Trying again with the renovations lark

In April this year we had a house design/stuctural engineer guy come to talk with us about extensions to the house. He was recommended to us by a builder used by friends. He seemed nice enough for us to send him $1000 to make a start on the promise of a further $1000 on completion of the work.
The first time we made an appointment though he didn't turn up, didn't ring and say he was running late, or unable to make it, had some lame excuse. Long story short, that happened each time we made appointments. He was supposed to send us final drawings weeks ago and hasn't. Meanwhile, we have been becoming more and more uncomfortable, firstly with the design he'd come up with, and secondly with his knowledge of local building regulations and decided we'd perhaps be better to start again with somebody new.
Sharon used to work with a woman, Marie, whose partner is a house designer. Marie was also head of maths at Robbie's school for a while. It turns out that her partner, Rod, works with a builder that had been recommended to me by a man down the road who is a bricklayer, Nudge. Nudge has taken a little fibro ugly duckling cottage like ours and turned it into a beautiful swan (http://www.harveycarr.com.au/index.php?action=listingview&listingID=166). Thinking he'd done such a good job on his place he probably appreciates good workmanship, I asked him who he'd recommend. He gave me three names including the builder that this Rod guy is in partnership with, Michael Edwards. (http://www.michaeledwards.com.au/).
So we've had a chat with Rod and he's going off to do some preliminary drawings. We're talking having a room built out the back where the deck currently is and a master bedroom with ensuite and walk-in wardrobe upstairs.
Fingers crossed we get somewhere this time . . .