I've researched them and apparently they do end up costing more than engineered stone (Caesarstone, etc) because the fabrication costs are higher and there are less skilled fabricators of this compared to engineered stone. The only other issue is the are extremely hard which very good generally but it has the downside of making it more brittle than engineered stone. So if you drop stuff on them they can shatter and chip more easily than engineered stone but other than cost and durability I believe they are superior to engineered stone. I would probably choose it if (a) it fit my budget and (b) I didn't have a future teenager living in the house (currently 5 but I know he'll damage the bench somehow in the next 15 years!). I am not an expert so I could be wrong, take my advice with a grain of salt.

Hello Joseph To satisfy most issues for sound transmission in apartments we usually use the Regupol E48 8mm Impact acoustic underlay. It complies with the NCC and exceeds most strata requirements. If you search for this product you can obtain from Regupol their product information sheet. You can speak to them on (02) 9820 1233 (Minto). They will be able to provide their test results and certification of their product for you depending on the installation. They will also be able to direct you to acoustic engineers familiar with this kind of query. Regarding an onsite test, there are a lot of variables that affect the sound result. For example, thickness of slab, whether there is plaster or a suspended ceiling (changes the result), insulation etc. It would help you to find this out as the test results hinge heavily on this, and the acoustic product tests by manufacturers have different products for different scenarios. Regarding your installer, there are a couple of things that will make or break the result. In order for any acoustic membrane to work, the flooring must be completely isolated from the walls and floor. That means a gap all round for expansion must be maintained and then covered with skirting up off the floor. We install skirting with a spacer between the floor and bottom of the skirt using some discontinued laminex samples as a minimum 2mm clearance is required. Again, the Regupol info sheet shows a diagram of this. Cheers

Hi Kel. Whilst I agree with the above, a few of your items in the list would not require a builder and you would be paying extra simply because someone else is insuring and supervising the installation for you eg flooring can be done direct with a flooring company at the end. Re build vs demolish, if you buy in Mullaloo there is a retained value in the existing house that you would be throwing away by demolishing ie to replace the existing house back to existing size (although your own configuration) using up part of your budget vs applying that to just modifying the existing home. The major costs in renovations in Perth (being double brick/concrete slab) are the relocation of services such as plumbing / wastes etc that typically are required when eg a bathroom is reconfigured or kitchen relocated and the finishes of those rooms eg cabinetry, benchtops, tiles etc. They will be a large amount but again are also part of the cost of a new build. For mine, renovating is giving new life to a tired home and is nearly always enthusiastically accepted by Councils and neighbours when planning. Changing a facade to a house in Mullaloo is generally quite straight forward but keep in mind existing houses there usually have quite low eaves/roof lines. It depends on the house as to the options eg additional roof structure to raise visual height / modifications / garage location etc. Re the costs, it will completely depend on the house, what style and level of finish you want it to be when finished (we've had people spend $2,400 on a shower mixer), the extent of the changes and how much time you have to arrange things eg flooring. Good luck!

You can yes, there is another one that has done this with the same lot size in the same road. There is no minimum lot width for R40 zoning in WA The property I bought was actually sold as 2 separate side by size lots under 1 title. Not sure if that will make subdividing any easier?