Sorry, maybe taken back by reading all the comments, but I see that the coffee table is wooden, with the dark flooring and the lounges being a dark red, definitely you need to put a rug under the coffee table to lighten it up with a pattern including some beige or maybe a bit of mustard with red or brighter blue like on the chair around the dining table. It appears there's a mixture of older style lounge and coffee table compared to the white plant stands, something to think about as in the look you are going for.

You could have it costed by a quantity surveyor first. That way you know what to expect from the builders. The quantity surveyor is neutral so the estimate should be reasonably somewhere near the mark. The specification should be prepared by the designer and yourself then can be upgraded or downgraded once the QS has done their part. Some builder's will under-estimate the job if they want it while others over-estimate if they're busy and/or don't want it. If you know the builder is honest and genuine then an estimate (but written contract) on works is sufficient rather than an actual fixed price 'tender'. You'll spend a lot of time with the builder so choose one you get along with rather than being the cheapest or the dearest. The designer should know of great builders that you could talk too as well. They can't recommend but they would know of builders in your area. Two's Company comment is spot on!

Ok. I am a little confused where to head. I need a future vision for all components of house and fence to make the little decisions. The pool blue tiles I love but not sure how to tie in with all the fences internal and external and with house especially if this green goes anywhere else ? But I have bought a " green paint" dulux scott's pine very similar to what was there but it is quite wet here so I stumbled on a photo edit option and have done an unskilled mock up on a photo and taken a photo of it in the meantime (as I couldnt work out how to save it!!! ) But although the green is lighter than actual paint I have bought I can actually (ok it has taken me a while) see how the green would work. But if I do that what would I do will both my green fence and my maroon fence from the outside. I also tried to track down junior navy and couldnt find that colour anywhere? I have slate in need of a little tlc inside front door which I love. I know for some people they find it hard to clean or dated. Its individual and I am beginning to subscribe to conscious consumerism. Lets be clear my house has had renos from some different eras so was and is going to be earthy but eclectic and individual in decorating style.

It sounds about right, if not quite reasonable. Flagfall allowance for painting component I put on moderate sized renos is $35K+GST. For a large new custom residence with various materials we're talking $50K+. 10 years ago you we used to talk about ballpark 10k inside 10K outside but it's moved well on&up like everything.. Also painters now understand how much value and the difference painting injects into a property. Think about the difference if you're selling a house like yours on the perception of a potential buyer. For the purpose of the conversation, if you try and sell a "tired" property for say ballpark $X, you might eventually concede/accept and offer for less than $X. Alternatively if you invest in painting (& other stuff like landscaping and strategic updates) you may well end up well beyond $X + improvements..... I digress, back to the painting topic, as Retro said you're paying for prep and application. It's predominantly a labour expense (the cost of the paint is virtually irrelevant in the whole scheme of things and cost of paint of certain quality is a whole other topic of conversation where false economy runs rife) and minimal "technical" skill from the application aspect, but the skill is in the experience of executing proper treatment of various surfaces and so the finish is as high quality and as long lasting as possible. You could probably get a "cheaper" quote, but likely the end results may not last as long and I bet then you'll then be paying again down the line with a higher quality/cost option after being disappointed with the results of going with a lower cost option...... Being recommended by 3 separate people says a lot about this option for you. Rather than "question" the quote, perhaps go back to them and get them to explain it, just so you understand what's involved with the job, and so you don't feel like you're paying more than what's reasonable - after that conversation you may have a different opinion of it! Best of luck! Cheers PD :)