, I’ll come to you.
Design Science is not a typical drafting office. Here is what sets us apart as a Gold Coast building designer:
Dual-licensed professional: David Steadman holds both a QBCC Builder’s licence and a QBCC Building Designer’s licence — a combination held by less than 1% of professionals nationally. Your plans are designed by someone who has built homes, not just drawn them.
30+ years construction industry experience: From the tools to supervising builds to running a design practice, I bring practical construction knowledge to every project. That means fewer surprises on site and plans that builders can actually price accurately.
From concept to approval-ready documentation: We handle the design process — from initial consultation through concept development, 3D walkthroughs, construction documentation, and documents for council, certifier and consultant review. Design Science does not issue approvals and does not act as council or your certifier.
Local Gold Coast knowledge: I work within Gold Coast City Council’s planning scheme every week — flood overlays, character overlays, coastal protection, bushfire zones. I know the issues council, certifiers and consultants are likely to look at before we commit to a concept, helping reduce rework, delay and frustration.
3D digital modelling on every project: Every home is built digitally before a single footing is poured. You walk through your home virtually, make changes while they’re cheap, and go to your builder with complete confidence.
Whether it’s a beachfront home in Palm Beach or an acreage property in the hinterland, every custom home design starts with the site — its orientation, slope, views, and constraints. I produce construction-ready documentation that your builder can price and build from without guesswork.
Learn more about custom home design | Knockdown rebuild Gold Coast
With Gold Coast median house prices around $950,000, renovation often makes more financial sense than buying new. I specialise in renovation design that works with existing structure — extensions, second storeys, internal redesigns, and complete transformations. My builder background means I understand what’s behind the walls before we start drawing.
Learn more about renovation design
Gold Coast’s subtropical climate offers massive opportunities for passive design — cross-ventilation, solar orientation, shading, and thermal mass strategies that reduce energy costs without sacrificing comfort. NCC 2022’s 7-star NatHERS requirement is a minimum. I design homes that exceed it.
Learn more about sustainable design
Not every project is a full house. Bathroom renovations, kitchen redesigns, granny flats, garage conversions, and outdoor living areas all need proper documentation. If it needs building approval, it needs proper plans.
Learn more about specialised design services
The Gold Coast is Queensland’s fastest-growing local government area — population approaching 700,000 and forecast to exceed 900,000 by 2041. Building approvals in the region topped $5.8 billion in 2023-24.
Major infrastructure is transforming the city. Light Rail Stage 3A is under construction, Stage 4 is in planning. The 2032 Brisbane Olympics will bring events to Broadbeach and Robina, with associated venue and infrastructure investment.
For homeowners, this growth means property values continue to climb. Renovation and intelligent redesign of existing homes is increasingly the smartest investment — improving both liveability and long-term value.
Gold Coast City Council’s planning scheme includes flood overlays, bushfire overlays, coastal protection areas, and heritage character overlays that all affect what you can build and how. Understanding these overlays at design stage — not after you’ve committed to a concept — saves time, money, and frustration. I know these overlays because I work within them every week.
The process starts with an initial consultation — a paid session where I assess your site, discuss your brief, and give you an honest view of scope, likely costs, and timeline.
From there, we develop a design brief, move through concept design with 3D walkthroughs, and produce full construction documentation. Every project is built digitally first — complete with a bill of quantities — so you know exactly what you’re getting before construction begins.
You deal directly with me throughout the process. No layers of staff, no project managers relaying messages. Direct communication with the person designing your home.
Building designer fees on the Gold Coast typically range from 4–7% of the total construction cost, starting from $3,000 for smaller residential projects. For a $500,000 custom home build, expect design fees between $20,000 and $35,000. Initial consultations are $280, payable before the appointment. If you proceed with design, that amount is credited in full to your design fees. Fees cover concept design, 3D modelling, construction documentation, and documents for council, certifier and consultant review.
A building designer specialises in residential construction documentation — custom homes, renovations, and extensions — and typically charges lower fees than an architect. An architect brings expertise in large-scale commercial and highly complex design projects. For most Gold Coast residential work, a building designer with construction experience delivers better practical outcomes. At Design Science, you get a dual-licensed builder and designer — construction knowledge that most architects don’t offer.
Many Gold Coast renovations require building approval through a private certifier and, in some cases, council planning input. Structural changes, extensions, new bathrooms, second storeys, and changes to rooflines usually need properly documented plans for assessment. Minor cosmetic work — painting, flooring, replacing fixtures — generally does not. If your renovation involves any structural modification or change to the building envelope, you need proper plans before starting work. Read our full guide: council approval for Gold Coast renovations.
Building design fees typically range from 4–7% of the construction cost, starting from $3,000 for smaller projects. The consultation includes a thorough assessment of your project. For a detailed breakdown, see our building designer cost guide.
A building designer produces construction-ready documentation with professional oversight of the design process — material selection, compliance, structural considerations, and construction methodology. A draftsman draws plans based on instructions provided to them. For anything involving design decisions that affect construction cost or building approval, a building designer delivers significantly better value. Read our detailed comparison: building designer vs draftsman.
For residential projects — custom homes, renovations, extensions — a building designer with construction experience often delivers better practical outcomes than an architect, at a lower fee. Architects bring value for large-scale commercial or highly complex design projects. Read our detailed comparison: building designer vs architect.
A typical Gold Coast residential project takes 8–16 weeks from initial consultation to construction-ready documentation. Complexity, council requirements, and the speed of your decision-making all affect the timeline. Renovation projects with existing structural constraints can take longer than new builds.
Yes. I prepare the design documentation used for Gold Coast City Council building applications and development applications — site plans, floor plans, elevations, sections, specifications, energy efficiency reports, and specialist reports required by applicable overlays. I do not issue approvals and do not act as council or your building certifier.
Whether you’re planning a custom home, renovating an existing property, or designing an extension, I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss your project.
Initial consultations are $280, payable before the appointment. If you proceed with design, that amount is credited in full to your design fees.
Call David Steadman on 0404 039 029 or request a consultation online.
Design Science also services Brisbane, Toowoomba and the Darling Downs, Northern NSW, and the Southern Downs. See our full range of service areas.
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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