Hi, all is underway, I have a couple of before photos that I can add. The ensuit happening at the moment all the fascia and gutter also being replace at this time. Hopefully by end of next week the after shots can go on. We have not used this bathroom it was just too revolting

bigreader I'm okie..thanks for caring ..just need time to readjust kind of walked out on my job..so looking for stuff to fill in my time ..I hate being bored and sitting sround fiddling my thumb been looking for courses to do and taking my camera out.. these I took yesterday in Warrandyte..

Hello Don't be disheartened! There are a few simple steps to get on track. From what you have said, you have a clear idea of how the house needs to change. Here are a couple of things you can do to get started... Step 1 would be to obtain a set of house plans from your local Council. They will charge a fee but you can then get a copy of whatever they have on file. This can be in addition to whatever you may have from previous owner, real estate agent etc. If you don't have one or can't get one, then draw a quick one with a pen and a tape measure like this.. Then make copies and get out the pencil! Step 2 would be to do an existing home survey... that is, take a copy of one of your plans and create a power plan by drawing the location of all the power points in each room throughout the house (including behind the dishwasher, microwave etc). You can then do the lighting showing the location of each of the lights, with a dotted line to the location of each switch. You now have a power and lighting plan. This helps you think of locations of existing items and will lead to what needs to be changed. For example, if you are updating the kitchen and considering moving the oven, you need to relocate the power for it ( this becomes a cost). You can then write down a list of what needs to be done/moved in the next step. Step 3 would be to write down what I call a scope of works. This is really just a list of what you want to do in each and every room on a room by room basis. For example, Bedroom 1 'Strip and remove carpet Strip and remove light fittings Strip and remove door handles Install extra power point to... etc This will help you think through and gradually build a list of what needs to be done. Again from the above if you want new door handles, you have to go and look and choose what you want... same again for flooring, lights, paint colours, blinds/curtains etc. When you get to bathrooms, it becomes a list of tiles, how high to tile the walls, the style you like, basins/s, taps, shower, shower taps, shower screen etc Step 4 would be start refining your thoughts on paper and draw up the proposed plan. Look at problems you see with eg the kitchen and have a think about what solutions will work, and draw in pencil possible options. By now you have put together an existing property plan, an electrical and lighting plan, a scope of works and a proposed layout plan. None of this has cost you any money and now you can either take this to some professionals, come on here and get advice on layouts, style or deign ideas, go to home opens in your area or go and speak direct with a builder. By following this you will have methodically worked out what you like and don't like, gotten an understanding of what is involved and given whoever you deal with an invaluable start as to what you want! Good luck!! Cheers

You could try Wet & Forget on the driveway. You can buy it ready to use and attach it to a hose or buy a bottle that you dilute to use in a sprayer. I have used it and it works - slower than water blasting but it won’t damage driveway if it has some damage? I can’t quite tell from photo if that’s grass clippings/mulch or broken concrete on driveway? If you use it be careful not to spray garden bed. I live in FNQ and we planted seaside daisy - doesn’t need watering but it also won’t die from our wet season. It’s a ground over and spreads out beautifully in a courtyard area that’s get a lot of sun. Just needs a trim from time to time. I see you have Rio (purple green ground cover) which you could separate and plant down the path but it does like water. Maybe for the fence you could try attaching lattice to it and plant another passion fruit vine to help cover the whole fence. It does look like you need to get rid of some woody parts of the passion fruit. It’s a tough plant and will enjoy a bit of pruning. We had one that I thought had died last year and it has returned with no help from me. Be careful with the heliconias and gingers ... they can get out of control if you don’t stay on top of them. Anything tall will cover your fence but it will also cover the passionfruit vine which obviously loves the spot it’s in. Good luck!