Prepare your project.
Free resources for clarity and confidence.

Starting a custom project is a big step, and the decisions made early define the outcome.

These tools and resources are designed to help you, from shaping your brief to understanding budgets and the path ahead. They are simple to use, free to access, and designed to bring clarity to your planning.

Our aim is to make bespoke architecture more approachable for people who want to create thoughtful, lasting projects.

  1. Get Inspired.

This collection of resources brings together some of the places we turn to for ideas, materials and thoughtful design. From architecture and craftsmanship to gardens, furniture and sustainable building, each site offers a different way of seeing how people shape the world around them.

Use these sources to explore, collect ideas and form your own vision. Whether it’s a detail, a texture or a way of living, inspiration is the first step toward creating something special.

2. Start your Brief with Clarity.

Consolidate your ideas. This comprehensive and interactive set of questions helps align your vision, budget, and priorities. In just 30 minutes you can create a clear “Brief document”.

3. Budget Calculator.

Enter your budget and see how it divides across construction, design, approvals, fees, and contingency. From traditional structures to the fixed concept design fees we offer. This is a guide only, intended to illustrate how design fees compare and where your budget is spent.

Project type
Additional Design Services
Budget breakdown Traditional Architect Fixed Fee Concept Design
BUILD COSTS
Build Costs total
Preliminaries 9%
Building Shell 36%
Building Fit out 19%
External and Siteworks 18%
Contingency 1%
Builder’s Margin 17%
ARCHITECTS FEES
Stage 1 Discovery
Stage 2 Design
Stage 3 Approvals€ 0
Stage 4 Documentation€ 0
Stage 5 Delivery€ 0
Architects Fees
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Master planning€ 0€ 0
Interior Design€ 0€ 0
Landscape Design€ 0€ 0
Custom Furniture
Development Approval Set€ 0€ 0
Engage Draftsperson€ 0€ 0
ESSENTIAL CONSULTANTS
Site Survey
Engineer
Energy Assessment
Private Certifier
Quantity Surveyor
COUNCIL FEES AND TAX
Indicative only: TBC
Development Approval
Building Permit
GST 10% of budget
CLIENT CONTINGENCY
Client contingency
GRAND TOTAL

Disclaimer: This tool is a high-level guide only. All figures are indicative and do not constitute a quote or fee proposal. Actual construction, consultant and design fees depend on your site, scope, planning requirements and final brief. A tailored budget and fee breakdown is developed with you during the design process.

4. The Client’s Journey. Coming Soon!

The Client’s Journey is a downloadable guide for anyone considering a custom home or design project. It offers a clear picture of what it’s like to work with an architect. From first ideas to a finished build.

The guide is divided into two parts:

  • The Process outlines each project stage step by step.

  • The Joshua Brook Approach explains the values and principles that guide our work.

Together, they connect the how with the why. Helping new clients to understand what to expect, and what makes the journey worth taking.

Be the first to receive the guide when it launches!

Sign up here

5. Talk with an Architect.

If you’re serious about moving forward with a project, we offer an complimentary project consultation to go through your ideas, answer early questions, and outline the way forward.

book a consultation