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!

Great to hear that you have decided not to paint the brickwork. Can I offer my opinion - I'd suggest painting the garage door and surrounding frame and the adjacent beam and column (currently white) in a dark charcoal/brown to match the ground floor brickwork try Dulux Namandji or Mali. I would redo the retaining wall with large boulders in a more freestyle layout than the current straight line and take up some of the concrete drive near the retaining wall to create a garden on the lower level, curved to still provide access to all of the undercroft unless you wish to enclose part of it with a large full height window. I'd love to see the wrought iron balustrade painted black. My home in the mid sixties had salmon coloured bricks, white window frames and fabulous turquoise gutters! The downpipes were painted to match the bricks thankfully - turquoise might have been a bit over the top! Good luck with your project, would love to see your progress. W

Hi RePete, another app for drafting is Home Sweet Home which is free. My experience has been that some of the really good architects are happy to share their ideas when they visit as they enjoy the creative process so much. Eg Williams Burton met with us years ago (we are still figuring out what to do!) - and I was very impressed. We didn't use them as they are very fastidious so their builds take a long time and we can't cope with that but they do some amazing work on character homes in particular and although people think of them as only doing very expensive jobs, I am aware that they have also done some cheaper jobs where the project has got their interest. You could try talking to them and a few others from that "tier". I can't remember if we paid for the initial meeting, but if we did it was only a very small amount. I would seek as many views as possible (including here), keep trawling the net and pinterest as well as Houzz, look at lots of magazines etc, go to every open home that is vaguely like your style and ask the real estate agent who designed/built it... (hmmmm this is why we haven't started building yet after 8 years...) As Ok says, probably the only person that can determine what accommodation is required is you, so make that thought process a parallel one to looking at pictures. Good luck.

Your needs for your home should ultimately drive the decisions....it's tricky jumping in and out on these things, particular after a design process has already occurred, as the projects developed as a result of decisions over various aspects and prioritising of the various goals. Function should drive the decisions one way or the other - THEN we work out how to make it aesthetically/spatially balanced one way or the other..........whatever you do you need to have solid reasoning and justification for all decisions.............. regarding your carport structure, you may well come to the confident conclusion that open private outdoor space/landscaping is a better use of that area for your and your property and that's the best option for you. Be careful not to get confused by differing advice here and whilst all ideas can be valid, the risk is losing your bearing with your own goals. I could argue both sides, a real estate agent may say you're diminishing market value, but you as the owner may prefer a larger rear yard. Not right or wrong, just different priorities and perspectives...... Typically when it comes to this stuff, our instincts are the best compass........but be sure you have taken time to think through options and have the right info.....after years of doing this I can say instinct never fails, but less then ideal outcomes can occur by not trusting your gut Cheers PD