Yes, this is very much a 'how long is a piece of string' question! And the answer is probably very much a 'you get what you pay for' answer! We have just built a house and paid in the vicinity 0f $1800/m2 - the builder we used has 3 lots of 'specs' for houses - basically the lower budget, the middle, and the higher end. For our given floor plan they could quote on each of the specs and we went with the middle one. This involve things like the quality of the fittings/appliances etc. eg. with the low spec we would have got a basic kitchen with formica benchtops, the middle spec included soft-close drawers and hinges with stone benchtops etc and it was the same for all the fittings throughout the house - toilets/vanities/laundry fit out/quality of carpet/type of concrete for drive etc. A word of warning - we had a friend who was very happy because he built a house for just over $1000/m2 - but you could tell! It looked all fine when it was brand new but after a few months you could tell the poor quality of some fittings. And the carpets were already looking worn! so - you get what you pay for.

Hi there Nick, looking at your photos you look like a modern hamptons family which is lovely, do you live in a warm climate. I did like the photo you posted of the open plan living and think that you are on the right track with interior colours I have marked out how I would like the first floor, I have moved the kitchen to the end wall to line up with BBQ outdoor kitchen, plumbing for this would have easy access via the garage below. The white tiles look lovely and hard wearing for the entrance foyer and Rumpus room, the stairs in timber due to the amount of traffic even continuing in up stairs foyer kitchen dining living, Carpet in bedrooms and downstairs theater. Kitchen in white but possibly Shaker style white doors these are very popular. Using existing sliding exterior doors if possible from kitchen.Dining to verandah, I think this ceiling would be best kept white to help reflect light back indoors, the tiles appear to be in good order but you might consider changing these along with new upstairs flooring Some where for a laundry shute would be handy, actually a Dumb Waiter so you could move the laundry with ease both up and down! The roof painted a soft colour, grey/white or off white, the verandah railing could be the same colour or you could do glass. The builder had a very different style of house to what I think you are wanting. Your photo

living in regional NSW i'm sorry to say that the cost for building "in the country" seems much more expensive than on the coast.... plans i've done for several friends on the coast have been about 20-30% cheaper to build than locally (transport costs. less competition and volume discounts?)...i suggest you check some of the building companies like Gardner, Beechwood, Rawson homes etc building in your area for a comparison price

John, it depends on the interior designer, the services they offer, and sometimes how well known they are. It also depends on the extent of services you require. Commonly off-the-plan apartments have got a limited palette of finishes such as carpets, tiles, paint colours, window furnishings etc that are largely pre-determined by the developer with little scope for change. These existing elements should inform your interior designer, unless you have the budget to redo new building work! Some interior designers can source furniture at wholesale prices from some suppliers, then organise delivery and installation, but charge you the retail amount, which is where they make their money. High profile interior designers, who are often featured in glossy home magazines, often charge a premium, and a rate determined by the value of the work, as they are in demand. Recent interior design graduates, who have less experience, and fewer resources, are more cost competitive, and will sometimes charge by the hour, or by the visit. However the most important element in selecting an interior designer, whether they are well-known, or just starting out in the business, is their communications skills, and how well they understand your household's needs, likes, and who can design around accommodating any existing furniture that you own and want to keep. Don't spend big bucks on an interior designer who wants to do their own things to satisfy their own ego as it is your home... Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls