Expert Building Design in Berry

Berry is a charming historic town in the Shoalhaven, renowned for its heritage buildings, boutique shops, and vibrant village atmosphere. The suburb features a mix of historic cottages, modern homes, and boutique residences, attracting families, professionals, and visitors seeking a combination of character and lifestyle.

At DMR Designs, we provide customised building design in Berry that respects the town’s heritage and village charm while fully complying with Shoalhaven Council planning regulations. Each project is designed to enhance both aesthetic appeal and functionality.

We create homes in Berry that combine comfort, practicality, and style, ideal for permanent living, family homes, or boutique residences.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Berry?

  • Heritage Integration: Designs that complement historic streetscapes and village character.

  • Village & Family Living: Functional homes suitable for households of all sizes.

  • Sustainable Features: Energy-efficient and eco-conscious inclusions.

  • Council Expertise: Skilled navigation of Shoalhaven Council planning controls.

  • Flexible Designs: Ideal for residential homes, boutique properties, or holiday rentals.

Our Berry designs deliver a harmonious balance of lifestyle, practicality, and council compliance.

Shoalhaven City Council Requirements for Building in Berry

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R1 General Residential

    • B1 Neighbourhood Centre for mixed-use areas

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks typically 5m – 7m

    • Side and rear setbacks vary depending on lot size and dwelling type

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Detached homes: 500m² – 900m²

    • Townhouse/duplex sites: 250m² – 400m² per dwelling

  • Key constraints:

    • Heritage overlay areas requiring sensitive design

    • Flood-prone zones in low-lying areas

    • Height restrictions to maintain village character

  • Utilities available:

    • Fully serviced with water, sewer, electricity, gas, and NBN

Building in Berry requires designs that respect heritage and village character while meeting council standards.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the Shoalhaven City Council website.

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Berry Project?

Whether it’s a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), we’ll guide you in finding the fastest and most compliant approval pathway—anywhere in New South Wales.

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand the difference:

DA (Development Application):

  • Required for multi-dwelling developments, heritage-listed sites, or projects seeking variations from CDC standards.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for single dwellings, duplexes, and extensions that fully meet council controls.

  • Allows faster approval for compliant, straightforward projects.

Need help figuring out which route suits your site? We’ll assess your block and walk you through your options.

 

FAQs About Building Design in Berry

  • Historic cottages, modern family homes, and boutique residences dominate the suburb.

  • Yes, certain lots have heritage overlays, and low-lying areas may require flood-sensitive designs.

  • Absolutely, our designs harmonise with heritage streetscapes while providing modern functionality.

  • While we know the Shoalhaven area well, we also work across many suburbs within the Shoalhaven City Council area, including Nowra, Huskisson, Ulladulla, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the Shoalhaven Council area.

  • Cost depends on the scope of your project. We’ll walk you through pricing during your discovery call so you know exactly what to expect.

Ready to take the next step?

From coastal retreats to bushfire-compliant plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. We’d love to hear about your Shoalhaven project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in Berry

We provide building design in Berry for custom homes, duplexes, and boutique properties, tailored to the town’s heritage and lifestyle.

From concept to council approval, our designs combine compliance, practicality, and timeless style.

What to Expect: Our Building Design Timeline

A step-by-step look at how we take your project from concept to council approval and beyond.

Every project starts with a discovery call and ends with council-approved, build-ready plans.

Here’s how we make it easy from start to finish:

Step 1 - Discovery Call

  • Let’s chat! We’ll have a quick call to understand your project and see how we can help.

Step 2 -Site Visit & Consultation (5–7 days)

  • We’ll meet at your site (or virtually), take a closer look, and discuss your vision in detail.

Step 3 - Fee Proposal (2 days)

  • You’ll get a clear, no-surprises proposal with the scope, timeline, and costs.

Step 4 - Concept Design (4 weeks)

  • We’ll create initial design ideas and layouts tailored just for you.

Step 5 - Design Development & Expert Coordination (2 weeks)

  • We’ll fine-tune the design and collaborate with any needed specialists (engineer, energy consultant, town planner, geo tech engineer, bushfire, heritage consultant, etc).

Step 6 - Final Adjustments (1 week)

  • We’ll polish everything and prepare the final drawings for submission.

Step 7 - Submission for Approval

  • We handle the council or certifier submission, so you’re ready for the next steps.

Want the full breakdown?

View our detailed process here.

From Plans to Reality: See How It All Comes Together

Our Berry projects highlight homes that integrate with the village character while delivering functional, stylish, and comfortable living spaces.

Portfolio

⇨

Home Designs

⇨

With DMR Designs, building in Berry is seamless from planning to completion.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Berry?

We’re here to help you take the next step, whether you’re

starting fresh or upgrading your Shoalhaven City home.

We’d love to hear what you have in mind. Book a discovery call or send us a message, and we’ll be in touch within 48 hours.

Not based in Berry?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire Shoalhaven City Council area. From Nowra and Huskisson to Ulladulla and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.