And now – a builder.

After all the time we’ve waited it now seems as if we might make some rapid progress; let’s not let hopes rise too far too fast! I have pursued some of the leads that I established over summer and have been visited by two of these. The second of whom showed up with a Devis – a quotation – which he had prepared in August, but didn’t pass on. I’ve seen the quality of his work on another house in the village and it is excellent so I would be happy to employ him.

More importantly he can start at the end of November and can cover all aspects of the tasks ahead of us in terms of roofing, masonry and flooring. And with all of this he’s also provided a very thorough Devis which gives a figure significantly cheaper than any we’ve had up to now. So all in all he seems by far the best option so I shall engage with him. And we can expect work to commence pre-Christmas which should mean that some protection will be afforded to the house before the worst of the winter sets in, which seems to happen here in mid-January.

With this progress achieved I shall now return to the UK for a couple of weeks to then return to Arné and be on site when the builder starts. I will also act as his labourer when I can – which offer surprised him. But it will help the work to go forward more quickly with an extra pair of hands and we want to feel directly involved in the whole project.

So, a very positive message at last.