Why Choose KBG for Your Custom Home Design
Good custom home design comes down to two things: understanding what you need and knowing what your council will approve. We've been doing both for over 50 years of combined experience, with a 100% current approval record across the Hills Shire and Sutherland Shire councils, so your design isn't just something we think looks good on paper, it's something built to get through DA or CDC without a costly redesign.
Why Choose KBG
- 100% current council approval record
- 50+ years of combined design experience, with our design studio established in 1983
- 5.0-star rating on Google
- Independent design studio, not tied to one builder's range or price list
- Two local studios: Castle Hill and Oatley
- Flexible consultations, in person or online, whatever suits you
Custom Home Design for Every Kind of Block
No two blocks are the same, and your custom home design shouldn't pretend otherwise. We take the time to understand your site before we start designing, because a home that looks good on paper but fights the land ends up costing more, both to build and to live in. Whether you're on a standard block, a steep site, or an awkward, narrow lot, we produce fully bespoke designs tailored to your lifestyle, site and council requirements, with 3D visualisation throughout so you can see exactly how the design sits on your land before anything is locked in.
Single storey and double storey home designs
Single and double storey new homes designed to make the most of a standard suburban lot.
Split level and sloping block designs
Split-level and sloping-block designs that turn a tricky site into a feature, not a compromise.
Narrow and irregular lot solutions
Clever layouts for narrow, irregular or tightly set blocks, so you don't lose liveability to an awkward shape.
Custom Home Designers for the Hills District & Sutherland Shire
We design custom homes for clients across Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Kellyville and the wider Hills District from our Castle Hill studio, and across Oatley, Sutherland, Cronulla, Miranda and Engadine from our Oatley studio.
Working locally means we already know how Hills Shire Council and Sutherland Shire Council assess a DA or CDC, what they'll query and what they won't, so your custom home design is shaped around real council expectations from the very first sketch, not adjusted after the fact. Drop into either studio for a chat, or we'll come to you.
FAQs
Do I need an architect or a building designer for my new home?+
Either can design a beautiful home. The real difference is training and project focus. Architects are university qualified and registered under a protected title, and they often take on complex, high end or heritage projects. A building designer like KBG specialises in residential work, from concept through to a council ready DA or CDC application. For most new homes, renovations and knockdown rebuilds, a building designer offers a faster, more cost-effective path to an approved design, without compromising on quality. Our team includes a Principal Designer, an Architectural Designer and a Building Designer, so your project benefits from architectural thinking without architect level fees.
Does KBG build the home as well, or just design it?+
Just design it, KBG is a design studio, not a builder. We create your custom home design and manage it through to DA or CDC approval and full construction drawings. From there you're free to build with whichever licensed builder you choose, we're not tied to one builder's price list or timeline.
How much does a custom home design cost in Sydney?+
Design fees are usually charged either as a percentage of the estimated construction cost or as a fixed fee, and the exact figure depends on the size and complexity of your project. As a general guide, Sydney building designers typically charge around three to eight percent of construction cost, while architects typically charge more, often ten to fifteen percent, reflecting differences in training and the scope of services they offer. As a building design studio, our fees generally sit in that lower range. We will always confirm how we charge and give you a clear, itemised quote after your free consultation, with no obligation to proceed.
How long does it take to design a custom home?+
Timeframes vary with the complexity of your project, but as a general guide for the Hills Shire and Sutherland Shire councils, concept design typically takes two to four weeks, followed by another two to four weeks to prepare the DA or CDC documentation. From there, straightforward applications can be determined in as little as a month or two, while more complex DAs can take up to six months depending on the project and council. We'll give you a realistic timeline for your specific project after your free consultation.
Can I make changes during the design process?+
Yes. Concept design is a collaborative back and forth, not a one-shot presentation. We produce initial concepts, including 3D visualisations, then refine the design with your feedback until it genuinely reflects your vision, before anything moves to council submission.
Will my custom home design get council approval?+
We can't guarantee any specific application, no responsible designer can, but KBG currently holds a 100% approval record across Hills Shire and Sutherland Shire councils. We check what's achievable against local planning controls before design begins, so your custom home design is shaped around real council requirements from the start, not adjusted after a knockback.
Who handles the structural engineering for my custom home?+
Where a project needs structural or civil engineering, we work directly with KB Consulting. They are a Sydney structural and civil engineering practice with NER registered Chartered Professional Engineers and over sixty years in practice. Because of our relationship, engineering can be coordinated with your design from the outset rather than handled as a separate, disconnected step.