Clarity at Every Step

Yes. MILEHAM is a Registered Architect with the NSW Architects Registration Board (ARB) (Nominated Architect James Pilcher NSW ARB No.10030), and A+ Member of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA). 

MILEHAM also holds NSW Licensed Contractor Licence No. 272736C. The practice is a multi-award winning Member of the Master Builders Association (MBA) of NSW and a Member of the Association of Professional Builders. Combined with our Architect Registration, this combination gives our clients full-scope accountability and legal protection from design through to construction.

In NSW, an Architect is a university-qualified professional who holds formal registration with the NSW Architects Registration Board (ARB). Registration requires meeting strict education, ongoing professional development (CPD), experience, and examination standards – and carries legal accountability under the Architects Act 2003. Only registered architects may use the title ‘Architect’.

A Building Designer or Draftsman is not ARB-registered and operates under a different (and more limited) regulatory framework. They may produce design drawings, but they are not legally accountable in the same way, and are not required to carry the same professional obligations, insurance requirements, or consumer protections.

When comparing proposals, it is worth asking whether the person quoting your project is a registered Architect – and what is explicitly excluded from their scope. Many design-only proposals do not include approvals management, consultant coordination, or construction documentation unless specifically listed.

MILEHAM’s Principal is an ARB-registered Architect and a Licensed Builder – a combination that gives clients full-scope accountability from design through to construction.

Read more about the difference between an Architect, Building Designer and Draftsman here.

MILEHAM’s design service is an end-to-end offering covering architecture and interior design, and everything you need to get from first brief to construction-ready, all under a fixed design fee.

Our service covers five stages:

1. Detailed Project Brief
2. Concept Design
3. Design Development
4. Planning Submission (DA or CDC)
5. Construction Documentation and Construction Certificate

Included in our fixed design fee:

• All five design stages above
• Interior design (hard finishes – joinery, benchtops, fixtures, fittings, flooring, etc.)
• Submission and management of your DA or CDC
• Coordination of external specialist consultants required for submission
• The Construction Certificate application
• Construction cost estimates produced and updated throughout the design process.

Not included in our fee: external consultant fees (surveyor, engineer, etc.) and Council or Private Certifier submission fees. These fees are quoted and invoiced directly to you by the relevant parties.

No. Interior design at MILEHAM is offered as part of our comprehensive architectural design service – not as a standalone offering. This is a deliberate choice. When architecture and interior design are developed together by the same team, the result is a more cohesive home. Spatial decisions and interior decisions inform each other from the outset, rather than being resolved separately.

MILEHAM charges a fixed price for our architecture and interior design service, based on the scope of works and level of design complexity required for your project.

Our fee includes all five stages of the design process (see FAQ above – ‘What does MILEHAM’s design service include?’). It does not include external specialist consultant fees (e.g. arborist, stormwater engineer) or planning submission fees (Council or Private Certifier) – these are quoted and invoiced directly to you by those relevant parties.

The timeline from signed fee proposal to construction-ready documentation is longer than most clients expect. A general guide is outlined below, though timings can vary depending on your project scope and the timeframes advised by Council, your Private Certifier, or specialist consultants.

As a general guide:
Detailed Project Brief: 2 weeks (add 2 weeks if a site survey is needed)
Concept Design: 12-16 weeks
Design Development: 12 weeks
Planning Submission: 8 weeks (plus Council or Certifier assessment period)
Construction Documentation and Construction Certificate: 12 weeks

We keep clients informed at each stage so there are no surprises. You can read more about what to expect from the design and approval process here.

This is one of the most important things MILEHAM does differently.

Most architects design a beautiful home and only then – once plans are approved – does a builder provide a quote. At that point, if the number is higher than expected, the client faces a difficult choice: redesign, compromise, or proceed over budget.

At MILEHAM, construction costs are estimated and updated throughout the design process by our construction team. This means every design decision is made with a clear-eyed view of what it will cost to build. By the time plans are submitted for approval, you already have a realistic picture of your build cost – so there are no post-approval surprises.

This live cost framework is a direct benefit of holding both architectural registration and a builder’s licence in the same practice.

When seeking approval for a new home or major renovation, there are two pathways:

A Development Application (DA) is submitted to your local Council for assessment. DAs are required for projects that do not meet the criteria for a CDC, where Council discretion is needed, or where specific zoning rules apply. Assessment timelines vary by Council.

A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) is a faster approval pathway assessed by a Private Certifier rather than Council. CDCs are available for projects that comply with the Complying Development code – a set of pre-determined standards around height, setbacks, floor area, and other controls.

Not all projects are eligible for CDC. MILEHAM will advise you on the most appropriate pathway for your project at an early stage.Read more about the difference between a DA and a CDC here.

Yes. MILEHAM manages the full planning submission on your behalf, including preparing and lodging your plans with Council (DA) or Private Certifier (CDC), coordinating specialist consultants required for submission, and managing any subsequent requests for additional information.

This service is included in our design fee proposal as Stage 4. You do not need to manage the submission process yourself.

