Frequently Asked Questions

DesignSure is an automated compliance checking tool for Part 5 (Siting) of the Victorian Building Regulations 2018. Upload your building plans, enter your project details, and receive an instant compliance report assessing your project against Regs 73–96.

Create an account, choose Quick Check or Full Check, upload your plans (PDF, JPG, or PNG), complete the supplementary data form, review the AI-extracted values, and pay. Your report is generated within minutes.

Our AI extracts dimensions from your plans, cross-validates them against your form entries, and the compliance engine assesses each applicable provision. Your branded PDF report is generated in your dashboard and you receive an email notification.

AI extraction typically takes 3–5 minutes depending on plan complexity. Report generation takes a few seconds after that. Total time from payment to report is usually under 6 minutes.

A Quick Check assesses up to 20 provisions (Regs 73–80, 85–87, 89–93) — the siting provisions that don’t require neighbour data. It costs $39 and is best for extensions, outbuildings, and quick pre-permit application checks.

A Full Check assesses all 27 Part 5 provisions (Regs 73–96), including daylight, solar access, and overlooking provisions that require neighbour context. It costs $59 and is best for new dwellings and full permit pre-checks.

If your project is a standard extension, outbuilding, or fence, a Quick Check covers the key siting provisions. If you’re building a new dwelling or need a comprehensive pre-permit check including daylight and overlooking, choose a Full Check.

Quick Check: $39 AUD per report. Full Check: $59 AUD per report. All prices are GST-inclusive.

Use code LAUNCH40 at checkout to get 40% off any report (Quick or Full). The offer is valid until 31 July 2026.

We offer refunds for system errors, materially incorrect assessments (verified by a Relevant Building Surveyor), or payment taken with no report generated. No change-of-mind refunds. Refund requests must be made within 30 days. Contact us at hello@designsure.com.au.

PDF, JPG, and PNG files are accepted. Maximum 10 files, 30 MB total per submission. For best results, upload PDF files exported directly from CAD software.

Yes, for best results. Annotate all boundary dimensions, setbacks (boundary to wall face), and include a north point. Scale-only drawings may result in lower confidence extractions.

DesignSure can still produce a report using your form-entered values, but fields where the AI found no annotation will be flagged as “Not confirmed by plans — form value used.” For best results, provide annotated plans.

DesignSure assesses storeys above natural ground level only. Basement plans are not required for the siting assessment. However, if your basement includes car parking spaces, please note the total number of spaces in the supplementary data form so they can be counted toward Reg 78 (car parking).

Part 5 (Siting) of the Building Regulations 2018 — Regs 73 through 96. These cover setbacks, site coverage, permeability, private open space, walls on boundaries, fencing, daylight, solar access, and overlooking.

A provision is flagged “Unable to Assess” when the tool doesn’t have enough data to make a compliance determination — typically because supporting documents (shadow diagrams, neighbour elevations) weren’t uploaded, or conflicting data couldn’t be resolved.

When a building does not comply with a siting regulation (Regs 73–96), the Relevant Building Surveyor identifies the non-compliance and prepares a report. The owner or applicant must then apply to the responsible authority (usually the local council) for consent before a building permit can be issued. The council’s Municipal Building Surveyor assesses whether the proposed design meets the Minister’s Guidelines and may approve, approve with conditions, or refuse the application. A building permit cannot be issued until Report and Consent is obtained. DesignSure identifies which provisions require Report and Consent so you can factor this into your project timeline and budget.

Click “Sign Up” and enter your email address. We’ll send you a magic link — click it to sign in. No password required.

Sign in and go to your Dashboard. Find the submission and click “Download Report.” Reports are available for 12 months after generation.

Go to Account Settings and click “Delete My Account.” There’s a 7-day cooling-off period during which you can cancel. After 7 days, your account and all data are permanently deleted. Anonymised audit records are retained for legal purposes.