Another view

I spoke to an architect last week. Originally he was one of the ones we had arranged to meet about this project, but due to unforeseen circumstance, we did not meet up.

His said that our experience is not a unique one: have a budget, have a plan, go to tender, comes back over budget.

His advice in this current financial climate: if we see a house that has been renovated, and we love - buy it. He says that whatever it would cost would still be less than our own renovation project. He has a point, and we know we may well be over capitalising, but for 25+ years, it wouldn't be so bad.

Anyway, food for thought.