We are weeks away from breaking ground on a build that has nearly taken a year to get to this point. My best advice is to look very closely at every little design feature that relates to liveability. These include things like where you turn your shower on (nothing worse than spraying yourself with freezing water), one downlight in a bathroom or kitchen (we went from one to 5)and how many power points are in a bedroom. The problem mainly lies in that building companies will not guide you in any way, it's totally up to you some of their designs beggars belief how they think is appropriate. I'm just glad I do it for a living and enjoy the game but I imagine large building companies could be quite intimidating, especially if you have trouble reading a plan. Ask as many people as you can because after pre start, $500 for every variation could get expensive or you could be living with the unliveable.

Hi Yatta, looks like a reno will add function, value, practicality to your home especially needed right now with little people. You need to be able to see the whole are for safety. So I have a string of questions: Which way is north and do you have shade to the windows on the second floor? How many people living there? Do you or your husband like to cook? How often do you shop? What size fridge? Do you bake: would a pantry/ appliance cupboard be ideal for your style of cooking? What rooms are next to the kitchen and are their sizes convenient for your needs? Were you thinking to knock out wall between kitchen and tv space? Do you have visitors for BBQs, parties, house guests, family gatherings: ie how many do you cater for maximum? And dimensions for the rooms. Once we have answers to those and probably more(!) then we can begin to piece together an overall idea of what will suits you and go from there into how to arrange the fittings, fixtures, how the spaces will be used, where things will be stored, how the space will function day to day, week ends or for crowd gatherings! Lots might seem irrelevant but it is not. It is essential to gather heaps of information required to glean the overall running of your home. Happy to help from here. Look at my www for ideas too. Cheers Margot

This Two Storey house was designed by StudioMarioRenzi using Insulated Foam blocks and panels. We worked closely with the owners to get the most effective design. The simplified form of the external walls enabled them to construct the IFB walls by themselves. With our assistance we help them to construct a home that is very unique. Hats off to the two of them, they did a fantastic job! Internal view External view

A downstairs bedroom must be served by a bathroom not just a toilet. Toilets by themselves must have a basin. Toilets need some where to stand when you close the door. There is plenty of wasted space to address these issues. Choice of general layout is your preference, giving consideration to slope of block, view, neighbours, your lifestyle