Preparing Your Block for a Custom Home
Start with your brief and the property details
Record the property address, ownership or purchase stage and the rooms and spaces you want. Add the features you hope to retain, such as an existing tree, outlook or part of the garden. If the land is part of a subdivision, include the documents you have about its registration and any design requirements.
Mark documents as available, requested or not yet investigated. You do not need to commission every possible report before an initial discussion; first clarify which information is needed for the decision at hand.
Connect each document to a question
| Information | Question it helps address | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Title and relevant dealings | What registered interests or restrictions need to be understood? | Your conveyancer or solicitor. |
| Survey and site levels | How are the boundaries, levels and existing features documented? | A surveyor; ask whether an existing survey is suitable. |
| Planning information | Which controls and mapped constraints need assessment? | The relevant council and a planning professional. |
| Ground investigations | What further information is needed for the structural design? | The project engineer and relevant specialist. |
| Services and drainage | Where are connections and what work or approvals may be needed? | Relevant authorities and the project’s service or civil specialists. |
| Site photos and existing plans | What can be seen about access, neighbouring buildings and existing structures? | Your available records; confirm details through professional inspection. |
Look beyond the area of the block
Two blocks with the same land area can present different design questions. Consider usable width, changes in level, vehicle access and the relationship to neighbouring homes. Ask how these factors may affect the footprint, construction access and external spaces.
Sunlight, shade, prevailing breezes and neighbouring development also deserve attention early. Your Home’s guide to choosing and using a site explains how site conditions influence design. Our natural-light guide explores the daylight and shading questions in more detail.
Check planning information for the address
The NSW Planning Portal Spatial Viewer is a starting point for finding zoning and mapped planning information. Its information is provided for reference and may not reflect every recent change. Confirm the applicable controls and current information with the relevant council and your planning professional.
Approval options depend on the property and the proposal. The NSW Government’s complying development guidance explains that this pathway involves assessment against relevant requirements. A neighbour’s approval or a similar-looking home does not establish eligibility for your design. Ask the appropriate professional to confirm the pathway before relying on it in your programme.
Keep a list of the unresolved items
For each unknown, record the next question, who needs to answer it and what decision depends on the answer. For example: “Confirm the drainage approach before finalising the external works scope.” This creates a practical next step without treating an early conversation as a completed feasibility assessment.
As information becomes available, revisit both the design brief and the project scope and quote comparison. Ask for any resulting assumptions or changes to be recorded.
What to bring to your first discussion
- The site address and ownership or purchase stage.
- Your main goals, essential spaces and priorities.
- Available plans, survey, title information and reports.
- Photos and any known access or service issues.
- A list of missing documents and unanswered questions.
Ask what the initial discussion covers and which further investigations or appointments may be required.