Conventional rafters to a cathedral ceiling are always substantially more expensive due to the skilled labour content needed, especailly if there is a large span, and you have large, heavy rafters that need to be hoisted up. If the rafters are exposed then it is even more expensive as you want a visual grade that isn't too knotty or has visual imperfections. A scissor truss roof looks visually busy if exposed, but is a lot cheaper and easier to install. They are also great at attracting dust and spiderwebs, and need more consideration for careful lighting design between the exposed trusses. The cleanest and easiest answer is a scissor truss roof with the ceiling lining attached to the underside of the truss, which gives you a decent ceiling cavity for insulation and wiring, and still a cathedral ceiling look. So much to consider with aesthetics, practicality, insulation, time and cost when weighing up these options. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

My Suggestion is a little different. I would begin by getting rid of the the pantry and wall/door from the entry to the family room. this gives you a big open space incorporating the kitchen and family room. then, block off the door from the kitchen to the dining room and this now gives you an amazing space in which to create a new master suite with bedroom, bathroom and walk in robe. This gives you privacy and space from the other bedrooms. The kitchen/family area can then be redesigned as follows: put the kitchen cabinets around the walls in an L shape, extending along the wall with the rumpus room to the doorway. There's space on that wall to put cabinets to the ceiling, incorporating a fridge and pantry, and still leave you with plenty of bench space. you should be able to keep the sink where it is and centre the stove on the shorter wall that used to house the doorway to the dining room. This leaves you plenty of space in the family room for dining and you may even fit in a small island in the kitchen. I also suggest block the laundry from the new dining room, reinstating the original doorway from the laundry into the rumpus area and adding a new external door out the side of the laundry. This will only work if you suitable space at the side of the house. To give you more usable wall space in the new dining room, block off the linen cupboard and convert the space into an extended robe (or built in desk?) for Bed 2. You could do a similar thing with the linen closet in the laundry, giving you a longer wall space to build a bigger linen cupboard. Of course, if you have the money to move the plumbing for the kitchen, you could redesign that entire kitchen/dining space however you wanted, What I like about removing the pantry and the entry wall is that you can now see through to the back of the house as soon as you enter, and this gives a great feeling of space.

Thanks Kate and Amony, We don't have our own engineer. The builder has developed the plans, design and will engage their own engineers through the process. As working drawings haven't been developed yet (awaiting final fixtures / fittings), I'm not sure if we could reasonably engage our own engineer, but let me know if you feel otherwise? We don't have our own architect, the design is a modification of a standard house plan that the builder offers. Noting that they show a cathedral ceiling with glazed gable very close to what we have been shown on their website / marketing material, and what is in our contract. With regards "the builder's drawing is ugly", I assume you're referring to the proposed new design, and yes we certainly agree! Though if you're referring to both original and proposed, then I guess that means you're recommending we don't pay the ~$58K and revert back to a normal ceiling and forego the glazed gable. That is certainly an option we are considering. We agree with respect to "if he was unable to follow the plans, then that should have been conveyed up front", and would have likely not gone with them, hence we feel like this is false advertising / bait & switch and depending on how things we go we will probably report them to the ACCC. With regards "this builder will be a major problem as you continue with a build and will try to cut costs for himself", I can't argue with that, but for the moment we have a signed contract in play. So would your recommendation be to potentially forego the 5% deposit (assuming they quantify their reasonable costs up to this point) and walk away? This is certainly a scenario I am aware of. For "what do you do if he changes plans partway through", this is where we are seeking some external legal (due tomorrow). I feel like the builder is in breach of contract, in which case we should have a way of cancelling the contract without losing our 5%. Right now we feel like they have made a major mistake in selling us on something they feel like they can't actually build, and hopefully legal advice supports that they are in breach.

Here's a possible idea that won't need any walls altered -- I assume you know what a Butlers kitchen is ? It can essentially hide any prep and any clean-up . So like everyone else , I'm assuming that weird room ( the old laundry ) still has plumbing . So you could get half your kitchen installed out of sight in there -- a large pantry to the ceiling , at least a sink but maybe the dishwasher too , possibly even the fridge , cupboards for pots and pans , etc . Your main kitchen can then have a very pared down version of a kitchen . Obviously the oven and cooktops , probably a sink , maybe the dishwasher or a second dishwasher , a bit of bench and some storage and a bin . Basically , the showy bits . Lots of space ! And while you didn't ask , depending on how lives there and ages , I'd aim to adjust that back area ( Bed 4 and the laundry and 2nd WC ) . I'd possibly close off the door between Bed 3 and Bed 4 , but add one from Bed 4 to the WC , but then have a cupboard or even just in a row along one wall , with the washer and dryer in , but add a shower , then nice floor tiles -- basically an en suite / laundry / WC . Probable cost in the $10-15k region ? Just a thought .