Specialist Consultants are professionals engaged separately to provide expert reports, approvals, or documentation required as part of a home renovation or new build. The consultants required for your project will depend on its scope, your site, and the requirements of your Council or Private Certifier.

Common consultants include: site surveyor, structural engineer, hydraulic or stormwater engineer, geotechnical engineer, town planner, heritage consultant, arborist, bushfire consultant, and Private Certifier.

MILEHAM advises clients on which consultants are likely required and coordinates their involvement throughout the process. Upon request, we can provide you a list of personally vetted and preferred specialist consultants.

The following are indicative costs only and may not all be required for your project. MILEHAM will advise which consultants are likely needed:

• Town Planner: c.$2,000
• Heritage Advisory Consultant: c.$5,000
• Site Surveyor: c.$2,500
• Stormwater / Hydraulic Engineer: c.$3,000 – $5,000
• Structural Engineer: c.$3,000 – $5,000
• Geotechnical Engineer: c.$1,000 – $1,500
• Arborist: c.$1,500 – $2,000
• Bushfire Consultant: c.$750 – $1,500
• Private Certifier: c.$3,000 – $5,000

Note: MILEHAM prepares build cost estimates as part of our design process – which typically means our clients do not need to separately engage a Quantity Surveyor.

Read more about how to properly budget for your home renovation here.

Budget up to $4,000 to cover submission of plans to Council (DA) or Private Certifier (CDC).

You should also allow approximately $10,000 for authority charges, a refundable security bond, and a Long Service Levy. The specifics of these charges will be detailed in the consent letter issued by Council or your Private Certifier following approval, and invoiced by the relevant third party.

Read more about how to properly budget for your home renovation here.

To obtain a Construction Certificate, budget for the following:

• Approximately 1% of your build cost estimate for the Council Development Contribution (not all councils require this, and fees may vary within the same council area).
• A $2,500 – $3,000 security bond to cover potential damage to public assets during construction. This bond is refunded upon completion, pending any claims.
• A Long Service Levy of 0.25% of the build cost estimate, applicable when the estimate exceeds $250,000.

These charges will be detailed in your consent letter and invoiced by the relevant party.

Read more about how to properly budget for your home renovation here.

MILEHAM provides fixed price contracts on all construction projects. This gives clients a clear, itemised cost before construction begins, with no ambiguity about what is and is not included.

Build quotes are valid for 30 days. Once accepted and a deposit is paid, construction commences within three months.

Read more about the difference between fixed price (lump sum) and cost plus contracts here.

A build estimate is a high-level figure based on your project goals. It’s useful early in the process to confirm whether what you want is broadly within your budget. Estimates require no detailed planning and are provided at no cost.

A build quote is a comprehensive, itemised document – typically 25–40 pages – specifying every inclusion, material quantity, and labour requirement for your project. A thorough quote takes a builder up to 40 hours to prepare and involves obtaining sub-contractor pricing and availability for every trade.

When reviewing a build quote, check how many Provisional Sums and Prime Cost items it contains. A well-prepared quote from an experienced builder will have very few of either – meaning the pricing is confirmed rather than estimated. Quotes with a high number of Provisional Sums carry greater risk of cost overruns.

Read more about the difference between a build estimate and a build quote here.

A Provisional Sum is a rate or allowance included in a build quote when a final price cannot yet be confirmed – either because selections have not been made (for example, the flooring timber has not yet been chosen by the client) or because the cost cannot be known until construction begins (for example, the extent of rock excavation required or the presence of asbestos).

Provisional Sums are estimates within your quote, which means they may increase or decrease once the final cost is established.

A note worth knowing: Always check how many Provisional Sums appear in your quote. It should be a low number. A diligent, experienced builder will minimise the number of Provisional Sums by doing the work to confirm prices upfront. A quote filled with Provisional Sums carries greater risk, and some builders use artificially low Provisional Sum allowances to make their overall quote appear more competitive than it is.

A Prime Cost item is an allowance in a build quote for a specific fixture or fitting – such as an appliance, sink, or tapware – where the final selection (i.e. brand, finish, style, etc.) has not yet been confirmed by the client. The allowance covers supply only. Any labour associated with installation of the item should be quoted separately as a Provisional Sum.

Like Provisional Sums, Prime Cost items can result in cost adjustments once a final selection is made. To minimise budget exposure, it is advisable to confirm as many of your fixture and fitting selections before signing a build contract.

Out of Ground costs are the additional costs associated with preparing a site before construction begins. They are often overlooked when setting an initial budget.

Common Out of Ground costs include:

• Service connections (water, sewer, electricity, gas)
• Site demolition and clearance (trees, roots, rock excavation)
• Ground levelling, cutting and filling, and retaining walls
• Site preliminaries (protective fencing, signage, toilet access)
• Stormwater management (onsite detention tanks)
• Sydney Water asset management (including sewer encasement)
• Third-party consultant fees required for the build (hydraulic engineers, arborist reports)
• Soil conditions: difficult ground or unexpected finds such as asbestos in the soil can add cost and time

Check your build quote to see what has been provisioned for these items.

