As I've stated time and time again in other posts, everything invariably comes down to money..........yes oklouise the process involves various parties (client, council, bank, builder etc) however IMO the designer is the executive expert in creatively negotiating and resolving the solution most effectively as they (should) have the knowledge and or connections/ across the many relevant areas in order to balance the needs of the project within the contextual conditions and nominated (financial) limitations........the issue I think is that when professionals fail to identify and manage the critical elements and priorities when proposing a solution, disappointment (of course) occurs and unfortunately the reputation of (the design service) "not being worth it" substantiated - I completely understand/see that following some (unfortunate) experiences you've become experienced/knowledgeable yourself in being able to achieve what you're seeking with your own skill, and that's great......but others (with less capacity/experience in that regard) can become caught/influenced going down the wrong path misinformed or limited to obtain the best solution for their particular needs because they don't understand what front end investment in the design process can achieve, and that is appropriate alignment of people's goals within budget - but for this to be successful services have to be performed in a particular (efficient) format and the designer needs to be able to (quickly) apply/project super accurate costings to specific proposals and that takes specific experience and skill..................this is right here is one of the significant challenges of our particular professional, as from where we stand, we can seriously help people, but people have to have the money, trust in, and commitment to the design process, which is not black and white, nor scientific, and be challenging on various levels.......you hit the nail with the comment "trust that their ideas can be converted to reality without any horrible surprises"........it seems to me, from experience, that the money conversation is often strategically avoided early in the professional relationship because the pro's are scared they'll possibly lose the job, when in fact it should be tackled head on assertively and realistically.........it's pretty simple, clear communication and honesty - more of that would go a fair way in avoiding the issues plaguing this game ;)

I'm frustrated trying to find a reliable flooring company to lay engineered and laminate flooring in our home we are building in the Southern Highlands. We planning to lay a mixture of engineered timber flooring and laminate flooring to living areas and bedrooms. Can anyone recommend a reliable installation company (I realise that most of them supply as well, but I'm confident about the product we want so, to me, the installation component is the most important) ? I've visited many but it's impossible to know what they are really like and the review-sites are almost worthless. Also, the ones from whom I've asked for quotes so far can't even be bothered replying. Not a great indication of service. Any recommendations? I'd also consider an install-only tradie.

Re your designer, the most important part of any house is the floorplan so you will benefit from what is spent on design. No, I thought that I had read in your first post that you were moving the driveway $10K, did you do that. As I said I am not an engineer, but for the sake of a better overall floorplan you can work with and around with Load Bearing walls but it does cost, you earlier discussed using posts to help with supports and using fretwork across the top to conceal if you felt it necessary. My upstairs floorplan has the staircase brought back towards the Alfreso with the access from that end up to the bedrooms, ie kids coming home from school, through the mudroom/laundry, powder room and then either onto upstairs or into the kitchen for something to eat and then up stairs. By moving the stairs back will give you a Grander Entrance which you wanted. Everything you do doesn't have to be in the same style as the old house, the rear can be more simple with large stacker doors etc keeping your beloved French doors for the front door and living room etc. Don't be in a rush to make a decision, you are spending a lot of money to achieve your dream house. Did you look at the Youtube program which shows you how to marry old and new. I think the dining needs a bigger window looking out from the kitchen etc to the view of the pool, this is also a good safety thing to do, work with a blind, pergola etc to help control any heat.

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