Hi Lauren L Thanks for posting the information, it all helps, it would be good to get the north position shown on the drawings this helps a lot with orientations and planning of living areas. Sewer easements are quite common on properties, most of the times they occur at the back of the property and you are right - you cannot build on them and there are special building considerations when you build next to them (eg. eccentric footings for foundations) I have designed extensions on a number of properties where the sewer easement had to be considered. It all depends how deep the sewer is located, however you seem to have a good quantity of land at the back and the property that you can make use for development and you might be able to use the easement for open external entertainment depending on the deign and location of north. A footprint of 50% will get you a considerable dwelling - so I do not see why you could not extend, you may even be able to do a one story extension depending on your needs and the information on my first post. Some pictures of the house would help and some details on the existing structure of the house - brick or brick veneer etc..? I would be happy to continue advising you on this project, wishing you the best results. Michael Manias e: mm407p@gmail.com

first check with Council to find out what's possible...sometimes if you demolish an old building a new one has to be more restricted in size and placement so renovation of the old could save a useful building but also consider options for building a new garage is a differnet place, size or shape...maybe a new garage could be better placed closer to the house with internal access or closer to the street to free up more of the backyard or?..quotes based on your specific site will determine accurate costs but renovation is often more expensive than a new build although you'll have asbestos removal and demolition costs with either decision but check out online quotes for a steel garage for a base price for the sizes you need

Louise, sorry but u are messing with a good design - have a read of the design notes at yourhome.gov.au. The design is a 7star design including reverse brick veneer (fancy term for bricks on the inside..thermal storage), the roof line is changed - have a look at the high up windows which provide light and warmth, the bedrooms are now at the back of the building (cold and darker). the whole design is now changed, airflow is affected as is the wonderful views that the building would have from each room (except the media room - and who cares with that anyway?) Also I am proposing a double garage/carport with a nice breezeway to connect the house. Also the study is now gone! As I suggested above, the trees on the east may have to make way for the home, but in the long run they can be restablished, and the garden modified to suit the contours of the land, and the look of the new building.

You're seem to be at a stage of life that some of these big questions are yet to have clear answers. The answers will come, but really only you are in the position to answer them. Nobody can tell you whether its better or not to stay or move or build this or that, that's totally personal preference and about weighing up your priorities, options and goals for your home. A dream home is always a lovely vision, however for some people a dream home isn't always brand new, it could be pre-loved beach shack with an amazing view, or for others it could be a penthouse apartment, or for a large family a sprawling farmhouse on land. It really depends on the individual person/family. Perhaps focus on the lifestyle you seek and then begin working towards that. Whether it's building new or renovating/extending etc it ALWAYS comes down to decisions around money and balancing various factors such as location and the type of house/home/lifestyle you seek. You may decide it's good to keep the property you have as investment, and then move through different homes as your family grows. Alternatively, you may decide you want a large family and wish to build a larger home you can grow into. It's not right or wrong stuff, but if the answers are yet to crystallise, it's better to not to pressure yourself into making big decisions that you're not ready to make. Continue thinking it through, looking around, researching and considering your options. Best of luck PD :)