“I chose Steve Forbes Design for my retaining wall project because I needed a professional who could navigate the complexities of our challenging site. The land shape, land elevation and varying measurements on either side of the boundary made structural planning difficult, but Steve handled it with remarkable ease.

Throughout the process, Steve guided me every step of the way. He developed detailed structural engineering plans, created landscape architectural drawings for submission to the certifier, and helped me navigate the DA process. He even obtained and submitted documents on my behalf, liaised with the geotechnical engineer, and adjusted plans based on feedback from the certifier to ensure our application was successful.

My overall experience with Steve was exceptional. He was thorough, professional, and proactive, taking the stress out of a complicated project. I always felt confident that we were in good hands.

I would absolutely recommend Steve Forbes Design to others. His expertise, attention to detail, and ability to manage every aspect of the design and approval process make him a standout choice for any project.”

“We engaged Steve Forbes Design to manage the floor plans, design work, and full council submission process for our project involving the relocation and redesign of an existing house from Wangi to Dungog. From the outset, Steve impressed us with his depth of knowledge and practical understanding of both design and council requirements, which is important to us, as it was something I would have never been able to navigate on my own.

What really stood out was Steve’s diligence and attention to detail. He took the time to clearly explain each step, kept us informed throughout, and handled all communications with council directly—making what could have been a stressful process remarkably smooth. His ability to navigate the complex requirements with professionalism and efficiency gave us complete confidence in the process.

Importantly, Steve ensured that the entire submission was completed well before the deadline, demonstrating not only his reliability but also his commitment to delivering outstanding results. We are extremely happy with the service and expertise Steve provided, and we would not hesitate to recommend Steve Forbes Design to anyone looking for a designer who combines technical skill, strong communication, and a genuine commitment to his clients’ success.

For any future works we take on, Steve will be our first port of call.”

“We engaged Steve to design a structural retaining wall as part of improving the layout of our yard. He was fantastic to work with—professional, efficient, and really took the time to understand our goals for the space. His communication and attention to detail were excellent, and the final design perfectly balanced functionality and aesthetics.”

“We engaged Steve Forbes Design to help us plan and install a swim spa in our backyard, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. From the beginning, Steve guided us through the complexities of the project with ease, particularly when it came to council requirements and approvals. He supported us throughout the entire process from preparing the DA application to developing detailed plans and even helped us find a private certifier.

Steve was always available to answer questions and clarify feedback from the certifier, which made the whole experience far less stressful than we anticipated. His communication was clear, professional, and prompt, and we always felt confident knowing he was across every detail.

The end result was amazing, and we’re so pleased with how everything turned out. We highly recommend Steve Forbes Design to anyone looking to undertake a similar project.”