FAQ's

ADS has a detailed networking system. We have developed working relationships with consultants who have a high quality of works. As we provide a lot of work our consultants keep their prices competitive.

With any home build, Council approval times can vary anywhere from 60-90 days and in some cases even longer. This is dependent on a number of factors, including different councils and their processes, the complexity of your project, how thorough your application is, neighbour concerns and more. Our advice is to plan ahead and leave plenty of time for this process to be completed.

If you’re starting the process of a home build or renovation, you’ll be coming across some new terms you might not be familiar with, two of these being Complying Developments and Developmental Applications. A DA (Developmental Application) involves submitting plans to council to gain approval for your project. After your DA is approved, you will need to obtain a construction certificate before work begins. Alternatively, complying development offers a shorter way of gaining approvals for your project. This is done through a private certifier or council certifier and usually takes around 3-4 weeks. This process combines both the DA and the CC from council. To be eligible to gain approvals through a CDC, certain criteria is needed to be met, such as distance from the boundaries.

A Construction Certificate (CC) is a certificate that is issued by an accredited private certifier or a consent authority1. The Certificate allows for building work to commence on a project.

In most cases, you can live in your home while it is being extended or renovated. Of course, this will depend on the scope and extent of your project and whether it is safe and feasible, especially for very large renovations and extensions. We always aim to limit the disruption as much as possible and have weekly meetings to discuss your project, so you’ll always be kept in the loop and know what is happening. All of our employees and contractors have been with us for a long time and we ensure that the utmost respect and care of your home is maintained throughout the construction process. Of course, there will always be some disruption to your lifestyle while renovating, but the reward at the end is well worth it!

Plans are the first and most important step when beginning the renovation and extension process Having good plans allows builders to quote accurately and you will be able to envisage what you have planned, as the scope of work is accounted for clearly. Detailed plans can also save money later and avoid expensive and costly changes during the build process.

If you want a personal design and unique home to express your style, we always recommend having custom plans drawn. Plus, after making the commitment to a renovation both mentally and financially, you don’t want to end up feeling as if your project hasn’t given you the home you dreamt of. Custom plans are the perfect way to ensure your lifestyle needs and personal taste are met, making sure the final result will be exactly as you had in mind.

Every project is different and this will greatly vary depending on the size and the design of the project. Most second story extensions will take from 16-24 weeks, while more extensive renovations and extensions can take up to 30 weeks. When you have plans drawn, we’ll be able to give you a more accurate idea of the time frames.

We offer a comprehensive service from plans, to council approvals, engineering right through to the completion of your project. If there is a particular home improvement service you’re after that you aren’t sure about, just contact our team below and we’ll be in touch.

BASIX or Building Sustainability Index is a scheme introduced by the government of New South Wales (NSW), Australia in 2004 to regulate the energy efficiency of residential buildings. It offers an online assessment tool for rating the expected performance of any residential development.

The Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) is an important part of NSW’s development application process. It mandates targets to reduce residential homes and apartments’ water and energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The BASIX assessment tool analyses data relating to the design of your proposed dwelling and determines how this scores against water and energy targets. The dwelling design must meet specific targets before the proposed development can be issued with a BASIX certificate.