I'm amazed that this discussion has carried forward for nearly two years! In that time I have moved to another coastal area (cooler climate and better proximity to children) and this time found most of the discussion still rings true. Finding another home here was an incredibly frustrating journey made all the worse by a mad investor rush in the area just when we arrived to start our home search. That search took the best part of six months and in the end there would only be three or four houses to choose from in any week. Result? A rushed purchase, a desperately inadequate building inspection and failure on my part to notice poor bathroom tiling, shortage of closet and storage pace, just how small the lounge room really was, and etc. I disappointed myself because I had let the pressures beat me and now we are trying to resolve all of these issues in a home designed and built by one of this states most respected project home builders 25 years ago. Having now studied the floor plan with more care I realise it was put together (designed) in modular fashion - most bedrooms have similar dimensions and the living areas are all approximately the same size as if the designer simply juggled three boxes of one size and four of another size and then worked out traffic flow. Then he must have thrown them all in the air to see how they would land and that was design number two! And etc and so on. This house aside, we looked at a great many during the six months because we had to broaden our search above and below budget trying to find something. There were massive termite problems, leaky roofs, asbestos galore, gazzumping at every turn, almost all but the most expensive properties suffered at least one substantial fail for the most basic of needs and to top it off the best home in our price range just happened to be built on flood prone land - approved by council who put the flood signs up less than five years earlier. We live and learn. Then there were the real estate agents, but that would take another two years and I doubt the internet has enough free page space available!!! OK, I hear you, they're not ALL bad...

If you do this first step, a local handyman in your paper would be capable of UN/ installing it for you, the benchtop manufacturer will come to you, measure and quote off plan, and install for you. The only things is organizing an electrician and or plumber to disconnect during your removal, and then re fitting after it's done. The same trades people will do this as it's common practice. Send me your list of cabinets and room layout, I can make use of them for you, then it's a matter of contacting a handyman to reinstall for you. I will make a list of existing cabinets and note any new ones that might be necessary, keeping that to a minimum. I am a kitchen designer and have lots of experience in doing this. Yu simply go to a. Cabinet maker with your list of a few cabinets with all your preferences made, such as selecting a door profile in your solid timber from their catalogues, or a match your happy with. You can say you Want a quote for new tops and some cabinets, without knowing the details, most would be happy to do this for you, it's just the first process I mentioned you need to do, as they have little time to think for you. Where possible save time and money by planning it out, and then it should go well.

Security cameras are expensive to install and I don't know how much of a deterrent they are. The sort of burglar who breaks into an average home isn't too bright, or is full of drugs, so is probably not being too observant or thinking logically. They are great for catching the burglar after the fact, but maybe not so good as a deterrent, unless you are prepared to pay for the service of someone monitoring your cameras 24 hours a day. You can buy fake security cameras that aren't wired in, and they probably have as much deterrent value as a real camera. I would spend my money on a few large "Beware of the dog" signs which can't be missed and would probably work better as a deterrant. False advertising, but better value. Or get yourself a real guard dog! Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Thank you Julie. Its so rewarding going onto our completed projects to see how it has blossomed and is giving back to the owners of the garden. Regards Chris Slaughter - Lead Designer www.scenicbluedesign.com.au