Salvage Bureau

About
Services
Contact



NSW Nominated Architect 
Tiffany Liew 10896 ©2026

What we do


Salvage Bureau helps Sydney homeowners make better decisions about existing homes.

Before you commit to demolition, extension or rebuild, we help you understand what is worth keeping, what is possible next, and which pathway is likely to make the most sense.

Our work focuses on the early decisions that shape cost, approval risk, waste and long-term value.

    We provide clear architectural advice to answer these questions before significant resources are committed.

    Services


    Start with the smallest useful commitment. 
    Salvage Bureau offers three ways to help you make better decisions about an existing home.


    Pre-purchase Advice“Should we buy this?”
    For buyers considering an existing property before offer, auction or exchange.

    We assess the property’s architectural potential, planning constraints, reuse opportunities and likely project risks, so you can make a more informed purchase decision.    Indicative fee: 
    Desktop review from $1,500
    Desktop review + site visit from $1,990 
    Existing Home Potential Study“What should we do with what we own?”For homeowners deciding whether to renovate, re-plan, extend, stage, add housing capacity or rebuild.

    We compare possible pathways for the existing home and site, supported by spatial testing, planning review, high-level cost-risk commentary, and reuse, waste and carbon considerations.    Indicative fee:
    $4990+
    Architectural Services“How do we design and deliver the preferred pathway well?”For selected projects where reuse-led thinking can be carried through into design and delivery.
    We provide architectural services for projects that demonstrate resourceful adaptation, material reuse and low-impact construction approaches.    Indicative fee:
    By proposal     
    If you continue to the next stage within six months, part of your previous fee may be credited toward the next service. The advice is designed to carry forward, so each step builds on the last.
    Fees depend on urgency, property size, location, available information and project complexity. All fees are confirmed by proposal.

    Who this is for


    This may be useful if you are:
    • considering buying an older or imperfect home
    • deciding whether to renovate, extend or rebuild
    • worried about construction costs escalating
    • unsure what council controls allow
    • interested in keeping the useful parts of an existing house
    • trying to make a smaller, smarter first move
    • wondering whether your site could support more flexible or additional housing

    FAQ

    How is this different from working with a conventional architect?Salvage Bureau focuses on the early consequential decisions: what to keep, what to change, what to avoid building, and which pathway makes the most sense. We offer architectural services selectively, where the project aligns with our reuse-led approach. When should I engage Salvage Bureau?As early as possible: before buying, demolishing, briefing a builder, submitting approvals or committing to a full design pathway. Early advice can reduce unnecessary cost, delay and rework. Is reuse always the best option?No. Reuse is assessed alongside renovation, extension, partial demolition and rebuild. The aim is not to keep everything, but to make better decisions about what has value.Can you tell me exactly what the project will cost?No. We provide high-level cost-risk commentary to help compare pathways. A quantity surveyor, builder or cost consultant may be recommended where more detailed pricing is needed.
    Do you replace a building inspection?No. Our advice is architectural and strategic. We may identify visible risks or issues to investigate, but we do not provide building, pest, structural, legal, valuation or financial advice. Where specialist advice is needed, we help identify the right questions to ask next.What areas do you service?Salvage Bureau typically works in metropolitan Sydney. Other areas may be considered depending on the project.

    Get in touch


    If you are considering a property, renovation, extension or rebuild, please contact us to discuss the most useful starting point.

    Book an enquiry call