So, Russ (our builder) is off doing an extension with the plan to come back when it's done. Since we downed tools before Christmas there has been no activity at all at site. As I wrote before, this has given us a chance to think about things like the kitchen and bathrooms a little more - when you're rushing headlong through the construction you tend to lose sight of the good things at the end.
The expense does not stop, however.
At the end of February the site insurance ran out. I tried getting quotes from other providers but in the end it was easier to stay with my current insurer. BUT the reinstatement valuation has changed things dramatically. When we first looked to build the estimate was around £260,000 so the insurance was for that amount. However, the survey now puts the full reinstatement value at £505,000 (once the geezer got his measurements right). This has effectively doubled the premium. We've gone for a six month extension (call it dreaming; call it necessity) and the premium is nigh on £1000! For six months! We'd better be in by the end of August at those prices.
We've also had to shell out for more detailed searches than my solicitor was expecting so another £400 there. Plus we've been paying off what we owe Russ and trying to eat and heat the home - we're losing weight more through shivering than lack of food! 😉
So looking ahead: we hope Russ can get back on the job in the next two to three weeks; we hope that the solicitor can chivvy things along and the mortgage will materialise; we hope that we've got enough spare cash to pay £900 for an indemnity policy the building society insist we take out, and we hope we've got enough to pay the solicitor.
All-in-all doing bugger-all on site sure is expensive!
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