In the process of purchasing our new home we discovered it had termites. As we still loved it and were able to negotiate a lower price, we decided to get a quote by Bug Off to spray the house.
While it took Jason ages to actually make it to our house, he kept ringing and cancelling last minute, once he did get here he had it done in a day. As my husband was also able to do some of the pipe laying himself we got a great discount and it ended up being $1,000 less than the original quote.
Jason also had to put holes in our paving but came back a few days later to putty them up for us at no extra cost. He was very professional and quick in his delivery, we just had to get him to stick to his day.
We would recommend this service.

Approximate cost: $1,600 total

We've had our bad run of tax accountants, particularly H&R Block, so we were delighted when someone recommended this business.
Stuart and Lorraine are a retired couple who now operate a small accountancy firm. They have very loyal customers and for a number of reasons. Stuart and Lorraine work together to help you sort out your tax return. They combine pen and paper methods with their online accountancy procedure and it might be a traditional method, but it gets you the best tax return honesty can get you. They give you great advice but are completely above board when it comes to getting you the most money back. More than anything else, they welcome you into their home and make you feel incredibly comfortable. They are friendly, cheerful and by the time you walk out you feel more like you've just spent an hour with a dear family member rather than your accountant. They make tax returns a pleasant experience, which is such a great advantage. Plus, they are very, very affordable!

Approximate cost: $120

We had some very special and sentimental photographs printed here after a recommendation from a photographer.
They were unbelievably helpful and professional to deal with. They can go as big as you like for photos and also offer framing services. We had a great deal of images to sort through and they were most generous with their time and expertise. I was also able to email them to make changes and communicate a few extra details. The photos were ready within a day and they were of very high quality.
A very professional service!

Approximate cost: $20+

Having my wedding at the Portsea Hotel I decided to book my hair with Meesha as it's conveniently located next door. I went in a few weeks before the wedding to have my trial. I was expecting to be met by Meesha, the owner and main hairdresser. However, I ended up being styled by an apprentice. My hair is quite easy to curl with the right technique as I can do it myself easy enough with curlers or a wand. However, this young girl had no guidance as Meesha wasn't even there, and the other hairdresser was more interested in talking about her boyfriend and looking in the mirror at herself.
They made me wait a really long time to start working on my hair and noone else was in the salon!!!
Once they'd put my hair up in rollers they put a very low heat over it to set. Once it was let out they told me they wouldn't put product in it as it was only a trial. Needless to say, the second I walked out the curls dropped and were totally gone within 5 minutes. Even without hairspray, my hair usually last longer than this.
I was really disheartened and had already paid my $60 deposit. I was angry as I felt a trial should be done by a professional, especially for a wedding, and as I'd paid extra for the trial itself I'm sure they could have used some hairspray so I could gauge how long it would last in reality.
I ended up ringing and telling Meesha I was dissapointed. She offered to do another trial but by this stage I didn't have a lot of time, so I had to cancel and forfeit my deposit, despite the fact that it was their lack of professionalism that caused me to find another hairdresser (who didn't give me a trial and curled my hair with a wand, which lasted until the following day). I wouldn't recommend this salon, at least, not for a wedding.

Approximate cost: $60+

After investigating several photographers for our wedding, and constantly being disappointed by the price and package options, we found Sally.
Sally and her team provided us with the most professional wedding photographs our money could buy. She was considerably more affordable by a few thousand dollars and allowed us to get all our photos on CD.
We had our wedding at Portsea beach and despite the weather, Sally and her crew took the most beautiful images. While we didn't get any enlargements directly through her she recommended a printing company who were both cheap, easy to use and of high quality.
The photos themselves were not your stock standard. They were quite arty and we found ourselves being photographed in some of Portsea's most hidden and scenic little hideouts, it was quite an adventure!

Approximate cost: $1500+

Having been recommended by a friend to give Monbulk Family Dentists a try I was expecting good service and that's just what I received.
I'm always able to get an appointment, even at short notice. They are quite affordable for fillings, extractions and cleanings. Harsh, my dentist, was even able to take out my wisdom teeth in the chair. And, to be honest, it really wasn't that bad! Better than going to hospital and paying a fortune.
They referred me to an orthodontist to straighten my teeth and I've had great results. I won't go to any other dentist now. The best part is that I'm a real baby when it comes to dentists, but once you tell them you're a bit nervous they talk you right through the whole experience. When I had a few teeth removed, I was very wonky on my feet afterwards and they really took extra care of me.

Approximate cost: $35+

Been here twice now and was really happy both times. The food is really delicious and is good authentic thai. It's filling and generously proportioned.
The staff are friendly and you don't wait long for your meal!
It's a funny little location out near the end of Jumping Creek Road, but it's a great place for a nice Thai meal.

Approximate cost: $20+

It's a bit hard to judge the 'value' of an orthodontist, afterall, they're all pretty pricey and you end up needing to sell a car or a limb to pay for it. However, having had braces for a while now, I can say that these guys know what they are doing. For the most part, the assistants are very professional and experienced and the orthodontists are friendly.

Sometimes you feel a bit rushed through and you don't get the chance to ask all the questions you have, which is a bit of a pain. It's also tricky to get an appointment after 4pm due to the school traffic that goes in and out the door.

All in all, while they've been good to deal with, I sure want these things off my teeth. They've made a huge difference to my mouth though, I can see massive improvements and could within days of my first fitting.

Approximate cost: $5000+

We love shopping local and its a bonus that this place is just down the road. They always have fantastic cuts of meat and a great variety. The staff are always really friendly and willing to have a chat, which gives the place a warm atmosphere. Prices are pretty good...not supermarket cheap, but not supermarket rubbish either!
They do a good vegie burger too!
I just wish they'd stop putting those signs out the front reading 'Hooters' and 'Well-hung meat'. It might be funny, but doesn't do much for the way you think about 'a piece of meat'. But maybe that's just me!

Approximate cost: $5+

I love that this place is 2 minutes from my house. It's a beautiful restaurant from all angles: menu, food, service, views, atmosphere. It's got all the right ticks. The only negative is the prices. They can be a little steep.

However, they use lots of local produce and offer a very Australian-gourmet cuisine. Although the decor adds to the overall aesthetics it isn't necessary as the views indulge the eyes to satisfaction. The vineyard is a beautiful sight as the sun starts to set and their new dam and water feature is an added bonus. They've just built a range of cottages for accommodation, and even though I could walk there, I'm still tempted to spend the night.

Approximate cost: $25+