Kerri, Have a sit and a think about it but it MUST suit you. I would do exactly what you have done with the drawing that you supplied with this diemma and draw a few options and see which one you think you like the most and if it means moving the plumbing then so be it. I'm curently building and up to plaster stage and I have still made a change and put in a few more power points whilst I still can, just go with the best option. Moving plumbing is not a prohibitive cost specially in the design stage where you don't have tiles already on. Best of luck with your decision. Cheers, Barbara

Hey Nik Star, I've had a PowerPoint play with oklouise's edits. This is what I meant about garage entry to the pantry and a laundry in the garage. The red arrows are to stipulate to the builder that level access is required. I added extra garage depth to allow for the garage, that would definitely impact your facade elevation. If you remove the wall between the butler's pantry and mudroom you would have a SUPER PANTRY! But a true butler's pantry in that it was supposed to be where you would land with the veg from the garden so you would kick your shoes off inside the door, so I've noted a little bench seat there, then head in and wash it before heading over to the actual cooking area. Then if you get rid of the sliders and reduce the storage to shallow shelving on the middle wall you would have plenty of space to manoeuvre with mobility devices. For the washing labour machines - washer, dryer, dishy - try getting those mounted on plinths so the load on your poor back is reduced. I have dodgy joints so I am researching all the ergonomic ways to design work spaces to help me when I get to the awesome stage you guys are at with getting to build!

Hi Cath The 3 quotes you have are from a builder and 2 renovating companies? As we said previously, the main thing to focus on is that now you know some of the requirements, you are really faced with deciding between a cosmetic renovation and a rework of the entire layout. Each has its (layout) advantages and (cost) disadvantages. The real issue here is which option do you actually want (and fits within the budget) for your project? Once you decide that you can explore all your options and then you can move forward. Regarding your comments about the quotes, the 2nd and 3rd quotes appear to be cosmetic because they are not moving plumbing. That's always going to be cheaper. Just because they are not quoting on relocating things though doesn't make them cheaper... Apple vs apples.... Regarding conflicting comments about 'weakening the slab', it depends on what type of slab you have. If it is eg a Melbourne waffle/raft slab then it needs a review of the original drawings and an engineer detail/ certification that cutting it is ok.... neither of which is a very big undertaking. If it is a simple 100mm slab then it is no big deal to sort. The reality for you in this is that at the moment you are on a learning curve, getting a little bit of info from each of the people you have spoken to. Without knowing what state you are in and what type of home you have then they could conceivably all be telling you the truth. Yes, if you need to alter the plumbing then you obviously need to deal with the slab. Yes if you want to have a walk in shower you need to lower the plumbing as we said earlier and it means you need to deal with the slab to do so. Yes if you have a waffle slab you need to allow for it to be cut and reinforced properly. You may well need to reinforce the slab, and any modifications to it may cost, hence your builders quote taking that into account. Whether you can fit that in the budget will determine whether you can change the layout or not, and whether you do the plumbing. If not then a cosmetic reno will be limited to tiling at the same heights by either replacing the base with screed to create fall as one has suggested or tiling over another base ( I wouldn't do this). Ultimately if reworking the layout blows the budget then many people here will be able to suggest amazing cosmetic changes to create the wow factor your job deserves. Your next step is to make the decision on which way you want to go so that the Houzzers here can give you lots more ideas... Cheers

Hi Souzette, Front loaders look great but can be a pain, We still like to soak things in the sink and getting anything like a sheet into the machine if it's not next to the sink becomes messy, so seeing that we try to avoid using the dryer we have the washer next to the sink Our preferred way to dry things most of the year is on the clothes line or on the retractable line we have above the bench and in front of the window But then we all do things differently, and you live in a colder area. Did you finish the original bathroom FYI The following link shows how to change the door on an Electrolux machine, not sure if it works on any others https://www.cnet.com/pictures/switch-your-washing-machine-door-to-the-other-side/11/