Taking A Break

Things have conspired against us a bit of late. Someone up there has definitely had it in for us regarding the weather and you can't build a house in the autumn gales and rainy season in Huddersfield, that's for sure.

But the biggest issue has been money.

We are finally approved for the self-build mortgage but only because our mortgage advisor, Debbie, directly intervened with the building society (very much against the rules) and all because the packaging company was absolutely useless.

The building society never received half of the documents we had submitted to them ("There is mention of a joint account but we don't have any details," said the underwriter). We have sent those details four times. Anyroads, all paperwork was submitted one Tuesday; decision Thursday. Why, oh why, has this taken so long?

So, top of the rollercoaster that evening only to find myself at the bottom of it by Monday because the solicitor is predicting "2+ months" to do his bit. Now, don't get me onto the subject of solicitors. If you've read any of the early posts about buying the land you will know that I cannot do with the seeming inefficiency and lack of urgency displayed by the breed. In this case it means that we will see no money until he has completed whatever mysterious gubbins he has to do.

But...we now have an invoice from Russ that we will struggle to pay - and I mean really struggle to pay.

Russ has been amazing not only in his project management and building skills but in his understanding of where we are. He has soldiered on and not asked for money but this doesn't sit well with us. We don't have debt, do not owe money to anyone and never have. We must pay him! But we can't continue to rack up costs for the next two months and live on his charity and compassion.

So, after a lot of soul-searching Russ finally agreed to take a break (I think he'd have carried on if we'd have let him). He has another job to go to which, luckily, will take 2-3 months by which time finances should be in place and we can head towards a summer 2023 completion.

I didn't know how I'd feel about downing tools but when Russ said he'd be OK on the other job but it was like a weight off my shoulders. It doesn't take away the search for funds to pay for what he's already done but at least the debt won't be growing along with the worry.

I always said it would be the money that stressed me out and so it has proved. The build is in ultra-safe hands. I just wish the organisation of our mortgage had been too.

So the build is left in this state for Christmas. I hope it's happy!