Building Design Archives

Homeowner grant overview NSW

Have you ever checked whether you are eligible for a homeowner grant from the Australian or NSW government?

And I’m not talking about the HomeBuilder grant that was introduced to ease the effects of Covid, because this program is now closed. The support I wish to draw your attention to is for:

first homeowners or
renovators in a Heritage Conservation area or
investors in renewable energy.

For any updates on Homeowner goodies make sure you leave your email address here for us to keep you in the know:

If you missed out on any previous support have a look through our overview below to find out if you are eligible for any other subsidy.

First Homeowner Grant for New Homes

This grant is only available if you are a first home buyer of a newly built or substantially renovated home. It is not available for established homes.

First home buyers can receive incentives

How much is the First Homeowner Grant?

$10,000 is available when you buy or build your first new home. This can be a house, townhouse, apartment, unit or similar that is newly built, purchased off the plan or substantially renovated.

Maximum cost of the house, unit or land

If you purchase a newly built house, townhouse, apartment, unit or similar the purchase price must not exceed $600,000.

If you purchase vacant land and sign a building contract with a builder you need to add the following values together:

Value of the vacant land
Value of the building contract plus the cost of any building variations

The total combined cost must not exceed $750,000.

First Homeowner Grant for substantially renovated homes

If you purchase a home that was substantially renovated by the seller, the purchase price must not exceed $600,000.

You may be eligible for the grant if:

most of the home was removed or replaced
the seller, builder or a tenant has not lived in the home prior to, during or after renovations
it is the first time the home has been sold since completion of renovations.

Are you eligible for the First Homeowner Grant?

each applicant must be 18 years or older
you are a first home buyer as a person (not as a company or trust)
at least one applicant is a permanent resident or Australian citizen
you or your spouse, partner or co-purchaser must not have previously owned a home before 1 July 2000
you occupy your first home as your principal place of residence within 12 months of the construction or purchase, and the minimum period of occupancy is six continuous months.

Read here for more details and to apply for the First Homeowner Grant.

First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme

Besides the First Homeowner Grant, you may also be entitled to save on stamp duty or transfer duty as it is now called. The eligibility criteria are wider; which means that even if you don’t match the criteria for the First Homeowner Grant you might still be eligible for a reduced rate or even exemption of stamp duty.

Have a look at the thresholds below. Be aware that this applies to agreements dated from 1 August 2021.

Save stamp duty for new and existing homes

When you buy a new or existing house for less than $650,000 you can apply for a full exemption. This means you don’t have to pay transfer duty at all.

If the home costs up to $800,000 you can apply for a concessional stamp duty. The amount you save is based on the value of your home.

And while you’re here, don’t forget to get some renovation inspiration from our gallery of completed projects.

Save stamp duty when purchasing vacant land

You won’t pay transfer duty if your land value is less than $350,000. When you pay up to $450,000 you will receive a concessional rate.

For further details check out this website.

Renewable power incentives

To slam the brakes on your monthly energy bill, it might be worthwhile for homeowners to install a renewable energy system. For your investment in green energy, you can even receive a benefit from the Australian Government.

Solar panels help to reduce the energy bill

To help you with the purchase cost you must be a:

household or
small business

and install a small-scale renewable energy system that includes:

solar photovoltaic (PV) panels
wind turbines
hydro systems
solar water heaters, and
air source heat pumps.

How does it work?

Installing an eligible system allows the creation of Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). Following, you can redeem their value by selling or assigning them.

The number of STCs created is based on:

the amount of renewable electricity the system produces or the amount of electricity consumption it reduces
the climate region of the installation location.

What benefit do homeowners receive?

Owners have 2 options for receiving benefits for their STCs:

Assigning them to an agent, usually the system installer, in exchange for a discount or delayed cash payment
Selling the certificates themselves

There are 2 options for selling the certificates:

Through the open STCs market with pricing subject to market forces
Through the STCs Clearing House with the price fixed at $40 per STC, excluding GST.

