Architects are more expensive than draftsman because they're usually providing more.

You need to decide on the level of service you're wanting.

The difference between them all is way beyond the design, plans and documents only.

It's a whole story by itself.

Nevertheless.....

Everyone could come up with a different design for this site.

The first consideration is budget then the designer will aim to deliver a design to suit both budget and site. Theres also probably quite a few other covenants from the developer than just garage. These vary from developer to developer. Even rubbish bin location can be in the requirements.

Its the designers job to work within these constrains and is way more difficult than most realise unless they're re-hashing plans they've done before.

My recommendation would be to first look at the project home builders that construct in the area unless you want a truly custom home. Many builders can't compete with project home builders as the homes are built by the hundred with minimal changes and variations between them.

always best to invest in professional advice but these are some ideas to add to your basic floorplan but i suggest that a simple hip roof with gables only at the front would be a much more cost effective roof with skylights and/or roof windows for extra light and ventilation

@oklouise....this is exactly like our current floor plan. We are planning to add velux windows on the rake ceiling to have more natural light flowing in to the house. Do you reckon, the Master Bed should be in the front, so that we could potentially open up the courtyard - as the backyard is a dead space (owing to the orientation)?

depends on how you like to live, local climate, ages of people living in the house, how many separate rooms you need (eg the study would be big enough for a small single bedroom but a bit too cramped for a double guest room and it's useful to work out how you would use every room..eg the bedroom next to the laundry is big enough for a double bedroom or playroom but not a very good room during the day for small kids away from supervision and that corner might be better for the private master suite and keep the lounge study at the front to enjoy the northern aspect and some people prefer the master bedroom grouped with the children's rooms but there you would have size and budget restriction and raked ceiling and clerestory windows are more complicated in this shaped house and would add lots of extra expense...what do you mean by open up the courtyard??...maybe the house could be closer to the south fence and have the "backyard" along the east...more of an L shape rather than a U??

Dear @oklouise....we are based in Melbourne and are a small family (me+wife+4 year old daughter), hence thinking of open plan living with enough room for a growing family.

We have made some changes in the floor plan and now thinking of having the lounge in the front followed by Master and then the open plan layout. Also planning to keep the rake ceiling and also incorporating velux windows.

please see the attached floor plan....absolutely look forward to your input.

is this your own plan or a copy of a commercial plan as we need to be aware of copyright restrictions?... we can't read the words and dimensions on the plans and always better to include scale sized furniture to find the best location for doors and windows but i prefer the alfresco on the east and this pantry blocks the kitchen from the rest of the room and makes a longer hall than necessary and the pantry could be better on the outside wall

Hi @oklouise...these plans have been drawn up by a draftsman + builder (with our input). We intend to use this builder for the construction, hence he is helping us out with drawing up rough floor plans at this conception stage.

True, it would be great to include scale sized furniture, but do not have the expertise or software skills to do so. Agree, on your suggestions of having the alfresco on the east and also doing something about the pantry (it surely adds to the length of the hall). But just struggling for ideas :(

unable to read the dimensions and writing or i would redraw the new plans with any suggestions..please repost and make sure that the writing is clear enough to read...include the width and length of the block (ignoring the angle) and include any requited set backs

Hi @oklouise, would really appreciate your work on this plan. Attaching the rotated version, reckon if you zoom in the dimensions become readable. Basically, its:

16x28

Corner block

3 m easement at the back

Need to leave 2 m on the eastern side (as its a corner block)

Set back from the front - 5 m for garage (on the west side) and 4 m for the entry

max we can build is 29 squares

your plan with some minor variations...furniture helps understand the spaces better and i've used bed 2 as a guest room or (with opening toward the kitchen) this room could also be a supervised play or study area for children, the compartmented bathroom is a better use of space for several people to use at once.. i've sacrificed some space from the ens to enlarge the lounge, reduced the entry for a better sized garage (5.5m is not wide enough for two cars and walking space) and the verandah could be included inside the house or create an eastern courtyard... the total floor area (including garage, alfresco and verandah) is just over 29 squares (271.7sqm) using the specified setbacks and the 10cm internal walls in my CAD program although having 90mm internal walls should reduce the total floor area to within the 29 squares

Thanks @oklouise, its making much more sense now! much appreciated

think about how you would live in the house..consider each room eg would your family prefer the laundry near the kitchen with the combined use as a mudroom entry from the garage with the long walk down the side of the house to reach the clothesline or the laundry could be in place of bed 4 with external door to the alfresco and easy access to the toilet from outside... another option could be to swap the kitchen and family room to have direct connection between kitchen and alfresco??