No we did not end up going with them, so sorry cannot give you any info. We went with a local builder and we were more than happy. …

Good on you Kerry F for starting this post. It has certainly created much debate and hopefully we have all learnt something from it!

Ditto to everything you are saying Fu!!!!!! Well done

It is wonderful having this forum where we can find others that think alike! It is a bit of a joke that people cannot see the advantage of living…

I think we should really think also of the planet we are living on and not only the flora that we are using but also materials that are being used…

I think having a Butler's pantry is wonderful! We are having a window in there and a large bench, the window looks out onto the garden so we will…

I do not care what Merbu looks like - all I see is a dead Organgatang or two, do you know it does come from Indonesia and is rainforest timeber.…

I am one of the 50 but I too would like an answer as we are building and do not know whether to go to the bother of getting a…

I have bad news too. A friend has textured tiles and says they are a nightmare to keep clean but in the end if you are prepared to clean,…

Could someone let me know how much heat they get from their gas log fire. We are not sure whether to spend the money eg 9K on getting one…

Thanks Ed for this. Of course the quote from builders can also depend on which standard they are referring to, so we have to be careful.

We are presently getting quotes on building our custom designed home and one of the builders has quoted on All weather windows and the other builder has quoted on Rylock.…

Thanks for all your wonderful tips, it has been such a help to us, being about to build our custom designed home. One thing we were advised to do…

I know, just wanted a ball park figure. Thanks for your reply.

I like Osprey but it is very light, you can brighten up with colours eg tea towels, an ornament on bench, etc. Doing this quickly adds colour but also…

oops this should have been in General discussion but do not know how to transfer it!

Our plans for planning are presently in council and hopefully all will be approved in a fortnight. My question is - the working drawings are to be done for…

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the input. The blue was recommended by a scientist friend who is known world wide and his expertise is in timber eg termites, borer etc.…

Thanks for this. We finally got to look at the sites, they were interesting if a bit technical. Lots to think about, so thanks again.

Thanks so much for responding both of you, will take your comments on board.

Good site, thanks so much!

Think you have just about convinced me not to go with the mirrored splashbacks boo hoo! Thanks for all the help

We are building down the beach and wonder whether it is better to go for aluminium (powder coated) or timber windows. Also - what is better sliding or wind…

Just wanted to know if anyone has the experience of mirrored splashbacks. Thought it would be good to see the reflection of the sea/trees rather than looking at a…

Hoping anyone can give us some advice. We are building a two storey home in Melbourne with the living quarters upstairs. This is obviously where we will be…

Thanks a lot for these replies, hopefully it will be more like weeks not a year!

We have been to our draughtsman and are getting plans drawn up. For those that have done this, how long has it taken till you are able to put…

Thanks so much everybody, your input it is really appreciated. We just need to find a builder! Unfortunately (for us all) there is so much work around that…

We are going to build a custom designed home but are yet to decide on a builder. What is the process re plans? Does the builder put them…

Why not try looking at homes nearby that have been build recently, knocking on their door and asking who their builder was and if they were happy with them. …