To learn more about this Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, click here.

Heritage Homeowner Grant in Ku-ring-gai

There is something very special about living in a heritage-listed residence. But on the other hand, oozing the aura of historic or environmental significance can be expensive when it comes to upkeep or renovation of the home.

That’s why some Councils assist homeowners in the maintenance and conservation of their heritage place. One of these Councils is Ku-ring-gai in Sydney’s North that consists of the following suburbs:

East Killara, East Lindfield, Gordon, Killara, Lindfield, North Turramurra, North Wahroonga, Pymble, Roseville (part), Roseville Chase, South Turramurra, St Ives, St Ives Chase, Turramurra, Wahroonga (part), Warrawee and West Pymble.

It can be rewarding to live in a heritage-listed building

Who receives funding for their heritage place

You might be eligible if you live in a listed heritage item or in a contributory heritage property within a heritage conservation area.

The grant is only available for approved conservation works and maintenance works to original and significant fabric.

Funding works on a dollar-for-dollar basis. This means that if you spent $5,000, Council would contribute the same amount. Bear in mind that your minimum expenditure must be $1,000 and up to a maximum of $5,000.

How to apply for the subsidy

Ku-ring-gai’s Heritage Home Grant program is an annual heritage incentive. Therefore, you can apply for a subsidy between 1 April and 31 May each year.

Following, your application will be referred to the Ku-ring-gai Heritage Reference Committee for their advice. Subsequently, the Council will decide on the funding.

Most importantly, make sure that you apply for the Heritage Home Grant well before you intend to start the works. Because Council will not grant retrospective funding, and you don’t want to miss out on this incentive.

Read more about this program that assists and encourages homeowners in the ongoing maintenance and conservation of their heritage places.

Design services for homeowners

If you need help with your home renovation project, have a look at our design services. For any questions please call Martina on 0434 498 450 or send us this contact form.

For any updates on all things renovation related leave us your email address here:

Design Construct

Design and build

The design and construct services Martina Hayes offers is as convenient and time-saving as it gets for clients who aim to undertake a building project.

Whether you intend to renovate or extend your existing home or want to erect a brand new house, we speak the language of design and construct (D&C), partnering collaboratively with engineers, surveyors and builders to forge excellence in everything we do. Saving our busy clients valuable time, we coordinate the whole of the building process from the initial idea through to construction and the selection of the finishes to the completed project.

Construction with budget control

While our clients bring a unique vision to every project, we contribute our knowledge and experience in planning, construction coordination and budget control. We treat every project as if it were our own by bringing in the best building professionals insisting on the highest of standards to build or renovate your home. This ensures that your dream home becomes a reality that not only meets but exceeds your expectations.

Communication in Design/Build projects

The first step we will make is outline the needs of our clients and share in their vision. In doing so, we are able to understand the full scope of the project and ensure all factors have been properly considered. By doing this, we start on the right step with strong communication from day one. We ask our clients to discuss both how they want their house to function and what they are hoping to achieve with the structure in the longer term. This is to strike the right balance between providing advice to deliver exactly what you have in mind, but at the same time devising solutions and suggestions you might have never thought of.

Delivering ambitious D&C Sydney wide

Following, our team will begin pulling together ideas and considering the most effective method for helping our clients make their design and build project a reality.

We offer a 3D design

For every type of builds, we employ full 3D visualisations to make sure you get the right idea about the architectural project. Computer-generated visuals and synthetic walkthroughs as part of interior design schemes can also be offered as a standalone service. In addition to producing traditional drawings, our 3D models allow our clients to understand the fine details of a scheme prior to any fit-out taking place.

