We also just started construction. So far, it's just been the fencing and site cut and fill. We were considering asking a friend who is a commercial builder to recommend someone who could conduct inspections at the following stages: Pre-slab (to ensure all the plumbing, etc is in the right spot), slab, frame, pre-plaster (to ensure that the plasterboard doesn't hide anything), lock-up and final. But, it will ultimately depend upon how expensive each of the individual inspections are. We'll also do our best to monitor the work, at least up until lock-up stage as we'll then be unable to enter the property. Here are some resources which I've found helpful: http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewforum.php?f=31 http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing-and-accommodation/building-and-renovating/checklists/during-construction http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing-and-accommodation/building-and-renovating/checklists/when-building-work-is-complete http://www.anewhouse.com.au/ http://www.anewhouse.com.au/tag/construction-stages/ http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2014/05/how-many-construction-inspections/ http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2012/11/using-a-building-inspector/ http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2014/01/using-your-own-building-inspector/ http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2013/12/building-certification-inspections/ http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/ http://www.inspectionangel.com.au/checklist http://www.abis.com.au/handover-checklist Good luck!

@Aimee, I know this dilemma was never about your layout and only about the "style" but sometimes it's easy for us readers to digress a little but it does help the author, you, to have a good look or a good think about it, leave no stone unturned so to speak!! This kitchen whatever the layout, only needs to suit you as the cook in the home. My kitchen is being designed exactly the same way, for me and not hubby or anyone else in the family as I'm the resident cook too. If for example, I placed the microwave in the usual spot above the oven, now seen in almost all modern kitchens, then only hubby could use it, as I'm terribly height challenged ha-ha.....but I'm having a wall cabinet placed far lower down on the wall, thus suiting both of us!! Again I'm not having any overheads, well a few slimline cupboards but they are like half the height of a standard overhead, so I can still reach the shelf but I'm not having any normal overheads, as they would be useless to me and I'm building for me not for anyone else, so if a future buyer wants overheads, nothing will prevent them from doing so. I see you have no overheads in your pics either, perhaps height challenged like me?? Currently, we're living in a tiny home (7sqrs) whilst building our dream home, my fridge isn't even in the kitchen, I have to take about 5 steps and travel through the lounge and into a back room to access it and I have lived with it for several years now and it's no bother at all but I must admit, it will be nice when it's back in the kitchen where it belongs, it's simply too big for this little home. Good luck with your reno, it sounds very exiting, I wish I was as advanced as you were!!! Finished pics would be lovely. Cheers, Barbara

Hi Stephen Irby, urgent question for an old thread. I've been looking at the Oliveri sonetto single bowl with left hand drainer (1.2mm 18/10 304 grade) as I want a quality sink big enough for bakeware and large pots. I have existing cabinet constraints (600mm) for the bowl, and want to also install an inline filter to replace the puratap. Will this fit in with it? The cabinets are 600mm deep. Also Oliveri have been getting rather a bad rap in reviews regarding scratching, difficulty cleaning and even rust! Is the sonetto range made in Australia?

White on White Dulux. :)