Patrick Shaw spent two decades in the construction industry, including time as a qualified carpenter, before moving into residential drafting. That background shows up in every set of plans.
Be Shaw Drafting handles residential drafting across Newcastle, the Hunter, Port Stephens, and the Central Coast. Services cover new builds, alterations and additions, granny flats, dual occupancies and townhouses from the first concept sketch through to lodgement-ready plans.
Patrick works directly with every client. There are no handoffs and no junior staff managing your project. Every engagement starts with a straightforward conversation about what you want to build and what it takes to get it approved.
We take your brief, check what is possible against the planning rules, and work out the right approval pathway before drawing a single line. Need someone to handle lodgement too? We manage the full process from the first sketch to council submission.
Concept plans are the best first step for any project, whether you are testing a budget with a builder or working out whether your idea is feasible. They let you refine the design before committing to the cost of permit plans.
Detailed architectural drawings prepared to the exact standard required for your approval pathway. Consultant reports and supporting documentation are coordinated for you, so nothing falls through the cracks.
We handle bedroom additions, new ensuites, second storeys, and full renovations. We measure up the existing dwelling, work through the design with you, and produce the plans needed for approval. Recent projects include parents’ retreats, a new master bedroom, ensuite, and walk-in robe.
Whether you’re planning for rental income or space for loved ones, a well‑designed granny flat can add real value to your property. Detached options typically offer the best privacy and the clearest approval pathway. Our first step is a planning review to confirm feasibility and give you confidence moving forward
From custom new builds to dual occupancies, we create designs that maximise your site, meet code, and set you up for a smooth approval and construction process. Every project starts with understanding your goals and delivering a design that genuinely works for the way you live.
Most homeowners are not across the difference between exempt development, a CDC, and a DA before they start the process. That is completely normal. Working out the right pathway is part of what we do.
Covers small-scale, low-impact work that does not need any formal approval, provided it meets every relevant requirement under the NSW planning rules. If one standard is not met, the work is not exempt.
A fast-tracked approval pathway assessed by a private certifier rather than council. All prescriptive standards must be met with no exceptions. The main advantage is speed.
Goes to council and generally takes longer, but non-compliances can be justified on their merits. A Construction Certificate is also required before any building work begins.
During the concept stage, we review your site and proposal against the relevant planning controls and recommend the most suitable pathway. Getting this right from the start saves significant time later in the process.
Patrick came to drafting after two decades in the construction industry, including time as a fully qualified carpenter. That hands-on experience means every design is developed with the practical realities of construction in mind, not just compliance on paper.
Patrick manages every project personally. You will not be passed between staff or following up with someone who was not part of the original conversation.
Be Shaw Drafting can coordinate the complete lodgement package, including sourcing consultant reports, preparing the application, and liaising with council or your certifier. This means one point of contact for the entire process.
We work primarily across Newcastle, the Hunter, Port Stephens, and the Central Coast. We know the local planning controls and the approval nuances that can have a real impact on your timeline.
Rating
Michael Bell Construction has worked closely with Patrick on a few projects and could not recommend his services enough. If your looking for a Architect, Patrick is your guy
Patrick from Be Shaw Drafting was absolutely amazing throughout our whole project. Even with all the setbacks and delays caused by the usual building problems, he stayed professional, patient, and always came through for us. His communication, attention to detail, and willingness to help made a stressful situation so much easier. Highly recommend Patrick to anyone looking for reliable and high-quality drafting services!
We recently engaged Patrick to assist with some design concepts for our property in Redhead. We were struggling to come up with ideas as our property was quite large and wasn't an easy house to update. Patrick came up with some great designs that ticked all of our boxes and we were very happy with he finished product. Patrick was always friendly, available and easy to talk through scenarios with, which made the process smooth and enjoyable. I look forward to continuing to work with Patrick in the future.
Be Shaw Drafting provided an excellent service for the planned alterations to our home which required a DA. He is very knowledgeable when it comes to matters of council and documentation. On top of that his drawings had great detail- I received compliments from contractors, which shows his background in carpentry. Patrick worked very closely with us to make sure we got what we wanted. I will definitely be using his services again.
I would like to highly recommend Patrick at Be Shaw Drafting services for the outstanding renovation planning work he completed with us recently. Patrick showed a high attention to detail, was very patient with our plans, and responded quickly and accurately to any questions or changes we wanted to work on. The plans were great, meeting our needs but adding some flair and creativity that we appreciated, and the extra steps he took organising other services on our behalf were a huge relief during what can be a difficult and complicated process. The best recommendation is "would use a service or company again", and we would happily go to Patrick again for future planning and design work.