Before You Build: How Feasibility Saves Time, Stress, and Money
When you’re dreaming about a new home, renovation, or extension, it’s tempting to jump straight into the fun stuff.
Pinterest boards, tapware shopping, tile selections. Some people even race ahead to permits and paperwork. But there’s an earlier step that often gets overlooked, and it’s the one that saves the most heartache: feasibility.
What is Feasibility?
Feasibility is asking, “Can I actually do this?” before you spend a cent on drawings or consultant reports.
It’s where we check things like:
Can this property be strata titled or subdivided?
Do bushfire, landslip, or heritage overlays change what’s possible?
Are setbacks, easements, or services going to block that dream extension?
Does the wishlist actually line up with the budget and timeline?
Not glamorous, but essential.
Why It Matters (Real Talk)
You can have the world’s best Pinterest board, but if your property can’t legally or practically take what you’re dreaming of, that inspo board is just a pretty picture.
Recently, over lunch, I met with someone who had already spent money on plans, only to find out their property couldn’t be strata titled. To make matters worse, their designer had disappeared, leaving them stuck with drawings they couldn’t use. That’s a harsh (and expensive) way to learn what a simple feasibility check would have uncovered on day one.
A feasibility check upfront flips that. You head into design knowing what’s possible, what’s not, and where the wiggle room is. It’s about safeguarding your investment and protecting you from disappointment.
How I Use Feasibility in My Process
For me, feasibility is often the preliminary stage to concept design. Before I draw a line, I want to be as confident as I can be that your project is on solid ground.
Sometimes that’s a quick, simple check as part of my design process. Other times, it’s a full feasibility report; a detailed breakdown for those who want absolute clarity before committing.
Either way, it’s not about slowing you down. It’s about clearing the path so concept design can fly, without second-guessing what the site, council, or budget might throw at us.
The Bigger Picture
Think of feasibility as the guardrails on your project. They keep you on track and give you confidence to invest in the fun stuff - drawings, selections and finishes, knowing it’s all actually achievable.
Skipping this step is like planning a holiday and booking the hotels before checking if your passport is valid. It doesn’t matter how nice the room is if you can’t even get on the plane.
Takeaway for Homeowners
If you’re planning an extension, renovation, or even a strata in Tasmania, get a feasibility check first. It’s not the sexy part of design, but it’s the step that makes sure the sexy part actually happens.
And if you’re not sure where to start? That’s what I do. Whether it’s a quick feasibility check as part of your design journey, or a full standalone report, this step protects your investment and gives you the clarity to move forward with confidence.
If you’re in Launceston, Northern Tasmania, or surrounds and planning a new build, renovation or extension
Send me your site details or follow along on Instagram @tahleahhoyledesign for ideas, design tips and project updates.
