Planning a renovation, extension, or a new build in Perth is an exciting venture. You have a vision for your dream kitchen, a much-needed extra bedroom, or the perfect alfresco area for enjoying those beautiful WA evenings. But as the excitement builds, a daunting question quickly emerges: “How much is this actually going to cost?”
Before you can even get a quote from a builder, before you can choose tiles or benchtops, you need a set of professional plans. This brings you to one of the very first, and often most confusing, expenses in your project journey: the cost of drafting services.
Searching online for “drafting costs Perth” can be a frustrating experience, yielding vague answers or a confusing array of prices that seem to have no rhyme or reason. You’re left wondering: Am I getting a fair price? What should be included? And why is there such a huge difference between quotes?
This is a problem every Perth homeowner and developer faces. The fear of the unknown budget can be paralysing, preventing great projects from ever getting off the ground.
This comprehensive 2025 guide is designed to be the solution. We will pull back the curtain on drafting costs in Western Australia. We won’t just give you a number; we will empower you with knowledge. We will break down every single factor that influences the price, explain the different pricing models you’ll encounter, provide realistic cost ranges for various projects in Perth right now, and give you the tools you need to get an accurate quote and choose the right professional for your project.
By the end of this guide, you won’t just know what you might pay; you’ll understand why.
Section 1: The First Rule of Budgeting: Drafting is an Investment, Not an Expense
Before we dive into the numbers, it’s critical to reframe how you view the cost of drafting. It’s easy to see it as just another fee to pay, another hurdle to clear before the “real work” of building begins. This is a common and costly mistake.
Exceptional drafting is one of the single best investments you can make in your entire project. It is the foundation upon which everything else is built. A clear, accurate, and comprehensive set of plans is a powerful tool that actively saves you money, time, and stress in three key ways:
- It Prevents Costly Construction Errors: A well-detailed plan leaves no room for guesswork. It tells your builder exactly where every wall goes, what size every beam needs to be, and how every junction should be constructed. This clarity eliminates on-site ambiguity, which is the number one cause of variations, rework, and budget blowouts. The cost of fixing a mistake in concrete is infinitely higher than fixing it on a drawing.
- It Enables Accurate Builder Quotes: You cannot get a true fixed-price quote from a builder without a detailed set of plans. Giving builders vague sketches is asking them to guess, which forces them to add large contingencies to their price to cover potential risks. A complete set of drawings allows multiple builders to quote on a true “apples-for-apples” basis, ensuring you get competitive and accurate pricing.
- It Ensures a Smoother Council Approval Process: Experienced Perth drafters understand the specific requirements of local councils, from the City of Stirling to the Shire of Mundaring. They know the National Construction Code (NCC) inside and out. Investing in their expertise means your plans are designed for compliance from day one, navigating the Development Application (DA) and Building Permit process far more efficiently and avoiding months of costly delays from council rejection.
Conversely, “cheap” plans are often the most expensive mistake you can make. Inaccurate or incomplete drawings lead to constant questions from the builder (costing you time), construction errors (costing you money), and council knock-backs (costing you both). The money you save on a cheap drafting service is often spent ten times over solving the problems they create.
Section 2: The Core Factors That Drive Drafting Costs in Perth
So, why can’t you get a single price for “drafting”? Because no two projects are the same. The cost is directly proportional to the amount of time, skill, and complexity involved. Here are the primary factors that will determine the price of your drafting services in 2025.
1. Project Scope & Complexity (The Biggest Factor of All)
The single greatest determinant of cost is the nature and scale of your project. More complex projects require more drawings, more detail, more structural considerations, and therefore, more time.
- Small Internal Renovation: A project that only involves removing a non-load-bearing wall, reconfiguring a bathroom, or designing a kitchen layout. This is at the lowest end of the cost spectrum as it requires the fewest drawings and minimal structural input.
- Standard Single-Storey Extension: This is a very common Perth project – adding a master suite, a games room, or an alfresco area. It’s more complex than an internal renovation as it involves new foundations, a new roof structure, and integrating with the existing building.
- New Custom Single-Storey Home: Drafting a complete new home requires a full suite of drawings from scratch, including site plans, detailed floor plans, elevations, sections, and construction details.
- Second-Storey Addition: This is often the most complex and therefore most expensive type of residential drafting. It requires significant structural engineering to ensure the existing house can take the load, careful planning for stairs, and complex integration of the new roofline. The level of detail required is immense.
