The correct dimensions for steps if I'm not wrong, as we're currently building is, maximim riser being 190mm and minimum tread is 240mm. The riser cannot be different meaning that you can decide on any hight but not exceed 190mm and however many steps you decide on, all risers must be the same, whether they are the maximum height or slightly less. Your steps are definitely illegal and quite unsafe as you say and should never have been made this way. I wouldn't raise the first step to the timber riser because if you get rain, it could flow over the step and into your home. The small step if extended right to the front of what is your second step would be the easiest and correct fix, if the height doesn't exceed 190mm from the bottom of the first step once you take up the height which looks to be only about 50mm at best plus whatever the height is of the first step which does look to be less than 190mm, perhaps 150mm but I'm guessing?? Could be that you should only have had one step ever!!.....hopefully the height from the ground up to the timber riser isn't more than 190mm and your laughing!! The riser height is a tried and tested height for a person to lift their foot from one step to the next. If you are not selling for some time or ever, then it's not about being legal but being safe and if your measurement ends up being say 210mm for example, that would still be better that 50mm and 150mm or whatever the height actually is currently. As for tread, again, once you choose a measurement at or over 240mm, every tread must also be the same. If it's wider than 240mm, it allows for a person to place their foot squarely without stubbing their toes on the riser or feeling like their heel is hanging off the step. We have gone for quite large treads on our entry steps being about 500mm wide and it also looks nice if the tread is wide on a large or wide entry like ours being a few metres wide as we have double front doors at our entry once the home is finished. I've included a close up of the steps as well as a full shot of the home with the frame already up if the photo's have uploaded properly. Your steps need to be removed and lengthened to the correct dimensions but a qualified builder is probable the way to go, as any builder can tile or reccomend a tiler once the steps are fixed. Good luck

Personally, I don't like the idea of stepping up into an ensuite, and it may mean some people of more mature years are instantly put off buying the house when you are trying to sell it. But if you are going to live there long term, it would no doubt be more affordable. Dollars aside, my personal opinion is to go with the design that has the vanity next to the toilet, to the left of the cavity slider (around the corner). With a double shower, it is practical and has wow factor. It appears that you have a window on the wall that will then be opposite the slider, and that would be yet another cost to consider if you were to position the vanity on that wall, as it would need to be reconfigured unless it is very high up. Maybe make the then blank wall that faces the bedroom door (where the original ensuite door was) into a feature with an interesting colour and art-print combination. I completely understand the whole cost-benefit dilemma you face with this one. If you are doing it to sell, don't spend much on fancy tap ware or imported tiles, as you won't get your money back. Basically, if you plan to sell it in the next few years, I wouldn't touch the ensuite unless it's ghastly.

Funny thread. Seriously, I think this just comes down to one word that people seem to rarely understand these days - R-E-S-P-E-C-T. I'm always telling the neighbourhood kids when they trash my garden that I know 7-letter words are hard when they don't seem to be able to get beyond 4-letter ones these days, but when you are sharing a home, the home is for everyone and it is only simple courtesy to leave common areas ready for use by anyone at any time. This is no different to leaving dirty dishes in the sink or hair all over the bathroom vanity. Jonathan, sit down with your roomies and explain to them the importance of showing respect for each other and taking pride in their home by keeping common areas clean and uncluttered so they are ready for use by anyone at any time. Set rules and have everyone agree to them - even set penalties for breaches of the rules (or resort to whynottryit's garbage bags). They will probably tell you you sound like their mothers, but long term, you will be doing them a favour when they learn how to live with and get along with others.

Thanks Siriusky. Wow- I think that does make a difference. Given that replacing the handles is one of the least expensive options I'm definitely going to give it a go. I have been looking at some 'oiled bronze' handles online as they appear to be a dark brown, and the stripe and chairs are dark brown so I thought maybe that would be better than black?