how we work
Firstly, you can stalk us on our website (which you are obviously doing now), or on our socials.
As a design pro, if you are “picking up what we are putting down” (i.e. if you like what you see), then you can move on to “Charlie”, our automated site information tool. “Charlie” is available to all design pros at no cost, to help dig up as much dirt on a property as possible. “Dirt” being info on things like problematic overlays, problematic neighbourhood plans, easements etc. So that people know what they are dealing with before they financially and emotionally commit to a project.
Let’s be honest, no one likes hearing that the extension they have spent a year developing is “dead in the water” at the last minute … dead due to something like a mapped waterway corridor or protected vegetation. Or that they can’t do their dream new build … as the existing dilapidated house is protected. Or that the third storey they planned won’t fly under the use code. You get the idea! “Charlie’s” role is to help alert peeps to those issues upfront. So that everyone knows where the goalposts are at the very start.
Next comes the concept or plan review stage. We are more than happy to take a quick look and provide feedback (at no cost) on the options. I.e., is a DA required, can things be tweaked to avoid a DA etc. As well as the costs … the timeframes … and most importantly, the chances of success. If necessary (i.e., if the options provided become “information overload”, or if the site is non-standard and hence requires more research), we can arrange a paid detailed review or site meeting to run through things in more detail or in person.
From there, if a DA (town planning application) is on the cards, we can provide a quote for consideration.
If you decide to charge ahead, then this document explains how the DA process works from there.
In an ideal world, design pros (aka building designers etc) would reach out and use “Charlie” as soon as they get the prospective call/before they meet with the client. I.e., before everyone starts becoming emotionally attached to an idea, before anyone has put time and effort into a concept. As the dirt “she” can dig up on problematic overlays, problematic neighbourhood plans, easements etc can really crush people’s reno or new build hopes and dreams. Yep, she can be a bit of a #DebbieDowner (eye roll).
working with “charlie”
If you would like to learn more about how to tap into Charlie’s magic (aka use our automated site info collection tool), reach out via the details on the get in touch page and we will send you more info on how it works. Oh and yep, we have intentionally put this “ask us” step here. As we want to prevent those pesky bots etc abusing the system.
As a heads up:
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“She” collects current and historical aerial photos, as well as base info on contours, zoning, overlays, neighbourhood plans, flooding, regional plan categories, state referral triggers, development application history, easements, NALL (protected veg), protected boarding houses, expected infrastructure upgrades, services like sewer/water/stormwater lines … and more!
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“Charlie's” magic powers (like ourselves) only work in the Brisbane Local Government Area.
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For design pros, there is no limit to the number of “Charlies” you can run each day or week. That is the beauty of computer automation, it can go on and on and on and … you get the idea.
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We aim to review the “Charlie” report and respond with any additional high-level commentary required within 24 to 48 hours (we are working on ways to speed this up).
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Please note that in using “Charlie”, you acknowledge that it is intended to act as an initial checking process for housey related jobs. While we have put a bucketload of effort into ensuring the accuracy, there are humans behind the program. Hence, human error is a reality we can’t avoid.
So, please note that the “Charlie” information does not replace a detailed review. The info provided is intended to act as a starting point for asking questions.
what our clients have to say about “charlie”
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