Expert Building Design in Richmond

Richmond is one of Hawkesbury’s most iconic town centers—offering a blend of heritage streetscapes, established neighborhoods, and growing residential estates. With the Hawkesbury River nearby and key amenities like schools, shops, and transport, Richmond is ideal for families, retirees, and property investors. But with much of the suburb located in a floodplain, designing and building here requires precision and council-aligned planning.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in Richmond. Whether you’re upgrading a heritage cottage, planning a flood-smart family home, or investing in a dual occupancy, we’ll help you stay compliant and bring your ideas to life.

We proudly serve Richmond with high-impact, council-ready designs that respect the area’s flood overlays and character-filled charm.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Richmond?

  • Flood-Responsive Layouts: Elevated and slab-on-fill designs suited for flood-prone blocks

  • Heritage & Character-Aware: Seamless extensions for older homes

  • Dual Occupancy Experts: Ideal for corner blocks and large lots

  • Knowledge of Council Requirements: Designs that meet planning, FSR, and height rules

  • Custom Designs for Urban or Semi-Rural Sites: Tailored to all parts of Richmond

Our Richmond building design projects balance flood-resilience, family function, and long-term value in every design.

The Hawkesbury City Council Requirements for Building in Richmond

 

  • Zoning:

    • Mix of R2 Low Density Residential, R3 Medium Density, and RU4 on fringes

  • Setbacks:

    • Front: 6m–9m | Side: 0.9–1.5m | Rear: 3m+, with additional considerations for heritage areas

  • Typical Lot Sizes:

    • Urban blocks: 550–900 sqm

    • Larger lots and corner sites up to 1,200+ sqm

    • Some semi-rural blocks on outer edges

  • Key Constraints:

    • Flood overlays throughout much of the suburb

    • Character and heritage precincts near the town center

    • BAL ratings vary—especially near open bushland and riverbanks

  • Utilities:

    • Fully serviced area with mains water, sewer, power, and NBN

Building in Richmond requires careful consideration of zoning overlays, bushfire ratings, and environmental planning policies.

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

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

Depending on your block’s flood and heritage status, you may be eligible for a CDC or require a DA.

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

DA (Development Application):

  • Required for flood-prone areas, character zones, and dual occupancies

  • We coordinate all consultants and manage the full approval process

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Possible on newer lots in residential zones outside flood overlays

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 Richmond

  • Yes—with the right design approach and engineer-led drainage plans, we can help you gain approval.

  • Absolutely—we specialize in sympathetic upgrades, extensions, and second dwellings.

  • Typically 8–12 weeks from concept to submission, especially if bushfire or environmental reports are required.

  • Nope! While we know Annangrove well, we also work across The Hills and Hornsby—from Kurrajong and Oakville to St Albans, South Windsor and more. We're also available for select projects up to 4 hours away from The Hawksbury City 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 acreage layouts to bushfire-compliant plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
We’d love to hear about your project!

Our Building Design Services in Richmond

We offer full design services for custom homes, heritage extensions, granny flats, dual occupancies, and flood-affected projects.

From modest extensions to striking new builds, our Richmond building design services help your ideas become reality—stress free.

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 how we’ve helped Richmond clients create flood-ready homes that don’t compromise on design or function.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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From town-center upgrades to elevated new builds, our Richmond building design services are tailored for this historic suburb.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Richmond?

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

starting fresh or upgrading a family 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 Richmond?

DMR Designs proudly serves all of Hawkesbury City Council—from Kurrajong and Oakville to St Albans and South Windsor. Wherever you're located, we deliver local expertise and full-service building design.