What Does Simply Draft Do?
Simply Draft provides professional residential drafting and building approval services across the Illawarra and wider NSW. Led by Cameron Rowe — a registered building designer with years of hands-on experience — the service is built around one idea: making the approval process as straightforward as possible for homeowners and small builders.
Whether you're adding a pergola, putting up a shed, extending your home, or fencing a pool, Simply Draft prepares the construction drawings and documentation your council requires, then guides the application through to approval.
Services Offered
Simply Draft handles a broad range of residential projects. Common engagements include:
Decks & Pergolas
Compliant plans for timber decks, attached pergolas, freestanding structures, and roofed outdoor areas.
Sheds & Outbuildings
Kit shed approvals, garages, and secondary outbuildings — from small garden sheds to full-size workshops.
Home Additions
Extensions, room additions, and alterations that require council DA or Complying Development approval.
Pools & Fencing
Pool barrier and fencing plans to meet council requirements and AS 1926.1 compliance.
Commercial Change of Use
Drawings and documentation for tenancy fitouts and change-of-use applications for small commercial premises.
A Closer Look: Sheds & Outbuildings
One of the most common questions Simply Draft handles is whether a shed needs council approval. In most cases in NSW, it depends on the size, placement, and your zoning — and getting this wrong can mean costly rectification orders down the track.
Under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008, small garden sheds often qualify as exempt development — meaning no approval is needed — but there are strict criteria around height, setbacks, and total impervious area on the block. Step outside those limits, and you'll need either a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or a full Development Application (DA).
Simply Draft works through this on your behalf. Cameron assesses your property and project, identifies the right approval pathway, and prepares the drawings required — including site plans, floor plans, and elevations in the format your certifier or council expects. For kit sheds from manufacturers like Ranbuild, Absco, or Fair Dinkum, Simply Draft can work directly from the manufacturer's engineering documentation to streamline the process.
Why professional plans matter for shed approvals
Councils and private certifiers won't approve a structure from a sketch or manufacturer brochure alone. You need properly scaled, dimensioned plans showing the structure's relationship to boundaries, the existing dwelling, and services. Simply Draft produces exactly that — plans that meet the standard required, first time.
A Closer Look: Decks & Pergolas
A new deck or pergola is one of the most popular home improvement projects in the Illawarra — and one of the most frequently done without the right approvals in place. Most attached decks over 600mm above natural ground level require approval in NSW, as do roofed pergolas that exceed exempt development thresholds.
The consequences of building without approval can range from a council order to rectify or remove the structure, to difficulties when selling your property. A building inspector or conveyancer will identify unapproved structures, and retrospective approvals can be far more expensive than getting it right upfront.
Simply Draft prepares full construction drawings for decks and pergolas — including footing details, framing plans, and structural specifications — as well as the supporting documentation for a CDC or DA application. For projects that qualify as complying development, approvals can often be turned around in as little as 10 business days through a private certifier.
- Attached and freestanding decks up to any size
- Covered pergolas and alfresco structures
- Carport and patio roofing over existing areas
- Verandah enclosures and screen additions
- Rooftop decks and elevated platforms
Fixed-Fee Pricing — No Surprises
One of the most frustrating aspects of working with consultants on residential projects is not knowing what the final bill will look like. Simply Draft operates on a fixed-fee model — you know the cost upfront, and it doesn't change as the project progresses through drafting and lodgement.
This makes budgeting straightforward and removes the uncertainty that often comes with hourly billing. The fee covers the production of your drawings and the support through the approval process. Council fees and certifier charges are separate and will be outlined clearly before you commit.
How the Process Works
Initial Enquiry
Describe your project through the Simply Draft website. Cameron reviews the details and responds with a fixed-fee quote and an outline of the approval pathway.
Site Assessment & Design
Where required, a site visit is arranged. Cameron reviews your property constraints, setbacks, zoning, and any relevant overlays before drafting begins.
Plans Prepared
Construction drawings are prepared to the standard required by council or a private certifier — site plan, floor plan, elevations, and supporting documentation.
Approval Lodged
The application is lodged with council or a private certifier. Simply Draft manages any requests for additional information or minor amendments during assessment.
Approval Issued
Once approved, you receive your consent documents and stamped plans — everything your builder needs to proceed with confidence.
Who Is Simply Draft For?
Simply Draft primarily works with Illawarra homeowners who are planning improvements to their property and need professional drawings to get approval. The service is well suited to:
- Homeowners planning a deck, pergola, or outdoor room addition
- Property owners wanting to add a shed, garage, or secondary structure
- People who have received a council enquiry about an existing unapproved structure
- Builders who need a reliable drafting partner for smaller residential jobs
- Small business owners navigating a commercial change-of-use approval
Service is based in Wollongong and covers the broader Illawarra — including Shellharbour, Kiama, and the South Coast — with remote project management available for clients further afield across NSW.
Ready to Get Started?
Describe your project and receive a fixed-fee quote. No obligation, no hourly meter running.