Hi Deanne, When you say you are doing the kitchen, does that mean you have to do the planning (design) and specifying of it also? I would have thought Storybook supplied a home with the (kitchen) plans included? If not, your builder will be able to guide you, however here are a couple of tips... 1. Choose your appliances early AND STICK WITH THEM. Often individual appliances have specific needs outside of standard eg power requirement (over 10amps), rangehood ducting direction and type, clearances to overhead cupboards, water to fridge etc. 2. Using the appliances, work out the layout (design) of the kitchen and where you want the cooking, cleaning, fridge etc. From there you need to work out power point locations for all appliances (many people forget the microwave) plus the everyday items like phone chargers, toaster, kettle etc. 3. Go to kitchen display showrooms such as Laminex. They have completed kitchens on display where you can understand the difference between a waterfall end (benchtop style), a shaker profile door (Hampton's style cabinet front) and play around with colours and finishes. 4. Put it all together in detail and you have created a specification! Re finding a builder, I agree with the above. Get a couple of names from Storybook as you don't need beginner mistakes, and go with the builder you guys are COMFORTABLE with. Price is only part of the journey. Good luck with the build.

There's been discussion from the NSW State government claiming the proceeds of sale will build 300 social housing units (replacing the 79 that already exist within the Sirius building). However, I've not seen any evidence where these new units will be, nor a business case to show that the sale of land will actually generate enough money to build so many new apartments. The logic of it suggests that the new units will have to be located where land is super cheap i.e. the outskirts of Sydney, and that they'll be very small. These are not what I'd call good social housing outcomes. Heaps of evidence for instance that social housing (all housing really) needs to be located close to public amenities like public transport, schools, job opportunities etc. I think the government is confusing two issues here: the need protect our built heritage, and the need to provide social housing. Since there's been an enormous decline in government-funded social housing over recent decades, it's an amazing coincidence that they've suddenly decided to get back on the wagon just when an opportunity to demolish a Brutalist building comes up. The style is not universally loved, but that doesn't make it any less important. I wonder whether this would even be an issue if the Sirius building were in the much more widely loved Victorian style?

I'm going to thro a wobbly into this mix: Have you thought about going two storey so there is some outside space for boys to play? Looking at your site plan play is either in the pool or the street! Master bedroom, with all the robe you want upstairs and a kids free zone! Or boys rooms above as long has they do not own hob nail boots! Then do not use ALL the extra space on ground for your film works! Seriously this would give you some breathing space and some real outdoor living area to enjoy which you can do in Ipswich climate. Four beds separate bath rooms and stairs above with a laundry chute. Down stairs a real laundry (proportional to a five bed house) A powder room with shower for after pool. Your study of a size worthwhile and theatre room for family second sitting room as well as clients. The master can then have better sized robe, all the bits you want in ensuite including separate loo (lovely idea) but please on outside wall with window. Personally, I'm not one for two storey but in this tight site I think it would be much better. Good Luck, Margot

Why would you stop at pre wire. Are you electricians? In my opinion this would be not cost effective. You choose all your lighting placements and fittings, and builder installs them, easy. If you stop at pre wire, at what stage will the builder, hand over to you. Because with no working lights or power points, oven connection etc etc., the home will not be at practical completion for your final payment, and for the relative authorities to sign off on the build. Have you priced the cost of an electrician to do all the final work. Has the builder deducted an amount from your build to do delete the electrical work?