Expert Building Design in Castle Hill

Castle Hill, a vibrant suburb in The Hills District, offers the perfect blend of suburban tranquility and city convenience. With top-rated schools like Castle Hill High, major shopping at Castle Towers, and quick access to the Sydney Metro Northwest, it’s a sought-after area for families and professionals alike.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in Castle Hill—offering custom homes, renovations, and drafting solutions tailored to your needs. Whether you're starting fresh or upgrading your current space, our designs align with local lifestyle demands and council requirements.

DMR Designs proudly serves Castle Hill with high-quality, compliant, and visually striking designs that bring your vision to life. While we focus on Castle Hill and surrounding suburbs, we also take on select projects within a 2 to 4 hour travel radius from the Castle Hill Council area.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Castle Hill?

  • Custom Designs for Castle Hill Living: We create homes that match the area’s contemporary and family-oriented vibe.

  • Compliance with The Hills Shire Council: Our plans meet all council standards, including zoning and setback rules.

  • Local Knowledge: Familiar with Castle Hill’s average block sizes and design trends.

  • Full-Service Approach: From initial drafting to final approval, we handle every detail.

  • Tailored Renovation Services: Ideal for established homes in Castle Hill looking for modern upgrades.

Our Castle Hill building design projects prioritize council compliance and aesthetic harmony, ensuring a stress-free and efficient process.

The Hills Shire Council Requirements for Building in Castle Hill

  • General Setbacks:

    • Front: 6m–9m | Side: 1.5m–3m

  • Floor Space Ratio (FSR):

    • Up to 0.5:1 for R2 zones

  • Average Block Size:

    • 700–900 sqm in most residential areas

  • Zoning:

    • R2 Low Density Residential is common

  • Local Considerations:

    • Some properties are near heritage zones and require additional approvals

Building in Castle Hill must meet The Hills Shire Council’s setback and block coverage rules to preserve the area's character.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the The Hills Shire Council website.

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

Before your build can begin, it’s essential to know which approval pathway applies to your project. In Castle Hill, most residential developments fall under either a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC).

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

DA (Development Application):

  • Ideal for more complex projects or those that don’t meet standard development criteria.

  • Assessed by The Hills Shire Council

  • Often required for custom designs, heritage sites, or builds with unique constraints

  • May involve longer timelines due to public notifications and council review

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • A fast-tracked option for straightforward projects that meet strict planning and building controls.

  • Approved by a private certifier, not the council

  • Suitable for standard homes, granny flats, or minor renovations

  • Faster turnaround when your design complies with all standards

Still have questions? Whether it’s DA vs CDC or what comes next, you’re not alone. Here are some quick answers to the most common questions we get about building in Castle Hill.

 

FAQs About Building Design in Castle Hill

  • It depends on your project. Some Castle Hill renovations need a DA (Development Application) or CDC (Complying Development Certificate), while others may be exempt. We’ll help you figure out the best path.

  • Most projects take around 6–10 weeks from design to council submission, depending on complexity and approval type.

  • Absolutely! We offer duplex design, granny flat plans, and custom home designs tailored to Castle Hill zoning and council rules.

  • Not at all! While we're based in Castle Hill, we service all of The Hills District and surrounding suburbs within a 2-hour radius—including Kellyville, Baulkham Hills, and Norwest. We're also available for select projects up to 4 hours away from The Hill Shire 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 design inspiration to council approval, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.
We’d love to hear about your Castle Hill project!

Our Building Design Services in Castle Hill

We design a wide range of residential and commercial projects tailored to your needs. Our services include custom homes, granny flats, duplexes, renovations, extensions, outdoor living areas, and multi-residential or commercial developments up to four storeys. Whether it's a new build or a complex project, we’re here to bring your vision to life.

Whether you're planning a family home or a modern upgrade, our team guides you from vision to approval.

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

Now that you know what to expect, take a look at how we’ve brought dream homes to life for families in Castle Hill and beyond. Our portfolio and home designs showcase the results of our collaborative, step-by-step approach.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Whether expanding your family or upgrading your home, our Castle Hill building design services cover everything from concept to approval.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Castle Hill?

We’re here to help you take the next step! whether it’s a

new build, renovation, or extension.

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 Castle Hill?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across The Hills Shire Council area. From Baulkham Hills and Kellyville to Norwest and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—wherever you call home.