Your home project
— priced, planned,
shortlisted.
Track development applications, benchmark your build cost, and find Australian architects, builders and designers. Free for homeowners.
EXPLORE THE PLATFORM
What are you working on?
Development application tracking across every NSW council — updated daily from the NSW Planning Portal
COST CALCULATOR
What will my project cost?
Benchmark your build before the first quote — powered by our live materials index. Source: ABS.
- New builds, renovations, extensions and granny flats
- State-by-state rates and finish levels
- Live material prices, updated from ABS data
Indicative estimates only — get a formal quote from a licensed builder.
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY
NSW at a glance
Source: NSW Planning Portal public register · updated daily.
MOST ACTIVE SUBURBS · LAST 90 DAYS
DAs TRACKED
57,692
APPROVED · LAST 12 MO
41,971
MEDIAN PROJECT VALUE
$264K
MEDIAN APPROVAL TIME
44 days
ADVICE & INSPIRATION
Read before you build
Hidden Costs of Building a New Home That Builders Don't Tell You
The line items that regularly blow new build budgets — and how to protect yourself before you sign a contract.
23 Apr 2026
Understanding Structural vs Cosmetic Renovations — and Why It Matters
The difference between structural and cosmetic renovations in Australia — how it affects your contract, warranty, insurance, and resale value.
23 Apr 2026
The Renovation Contingency Rule: Why 20% Isn't Always Enough
How to set a realistic renovation contingency, what typically triggers it, and how to protect your budget against the unexpected.
23 Apr 2026
HOW IT WORKS
From idea to handover, with help at every step
Get inspired
Browse real Australian projects and save the ones you love.
Benchmark costs
Use the cost calculator and live materials index to set a realistic budget before the first quote lands.
Shortlist pros
Search architects, builders and designers by suburb and category, then enquire directly.
Build with confidence
Track development applications in your suburb and stay across local building activity.
Are you a pro? Put your work in front of homeowners with DBS.
List your business free, showcase your portfolio, and receive enquiries directly from homeowners planning real projects in your area.
57,692
DAs TRACKED · NSW
128
COUNCILS COVERED
$0
TO LIST YOUR BUSINESS
Direct
ENQUIRIES TO YOUR INBOX
HELP CENTRE
Good questions
Where does the DA data come from?+
Directly from the NSW Planning Portal's public ePlanning register, which covers every NSW council and is updated daily. Each figure on the site is based on public register data as of the date shown.
Is Design Build Source free for homeowners?+
Yes — browsing, DA tracking, cost estimates, guides and professional shortlisting are all free for homeowners. Professionals can list for free and pay only for optional premium placement.
How accurate are the cost estimates?+
Estimates are indicative only, benchmarked against ABS-sourced material prices and typical build rates. Always get a formal quote from a licensed builder before making decisions.
How are professionals verified?+
Profiles display information from public registers and the professional's own submissions, labelled with the data source and date. Always verify current licence status independently before engaging a professional.
Do you cover all of Australia?+
The professional directory is Australia-wide. Development application tracking currently covers NSW (every council, updated daily), with more states planned.