Expert Building Design in North Rocks

North Rocks is a leafy, well-established suburb in Sydney’s northwest, known for its quiet streets, larger blocks, and strong community vibe. With proximity to Northmead, Carlingford, and Parramatta, plus easy access to quality schools and reserves like Bidjigal Reserve, it’s a popular area for growing families and those looking to renovate or rebuild.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in North Rocks—offering knockdown-rebuilds, modern extensions, custom family homes, and duplexes. Whether you’re enhancing a post-war brick home or starting fresh on a generous block, we’ll tailor your design to match the local lifestyle and council rules.

DMR Designs proudly serves North Rocks and neighboring suburbs with thoughtful, code-compliant designs that blend modern features with established streetscape character. We also take on select projects within a 2 to 4 hour travel radius from the North Rocks area.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in North Rocks?

  • Knockdown-Rebuild Expertise: We help transform older North Rocks homes into contemporary family residences.

  • Built for Bigger Blocks: Our designs make the most of the area’s spacious land sizes and leafy surroundings.

  • Council & Compliance Focused: We know City of Parramatta's planning controls inside out.

  • Custom Family Layouts: Homes designed around growing families, multi-generational living, or future investment.

  • Complete Design-to-Approval Service: We handle all stages, from concept through to submission.

Our North Rocks building design projects prioritize neighborhood harmony, family needs, and streamlined council approval.

The Hills Shire Council Requirements for Building in North Rocks

  • General Setbacks:

    • Front: 6m | Side: 1.2m–1.5m | Rear: 3m+

  • Floor Space Ratio (FSR):

    • Generally up to 0.5:1 in R2 Low Density Residential zones

  • Average Block Size:

    • 600–900 sqm in most residential streets; sloping blocks are common

  • Zoning:

    • Primarily R2 Low Density Residential

  • Local Considerations:

    • Some lots are bushfire-prone or adjacent to reserves—designs may need additional bushfire or stormwater reports

Building in North Rocks must meet City of Parramatta’s setback and block coverage rules to preserve the suburb’s established character.

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

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

Most homes in North Rocks can proceed via either DA or CDC, depending on the site, slope, and design.

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


DA (Development Application):

  • Required for custom homes, large renovations, or builds near reserves or with site-specific issues

  • Lodged through City of Parramatta

  • Suitable for non-standard block layouts or special considerations

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Great for compliant designs on flatter blocks

  • Faster approval via private certifier

  • Limited if overlays or slope constraints apply


We’ll assess your site and provide the right approval strategy based on your goals.

 

FAQs About Building Design in North Rocks

  • Yes—most renovations, extensions, or new builds will need either a DA or CDC.

  • Most projects take 6–10 weeks from concept to submission, depending on scope and approvals.

  • Absolutely. We specialize in challenging sites and provide site-responsive layouts.

  • Not at all—we also work in Carlingford, Northmead, Oatlands, and the wider Hills and Parramatta regions. 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 now or planning for future growth, we’ll help design your perfect home in Nelson.

Our Building Design Services in North Rocks

From knockdown-rebuilds to full renovations, we design smart, stylish homes that honor North Rocks' established charm while delivering modern convenience. Duplexes, granny flats, and home extensions are also part of our service offering.

Your ideal home starts with smart planning.

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 of classic-to-modern transformations in well-established suburbs like North Rocks.

Portfolio

⇨

Home Designs

⇨

Whether you’re modernizing an old home or building fresh, our North Rocks building design services are here to help.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in North Rocks?

Let’s create something timeless and compliant

built for your lifestyle and block.

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 North Rocks?

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.