Expert Building Design in West Pennant Hills

West Pennant Hills blends prestige and practicality—offering large blocks, leafy outlooks, and proximity to elite schools and major motorways. With its wide, tree-lined streets and access to Pennant Hills Road and the M2, the suburb is highly sought-after by growing families and professionals seeking both space and convenience.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in West Pennant Hills. From contemporary knockdown rebuilds to timeless extensions, we deliver custom designs that meet both your vision and Hornsby Shire Council regulations.

We proudly serve West Pennant Hills and every suburb within Hornsby Shire—bringing experience, creativity, and council-ready documentation to your project.


Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in West Pennant Hills?

  • Premium Custom Homes: Designed to suit your block’s size, slope, and lifestyle needs

  • Renovation & Extension Experts: Ideal for modernizing 80s–90s homes common in the area

  • Council Knowledge: We manage all compliance with Hornsby Shire’s strict planning controls

  • Knockdown Rebuilds: Refresh your land with a new layout built for today’s lifestyle

  • End-to-End Service: From arborist reports to final approval, we handle every step

Our West Pennant Hills building design projects focus on maximizing livability, style, and long-term value—all with full council compliance.


The Hornsby Shire Council Requirements for Building in West Pennant Hills

  • General Setbacks:

    • Front: 6–9m | Side: Typically 1–1.5m, depending on height and zoning

  • Floor Space Ratio (FSR):

    • Usually 0.4:1 in R2 Low Density Residential areas

  • Average Block Size:

    • 900–1,500 sqm—often wide frontage or sloping terrain

  • Zoning:

    • Primarily R2 Low Density Residential, with some E4 Environmental Living lots

  • Local Considerations:

    • Bushfire-prone land, drainage, and large tree retention are common council concerns.

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

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


DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your West Pennant Hills Project?

We assess your site conditions and project goals to determine the most efficient approval pathway.

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

DA (Development Application):

  • Ideal for custom homes, steep blocks, or where trees and overlays apply

  • Lodged through Hornsby Shire Council

  • Allows design flexibility

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Possible for simpler additions or builds that fully comply

  • Assessed by private certifier

  • Faster approvals but more restrictive

We’ll evaluate your site and guide you to the most fitting approval pathway.

 

FAQs About Building Design in West Pennant Hills

  • Yes—we specialize in designs that work with terrain to enhance flow, drainage, and street appeal.

  • Yes! We design pools, outdoor living areas, granny flats, and more—all integrated with your primary residence.

  • Most projects move from concept to submission in 6–10 weeks, depending on complexity.

  • Not at all—we also work across the entire Hornsby region, including Mount Colah, Hornsby, and Waitara. We're also available for select projects up to 4 hours away from The Hornsby 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?

We’re here to help you take the next step—whether you’re planning a brand-new build or modernizing a classic home.


Our Building Design Services in West Pennant Hills

We offer custom home designs, second-storey additions, granny flats, extensions, knockdown rebuilds, and duplex plans—tailored for West Pennant Hills’ large family blocks.

From stunning rebuilds to lifestyle upgrades, our West Pennant Hills 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 clients in West Pennant Hills and beyond turn their design goals into reality.

Portfolio

Home Designs

From modern transformations to luxury new builds, our West Pennant Hills building design services deliver standout results—without the stress.


Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in West Pennant Hills?

We’re here to help you take the next step—whether you’re planning a brand-new build or modernizing a classic 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 West Pennant Hills?

DMR Designs proudly services the entire Hornsby Shire Council area—from the riverside homes of Brooklyn and Berowra Waters to the leafy streets of Beecroft, Wahroonga, and Westleigh. Wherever you're building across the Shire, we bring the same expert process and personalized design approach to every project.