Every dual occupancy or unit development project is different depending on the design, location, property issues, materials, Council requirements etc. However generally the process for design and plan preparation plus approval is as follows:

1. Free initial consultation and quoting
2. Survey organised if required
3. Design meeting
4. First issue plans released
5. Plan amendments and/or consultation input as required (eg arborist report, BASIX assessment etc)
6. Development Application (DA) submission to Council
7. DA Approval 
8. Drafting of engineering plans and organise any Council DA requirements if applicable
9. Construction Certificate (CC) application through Council or Private Certifier
10. CC Approval

Your builder will generally take over from here however we’re always happy to help or answer questions if required.

Plan Vision will prepare your plans and other documentation to Council and/or the certifiers’ requirements. So all you really need to do is make sure you are happy with the design, and we will do everything else. We will prompt you when relevant to sign forms and make payments during the process.

Prices vary depending on the type and size of your development, and is different for every project. Some guides on Plan Vision pricing are outlined below though, for reference:

• Single storey duplex – start at $3,000 plus GST
• Two storey duplex – start at $4,000 plus GST
• Attached dual occupancy – start at $4,000 plus GST
• Detached dual occupancy – start at $5,000 plus GST
• Three to five units – start at $10,000 plus GST
• Six to ten units – start at $15,000 plus GST
• 11+ units – price on application

All the above costs do not include payments or documents for outside consultants such as Council Fees, Water Authority Fees, Engineer's Certification, Bushfire Reports, Arborist Reports etc, which are quoted on each individual job depending on whether they are required.

You don’t need to know these up front. We will work them out for you and let you know what is required.

If you know exactly how you’d like the design to look it’s helpful if you can provide a sketch or list of requirements. If you’re not sure of the details just yet we can sketch up some ideas for you to look at and comment on. Either way is fine! We will work with you throughout the process to provide a design you love but still complies with the relevant Council and Building codes.

We have completed over 3000 projects in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Central Coast and Northern Suburb areas since 1994.

You can have a look at some photos of constructed projects as well as their corresponding plans here: Dual Occupancies and Unit Developments