What I did today.

Thank you for the many kind messages. I looked for my original post on which to bring you up to date. I couldn't find it.

I am stunned by a private message of support regarding our plans. To be perfectly honest, I have never before met with such generosity of spirit. I wish that I could share with you.

When Mr soop returns, we'll go through the estimate with a fine tooth comb. A little nip and tuck could make all the difference to whether or not the project is feasible.

In the meantime, the house is having a thoroughly good clean. I find it a good way to burn off disappointment.

soop that's ridiculous. I could understand a couple of thousand either way but not £35,000. Have you got other estimates from different firms?
Disapointment is a horrible emotion to deal with

soop I have everything crossed that this will not ruin your plans! I feel confident that Mr soop will come to the rescue with a solution. He looks like a hero to me! xx

Awww Soop that's just rotten. Don't be too downhearted, I bet there are savings to be made. I only wish I had some useful skills that I could offer you but here's a big {{{hug}}} &

Thank you

Mr soop is home. The car needs costly repairs to the chassis.

I gave him the builder's estimate. Mr soop rarely gets "ruffled". However, he is bitterly disappointed, and not afraid to show it. Making some coffee. Will report back when he's less flustered. xx

soop and mr soop

He's on the phone to the builder. Our man is unavailable. Will call back tomorrow.

soop I think nanad is right, get more estimates if you haven't already. MrA was a civil engineer and whenever we need anything always gets at least 3, unless it's someone he knows really well and trusts.
Your first builder's explanation of why there is such a big discrepancy between the final quote and the back-of -the-envelope figure should make interesting reading.

My brother has just had three estimates for a house he intends to gut and rebuild. They differed amazingly. I know you get what you pay for but some builders do try it on. I may be teaching granny to suck eggs, as I think you've experience in own build (?) but never pay anything up front. A reputable builder will have accounts with his suppliers. We paid ours at different stages for work completed.

Get out there soop and kick some bottom!

Oh, soop (((hugs))). Don't have anything else to offer. Do keep us posted after you'be kicked some bottom.

soop take some more (((hugs))). Let I s know what is happening.

I'm having a very rare "Domestic Goddess" moment. The hall smells of lavender furniture polish, the kitchen smells of venison casserole and I've even hoovered the duvet cover!

So sorry I wasn't there to answer your call soop

More deserving thank-yous for being the kindest of pals. Bags
The house is spotless! I'm well-worn-out with the effort. My spirits will have lifted by the time I join you all tomorrow.

soop I feel quite on your behalf! What do this firm think they're doing, giving an estimate then coming in with a quote 35 grand over - ridiculous.
Hope you can find some other firms out there that will be able to provide you with some sensible and balanced estimates.

Don't give up! [hug]

You lot never fail to come to the rescue in an hour of need. If ever the £1 weekly lottery ticket wins the jackpot, prepare yourselves for a very special treat.

Poor you soop and Mr soop. I hate seeing anyone disappointed and especially my nice friends on G'net. I hope the builder can prune his quote though £35K seems a lot to cut off. Better to get different quotes and tell the builder that's what you intend to do.

There's something strange happening by the chicken coop. It's too dark to see what's happening and I can't get into that field without walking miles but I'm worried that one of the chickens hasn't been put in for the night. Have had a really tiring day at work so need to crash out on the sofa for an hour or so before doing some housework, but I'm worried about that bloomin' chicken. Even with binoculars I can't see what's what and the fence is too high to look over the top of.

What a disappointment mr and mrs soop, we are in the midst of alterations and construction work at home, we had 3 tenders with £30,000 difference between them! We have gone with the most reasonable and also trimmed our original plans to make it affordable. The building firm carrying out the work are known to us (they did work next door) and also recommended by out architect.

I do hope you manage to see a way to realising your dream "wee hoose"

Aw Soop, I`ve only just seen this. I`m so sorry, how disappointed you and Mr. Soop must be, probably devastated. Living where you live though, the trouble with getting several quotes is that there probably aren`t too many building firms in the immediate area. I do hope that something can be sorted, your dream can`t come crashing down, not now! All my love and best wishes xxx

It's been a right bummer of a day. My friends on Gransnet have kept me sane. Bless you. Tomorrow is another day. I shall return. Big hugs to everyone.

So sorry soop but we found that building regulations are so strict now that costs do escalate.Every time the building inspector came he told the builder to change or add something. Like topsy it just grew and grew. Our extension was the price of a new build house and we would never be able to sell because nobody would pay what it is worth.

Good news glass glad to hear GS had a good night.
I am back from looking after GD, she was less boisterous than on Tuesday, I think being in her own home is less exciting than running round Grandma's. GD1 came in from school and had a strop because I told her she couldn't paint her face black why would she want to ? She was going to swimming club as soon as her mum got in from work. She also informed me there is a teacher training day next week and she thought she would come and stay. I told her that Mum was not at work that day and she would be at home .... slam, stomp, stomp. I thought teenage started at 13 not seven.

soop - I've only just logged on and seen your post. I'm so vexed for you (as they say around these parts). It would make it so much worse because you couldn't tell Mr soop, too. Tomorrow is another day, and it might just not seem quite so bad (not a lot of comfort for you just now). You've got lots of warm arms around your shoulders just now - you do know that, don't you, soop? xx