Read more about how to properly budget for your home renovation here.

A Variation documents any change to the original, signed build contract – including the cost of the change and any associated labour, materials, and administration required to execute it. All variations must be formally agreed by all parties before the changed work can proceed.

Variations arise for two main reasons:

1. Client-requested change: The most common form, where a client changes a decision after the contract is signed or work in that area is complete.
2. Unforeseen circumstances: Common in major renovations, where demolition reveals conditions that could not have been known at the time of quoting – such as asbestos concealed inside walls or unexpected structural issues.

Each variation typically also carries an Extension of Time (EOT).

An Extension of Time is the number of additional days added to your build contract’s completion date as a result of a client-requested variation, inclement weather, or other circumstances outside the builder’s control. EOTs extend the contract completion date rather than affecting the contract price.

A Rock Clause is a standard provision found in most fixed price building contracts. It protects the builder and clarifies costs for the client, in the event that rock is encountered during excavation that could not have been identified at the time of quoting. If rock is struck, the additional cost of removal is treated separately to the original contract price.

We accept bank transfer.

Yes. MILEHAM holds NSW Licensed Contractor Licence No. 272736C. The practice is a multi-award winning Member of the Master Builders Association (MBA) of NSW and a Member of the Association of Professional Builders.

MILEHAM is also a Registered Architect with the NSW Architects Registration Board (ARB), and A+ Member of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA). Combined with our Builders License, this combination gives our clients full-scope accountability and legal protection from design through to construction.

MILEHAM constructs Class 1 and Class 2 residential buildings across Sydney’s Northern Beaches, North Shore, and Eastern Suburbs.

Project types include:

• Extensions and additions
• Major internal renovations
• Knockdown rebuilds
• New builds on vacant blocks
• Multi-residential (Class 2) developments

We work with clients who have designed their project through us, as well as those bringing approved plans from another Architect.

Integrating old and new elements of a home is one of the most technically demanding aspects of residential construction, and one where the combination of architectural and construction expertise makes a tangible difference.

It requires a precise understanding of how existing structures behave, how to match or complement heritage materials and proportions, and how to ensure the new work reads as a considered whole rather than an addition bolted on.

This is an area where MILEHAM’s integrated design/build model is particularly valuable, because the architect and builder are thinking about both the design intent and the construction method simultaneously, from the very first sketch.

Yes. MILEHAM has a 100% flexible service model and will construct from your approved DA or CDC plans, regardless of who designed them.

The NCC (National Construction Code) is the regulatory framework governing the design, construction, and performance of buildings across Australia. Volumes One and Two form the Building Code of Australia (BCA), which sets out specific requirements for residential design and construction.

You can read more about recent NCC changes and what they mean for your project, here.

A Construction Certificate must be obtained before construction begins. It is applied for after DA or CDC approval has been granted, and confirms that the construction plans and specifications are consistent with the approved plans, and that they comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

MILEHAM applies for the Construction Certificate on behalf of all our clients. This service is included as part of our design fee.

An Occupation Certificate (OC) authorises the occupation and use of a newly built or significantly renovated home. It confirms that the completed building is consistent with the development consent and complies with relevant standards. An OC is issued at the end of the build, before the home is occupied.

The Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) (formerly known as Home Owners Warranty Insurance – HOWI) provides a financial safety net for homeowners in NSW if a builder fails to complete work or defective work is carried out.

By law, a builder must take out HBCF insurance on residential work valued over $20,000 before work commences or any deposit is taken.

HBCF covers:

• All major defects for six years after completion
• All other defects for two years after completion
• Loss arising from non-completion (claim must be made within 12 months of the failure to commence or cessation of work)

The total coverage limit is $340,000 per dwelling.

MILEHAM takes out HBCF for every residential construction project. The cost is included in our build quote. Once issued, we provide you with a copy of your Certificate of Insurance for your records.

MILEHAM provides a fixed price build quote before construction begins, after your design has been finalised and approved.

For clients who have completed their design with us, this process is more straightforward because their construction costs have been estimated and updated throughout their design phase. By the time their build quote is issued, there are few surprises.

For our Build Only clients, we issue a quote based on your approved DA or CDC plans and their specifications.

You can read more about the difference between a fixed price (lump sum) and cost plus quote here.

Each MILEHAM project is led by an experienced project manager, supported by our trusted network of pre-qualified subcontractors. You will receive regular onsite walkthroughs at key stages of construction, giving you the opportunity to see progress firsthand, ask questions, and confirm the outcome is exactly as intended.

For clients who completed their design with us, the same team that designed your home remains involved throughout your construction, ensuring your project receives consistent and seamless management.

Read more about how we deliver our projects on time, on budget, to a high quality, here.

MILEHAM works with a trusted network of subcontractors and suppliers who have been thoroughly pre-qualified for their craft, reliability, and professionalism. We only work with trades who meet our exacting standards of professionalism, craftsmanship and respect.