Had a split in a water supply pipe which I had already dug out and exposed pipe ready for the plumber. To cut the copper pipe and replace about 60 cm of pipe with two joiners which took the plumber about 30 mins; total time on site including all his paper work 45 mins. Parts costs from Bunnings 2 * Brass Compres Union Kinetic $7.25, 1.5m Copper Straight length $12, Parts total $26.50 so labour was $351.50 for 45 mins. Surely that cannot be the going rate for plumber in 2014.

Approximate cost: $378

Ordered some standard grade treated pine decking which was their mid range quality and it was full of knot holes, bit chunks out of it. The deck could not be stained; but had to putty with over a 2 litres of putty and then painted.

Approximate cost: $800