Jenny Yun, you need to check back on your original plans/marketing brochure. If they show a separate shower to a bath that is what you thought you were buying. A builder can't change from having a shower and a bath to having a shower over a bath without contacting the buyers. Get your solicitors advice if the builder has made this change without going through the proper channels. A Certificate of Occupancy certifies that a home can be lived in. It is a requirement of most local government councils that an occupancy certificate be issued prior to the purchaser of a home taking occupation. If I were you I would be getting my solicitors to confirm about the Certificate of Occupancy before moving in and asking some questions about drainage and mould growth under the bath. Your solicitor should represent your interests, and knows what the law says, so they should be helping you. It is such a pity you have already settled - I hope it is not too late. If there are a lot of apartments with the same problem you may need to consider a class action if you can't get proper rectification from the builder. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls.

Bathroom renos can be daunting as there are many things to consider and usually the space can be limiting. Free standing baths are stunning and come in many shapes and sizes. You have mentioned that you and the boys will use the bath, ensure you factor in the "users" height as this will determine the bath size and depth. Firstly is the plumbing remaining in the same position? Floor mounted bath mixers can be installed with a concealed under floor box or the above floor connection method. The concealed box method is advisable before the flooring is installed, and has the benefit of a lower profile floor plate, which is preferred. The above floor method may be done where the first approach is not possible. Free standing bath mixers visually create an impact when paired with the freestanding tub, ensure you have enough room around the tub as it will be difficult to clean if it sits too close to walls and or vanities etc..many freestanding bath mixers offer functional hand showers as well as the spout, ideal for washing soap out of kids hair. Would love to see a lay out of your bathroom to assist with tap ware placement. Good luck with your bathroom renovations, always happy to assist you. Carmen Collaborative Interiors

Thanks for all your comments so far. These are just the first concept designs. We will be progressing to detailed designs next week. Yes all the exposed brick will be going. The wall on the right of the fridge recess will remain but be plastered over. The wall above the fridge and to the left where the current pantry and oven are will be removed entirely (supporting straps on roof beams). Yes there is a corner window which the sink faces onto. Currently that window is remaining as is. The sink will be double. Looking at Franke designs. Fridge width approx 900-920mm.

No, builder coming around tomorrow for first time, as is Class 2 designer (been a rush to get a bunch of class 2 consultants on board for a simple reno). So far all my own investigations. The slab is structural, 275 thick with localised thickened beams over the posts in the carpark. Opening it up would probably be refused by Strata. I can go look at the original structural details to see how much cover is over the reo - maybe I can get a 20-30mm scabble and do the rest with screed to cover before tiles. It'd be very flat though. Will need a structural engineer to sign off on the detail, and if I'm honest, I'm uncomfortable reducing cover to the reinforcement as below and think it opens up a bunch of risks. I'll run this past them tomorrow for their comment though.