Well balancing out material and costs labour costs is one thing but 2 story is quite a bit cheaper to build ; far less foundation and roofing area. It also simplifies the plumbing and of course is far more energy effective as downstairs heating will also contribute to upstairs heating. PROs can develop on this. And as Curt points out, modular is a very fast and cost effective solution which can allow you to put your pennies into better quality. Be very careful to select a known and competent professional if you go this way though, i don't know about NZ but europe abounds with cowboys ; low costers are to be strictly avoided.

Thanks , thats very nice. I like that style a lot. I found that Lighting Direct have these long industrial style ones which suited perfectly for going over a mirror cabinet and you can add an industrial style LED bulb. So Euro that have a Trade Me store sell nice pendants and decided to go with these for the 2nd bathroom.

I didn't like any of the stock standard vanities I saw being sold. By chance I happened to see a second hand vanity being sold on FB so I brought it ( see photo). I liked its shape and solid profile but didn't like its colour. I took it to a auto car spray painter and had them spray paint it in Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal (a greige grey). They did an awesome paint job with a mirror like finish. I brought a piece of primestone (marble look) for the top, two small towel rails to be fixed in the underside of the vanity that is sticking out so I can hang hand towels on either side. I brought a new tap for it (but kept the vessel basin). I ordered in some new legs for it online because I didn't like the legs on it (see below). Its currently at a joiners getting put together. I've actually enjoyed the process of pulling it all together. Sure by the time it has been put together I probably would have spent the same amount that it would have cost me to do a custom vanity however I think there is something to be said for re-using something a second time round rather than buying into consumerism that abounds us. All up I've spent $1,074 NZD for the vanity, the spray paint job, new legs from www.prettypegs.com, the new towel rails from Reece Plumbing & buying a new Elementi tap. That doesn't include the joiners costs - yet. I needed storage in my vanity. This one fit the bill for me. Good luck with what you choose to do! I am doing a bathroom remodel as well and enjoying it.

Live in NZ near Christchurch. Am trying to find an alternative to tile as a wall covering on the walls OUTSIDE of the shower areas. These are already acrylic as did not want to clean grout lines. Has anyone used any of the panel products on the market for covering the whole room? Has anyone found any to replicate LARGE tiles. James Hardie has hardiglaze but the tiles are small . I really like T&G panelling, again seen A Hardie product but would like a narrower width tongue. Also I think up to ceiling will be a bit much........pHowever what height to end it? Are there less ornate dado rails available? The house is a new build and the fittings are contemporary. TIA for helping.