Expert Building Design in Old Guildford

Old Guildford is a long-established suburb in Fairfield City Council, valued for its mix of older brick and fibro cottages, post-war bungalows, and newer duplex redevelopments. The suburb has a strong community feel, supported by local schools, parks, and easy access to Fairfield, Merrylands, and Parramatta. With a combination of narrow streets and family-friendly blocks, Old Guildford continues to evolve with modern housing that complements its history.

At DMR Designs, we specialise in Building Design Old Guildford, creating homes that respect the suburb’s character while meeting the needs of today’s families and investors. Whether it’s a duplex on a mid-sized lot or a knockdown-rebuild for a growing household, our designs comply fully with Fairfield Council regulations.

We are committed to delivering designs that balance heritage, practicality, and modern living for Old Guildford residents.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Old Guildford?

  • Knockdown-Rebuild Expertise: Modernising older fibro and brick homes.

  • Duplex Potential: Unlocking value on compliant blocks.

  • Narrow Lot Solutions: Smart layouts for tighter suburban sites.

  • Heritage Awareness: Designs that suit the suburb’s established look.

  • Council Expertise: Navigating Fairfield Council requirements smoothly.

OuOur Old Guildford designs combine tradition, compliance, and modern living.

Fairfield Council Requirements for Building in Old Guildford

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • R3 Medium Density Residential in select streets

  • Setbacks:

    • Front: 4.5–6m typical

    • Side: 0.9–1.2m minimum

    • Rear: 3m minimum

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Detached homes: 400–600 sqm

    • Duplex/townhouse sites: 300–450 sqm

  • Key constraints:

    • Narrow frontages limit driveway and parking options

    • Some older streets have drainage issues requiring stormwater design

    • Two-storey building height limits in residential zones

  • Utilities available:

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

Designing in Old Guildford requires careful planning to adapt older blocks to modern standards.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Old Guildford 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 duplexes on narrow lots or designs seeking variations.

  • Necessary for multi-dwelling projects in R3 zones.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for compliant rebuilds, single homes, and extensions.

  • Provides faster approvals when lot conditions are straightforward.

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 Old Guildford

  • The suburb has a mix of fibro cottages, older brick houses, and new duplex redevelopments.

  • Yes, many lots have smaller frontages, which require smart design to meet parking and setback rules.

  • Yes, if the block meets minimum frontage and size requirements under R2 or R3 zoning.

  • While we know the Fairfield area well, we also work across many suburbs within the Fairfield City Council area, including Cabramatta, Smithfield, Edensor Park, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the Fairfield 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 multi-generational family homes to specialized compliance plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. We’d love to hear about your Fairfield project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in Old Guildford

We provide custom building design in Old Guildford for duplexes, family homes, and rebuilds. Our tailored approach ensures each project complements the suburb’s established streetscapes while meeting the needs of modern living.

From start to finish, we guide your Old Guildford project through design and approvals with confidence.

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

Explore our Old Guildford portfolio, showcasing rebuilds and duplexes that modernise older sites while maintaining local character.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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With DMR Designs, your Old Guildford build achieves both compliance and timeless appeal.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Old Guildford?

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

starting fresh or upgrading your Fairfield 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 Old Guildford?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire Fairfield City Council area. From Cabramatta and Smithfield to Edensor Park and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.