Trying to speed things up a little, we wrote to the architect asking whether it would be possible to get a list of materials for the house (I sometimes confuse buildings with cooking recipes and think all you need is a list of ingredients). He replied that this list of ingredients is usually the very last document to be produced. However, since we needed it to request quotes, and bearing in mind that we want to build the structural part first — leaving partitions, wiring, flooring and so on for later stages — it was possible to obtain that list, with one caveat.

The caveat is that the house we want to build is quite straightforward, and there are many different techniques that could be used. For this reason, he suggested we send him the contact details of the builders we have found, so he can discuss with them what we want and how we would like it done. Each builder will know which approach would be the most economical and practical for constructing the building.

For example, the roof structure will be made of wood and, although the plans specify a particular type, there may well be a better and more affordable option in an area full of timber industries, less than 30 km from the plot.

The most noteworthy thing is that the project is still moving forward and that, in the coming weeks, we will finally have a clearer idea — for better or worse — of what this work will cost us and whether it will be possible to start it or not. The answer should come within a matter of weeks.