Gal will go grey (mid to dark grey) over 12 - 18 months. Initially VERY bright. The energy absorbed changes accordingly, from sub 5% absorbed to ~35%. Zinc maintains brightness for longer, though still suffers some dulling. Say 5% to 15% over time. This can be avoided by coating with a product called 'Sharkhide' metal protectant, used to stop aluminium boats oxidising. For there reasons many councils will not allow zinc or gal roofing (visual amenity, reflection issues), while making the houses more prone to requiring summer aircon at the same time. Surfmist Colorbond starts around 9% absorbed. If purely for energy reasons, a light colour might be the only option. If going dark, I would suggest at least doing the 'less aesthetically important' sides and rear in a light colour. Your call. If you go all dark, ensure you have good roof space ventilation for the summer that can be closed in the winter, and lots of well installed ceiling level insulation. Spray foam is more reliable over time than batts, see Spray It Solutions or similar (they have the Formaldahyde free Canadian Icenene foam).

Brittany, you must practise flicking your hair. It's all in the attitude. Aluminium frames can be painted. Rough them up a little after a good washing. Then the paint will adhere better. Use metal paint , ask at the hardware.

You have a home of character. Currently the whole external picture is unbalanced. Everything on the right is dominant, and falls away almost entirely on the left. From way off left field I would 1. Make the entry to your driveway from the letterbox point. The existing entry point would become garden. 2. This driveway would then curve around to the left and then join the existing driveway up to the garage. 3. I believe that there is too much brick and if finances allowed, would remove the brick driveway and replace with a base and grey gravel aggregate. The grey would have a remarkable softening effect, and would enable all rain that falls on the site to be utilised on site. 4. The area now reclaimed from the start of the existing driveway I would make a garden. This garden, with a tree within, would then balance the whole front picture. 5. I would remove the boxed area and dumpy plant keeping the colours and gravels all the same. 6. Don't use coloured bark - it could have toxins in it, and it looks awful. 7. The row of rocks in front of the house should also go. 8. The garage needs a colour change - the same colour as the brick of the house. This will make the whole front presence appear wider. Your home, as mentioned by others, and repeatedly by me in other posts, should retain the original facade in keeping with the style of home. There is nothing at all wrong with this facade, and it looks like a solid brick home. Cheers Alison

Hi Kel. Whilst I agree with the above, a few of your items in the list would not require a builder and you would be paying extra simply because someone else is insuring and supervising the installation for you eg flooring can be done direct with a flooring company at the end. Re build vs demolish, if you buy in Mullaloo there is a retained value in the existing house that you would be throwing away by demolishing ie to replace the existing house back to existing size (although your own configuration) using up part of your budget vs applying that to just modifying the existing home. The major costs in renovations in Perth (being double brick/concrete slab) are the relocation of services such as plumbing / wastes etc that typically are required when eg a bathroom is reconfigured or kitchen relocated and the finishes of those rooms eg cabinetry, benchtops, tiles etc. They will be a large amount but again are also part of the cost of a new build. For mine, renovating is giving new life to a tired home and is nearly always enthusiastically accepted by Councils and neighbours when planning. Changing a facade to a house in Mullaloo is generally quite straight forward but keep in mind existing houses there usually have quite low eaves/roof lines. It depends on the house as to the options eg additional roof structure to raise visual height / modifications / garage location etc. Re the costs, it will completely depend on the house, what style and level of finish you want it to be when finished (we've had people spend $2,400 on a shower mixer), the extent of the changes and how much time you have to arrange things eg flooring. Good luck!