Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to what we get asked most about building design, permits, fees and how we work. If you can’t find what you’re after here, get in touch and we’ll help directly.

Getting started

Building design, interior design, land subdivisions, permits and approvals, project management, 3D visualisation/BIM, and pre-purchase consultation. Most clients use us end to end, from first sketch through to construction completion, but each service can also be engaged on its own.
We’re based in Melbourne and service all of Victoria, including coastal and rural regions.
The address of the property, a Section 32 or Certificate of Title, and a general idea of what you’re after. We’ll do a preliminary site assessment and talk through your goals, requirements, site potential and planning constraints, and outline the best path forward from there.
Yes. First consultation and preliminary site assessment free.

Design and documentation

Five broad stages: investigation and feasibility, building design (concept through to construction-ready plans), planning permit applications, construction documentation, and project management through to completion. See the full breakdown on our NMA Design Process page.
It depends heavily on project scope, site complexity, and council processing times, which vary by municipality and can’t be guaranteed in advance. We’ll give you a realistic timeline for your specific project during the initial consultation.
Yes. We produce realistic 3D visualisations, floor plan and interior views, and where useful 3D movies, virtual reality tours and BIM models, so you can see and approve the design before it’s built.
Yes. We offer two interior design packages to suit different needs and budgets. The Standard Package covers 2D floor plans and elevations for key wet areas (kitchens, bathrooms, ensuites, laundries) with limited schedules. The Custom Package adds full item schedules and selection of colours, fixtures, fittings and material finishes. Interior design can be included with your building design package or engaged as a standalone service.

Permits and approvals

Yes. We prepare and submit the full planning application package, respond to council feedback, and manage the process through to a final decision.
Yes, we regularly work on properties with heritage overlays and restrictions. We also work with some of Melbourne’s most reputable heritage consultants and planners.
A planning permit deals with how the development fits within the neighbourhood, addressing planning policies, overlays and neighbourhood character to secure council approval for what’s proposed. A building permit is a separate, later stage, assessing whether the construction documentation complies with the National Construction Code and relevant building regulations before it’s approved and ready for construction. We manage both as part of our process.

Fees and engagement

It depends on project type, size, site complexity, and scope of service, so there isn’t a single fixed price we can quote generally. Fees are typically either a fixed, itemised price for the project or a percentage of the total construction cost for larger or more complex work. We’ll give you an accurate, tailored fee proposal once we understand your project, at no obligation.

We tailor the fee structure to the project. For most residential and smaller-scale projects, we provide a fixed, itemised fee agreed upfront, invoiced in staged progress payments tied to key project milestones. For larger or more complex projects, fees may instead be based on a percentage of the total construction cost, invoiced progressively as the project advances through each stage. Either way, you receive a clear, written fee proposal before any work begins.

Yes. We offer multiple package tiers, from an essential building design and documentation package through to more comprehensive options that also include supporting documentation, consultants, and interior design. If none of our standard packages fit your project, we’ll put together a bespoke package tailored specifically to your requirements and budget.

No. Specialist consultants (structural engineers, land surveyors, building surveyors, energy raters and similar) and statutory authority fees are quoted and engaged separately, though we coordinate them on your behalf as part of the design process.

Our staged payment structure means you’re never committed beyond the stage you’re currently in. You can choose not to proceed at the start of any payment stage, and you won’t be charged for work not yet started.

For builders and owner-builders

Yes. We provide building design services tailored to new estate developments, structured to suit builders delivering multiple dwellings across a project or estate, not just one-off homes.
Yes. Fees scale with volume: the more projects a builder engages us for together, the better the rate. Get in touch to discuss pricing for your build program.
Yes. The same package benefits are available to owner-builders managing their own build, not only licensed building companies.

Construction and project management

Yes, project management is one of our services, covering tendering, contract administration and construction monitoring through to completion.
Yes, we manage the tendering process, inviting and evaluating contractor bids on your behalf, and help negotiate terms before construction starts. NM Architecture is a building design practice, not a builder, and generally doesn’t retain site access once a project is handed off unless engaged for project management.

Other

Yes, browse our Projects page for a full range of completed residential, multi-unit and commercial work.
Yes, this is our pre-purchase consultation service. We provide insight into site potential, planning constraints and development feasibility before you commit.

Still have questions?

Get in touch and we’ll talk through your project directly.

Contact us