Ongoing Project Control,
One Predictable Monthly Cost
Senior design management and pre-construction support across your active projects — without the commitment, overhead, or utilisation risk of another full-time hire. Scale up or down as your pipeline moves.
Everything A Builder Needs From A Design Manager - Without Hiring One
Your retainer covers ongoing support across your active projects. We operate as a direct extension of your team, attending your meetings, using your systems, and reporting through your structure.
DA Coordination
Manage the design and documentation process through Development Application, coordinating consultants and driving approval outcomes on time.
INCLUDES
- Consultant coordination and management
- DA documentation review and alignment
- Planning and statutory compliance input
- Design programme and milestone tracking
- Authority liaison support
CC Coordination
Drive the Construction Certificate process by coordinating design documentation, managing consultant deliverables and closing compliance gaps.
INCLUDES
- CC documentation coordination
- NCC and statutory compliance reviews
- Certifier liaison and submission management
- Consultant deliverable tracking
- Design resolution and decision support
Tender & Procurement Setup
Structure your procurement, scope trade packages and prepare tender documentation so the project transitions to site with commercial control.
INCLUDES
- Trade package preparation and scope writing
- Tender document coordination
- Procurement scheduling
- Material lead-time strategy
- Design readiness review
Design Package Review
Independent review of design documentation for compliance, buildability, cost alignment and programme risk before it goes to tender or site.
INCLUDES
- Documentation compliance review
- Buildability and methodology assessment
- Cost and value engineering input
- Gap identification and risk flagging
- Recommendations report
Pre-Construction Coordination
Bring structure to the pre-construction phase by coordinating design, procurement, programming and consultant management ahead of site start.
INCLUDES
- Pre-construction programme development
- Design and procurement alignment
- Consultant coordination and accountability
- Stakeholder reporting and meeting leadership
- Risk and interface management
OC Closeout
Drive the final stages of project delivery — coordinating compliance documentation, tracking outstanding items and managing certification to completion.
INCLUDES
- OC readiness planning
- Compliance documentation coordination
- Outstanding deliverables tracking
- Defect support and technical closeout
- Final consultant coordination
Choose The Support Level That Matches Your Pipeline
FOUNDATION
1–2 Active Projects
For builders with a smaller active pipeline who need reliable senior support without overcommitting on resources.
Design coordination across 1–2 projects
Consultant management
Programme and milestone tracking
Monthly stakeholder reporting
Approvals and compliance input
Ideal starting point for first-time retainer clients
GROWTH
3–5 Active Projects
For builders running multiple jobs concurrently who need senior oversight and coordination capacity across their portfolio.
Full design management across 3–5 jobs
Multi-project consultant coordination
Programme management and reporting
Procurement and tender support
Compliance and approvals coordination
One Strongest value — covers most mid-tier builder pipelinescost
EMBEDDED
6+ Active Projects
For builders who need what is effectively an embedded external design manager or pre-construction lead across a full portfolio.
Embedded design management leadership
Full portfolio oversight and reporting
Senior consultant and stakeholder management
Programme, procurement and compliance
Direct integration with head office and site teams
Maximum capacity — functions as part of your leadership team
Why A Retainer Beats Another Full-Time Hire
A permanent design manager carries salary, superannuation, leave, management overhead, and the risk that your pipeline slows and the role becomes underutilised. A retainer gives you the same senior capability with none of that exposure.
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Predictible Monthly Cost
One agreed fee per month. No salary negotiation, no super, no leave liability, no workers comp, no payroll tax.
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Scale With Your Pipeline
Increase support when the workload grows. Scale back when it eases. No redundancy, no restructure.
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Monthly Rolling Terms
No long-term lock-in. You can walk away at any time. You are never trapped.
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Stronger Continuity
One senior resource who knows your projects, your team, and your standards — not a rotating roster of contractors.
Full-Time Hire vs Retainer
Full-time hire
Retainer
Cost structure
Salary + super + leave + overhead
One predictable monthly fee
Pipeline risk
Paying salary even when workload drops
Scale down or exit with 30 days' notice
Recruitment
Weeks to hire, months to onboard
Mobilise within 1–2 weeks
Termination
Notice period, redundancy risk, HR process
30-day rolling terms, no redundancy
Experience level
Depends on who you can attract and afford
10+ years, $3.75B+ project exposure
Performance guarantee
None
30-day performance guarantee
30-Day Performance Guarantee
We back our service commercially. If, within the first 30 days, we have not delivered value in line with the agreed scope, we will step away and waive our fee for that period.
That gives builders a low-risk way to engage senior support without a long commitment.
Tied to agreed scope, agreed reporting, and agreed deliverables.
Ready To Discuss A Retainer?
Tell us how many active projects you're running, what support you need, and where the pressure sits. We will come back with a retainer structure and monthly fee that matches your pipeline.
Not The Right Fit? Explore Other Engagement Options
DEFINED SCOPE
Fixed-Fee Phase Packages
Experienced design management support for a defined project phase — one agreed scope, one fixed fee, no open-ended salary cost.
Learn moreIMMEDIATE SUPPORT
Overflow & Gap Coverage
Fast, flexible support when the workload spikes or a project is under pressure — step us in when it's needed, step us back out when it's not.
Learn more