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General Information Only

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a House Plan Review?

A House Plan Review is an independent assessment of your proposed house plans by an experienced residential drafting professional. We review your plans from a practical homeowner perspective and identify opportunities to improve functionality, storage, furniture layouts, future accessibility, and potential construction cost concerns before building begins.

Who is this service for?

This service is ideal for:

• Homeowners building a new home

• People purchasing plans online

• Clients working with volume builders

• Renovators seeking a second opinion

• Homeowners wanting to future-proof their home

• Families concerned about accessibility and ageing-in-place

What do you review?

Depending on the level of review selected, we may assess:

• Floor plan functionality

• Room sizes and proportions

• Furniture layouts

• Storage opportunities

• Internal circulation and flow

• Kitchen and bathroom usability

• Future accessibility considerations

• Natural light opportunities

• Construction efficiency

• Potential cost-saving opportunities

What documents do I need to provide?

Please provide:

• Floor plans (PDF preferred)

• Site plan (if available)

• Elevations (if available)

Any specific concerns or questions you would like addressed

What will I receive?

You'll receive a written report outlining:

• Identified concerns

• Suggested improvements

• Potential design opportunities

• Practical recommendations

The report is intended to help you make more informed decisions before construction begins.

Does the review include redesigned plans?

No.

The House Plan Review service provides feedback and recommendations only.

If you would like revised drawings or redesign services, these can be quoted separately.

Is this a building approval assessment?

No.

The review does not assess compliance with:

• Planning requirements

• Council regulations

• Building Codes

• Australian Standards

• Development approvals

Separate professional advice may be required.

Can you review plans prepared by another designer or builder?

Yes.

Many clients use this service specifically to obtain an independent second opinion before committing to construction.

How long does the review take?

Most reviews are delivered within a few business days of receiving all required documentation.

Complex projects may take longer.

Can this save money during construction?

Often, yes.

Identifying issues before construction starts is usually far less expensive than making changes once building is underway.

However, cost savings cannot be guaranteed.

Do you provide accessibility advice?

Yes.

Where relevant, we may identify opportunities to improve:

• Mobility access

• Future adaptability

• Ageing-in-place considerations

• General usability

Terms & Conditions

House Plan Review Service Terms & Conditions

MJ Drafting & Design

1. Service Overview

MJ Drafting & Design provides an independent House Plan Review service for residential projects. The purpose of the review is to provide professional observations and recommendations regarding the practical usability and functionality of the plans provided by the client.

The review may include comments relating to:

• Floor plan functionality

• Storage provision

• Furniture layout and circulation

• General accessibility and ageing-in-place considerations

• Design efficiency

• Potential construction cost implications

The service is intended to assist clients in making informed decisions before construction commences.

2. Information Provided by the Client

The client is responsible for providing accurate and complete information, including all relevant plans, drawings, specifications, surveys, engineering information and supporting documentation.

MJ Drafting & Design will rely on the accuracy of the information supplied and is not responsible for errors, omissions or inaccuracies contained within documentation prepared by third parties.

3. Scope of Review

Unless specifically agreed in writing, the House Plan Review does not include:

• Structural engineering assessments

• Building certification

• Planning advice

• Surveying services

• Legal advice

• Financial advice

• Energy efficiency assessments

• Building permit assessments

• Development application assessments

• National Construction Code compliance certifications

Any comments relating to these matters are general observations only and should not be relied upon as professional certification or approval.

4. Not a Design Service

A House Plan Review is an assessment and recommendation service only.

The review does not include:

• Preparation of revised plans

• Redrafting services

• Architectural design services

• Construction documentation

• Engineering design

Should the client require amended drawings or further design work, this may be quoted as a separate service.

5. Recommendations and Decisions

All recommendations provided by MJ Drafting & Design are intended to assist the client in evaluating design options.

Final decisions regarding:

• Design changes

• Building contracts

• Construction methods

• Product selections

• Budget allocations

remain the responsibility of the client.

6. Timeframes

Review timeframes are estimates only and may vary depending on:

• Project complexity

• Documentation quality

• Current workload

• Requests for additional information

MJ Drafting & Design will make reasonable efforts to meet the estimated delivery timeframe.

7. Fees and Payment

Full payment is required prior to commencement unless otherwise agreed.

If a client cancels before work has commenced, a refund may be available.

If work has already commenced, MJ Drafting & Design may retain an amount reflecting the work completed up to the time of cancellation.

Nothing in these terms limits any rights the client may have under Australian Consumer Law.

8. Australian Consumer Law

Our services come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes, restricts or modifies any rights or remedies available to consumers under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) or any other applicable legislation.

Where services are not supplied with due care and skill, or otherwise fail to meet a consumer guarantee, clients may be entitled to remedies available under Australian Consumer Law.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by law, MJ Drafting & Design's liability for any claim relating to the House Plan Review service shall be limited to the amount paid by the client for the review service.

MJ Drafting & Design is not liable for:

• Decisions made by the client based on recommendations

• Actions or omissions of builders, designers, contractors or consultants

• Construction defects

• Cost overruns

• Approval outcomes

• Project delays

This clause does not exclude or limit liability where such exclusion is not permitted by law.

10. Intellectual Property

All review reports, written assessments, recommendations, graphics and supporting material remain the intellectual property of MJ Drafting & Design.

Clients may use the report for their own project but may not reproduce, distribute, publish or sell the report without written permission.

11. Privacy

Information supplied by clients will be treated confidentially and used only for the purpose of providing the requested service, unless disclosure is required by law.

12. Acceptance

By purchasing or using the House Plan Review service, the client acknowledges that they have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions.

Important: Our House Plan Review service provides professional observations and recommendations only. It is not a building approval, engineering certification, compliance assessment or guarantee of construction cost savings. Always obtain advice from appropriately qualified professionals relevant to your project.