One-stop-shop for Design and Construct

Martina Hayes’ design and construct service is a one-stop-shop for your home renovation and extension that includes the following tasks:

Drawing initial concepts and sketches following the client brief and discussions
Bringing to the design table an established builder and other construction experts at an early project stage
Creating and designing options for the proposed house
Drawing up detailed plans to document the project
Coordinating the tender process including the comparison of builder quotes
Submitting plans and drawings to Council or private certifier to obtain building permission and Basix certificate
Designing kitchen and bathrooms
Coordinating builder, surveyors, engineers and other construction professionals
Recommending finishes, furniture and lighting to complete the individual look of your home

Advantages of Design & Construct

Designer and builder work collaboratively during the design process to identify cost efficiencies. This means for our clients that the overall building costs are in focus right from the start.
Any site-related challenges are identified and factored in early in the design process for our clients to maintain full budget control
Constructibility and structural issues are addressed and dealt with during the design process to ensure that the project stays on budget.

Sydney wide service for small and large projects

We promise to deliver premium D&C services Sydney wide from the first booking to the final billing and beyond. Using quality materials and having superior builders, our team will complete both basic and full projects in an expert manner. Whether it is a new build or the relocation of walls in an old house, the remodel of an outdoor area or the design/build a granny flat, Martina Hayes offers a bespoke tailored service at competitive costs. What this means for you is that we will be there for small jobs, and we will be more than happy to work on your large project with the same thorough and reliable no nonsense service.

Book your appointment via phone 0434 498 450 or email martina@martinahayes.com.au.

You may also use the contact form.

Drafting services for your dream home

Beautiful houses all start with an idea and great planning. We provide drafting services at Martina Hayes Building Design. Guiding you through the process of your dream home renovation or home extension in Sydney.

Have a look at our gallery of completed projects.

We are passionate about residential house design and our approach is to exceed your expectations.

To plan your dream home and to create the construction drawings we take into account your:

vision for your home
lifestyle
family requirements
house location
desired architectural style
budget

Our draftsperson can offer you complete customised and professional house drawings. Suitable for all home extensions and renovations. We also provide drafting services for kitchens and bathrooms.

Drafting services from concept to detailed plans

Drafting services will help you envision how your home will look once the construction work has been carried out.

Whether you are looking for contemporary plans, ultra-modern, Mediterranean, Hamptons or other home styles. Our team of professionals will capture your design ideas and translate them into the house plan.

We offer residential drafting services from concept to detailed plans for:

Home renovations
House extension and additions
Granny flats and studios
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Outdoor alfresco
Building conversions

Servicing Sydney

Our top creatives will come up with a fantastic design to turn your house into your dream home. Located on the lower North Shore, we service the entire Sydney area.

Visualise the dream

Whether you have a clear vision of the space, or need a guide with developing the design. You can be confident that our team only provide the best and most creative design concepts, ensuring you make confident design decisions and are satisfied with the final result.

CAD drafting services

We use architectural CAD software ArchiCAD to draw up the plans for your project. Our experts are equipped to handle all types of CAD conversions, and we have the skills to work with numerous types of design.

3D plans for better visualisation

Looking at a floor plan, it can be hard to visualise how the finished result will look. This is why we provide both, 2D and 3D drawings. We are experts at preparing any kind of residential or commercial floor plans, simple or complex. We have successfully designed major projects in the past and continue to do so in present with ease. This way, you visualise the design before you commit. For us, the project size of our 3D floor plan services is of no concern.

Virtual walk through the plans

Furthermore, you can virtually walk through your space before anything is locked in. This helps you to visualise the space while also ensuring you avoid costly mistakes. When you look at 2D plans you might not understand how big certain objects will be. That’s why we made sure you are offered a visual walk through the plans to be able to wrap your mind about crucial details.

Drafting services for DA and CDC

We also provide required plans and diagrams to obtain Council’s Development Approval (DA) or to apply for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC). Same for the Basix Certificate you might be required to submit. Don’t worry if this sounds unfamiliar to you as you will be professionally guided through this process. If your house is located in NSW and you are uncertain of which Council to contact, find your Council here.

