[SteveyC]

Hmm I knew about electrical and heating stuff with regards remodels but was unsure about moving walls. How would anyone know, obviously if you've taken out a supporting wall then you've got problems with the survey should pick up. When you buy a house do you get an original floor plan with the deeds or something? Seems like hard work to regulate.

Good info tho, you'd be mad to start bish-boshing on your house without professional advice anyway.

Interesting point about the brick skin. Some houses are advertised as solid brick construction which would imply traditional two masonry skin cavity wall construction or old old house with single skin but like you say, in earthquake territory it sould be a bit odd. Some just say with Brick finish tho and this I would guess is definately timber studs with brick skin/outer. Intersting one, all the more reason to buy wooden house imho.