I hear this quite regularly from people building. What seems like a big bedroom for example may end up being smaller than anticipated due to the builder not explaining in clear terms. To have you draw up your own plan in chalk to get an idea of size is crazy. It may look different once walls are up too! The builders sales person should of explained the layout, showed you through your own residence, etc. and made comparisons. While I understand room sizes, easily visualise, etc. the layman (laywoman) rarely does. This must be explained in easy terms by me to client. Same goes for any good designer OR builder. There isn't a lot of fat in the building industry anymore, its very competitive, people shop around more, therefore I guess the time spent with a client must be minimised otherwise it's money being lost. While most ARE good builders its just their customer service is lacking. If you're unhappy, go somewhere else. Its not worth the stress, frustration, time spent talking about it, deposit money, etc. to end up with what you don't really want! Go to a local designer/architect if need be. They can design a residence to suit you, usually have builders that they know will do great work and are once again competitive. Custom designed dwellings are not that expensive, the designer should design to suit your budget as well!!

Hi Nathan - I suggest you use what you have already. if the soil is poor, plant something that likes poor soil like nasturtiums. The leaves and flowers are edible and peppery. Ferns are good in damp areas too. These would have a deep water effect around the deck. Desert plants are lovely with coloured gravel - no spiky ones if you haven't much room. Maybe put down fake lawn so no mowing. Nail up a large mirror to enlarge the view of plants and flowers etc Strong mesh to hold up two vines - clematis, passion flower, mexican glory vine, pandera or a prize-winning table grape trained up the washing line. I did this with an old rotary line so we could sit underneath in the shade and eat grapes :) I would wash the fences very evenly with white or coral lime wash. Cheapish to make. i would experiment with beetroot juice and curry powder (the strongest stain-makers) to get the shade of coral. Cheers Hooley D

Contract should be subject to a satisfactory building and termite inspection - worth the $400 - $600 investment for the building inspection and $150 - $200 for the pest inspection. Also you can use any adverse findings to renegotiate the price.

Thanks guys for the recommendation . Here are the sample paints against the floor board . Leaning towards natural white and casper white 1/4 . But since casper white is cool tone . Has any one mix warm floor and cool color wall ? And then grey pebble 1/4 for bedrooms .