Provision of plans

Plans are the core of your project because they communicate your vision. Drawings ensure that everyone involved with the project is on the same page. That’s why our team will be happy to offer everyone a copy of the plans. To keep the design on the right track to create your dream home.

Request a quote

If you want to know how much our drafting services are, please request a quote via phone 0434 498 450 or email martina@martinahayes.com.au.

Alternatively, you can also use the contact form.

New house design

Create a new house with Martina Hayes

How exciting is it to construct a new house for your family to create treasured memories.

Create a new house that is beautiful, unique and meets your family’s exact needs. Our experienced team designs an individual home, blending functionality with timeless beauty and contemporary looks that fit your lifestyle. Born from a passion and desire to undertake every project as if we were building our own home, we work closely with our clients to deliver on our promise to build your perfect home.

House design brief

The whole process starts with Martina Hayes team listening to the clients and delves into their lifestyle, needs and desires to create a comprehensive design brief for the project. Our experts will put you at ease as you gather ideas for your residence. We create custom living spaces that reflect each homeowner’s individual style and functional needs.

Sketches and concept drawings

Then, our team will develop sketches and preliminary building plans while guiding you through the process of creating your house design. We discuss the proposed floor plans with you, outlining what each model brings to the table. This enables you to make an informed decision on the layout you prefer most.

Detailed house design

Once agreed on the preferred scheme, we’ll be stepping into the next design phase of your building project. Now it’s time to refine the architectural plans. We help you focus on the details and components of the project, including room layouts, kitchen designs, bathroom designs, bedroom sizes, storage space, alfresco and pool area, room flow, roof pitch, dormer sizes and window types. Our team works collaboratively, drawing on our individual passions and perspectives, expertise and experiences, to create beautiful house designs plans and present a stunning future home to you.

We will design every room in your home

It is said that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses. Though it’s probably way too early to think about reselling your property, we believe that it is essential to pay particular attention to the design of both kitchen and bathrooms.

For example, structural and style changes to your kitchen can make it feel more spacious and inviting. Removing walls between the kitchen and adjacent rooms is a great way to create an open feel within the existing space and have more room to add an island bench, a cosy dining area area and homework or office nook. Bring your ideas, wants and needs to us and we can design and build the perfect space to your specifications.

Planning permission

You can easily save your time by letting us deal with obtaining building permission from the Council or a private certifier. Right at the beginning of the house design process, we research the rules and regulations your dwelling has to comply with and take them into account when planning your new home. We also make sure that a surveyor is scheduled to conduct a survey of your property which forms the basis of the development application. As soon as our draftsperson has completed the architectural drawings, all required construction documentation will be submitted to the building authorities to secure their approval. This makes us a real one-stop shop when it comes to house designs.

Collaboration with building professionals

Choosing Martina Hayes services, you’ll be offered a high-quality approach to the home design, space planning and interior fit-out. Our designer and draftsperson work closely together with builders, engineers, surveyors and other construction specialists to ensure that the interior architecture is attractive and practical, but also efficiently aligned to your budget and schedule.

3D home design development

You can save time, money and stress throughout your transformation project. We are experts in creating house plans and use modern design technology to increase precision and provide comprehensive visualisations. In addition to producing traditional 2D drawings, our 3D models allow you to understand how your abode will look and feel once it is completed. We are able to provide virtual walk-throughs and architectural renderings of your residence that give you the fine details of a scheme prior to any work taking place.

From Creation to Construction

When the project progresses into its construction phase, we review the building site and meet with you and your builder to discuss any subjects as required. Our skilled design team will oversee the transformation of your property by bringing your ideas and our house design to life simultaneously. Our aim is that your home will surpass all your expectations.

Partnership between client and house designer

The most important part of the project is a successful partnership between the client and the designer. We pride ourselves in maintaining strong communications and are committed to going the extra mile for our clients.

At Martina Hayes, we believe that it is essential to tailor a design solution that is a combination of both functionality and outstanding aesthetics to make your house a real home.