Beginning of April (can't remember date!)

We finally get the quote from the builder and too be honest I'm wish he hadn't bothered! A verbal quote to Kelvin sounded reasonable as it apparently included everything. When we get the paper quote it is £3000 more than the verbal one plus VAT on top of this and it didn't include: 1) electrics and 2) central heating and no mention was made of the porch. Not overly impressed. Oh, and to top matters off he can't start till the middle of August - DON'T THINK SO!!!!!!! Kelvin now has another builder on the case who has our other plans and is hopefully drawing us up a better quote and he assures us he can start in July!

Nearer the end of April (yet again the date escapes me!)

The 'new' builder has had a look at the plans and has drawn up a provisional quote. It is roughly the same as the original builder but doesn't have VAT and includes the windows and doors (which we are buying). We are much happier with this and have told him that we would like him to do the work. He has said he should be able to start at the end of July and would hope to complete by around the end of October (although we are aiming for the end of November so as not to get disappointed). Still no sign of the planning consent though.