- Duplex/Triplex Development: Multi-unit developments require extensive planning to meet the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes), detailed site works, and separate plans for each unit, making them significantly more complex than a single custom home.
[Image 1: An infographic titled “Project Complexity Scale.” It should be a visual spectrum from left to right. Left side: “Low Complexity / Lower Cost” with an icon of an internal wall removal. Middle: “Medium Complexity / Medium Cost” with an icon of a single-storey extension. Right side: “High Complexity / Higher Cost” with an icon of a second-storey addition.]
2. The Level of Detail Required
Not all plan sets are equal. The level of detail you require will impact the price.
- Development Application (DA) / Planning Drawings: This set is primarily for getting council approval for the design concept. It focuses on how the building looks from the outside, its location on the site, and its compliance with planning codes (setbacks, height, etc.). It has less construction detail.
- Construction Certificate (CC) / Working Drawings: This is the highly detailed set of drawings a builder uses to construct the project. It includes all the DA information plus detailed dimensions, structural notes, section details, and construction specifications. A full set of working drawings is a comprehensive package and costs significantly more than a basic DA set, but is essential for construction.
3. Site-Specific Challenges
A simple, flat, rectangular block in a new estate is far easier to work with than a challenging site. Factors that increase drafting time and cost include:
- Sloping Blocks: Require detailed cut-and-fill analysis, retaining wall design, and more complex footing and slab design.
- Unusual Block Shapes: A triangular or irregularly shaped block requires more creative and complex design solutions.
- Heritage Overlays: If your property is in a heritage-listed area (like parts of Fremantle, Subiaco, or Mount Lawley), the drafting process involves extra research, detailed reports, and careful design to meet strict council heritage guidelines.
- Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Ratings: Properties in the Perth Hills or near bushland require a BAL assessment. A high BAL rating mandates specific construction materials and methods (e.g., non-combustible cladding, window shutters) which must be meticulously detailed on the plans.
4. The Drafter’s Experience and Business Model
The provider you choose will influence the cost.
- Solo Freelancer: A draftsperson working from a home office will typically have lower overheads and may offer lower rates.
- Boutique Drafting/Design Firm: A small to medium-sized firm with an office and a team of drafters may charge more, but often brings a wealth of collective experience, established processes, and greater capacity.
- Architect: A registered architect offers full design services from concept to contract administration. Their fees will be the highest, reflecting their level of qualification, design input, and broader scope of service. For pure drafting services, a dedicated building designer or drafter is often more cost-effective.
5. Inclusion of External Consultants
It’s crucial to understand what is and isn’t included in your drafting quote. The drafting fee is for the creation of the architectural plans only. Other essential expert reports are almost always separate costs. We will cover these in Section 5.
6. 3D Modelling and Photorealistic Renders
Most drafting is done using 2D software. However, many firms offer 3D modelling as an add-on service. This allows you to see a realistic 3D version of your project, take virtual tours, and get a true feel for the space. While it adds to the upfront cost, it can be invaluable for making design decisions with confidence. Photorealistic renders are a further step up and are often used for marketing new developments.
Section 3: How Drafters Charge: Common Pricing Models in Perth
When you receive quotes, they will likely be structured in one of two ways.
- Fixed Fee (Lump Sum) This is the most common model for projects with a clearly defined scope. The drafting service will assess your needs and provide a single, fixed price to produce the agreed-upon set of drawings.
- Pros: Gives you budget certainty. You know exactly what you need to pay from the outset.
- Cons: Can be less flexible. If you make significant changes to the design after the quote is accepted (known as a “scope variation”), it will almost certainly incur additional fees. Be sure to clarify how many revisions are included in the initial price.
- Hourly Rate For projects with an undefined scope, or for additional work outside of the initial agreement (like major revisions), drafters will charge an hourly rate.
- Pros: You only pay for the time actually spent on your project. It’s flexible and ideal for smaller tasks.
- Cons: Less budget certainty. The final cost can be unpredictable if the scope is not well-managed.
- In Perth for 2025, you can expect professional hourly drafting rates to range from $90 to $150 + GST, depending on the firm’s experience and the complexity of the work.
