HI Emily Carpeting bedrooms is only dictated by your budget. The only variable is the price of the carpet, all other costs (installation, smoothedge, underlay) will be the same no matter what you choose. When you say remove wooden floors....do you know what is already installed? If you are only wanting to take the wood from the bedrooms but leave it in hallways etc, then the cost to remove wood planks (laminate?) may be around $20 per m2... A lot depends on how the timber was installed, so I think it's best to get in a professional and get a free quote. Good luck.

Thanks everyone for the warnings. Honestly I had not thought that could be possible so just in case I'll gear up with a mask to avoid inhaling any of it. I will still need to remove it, but from what I read the problem with asbestos is if you sand it and make it into breathable particles, so ripping it out should be ok. I've looked up in youtubr and there seems to be a tool called mastic remover that you can put on your floor sander and it would scratch the surface removing any of that stuff.

Thanks Ruth, I started off with browsing house values around the area, and Homes.co.nz is a good trade me site -spoke to agents for some tips. And now Im calculating how much I need done to give it a wow factor which is inline with the neighbourhood similar house valuation and one that was sold as well.. Its a long process Im sure - but hopefully being realistic and doing my homework diligently and plan it well-attention to details....it will somehow give me something to think about. Attention to cost specially. I have an excel spreadsheet to work on which my kind accountant taught me.....Feel free to contact me -we can share some tips etc. theres still a lot to plan before I embark oh hiring a designer/architect-for major changes as it needs to be properly drawn and submitted to council. (My motto =I hope it works on this is HAVE A PLAN, WORK ON IT AND GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.) TIME AND MONEY SAVER. Next would be a hunt for a builder that you can trust and rely on= it will be a nightmare to find a really good one for reasonable cost. I have no contacts for now. And hopefully after this Im praying I will have enough savings for me and my husband to retire...... Cheers, Shy email : shy@strange.net.nz Peary Road Mt Eden Auckland 0221393223

We have a new build and the west side garden is overlooked from the neighbour and from the street around the corner, - looking through the neighbour's property. This problem is compounded by the house being 400mm above ground level and having a standard height fence. I was thinking of an allee of trees for privacy screening and for dappled light and sun control. Or does anyone have an alternative suggestion?