Expert Building Design in Glenhaven

Glenhaven is one of the Hills District’s most sought-after leafy enclaves—offering large blocks, peaceful surroundings, and a strong sense of community. Known for its prestige homes, elevated outlooks, and proximity to Castle Hill and Dural, Glenhaven appeals to families and professionals wanting space, style, and serenity without sacrificing convenience.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in Glenhaven—delivering custom homes, renovations, extensions, and knockdown rebuilds that enhance the area’s already high-end aesthetic. Whether you’re modernizing an established property or creating a forever home, our designs are tailored to Glenhaven’s generous lots and local planning rules.

DMR Designs proudly serves Glenhaven and surrounding Hills suburbs with compliant, refined, and thoughtfully planned designs. We also take on select projects within a 2 to 4 hour travel radius from the Glenhaven and Hills District region.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Glenhaven?

  • Tailored Designs for Large Blocks: We specialize in spacious layouts, second-storey additions, and integrated indoor-outdoor living—ideal for Glenhaven’s bigger lots.

  • Full Council Compliance: All designs follow The Hills Shire Council’s standards, including setback, height, and zoning requirements.

  • Heritage & Slope Expertise: Some Glenhaven properties are sloped or fall within conservation zones—we know how to navigate those.

  • End-to-End Project Management: From concept sketches to DA or CDC submission, we handle every step.

  • Renovation Specialists: Perfect for Glenhaven’s older homes that are ready for modern upgrades or reconfigurations.

Our Glenhaven building design projects balance lifestyle and legacy—modern comfort with timeless curb appeal.

The Hills Shire Council Requirements for Building in Glenhaven

  • General Setbacks:

    • Front: 6m–10m | Side: 1.2m–3m depending on block width and zoning

  • Floor Space Ratio (FSR):

    • Typically up to 0.5:1 for R2 zones; lower for steeper blocks or environmentally sensitive land

  • Average Block Size:

    • Ranges from 800 sqm to 2,000+ sqm; larger lots are common in established streets

  • Zoning:

    • Mainly R2 Low Density Residential with some E4 Environmental Living zones

  • Local Considerations:

    • Parts of Glenhaven have slope, bushfire, or vegetation overlays. These may require additional reports or specialist input.

Planning in Glenhaven involves both council approval and adherence to the masterplan—something we manage seamlessly for you.

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

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

Depending on your site and scope, your Glenhaven project may fall under a DA or CDC.

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


DA (Development Application):

  • Required for heritage-adjacent sites, steep blocks, or custom builds outside standard controls

  • Lodged with The Hills Shire Council

  • More design flexibility and suited for larger or multi-storey builds

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Approved by a private certifier

  • Ideal for standard compliant homes, minor renovations, or straightforward extensions

  • Fast-tracked—but must meet all controls precisely


We’ll assess your property and suggest the most efficient, stress-free approval route.

 

FAQs About Building Design in Glenhaven

  • Yes. Most renovations or extensions require a DA or CDC. We’ll guide you through the best option.

  • Generally 6–10 weeks, depending on whether you need a DA or CDC and if reports are required.

  • Absolutely. Glenhaven is known for prestige properties, and we specialize in bespoke homes with unique design features.

  • Not at all—we also service Dural, Castle Hill, Kenthurst, and other Hills District suburbs. 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?

Whether you’re building a dream home or reworking an existing one, we’ll help bring your Glenhaven vision to life.
Let’s talk.

Our Building Design Services in Glenhaven

We provide full-service design solutions for new builds, renovations, granny flats, duplexes, and more—tailored to Glenhaven’s larger blocks and refined streetscape. Our plans reflect your lifestyle and goals while meeting all council and site-specific requirements.

Whether you’re expanding your home or planning a luxury rebuild, we guide you every step of the way.

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

Browse our portfolio to see how we’ve designed high-end, practical homes for Glenhaven and surrounding suburbs. We bring the same attention to detail to every project—no matter the size.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Whether you're upgrading a family property or building from scratch, our Glenhaven building design services deliver creativity and compliance in equal measure.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Glenhaven?

We’d love to hear what you’ve got in mind—whether it’s a

full build, a second-storey addition, or a large-scale renovation.

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 Glenhaven?

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.