Katymac's Nursery Update

[KatyMac]

OK meeting with the potential builders today & some interesting savings can be made

1. drive is no longer tarmac with kerbs and pavements - it's gravel
2. all landscaping to be done by me separately
3. bizarrely the skirting boards and architrave were specified as oak - so to convert to softwood (or even MDF) will reduce costs
4. different less eco roofing
5. different (but possibly still eco) heating system 6)Windows & doors no longer hardwood - now softwood (manfully resisting uPVC)
6. Internal walls all have foundations and built of block so now they will be stud walls
7. Move the kitchen & some loos to reduce the plumbing runs
8. I spend the whole summer painting/staining/varnishing

How much do you think that saves?

That sounds good, hope you can go ahead with the project.
We are finishing renovating a house in Spain and have gone over-budget by about 25%. It's all been due to changing hollow window bars for solid iron, iroko windows instead of pine, standard tiles for nicer ones, shaped floor tiles rather than square ones etc, things that take longer to lay or fit etc.

You can always asphalt the drive later...and maybe there will be some eco-aware parents who will help with landscaping etc later?

I hope so SM
Good luck 25% isn't too bad I guess

FIngers crossed about the landscaping

So is it all go now KM? Sorry if I am not getting it

So is it all go now KM? Sorry if I am not getting it

A gravel drive will be more eco friendly anyway though won't it? There are new laws being introduced to encourage porous materials to be used for driveways etc

Crace - tbh I have no idea if it's on again or not

But that little lot saved £170K

We need to lose about another £50 realistically so they are looking at that atm

So that's promising then! Wow, what a difference all that made, and I am so pleased that the builders have tried to work with you!

I do hope so

They are lovely - I could kiss them

I think I am quite excited

That's brilliant!

Go back through it all again and look at what you could source yourself, whether there are any "management" type costs that reflect work you could do yourself and if there is anything that you could do without for now or at least upgrade later. Eg, if the kitchen cost is a supply and install cost, look at how much you can get the units for and what the install only cost would be (same with bathrooms).

Your builders sound like they will be great to work with!

I know this sounds odd but look at furnishing eg toilets etc with a trip to france I watched a program one about how a woman saved a fortune by going to calais as door handles taps sinks toilets where so much cheaper there

A friend who converted her old stables to a house recently imported her windows from ?Denmark as they were so much cheaper than here.

Oh that's great the builders are working with you on this, I know you will find a way, I thhink you are quite excited too , I would be.

OK we are down to sorting out how to deal with the VAT - if it wasn't for the VAT we could do it

I have no idea about the VAT thing but surely this is possible! Have you posted over in legal for help?

Well I have - but I'm not getting very far

I'm trying NOT to get excited as this VAT thing is a nightmare

Katy, am cheering you on from the sidelines

Have you phoned HMRC re the VAT? I know many tax lawyers who often use their helplines.

Yes - I'm not 100% sure the gentleman I spoke to understood the scope of the problem

He didn't seem aware that you could be exempt from VAT - he seemed convinced that Zero rate, 5% & 17.5% were the only options - he didn't inspire me with confidence

\0/ katy so its more of a possibility now - i told you this would be your year

Fingers crossed

It's all about VAT atm

VAT is a diasaster

Latest ideas

1. approach building company who have quoted £255 & ask if they want to project manage it?
2. approach local builder who might prohject manage it

Any other ideas?

Bump