Terms & Conditions

Terms of Service

DRAFTING HELP PTY LTD
ABN: 96 621 017 007
Address: 18/12-14 Waratah St, Mona Vale, Sydney NSW.
Email: [email protected] (02) 8776 – 3583
Effective Date: 01.01.2025.

1. Services

We provide residential building drafting services including, but not limited to:

• Concept design drafting
• Development Application (DA) plans
• Construction Certificate (CC) documentation
• Complying Development Plans
• 3D modelling (if offered)
• Liaison with council and consultants (where agreed in writing)

A full scope of services will be outlined in our written fee proposal or agreement.

2. Client Responsibilities

The client agrees to:

• Provide accurate and timely information necessary for the drafting process
• Respond to queries and provide approvals promptly
• Obtain all necessary approvals not handled by us (unless specifically included in our agreement)

3. Fees and Payment

• All fees will be outlined in a written quote or proposal.

• A deposit of $500 is payable before work commences. This is non – refundable and covers the initial site visit and measure.

• Payment is due within 14 days of the issued invoice and is payable after each stage is complete.
• Late payments: If invoice are not settled after 30 days, your details may be passed to a debt collection agency to revere the funds.
• Where a client has not accurately described the full extent of the work at the quoting stage, a new quote will be provided for the extra work.
• For plans to be issued, payment of all invoices must be received. Sign off forms for the relevant stage and Project Completion forms must be signed if at the end of the project, fore the plans to be issued without the `draft` watermark on.
• CAD files will only be released upon full payment for the project, as they contain the work done for the project.

4. Timeframes

Timeframes will be estimated in our proposal. These are indicative and subject to delays caused by:

• Client feedback or delays in approvals
• Council or third-party response times
• Variations to the original scope of work

5. Revisions and Variations

• A set number of revisions (usually 5) are included in your quoted fee.
• A revision is either one or more updates to the plans, sent in an email and does not incur more than 2 hours of drafting hours. If more than two hours of time is required for a revision, the additional work will be charged at $120+GST/ hr.
• Additional revisions or scope changes will incur additional charges, quoted prior to proceeding.
• Changes to scope will be quoted as extra work.

• What happens if I run out of revisions? Drafting work on the plans is billed by the hour, at the company hourly rate of $120 +GST. You will be notified when you have used your revisions, and we must change to hourly billing.

• Design work. Unless stated in your quote, design work is not included as you are providing the design. It’s due to this that we can offer you this competitive drafting service. If you do require design services, design hours are charged at $180 +GST /hr.
• Site visits. You have one site visit included in your quote unless otherwise stated (this is the site visit and measure). Any further site visits will be charged at $250 + GST within a 15km radius and $450+GST outside of 15km`s.
• The client is responsible for ensuring any site-specific design requirements are clearly communicated prior to acceptance of this quote. Revisions due to omitted information or changes in direction may be treated as variations. Where site specific site requirements and intricacies have not been communicated clearly, a re quote maybe be required.

6. Intellectual Property

• All original drawings, models, and documentation remain the property of Drafting Help Pty Ltd until full payment is received.
• After full payment, the client is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use the documents for the specified project only. Drafting Help will not be liable for any CAD files once issued to the client.

7. Limitation of Liability

• We accept no liability for loss or damage arising from incorrect information supplied by the client or third parties.
• Where a client has provided the design and engaged Drafting Help as a drafting only service, we accept no responsibility for issues arising from that design or the information provided.
• We do not provide engineering or structural advice. The client must engage appropriate consultants where required / we will refer you consultants we use.

8. Council, DA lodging and Construction Certificate services.

• Your fee proposal is split into 2 main stages – the DA stage and the Construction Certificate (CC) stage. Once the plans have come out of council, the client has the option of either continue to use Drafting Help for the CC stage or engage another company. A client can also engage their own Private Certifier (PC) for this stage, although Drafting Help will refer a local PC to help.

• Drafting Help can dis engage after the DA stage, not providing services for the CC stage once the plans come out of council, for any reason. Possible reasons might include being due to workload, availability of resources, client relationship etc. etc.

9. Cancellations and Refunds

• If the client cancels the service after commencement, the stage the client has cancelled on must be paid in full.
• Deposits are non-refundable unless otherwise agreed.
• The highest amount a client can claim due to being dissatisfied with the drawings, is the fee quoted for the drawings.

10. Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute, both parties agree to attempt resolution through good faith negotiation or mediation before escalating the matter to any other formal body. Drafting Help will endeavour to sort out any dispute as reasonably required and if possible, to do so.

If Drafting Help is threatened in ay way, either verbally or through social media, legal action maybe taken against the client.

11. Compliance with Law

• We comply with the Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) and Australian Consumer Law.

12. Privacy

We handle personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Your data will only be shared with consultants or authorities as required to complete your project.

13. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia. Disputes will be resolved through negotiation in good faith, or as a last resort, through mediation or legal proceedings in NSW courts.

No refunds will be given where the company has been defamed through social media or other means.

Drafting Help may also act against a party who defames the company through any medium, social media etc.

Development Application (DA) Services Disclaimer (NSW)

This Schedule forms part of the Service Agreement between the Client and Drafting Help Pty Ltd (“the Consultant”).

1. Scope of DA Services

The Consultant will assist the Client in the preparation and coordination of documentation required for lodging a Development Application (DA) with the relevant local council in New South Wales. Services may include architectural drafting, submission of plans, and coordination with council or third-party professionals where applicable.

2. Limitation of Responsibility

The Consultant’s role in the DA process is supportive and administrative. The Consultant does not provide legal, town planning, surveying, or certification services unless explicitly included in writing. The Consultant does not act as a planning authority or make any representation that council approval will be granted.

3. No Guarantee of Approval

The Client acknowledges that the Consultant cannot and does not guarantee that any Development Application will be approved by the relevant council or certifying body, nor does the Consultant guarantee the timing, conditions, or outcomes of the DA process.

4. Client Obligations

The Client agrees to provide accurate, complete, and timely information necessary for the preparation of all DA-related documents. The Consultant will not be held liable for delays, rework, or costs incurred due to errors, omissions, or incomplete information supplied by the Client.

5. Engagement of External Consultants

Where third-party consultants are required (including but not limited to town planners, structural engineers, surveyors, or bushfire consultants), they shall be engaged directly by the Client unless otherwise agreed. The Consultant is not responsible for the performance, timelines, or advice provided by any third-party consultant.

6. Council and Statutory Fees

All statutory fees, including but not limited to council lodgement fees, planning certificate fees, and contributions under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), are the sole responsibility of the Client and are not included in the Consultant’s service fees unless explicitly stated.

7. Regulatory Changes

The Client acknowledges that planning instruments, codes, and council policies (including SEPPs, LEPs, and DCPs) may change during the project. The Consultant shall not be liable for any additional work or costs resulting from changes to planning regulations after the commencement of services.

8. Construction Certificate and Other Approvals

Unless otherwise agreed, the Consultant’s services do not include preparation of documentation for a Construction Certificate (CC), Complying Development Certificate (CDC), or other post-DA requirements.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by law, the Consultant shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, or expense incurred by the Client arising from or in connection with the DA process, including rejection, delay, or conditional approvals issued by the relevant authority.

By engaging our services, you acknowledge and agree to these Terms of Service.
Please contact us if you have any questions before proceeding.