After the design and tender presentation from the $990 Design Your Happy Place session, the project moves from early clarity into decision and refinement. This is the stage where you assess the concept direction, review the preliminary cost position, confirm whether the project aligns with your goals, and decide how to move forward. For many Illawarra, Sutherland Shire, and Southern Highlands homeowners, this is the moment the project starts feeling real rather than theoretical.
The presentation gives you a bespoke floor plan concept, 3D renders, a preliminary cost range, and an approval pathway recommendation. The first thing that happens is a conversation about whether those outputs are aligned with your expectations. For some clients the direction feels right and the project is ready to progress. For others there may be refinements needed — adjusting the brief, scaling the specification, or reconsidering part of the design. That is completely normal.
Once the concept direction is confirmed, the project moves into more detailed design development, structural engineering input, selections planning, and approvals. The approval pathway — whether DA through Wollongong City Council, Sutherland Shire Council, or Wingecarribee Council, or CDC through a private certifier — shapes the timing of this stage significantly. EBG manages the approval process as part of the integrated project scope.
After approvals, the project moves into HIA building contract preparation, final selections sign-off, and construction commencement. EBG uses HIA building contracts with EBG's custom special conditions. Construction on a custom home across the Illawarra and Sutherland Shire typically runs 12 to 18 months from commencement through to handover.
What happens after the Design Your Happy Place tender presentation?
After the presentation the project moves into concept refinement, detailed design development, structural engineering, DA or CDC approvals, and HIA contract preparation. The $990 is credited toward your build if you proceed. Evolution Building Group manages the full process from initial session through to handover.
How long does it take to go from Design Your Happy Place to construction?
From the session through to construction commencing typically takes 6 to 18 months depending on the approval pathway, design complexity, and selections process. A CDC is typically faster than a DA. Contact Jaison Grassato on 0413 717 823.
Does EBG manage the DA or CDC approval process?
Yes. Evolution Building Group manages the full approval process for clients from pre-lodgement consultation through to determination. For DA projects EBG coordinates all required reports. For CDC projects EBG lodges with an accredited private certifier.
The most practical first step for any custom home, knockdown rebuild, or dual occupancy project across the Illawarra, Sutherland Shire, Southern Highlands, or South Coast NSW is the $990 Design Your Happy Place session with Jaison Grassato. The session is fully credited toward your build if you proceed.
Book Online: evolutionbuildinggroup.com.au/design-your-happy-place
Jaison Grassato — 0413 717 823