LUMEABUILDING CO.

Adelaide building design & construction

We design it. We build it.

New homes, extensions and renovations — designed around your site and budget, lodged for council approval, then built by the same team. Or take the plans to your own builder. Your call.

Modern Adelaide home designed by Lumea
years designing & building
20+years designing & building
council-ready documentation
100%council-ready documentation
licensed builder
BLD 299999licensed builder
direct with the director
1:1direct with the director

Why Lumea

Drafted around you, not a template.

Every plan starts with your brief, your site and your budget. We draft what suits the way you live — then document it to the standard your builder and your council both need.

Meet the studio →
Lumea building design studio work

Process

Four steps, one point of contact.

  1. Step 01

    Consult

    We listen to your brief, budget and site.

  2. Step 02

    Design

    Concepts that are practical and beautiful.

  3. Step 03

    Document & approve

    Working drawings, lodged for council approval.

  4. Step 04

    Build

    We construct it, or hand it to the builder you choose.

What clients say

Trusted across South Australia.

  • ★★★★★
    “Lucas understood the brief immediately and the plans came back better than we'd pictured.”
    Sarah & TomNew home, Blackwood
  • ★★★★★
    “Council approval went through without a single query. That alone was worth it.”
    Michael R.Extension, Prospect
  • ★★★★★
    “Honest advice about what our budget could actually achieve. No surprises later.”
    Jenna K.Subdivision, Seaton
“Creating exciting, practical and aesthetically pleasing spaces that not only meet the client's desires but also their budget.”
Lucas McNicolDirector, Lumea Building Co.

Common questions

What does a building designer do?

A building designer plans and documents homes, renovations and subdivisions. We work out what will fit on your site and suit how you live, then produce the drawings your council needs to approve the build and your builder needs to price it.

How much does building design cost?

It depends on the size and complexity of the project and how much documentation you need. We don't quote before we understand the job, which is why the first consultation is free and carries no obligation. After it, you get a clear price for the work up front rather than an hourly rate that drifts.

How long does the design and approval process take?

Most projects run six to ten weeks from first concept to lodgement. How fast concepts get signed off is usually the biggest variable, followed by whether engineering or energy ratings are involved. Council assessment time sits on top of that and is outside our control.

Do you handle council approvals?

Yes. We prepare the full documentation set and lodge it through the PlanSA portal on your behalf, then manage any requests for further information that come back. Chasing approval is our job, not yours.

Do I need approval for a renovation or extension?

Usually yes. Most structural work, extensions and changes to the building footprint need consent, and some smaller work is exempt. Rather than guess, send us what you're planning and we'll tell you what approvals it triggers before you spend anything.

What drawings do I actually receive?

A typical set includes a site plan, floor plans, elevations, sections and construction details, plus specifications if you're going to tender. We draft to the level of detail your builder needs to quote accurately, because vague drawings are where variations and budget blowouts start.

Will I need an engineer or an energy rating too?

Most construction documentation does need both. We coordinate those consultants alongside the design so you deal with one point of contact instead of three, and so compliance is resolved as we go rather than forcing a redesign late.

Can you design for a sloping or difficult block?

Yes. Slope, orientation, access and council setbacks all shape what's possible, and working that out early is far cheaper than discovering it after a builder prices the job. Difficult sites are usually where thoughtful design earns its keep.

Can you work with my builder, or help me choose one?

Both. If you have a builder, we document to suit the way they work and stay available through construction. If you don't, our construction specification and tender service prepares a detailed spec and runs the tender, so you're comparing like-for-like quotes instead of three different scopes.

Can I change my mind after seeing the concept?

That's what the concept stage is for. Concepts exist so you can react to something real and refine it before it becomes a full documentation set. Changes are far cheaper on paper than once drawings are complete or construction has started.

Do you do subdivisions and land division?

Yes. We handle land division and subdivision work, including the documentation for new dwellings on the resulting lots, and we can advise early on whether a site's development potential stacks up.

What areas do you service?

We're based in Adelaide and work across the metropolitan area and greater South Australia, including the Hills and regional areas.

How do I get started?

Book a consultation. Call 0490 682 329 or email hello@lumeagroup.com.au and we'll talk through your project, your site and your budget — no obligation.

Have a site and an idea?

A short call is usually enough to tell you what's possible.

Start the conversation