Section 4: The 2025 Perth Price Guide: Realistic Drafting Cost Ranges
Now for the numbers. Please remember, these are realistic guide prices for 2025 in Perth for a full DA and Working Drawing set from a professional drafting service. They are intended for budgeting purposes only. Your actual quotes will vary based on the factors discussed in Section 2.
[Image 2: A clean and professional-looking table titled “2025 Perth Drafting Services – Estimated Cost Guide.” The table should have two columns: “Project Type” and “Estimated Fee Range (inc. GST)”.]
Section 5: The Bigger Picture: Understanding Costs Beyond the Drafting Fee
This is where many people get caught out. Your drafting fee is just one piece of the pre-construction puzzle. To get your project “shovel-ready,” you will need a team of consultants. Your drafter will help coordinate these, but their fees are separate.
[Image 3: A flowchart or mind map titled “Your Pre-Construction Budget.” In the centre, a large circle says “Total Project Start-Up Costs.” Branching off it are bubbles for “Drafting Fees,” “Council Fees,” “Structural Engineer,” “Surveyor,” “Energy Assessor,” and “Private Certifier,” each with their estimated cost.]
Here are the other essential professionals and their estimated 2025 Perth costs:
- Council Application Fees:
- Development Application (DA): Varies by council and project value. Budget $300 – $1,500.
- Building Permit: Calculated based on the value of construction. Budget 0.2% – 0.35% of the total build cost (e.g., $1,000 – $1,750 for a $500k build).
- Structural Engineer: (Essential for most projects). They design the footings, slab, beams, and lintels to ensure the structure is sound.
- Estimated Cost: $1,500 – $5,000+ depending heavily on complexity. A second-storey addition will be at the higher end.
- Land / Feature Survey: (Essential for extensions and new builds). A licensed surveyor maps your property’s boundaries, levels, and existing features. Your drafter cannot start without this.
- Estimated Cost: $1,200 – $2,500 for a standard residential block.
- Energy Efficiency Assessor: (Mandatory). They produce a report to certify your plans meet the National Construction Code’s energy efficiency requirements (formerly 6-star, now higher).
- Estimated Cost: $400 – $800.
- Private Building Certifier: An alternative to the council for issuing the Building Permit. They check for compliance with the building code. Their fee is often incorporated into the building permit fee.
- Geotechnical Engineer: (Sometimes required). If you have a challenging site (e.g., reactive clay, very steep), the council or engineer may require a soil report.
- Estimated Cost: $800 – $2,000.
Understanding these additional costs is vital for creating a realistic total pre-construction budget. A good drafter will be transparent about which of these services you will need for your specific project.
Section 6: How to Get an Accurate Quote and Find the Right Partner
Now that you’re armed with knowledge, you can approach getting quotes with confidence.
- Develop a Clear Brief: The more information you can provide, the more accurate your quote will be. Collect your ideas, sketches (even rough ones are helpful!), inspirational photos, and a list of your “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves.”
- Compare Apples with Apples: When you get multiple quotes, read the inclusions list carefully. Does it include DA and Working Drawings? How many revisions are included? Does it include managing the council application? A cheaper quote might simply include less work.
- Ask the Right Questions:
- Can I see a portfolio of similar projects you’ve completed in Perth?
- What is your process from initial meeting to final plans?
- What consultants will I need, and can you help coordinate them?
- What are your fees for changes or revisions outside the initial scope?
- Are you fully insured with Professional Indemnity insurance?
- Look for Value, Not Just the Lowest Price: Revisit Section 1. Your drafter is a key professional partner. Choose someone you communicate well with, who understands your vision, and who has a proven track record of successfully delivering projects like yours in Perth. Their expertise is worth paying a fair price for.
Conclusion: Budgeting with Confidence
The question “How much do drafting services cost in Perth?” doesn’t have a single, simple answer. The cost is a reflection of the time, skill, and complexity required to turn your unique vision into a compliant, buildable, and beautiful reality.
By understanding the factors that drive cost, the different pricing models, and the full scope of pre-construction expenses, you are no longer guessing. You are now equipped to create a realistic budget, compare quotes intelligently, and choose a professional partner with confidence.
Your project’s success starts with a quality set of plans. Investing wisely at this foundational stage will pay dividends throughout your entire building journey, ensuring a smoother process and a superior final result.
Ready to get a clear, detailed, and transparent quote for your Perth project? The team at The Next Rex is here to help. We specialise in providing exceptional drafting services tailored to your specific needs. Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation.
